Like it or not, loading magazines (or belts) is just one of the things that one has to do before serious trigger time with any repeater. Sometimes, I like to get it out of the way ahead of time (as in prior to a high-round count match or course). Other times, I must do it at the range, especially when using a platform that I don’t have many magazines for.  With some magazines, this can be just time-consuming.  With certain magazines, this can become a chore, especially in the last few rounds to be loaded.  Thankfully, there are quite a few gadgets out there that reduce one’s loading time and/or effort.

Speed Loaders @ TFB:

• Jam Mags With The Magpacker Speed Loader
• PlugLoader: A Clever Speed Loader For Your Glock
• Spee-D-Loader Rimfire Tube Mag Speed Loader
• Review: Podavach Speed Magazine Loader

Speed Beez has quite a few speed loaders on the market, as well as various holsters and reload/magazine carrying options.  Recently, they reached out and were generous enough to give team TFB an opportunity to try their new Lever Loader speed loader.  Though we had the choice of a few different models, the unit we are taking a look at today is for the CZ-75 family of firearms.

Speed Beez Lever Loader

Was loading a breeze or a tight squeeze?

Equipped with Speed Beez’ CZ-75 loaders, I headed to the range with my CZ Shadow 2 and a bunch of different profile 9mm ammunition with various cases.  It was important to try a variety, as I’ve used speed loaders in the past that don’t work well with certain aspects of certain types of ammunition.

Using the Speed Beez loader was very intuitive.  One simply inserts the magazine into the base of the loader as one would do in the magwell of the firearm.  There is even a magazine catch/release integrated into the loader, so you can speed load while standing without using a supporting surface like a table on the base of the magazine.

One then holds the levers as one would hold a pair of scissors. Then, one compresses the levers (like closing the scissors) while one simply inserts the cartridge base-first into the opening, then one opens the levers and repeats the whole process until the magazine is full.  Then, one presses the magazine release, and can be on their way to more shooting enjoyment.  Here’s a brief, one-minute video from Speed Beez demonstrating the process:

In loading over 400 rounds with the Speed Beez Lever Loader, I did not have a single issue.  Though I did not find it to be a faster process than I can load CZ-75 magazines by hand, I did not get as fatigued nor did my fingers get all grimy from pressing ammunition into the magazine.  The last few rounds to load were also just as easy as the first few.

The Lever Loader worked great with all bullet profiles and brass, steel, and nickel cases.  I also found the Lever Loader to be much easier to use than other semiautomatic pistol speed loaders I have used such as the MagLula.  If you can work a pair of scissors, you can use the Lever Loader to good effect.

Speed Beez Lever Loader

Overall Impression

At $24.95 for the CZ-75 compatible version, the Speed Beez Lever Loader is a worthwhile piece of equipment for your range bag or gun bench. While it may not make loading pistol magazines faster for an experienced hand, it does make the process easier, and that’s good enough for me.  For more information or to purchase, please visit Speed Beez.