In addition to the attachments for my 8″ SBR PTS project, my package from overseas also included an ODIN M12 Speedloader! So it’s time for a comparison: ODIN M12 vs Clone Speedloader.
For me, the question is: What makes more sense, buy the replica for just under 20 € or rather buy the original for about 60 €?
Disclaimer: I was provided the ODIN Speedloader by PTS for testing. However, that does not change my statements or impressions that make up the conclusion. Some links in this article are affiliate links. The blog posts are thereby partly financed through the use of such links, which allow me to earn a small commission. However, I only link to stores from which I order myself and whose service I find recommendable.
Same functionality, different quality
But let’s start at the beginning: Both speedloaders do what they are supposed to do. You can load your M4/AR15 magazines very efficiently with both rotary speedloaders. After three to five seconds, a mid-cap magazine is filled without having to break your thumb with a small standard speedloader, which is often included in the box of an airsoft gun.
And in fact, I’ve always used the aftermarket loader to fill my magazines so far. On the photos, you will in fact see the second one of this kind, because I overloaded the small worm gear inside the first relica speedloader and broke it. But more info on that when we talk about the material. Just as a note in advance: For the conculusion I will take the imputed price for this replica as 40€, because you would probably break one of them if you haven´t read this article! 😉
Find two differences in the following picture!
The first important difference can be seen on the crank of the rotating mechanism. The Odin Speedloader has the great advantage that the crank does not turn off constantly. On the replica, I had to secure this with permanent threadlocker and a piece of rubber holding the “not-screw”, because the construction has loosened again and again.
The ODIN does everything right here and comes directly with a hexagon socket screw and a counterpart with a slot, so you can easily secure the two components.
If you like to tinker yourself and enjoy the constant fear of losing the crank, you should directly buy the replica! 😉
For the second difference (visible from the outside) you have to look a little closer. In the picture, the green Odin Speedloader has a nice leather clutch disc (don’t ask me if this is real leather, I don´t really care). This disc is in the black replica as a simple felt and strangely installed under the mechanism. Unfortunately, I don’t know what this is about, but in case of doubt, I would rather give the manufacturer of the original credit for having made a clever decision here.
It is said that it has often happened that imitation products do not meet the same quality standard as the original, whose design was developed by someone with a deeper understanding of the requirements. Just saying…
The inside makes the difference
Also in this picture, three differences can directly catch the eye. Apart from the FoadPad in the replica speedloader, which I designed to try out. It doesn’t do much though. If your Speedloader is too loud for you, rather buy an absorption interior made of silicone. Unfortunately I could only find one from France, but luckily you can get one from POWAIR6. A store I really like to buy from myself.
Back to the differences! When unscrewing the two sides of the shell, the screws themselves catch the eye. The Odin Speedloader uses threaded screws that engage in metal threads on the other half. These are long enough to provide more than enough stability and durability.
With the replica, the opposite is true. After two disassemblies, one screw no longer grips reliably, as the screws on this model simply grip into the plastic of the second half. So, if you tighten them too much, you will cut the plastic and become useless.
Why the type of screw connection is important
Unfortunately, speedloaders do not live in a vacuum. On the way to the field, they probably end up in a bag, and on the field itself, the probably sometimes end up on the floor or worse. This almost guarantees that dirt, lint and sand will also get inside the speedloader.
So it’s not a bad idea to take the Speedloader apart and clean it every once in a while. Especially because the dirt also likes to stick to the BBs, from where it gets into the magazines and from the magazines into the HopUp and the barrel. You see, a clean speedloader and therefore clean BBs will give you much less work in the long run than dirty ones. In this respect, the design of ODIN makes much more sense, since you can disassemble the housing as often as you want without the threads eventually being worn out.
A look at the heart of the speedloader
This article could also have simply been called “ABS vs. polyamind”. And the choice of material is indeed the reason why I have already arrived at my second replica speedloader.
As you can see from the picture, the entire construction of the ODIN M12 is made of a much higher quality plastic, whereas the replica uses simple ABS plastic, which of course can break much faster.
This is probably the most common cause of death if you look at the Amazon reviews for this speedloader. Little by little, the small fins of the paddle wheel break off when used carelessly and you end up with a 20€ rattle in your hand.
Apart from that, the mechanism is fixed by 4 screws instead of only three in the replica. Whether the fourth screw is really relevant, I can not assess so. But in case of doubt, more stability is never a disadvantage.
Loading magazines with mechanical empathy
You should, whether ODIN or replica, always load the magazines with mindfulness. I would always bring new magazines up to their full capacity step by step anyway. For example, first load 50, then 80, then 100 BBs when the magazine has a capacity of 120BBs. That way, the spring can get used to its task. A little mechanical empathy always helps! 🙂
Otherwise, the loading process works almost the same with both speedloaders. The Odin runs a little smoother and the crank turns much quieter. This is probably due to the high quality plastic inside and the softer clutch. Here one could speculate if the BBs in the cheaper replica might even get small dents due to the mechanism being too rough, but I think that goes into too much detail. We are still in airsoft and not the 1,000 yard long range shooting world cup! 😉
Both speedloaders loaded the same amount of BBs in the EMG Strike Industries 210 BB magazines before I stopped turning the crank out of the mechanical empathy I mentioned above. Once you feel resistance, no matter what speedloader you use, you should stop turning. It’s easier on the mechanism inside!
Conclusion: Should you get the replica or the original?
In principle, both models have their market and their target group. Whether you generally want to support the originator of an idea, of course, always plays a role. But if I were at the beginning of my airsoft journey again, I would go straight for the ODIN.
For whom is the replica suitable?
You are new to airsoft and read this article? Perfect, you can grab the cheap replica if it meets your requirements. Just make sure that you don’t overload the speedloader and that you secure the screw at the end of the crank directly after delivery with permanent threadlocker. Otherwise, this is guaranteed to be gone on the first day of play. Yes, loading is a little rougher than the ODIN, but it works. If you’re new to airsoft and looking for a cheap way to load your mags, you can order the replica speedloader from Amazon.
For whom is the ODIN Speedloader suitable?
Once you know that airsoft is a long-term hobby for you, I would always recommend an ODIN speedloader. Just the fact that I could have bought an ODIN for the money of two replica speedloaders plus shipping says a lot about the durability and overall quality of replica speedloaders. I’m really not a gross motorist, but still broke the feeding mechanism on my first replica.
And if something does break on the ODIN M12, whether it’s because you lend out the speedloader or the material simply gets tired after years, there’s even a rebuild kit available for purchase!
Yes, 60€ does not feel cheap for a speedloader, but the quality of the ODIN can actually convince me in retrospect. Especially because you can disassemble and clean it several times without the threads giving way. The advantages of the ODIN M12 Speedloader are clearly in the choice of material, better workmanship and construction. With this speedloader you will simply be able to load your magazines longer and more worry-free.
You get the ODIN M12 Speedloader in different colors at Skirmshop for a fair price of under 60€!