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As About's Hunting and Shooting Guide, I enjoy the opportunity than most to find, test, and review innovative new hunting and shooting products. As always, I'm tickled to have the chance to share my experiences with you, the reader. One such item is the Lock & Loader, by Royse Lock Industries.
Three in One
Billed as "the ultimate 3 in 1 lock/tool," the Lock & Loader is definitely a unique product, and is an interesting innovation considering the fact that most gun locks are designed to merely block a gun's trigger. The Lock & Loader is not just a lock, by any means. This is a one-piece tool with no moving parts, that can be used to lock a semi-auto pistol, acts as a bushing wrench for many 1911-style pistols, and also helps one load stiff-springed magazines.
Locking...
Locking a pistol with this tool is about as simple as it gets. Simply unload the pistol and lock the slide back. Remove the magazine (whether the mag is loaded or not, it'll be in the way) and insert the tool through the ejection port of your pistol, rounded end up. Then, add a padlock (not included with the tool), and your gun is secured.
While I'm not a supporter of gun locks or of their required use, there are certainly times when securing your gun could be beneficial, and this product can definitely do that.
...and Loading
A loading tool is inherent in the design of the Lock & Loader. You simply use the protrusion on the end of the tool to help you depress the magazine spring so you can slide a cartridge in. While I found it to be a bit slower than loading with my hands alone, it did help on mags with stiff springs or ornery followers. If I had a long day of loading mags ahead of me, this tool could help.
Bushing Wrench
While he was at it, Rick Royse included a bushing wrench for the millions of folks who own 1911-style pistols. While I prefer to use a good-quality plastic wrench that won't threaten to mar my gun's finish, I had no problems using the tool as a bushing wrench.
Good and Bad
There's not a lot that can go wrong with this tool, as it is a one-piece hardened aluminum (or similar alloy) tool. As with any tool, it has its pros and cons:
Pros:
- One piece, easy to carry in a pocket or glove compartment.
- Quickly and easily secures semi-automatic pistols.
- Provides a bushing wrench and mag loader in the same tool; one less thing to keep track of.
- Helps prevent what the manufacturer calls "thumb strain" when loading mags.
- Unconditional Full Lifetime Guarantee - If it fails due to a manufacturing defect, send it back and they'll send you a new one.
Cons:
- Allows metal-to-metal contact between tool and slide when used as a lock. Could scratch or mar the slide.
- As a lock, will rattle around a bit, allowing the (usually hardened steel) shank of the padlock to possibly mar the bottom of the grip (magazine well).
- May scratch of the face of the slide when used as a bushing wrench (though no more than any other metal bushing wrench would).
- Slows down loading process when used as a loading tool.
- Padlock not included, though required for use as a lock.
Overall, I think Mr. Royse has created an innovative, useful tool, one that will be living in my gun cleaning kit for a long time to come. At the present price of $9.95 including shipping, it seems that anyone needing a gun lock should strongly consider the Lock & Loader before looking elsewhere.
- Russ Chastain
