Actually with a speedloader I am pretty fast at loading my 357. As far as firepower it holds 7 instead of 8, but I don't see it as a handicap. It stays loaded and out of reach of the kids but they know it is there and not to touch it. They know it makes a loud noise and blows things in half. Why? Because I started teaching them about firearms safety as soon as they were old enough to walk. Odd concept I know but it worked for me when I was a kid and it has worked for many other children. Curiousity kills most kids in accidental gun deaths. If they know its there, know what it will do and hear the report once or twice then there is a better chance they won't fool with it.