Throughout my years of shooting pistols competitively, I have noticed that there
is at least one common denominator that we all share. This common denominator is
our desire to be smooth, fast, and tactically sound. In this month’s tip, I want
to focus on one aspect of the attempt to be smooth, fast and tactically sound,
and that is how to execute a proper reload using a semi-automatic pistol.
Reloads can occur for two reasons. The first reason to execute a reload is that
your weapon has expended all of the ammunition in the magazine and has gone to
slide lock. The second reason is that you have been directed to execute a reload
at a specific point in a match stage or the intensity of a gun fight has
decreased to a point where it would make sense to insert a fresh magazine and
retain your old magazine (which will most likely still contain a few rounds of
ammunition). This type of reload is referred to as a “tactical reload with
retention.” In either case, seconds can be gained or lost depending on how well
you perform the reload. In the following paragraphs I will highlight the steps
to follow so that you can hone your reload skills. Let’s address a reload from
slide lock first.
The first step in a slide lock reload is to release your empty magazine and
allow it to fall free. Your pistol should remain in the raised position -
maintain line-of-sight with the front site and your target (Figure 1). The next step is to take your weak hand and
retrieve a fresh magazine from your ammunition carrier. Simultaneously you will
also rotate your wrist in a clockwise manner so the barrel is still pointed down
range but bottom of the magazine well is visible (Figure 1). Step number three
consists of removing the full magazine from the magazine carrier and inserting
the fresh magazine into the pistol. Place your forefinger on the leading edge of
the magazine so that it will act as guide for the magazine. This (along with
ensuring your spare magazine is stored in the pouch with the bullets facing
foward) is a crucial element to ensuring a smooth reload. Step number four is to
simply release the slide by depressing the slide lock lever and reacquiring your
target. Let me emphasize that this final step should be a fluid motion so that
while your slide is traveling forward you are also aiming the pistol.
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| Figure 1 | Figure 2 | |
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| Figure 3 | Figure 4 | Figure 5 |
Now, let’s address the tactical reload with retention.
As I mentioned earlier, the tactical reload with retention usually occurs due to
a directive mandated by the stage description in a match (or there is a lull in
the fight). The steps here are very similar to those listed above with a few
exceptions. Step one requires you to retrieve a fresh magazine from your
ammunition carrier with your weak hand (Figure 1). At the same time, you will bend your
elbow and bring the pistol about half way back and rotate the bottom of the
pistol so that you can see bottom of the magazine well (Figure 2).
Remember to maintain the target in line-of-sight. In step two, you will
place your weak hand under the magazine well and release the old magazine so
that it falls into your weak hand, which also contains the fresh magazine (See
Figure 3). Step three is to insert the fresh magazine into the pistol (Figure
4). Note that the fresh mag is held between the middle and forefingers,
while the old magazine is stripped with the thumb and forefinger. The new
magazine is seated with the butt of the weak hand. Step
four, stow your used magazine, release your slide, and reacquire your target
(Figure 5). It is important to note that your old magazine
should never be stowed in your ammunition carrier (practice stuffing the used
magazine in waist of your pants). By doing so, you could
inadvertently mistake the old magazine for a fresh magazine, and end up taking an
empty gun to a gunfight.
I hope you have found this tip helpful. I would like to point out
TDSA offers
numerous classes of instruction that are designed to improve the various skills
needed to become “tactically sound.” Our Level 1 course is designed to cover the
basic aspects of shooting such as reloads, trigger management, and target
acquisition. I would highly encourage you to participate in these classes.
Take care!
Rob
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