I was watching an episode of "24" earlier today. Our hero, Jack Bauer along with his partner, busted in an apartment to nab the bad guys. Immediately, a gun fight ensues. After emptying his gun, Jack needs to reload. His partner doesn't know this because he's on the other side of the apartment. Jack then announces, "Reloading!". I couldn't believe he did this, it seemed to be a horrible idea to me. He's announcing to the bad guys, he's out of ammo and temporarily vulnerable. At the same time, however, he's letting his partner know that he can't cover him because he's in the process of reloading. I wondered to myself is this really protocol? Announce that you're reloading and in essence broadcast to the bad guys you're vulnerable? Can any LEOs please provide a little clarification on this matter for me? Did your department have a policy like this in place?
I realize that this is a "defensive scenario" section so to make it relevant, I'm proposing the same situation above. Only this time, instead of the protagonist being Jack Bauer accompanied by his partner, its you and your wife. Instead of breaking into an apartment to nab bad guys, you and your wife find yourselves in a situation where more than one person has busted into your house and you know they have guns. A gun fight ensues (like earlier) and you run your gun out. Do you announce to your wife that you're, "reloading" or do you remain silent? Keep in mind that she's not by your side and is in another part of the house and can't see you, etc.
At the outside, it would take 3-5 seconds to drop the empty magazine, insert a fresh one, rack the slide and be back in action. In the time it takes to say "reloading", I'm halfway done. No need to say anything.
Just my thought, but if your in a firefirht, inside a house, your not going to hear what is being said. You can drop and have a new magazine in place before you get the other persons attention and they understand what your saying.
Agreed but at the same time, it was not constant gunfire. There were enough pauses that allowed you to hear such commands. I'm sorry, I should have made that clear in my original post. ;-)
Just my thought, but if your in a firefirht, inside a house, your not going to hear what is being said. You can drop and have a new magazine in place before you get the other persons attention and they understand what your saying.
All things considered, it's probably better to yell "reloading!" rather than "I'm out!"
In Pat Rogers' EAG courses, he has the trainees yell "malfunction" if the gun ties up, but most everyone running dry would have a fresh mag in by the time the final "-ing" left their lips.
Maybe you could use the trick Dylan McDermitt used in the movie Texas Rangers...he called out: "someone toss me a cartridge!"...then the BG came around a corner to get him, and he fired...
Many times when I watch a TV show or a movie, something is going on that just does not seem right or is just plain dumb, stupid and wrong. I will reply "it is only a movie" or "it is only a TV show". That about sums up my reply. When you start reciting events that some movie or TV show have presented, you are entering a realm of fantasy and make believe--accept it for what it is and go on with your life.
Yelling "RELOADING"?... Why? A reload shouild be so quick it shouldnt matter. And it does kind of let your adverary know your unarmed... even for three seconds. Bad JuJu.
In dealing with a team or partner, telling your buddy, in whatever term you use, is so that they can cover you while you reload, or clear a malfunction. Watch some of Travis Haley and Chris Costas drills and you will see what I am talking about. Instead of yelling "reloading"......they yell "cover". By yelling "cover" they telling their partner to cover them until they get back in the game. Yes, a reload should be fast, quick and easy. But what if its not?
Some units will come up with their own term, like "red"....meaning I'm reloading or have a malfunction......and then yell "green" when they are back up.
It's not bad juju......it's called team tactics.
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
Defensive Carry
5.4M posts
117.5K members
Since 2004
A forum community dedicated to defensive firearm owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about everyday carry, optics, holsters, gunsmithing, styles, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more!