OPFOR

Putting aside the debate over what the correct term for this type of reload is, I'll offer my semi-informed opinion.

1. pull the gun in close to the body.

Ok, as long is you mean into your "work space," with firing side elbow close to the body, weapon just below your line of sight and still oriented at the threat (though slightly canted to facilitate accepting the new mag). To answer BikerRNs question, this position gives you more strength if you should need it to manipulate the slide (or whatever), is more "natural" for most people when performing the somewhat complex movements of a fast reload. Operating with your strong arm fully extended feels awkward to many folks, and takes much more time to train to.

2. Hit the mag release with the weak side thumb.

No. Not even a little bit. In the first place, if you are using a two-handed grip, you are already breaking that grip in order to reach for the new mag; using my strong hand thumb (which sits right on top of the mag release anyway, on my Sigs and Glocks) causes less disruption of my grip and is also faster. Second, and perhaps more importantly, is this - who says you are going to have two hands on your gun? Yes, that's how we train, but many people default to a one handed shooting grip under even the simulated stress of force-on-force training. Plus, you could have been using your off hand to manipulate something such as a door or light switch, carrying groceries, pushing off the attacker, or any number of other scenarios. Training yourself to require two hands to release your mag is bad ju-ju, IMO.

3. then reach down to reload from the weak / left side hand, then

I am hitting the mag release and moving to draw my new mag simultaneously, while also pulling the pistol back into my "work space," - all three things are going on at the same time, so no time is wasted. Assuming we are at slide lock, my weapon is useless with or without the mag in it - why wait until I have my new mag in hand to drop the empty, useless one? What if there is an issue with the mag falling free (common with some Glock and other polymer mags)? What if it isn't slide lock, but some sort of malfunction that I must now use both hands to clear? If I already have a new mag in hand, what am I going to do with it if I find I need my other hand to get the gun back up? (Note that if I am simply putting a full mag in to replace a partially depleted one, I do as BikerRN does and keep the partial in until the full is up next to the gun.)

4. Recover the target while simultaneously closing the slide with the left side thumb.

I train not to use the slide stop at all, but to use the "slingshot" technique. I do, however, also train to use the slide stop if I am shooting one handed (and I train that way quite a bit) because, as noted above, there are many situations where my off hand may be needed for other tasks. That said, I would never use my off hand to manipulate the slide stop for the reasons already stated (slower, more awkward for me, requires two hands.

I have never had an instructor teach that particular method, and while I won't call it idiotic, I will say that it is a minority opinion in my experience. A minority of one, in fact...

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Saber

Applying a revised technique to an old design isn’t new. However, adapting to this method would be very difficult for those that have trained in a more conventional manner. It's been said that we revert to our lowest level of training under stress.
Regards,

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Blackeagle

Reloading in close also makes it more difficult for someone to grab your gun. With the gun close to your body they have to get closer to get their hands on it. It also gives you more options for hand-to-hand retention techniques.

ranburr

If you fire to slide lock:
Immediately, hit the mag release with your strong side thumb, your weak hand ought to be ripping the empty mag out of the pistol. Drop the empty mag, secure and load a new mag with the weak hand. Come over the top of the slide (utilize gross motor skills) with the weak hand and chamber a round.

edr9x23super

Here is a link to all the info you need to know about practicing reloads; it is an old shooting comrade, Dave Sevigny demonstrating some IDPA drills, among them reloads. I guarantee you that he and others perfected these techniques shooting with the USPSA crowd, who by far are the fastest reloaders around....

Enjoy

YouTube - IDPA Drills

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MR D

as I recall there are three types of reloads:

1. Administrative - at home, at office or range - leisurely, without stress or imminent danger, loading cartridges into the firearm

2. Tactical - lull in the battle, all visible hostiles down, usually done from cover if available, can just be topping off gun for next round

3. Emergency - slide locks back on semi-auto, or revolver goes click due to all cartridges being fired, may still be hostiles fighting - maneuvering to get you - this is the one you had better get right!



do what makes sense to you, but practice, practice and practice, this is almost as important as hitting your target...

Tubby45

I have one type of reload. It's a reload. There are certain reasons to reload, but none of them are caught up in terminology. Just put more rounds in the damn gun and keep shooting. Instructors always want to complicate things.

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dukalmighty

The difference between a reload and a tactical reload is how much money you paid somebody to use the word tactical

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Chroode

Tactical reload means exactly as stated by MR. D - After firing several rounds, and you have a chance, pull out a fresh mag with your weak hand, and release the mag that is in the gun grabbing it with your pinky and ring finger, then insert the fresh mag and replace the semi-used mag in a different pocket for use later when you run low. This way you are topped off with a fresh mag.

I am a lefty shooter. I keep my mag release on the traditional side for 2 reasons. 1st, I tried it on the right side, and every time I fired, it released the mag. The 2nd reason is, I personaly think that the mag release should be on your trigger finger side, and here is why.

When you release the mag with your thumb, you have to cant the weapon away from the target, but, if it is on your trigger finger side you can use your index finger, or like I do with my Glock, use your middle finger to release, and the muzzle stays dead on target.

You should keep you weapon straight out, and on target (unless they are real close) and NEVER take you eyes off your opponent. Fighter pilots have a saying, "Lose Sight, Lose the Fight".

Something else to remember, if someone is pointing a gun at you, think, and say out loud if you need to break that trance, the word "MOVE". Don't stand there and let them aim at a stationary target.

Find COVER!!!!!!!!!
Which means an object that a bullet cannot pass through.
Cars (unless it is the engine block), sheetrock walls, bushes, thin tables, etc., are NOT cover.

ranburr

I wouldn't argue against you in a competition scenerio. But, do you really want to take the chance of missing the relatively small (when compared to a slide), slide stop in a defensive situation? Same arguement as far as ripping the magazine out. Admittingly, it is rarely ever an issue since magazines usually pop right out. But, it only needs to stick once.