keitht

In a recent class the instructer demonstrated a loading technique that was somewhat different from my own. He stated that (for a right handed shooter) when the slide locks back after the last bullet - you would:

1. pull the gun in close to the body.
2. Hit the mag release with the weak side thumb.
3. then reach down to reload from the weak / left side hand, then
4. Recover the target while simultaneously closing the slide with the left side thumb.

The only part I have trouble with is the part where you release the mag with the left hand --- then use the same hand to reach down for another magazine. In practice, I am much quicker using my (right) strong hand thumb to release the magazine while at the same time reaching down for my spare mag with my left hand.

The reason I was told I should not use my strong hand to release the mag is that then you give up your grip on the gun and when you reposition it, it will be different and will shoot different.

(Hope that was clear?)

What is the consensus on how to properly and effeicently do a tactical reload?

Ram Rod

A true tactical reload wouldn't involve this step:
4. Recover the target (while simultaneously closing the slide with the left side thumb).
There should still be a round in the chamber while you change magazines, so no need to release the slide.
Using the weak hand thumb to press the release makes sense in a way, but I don't think I could get accustomed to that. I always use my strong hand thumb for the release while reaching for my next magazine at a match.

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Blackeagle

Not to mention the fact that in a real fight you wouldn't be doing a tac reload if there's a target available for you to "Recover". If there's a BG visible, you ought to be shooting to slide lock, not doing a tac reload.

Tubby45

There is nothing tactical about a reload.

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keitht

You are correct. I actually did not mean a "tactical reload." What I am talking about is after all the bullets are spent and the slide is locked back. sorry

ranburr

Your instructor is an idiot.

automatic slim

I would use whatever technique you've practiced and are comfortable with.

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VR4

This^

As stated above in real life you wouldn't be doing a Tac reload.

BikerRN

I am not a trainer or instructor, just a guy that's been shooting for a little bit that has had the opportunity to get some good to excellent training from various sources, so take what I say with a grain of salt.

1. pull the gun in close to the body.

I have to ask why? Once you are reloaded it's faster if the gun is already "out there" pointing in the general direction of the target. This makes sense, the pulling the gun in close, if one is reloading a revolver, but not with an autoloader, IMHO. I do my revolver reloads at my belt.

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

I understand the reasoning, regarding the firing grip, but I do disagree with it. The fastest I've found is to have the magazine release positioned for the opposite hand and using the trigger finger to manipulate the magazine release. Also, if you shoot to slide-lock you may need to reacquire your firing grip, and manipulating your magazine release with the firing hand allows you to do this.

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

I don't hit the magazine release until I have a loaded magazine in my hand. The less time I have the magazine out of the gun the more effective I can be.

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

I do close the slide with my thumb while reobtaining my grip. On this I will agree 100% with your Instructor. When I'm shooting left handed I bring my right hand under the gun to manipulate the slide stop. As far as recovering the target, the gun never should've left the target to begin with. I will rotate the gun to about a 45 degree angle during a magazine change, but it stays out there at the end of my arm.

I won't go so far as to call your Instructor an idiot, as he or she most likely has a valid reason for teaching the way they do. I will say that I have expirmented with the way your Instructor is teaching, and find that it's not for me.

Biker

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PastorPack

I'm going to be faster hitting the mag release with my strong hand, same for releasing the slide lock. I might work for your instructor, but mucle memory and practice trump classroom learning.

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