Just Me, or Anyone Else Reload Semi-Auto with Last round in the Pipe?
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In the interest of minimizing wasted motion, this procedure occured to me some time back & I practice it regularly at the range, but I've never seen or heard of it anywhere else, good or bad. I'm interested in feedback & pros / cons.
The procedure is to count the rounds fired. I carry 15 + 1 in the pipe. Once I've fired 15 shots, the last round is loaded into the chamber & the magazine is empty, that is the time I dump the empty magazine & "tap" a fresh magazine & immediately continue firing, preventing the slide from ever locking back from an "empty" condition. The effect is that the "tap & rack" process becomes just a "tap" process before resuming firing. This save the "rack" process, which for me is what takes my aim off target somewhat.
This would apply whether you have a 7 rnd mag or a 17 rnd mag, and it does require keeping track of shots fired / rounds remaining, which I think is a good idea regardless, instead of being surprised /caught off guard when the slide locks back on empty, which I see frequently at the range.
The down side that you are reloading with a live round ready to fire, with the safety off (if applicable) , the slide forward, and the hammer back (if applicable) . Therefore, you MUST have heghtened focus on the most basics of safety of;
1. keep your trigger finger OFF the triger while reloading
2. keep your firearm pointed down range / on target while reloading
I've never been involved in a shooting & hope I never am, & certainly not one involving firing more than 16 rounds, but we have to be prepared for the worst & "what if" ourselves to the max. Many carry 1 or more extra mags for a reason, so might as well be ready to use 'em.
The procedure is to count the rounds fired. I carry 15 + 1 in the pipe. Once I've fired 15 shots, the last round is loaded into the chamber & the magazine is empty, that is the time I dump the empty magazine & "tap" a fresh magazine & immediately continue firing, preventing the slide from ever locking back from an "empty" condition. The effect is that the "tap & rack" process becomes just a "tap" process before resuming firing. This save the "rack" process, which for me is what takes my aim off target somewhat.
This would apply whether you have a 7 rnd mag or a 17 rnd mag, and it does require keeping track of shots fired / rounds remaining, which I think is a good idea regardless, instead of being surprised /caught off guard when the slide locks back on empty, which I see frequently at the range.
The down side that you are reloading with a live round ready to fire, with the safety off (if applicable) , the slide forward, and the hammer back (if applicable) . Therefore, you MUST have heghtened focus on the most basics of safety of;
1. keep your trigger finger OFF the triger while reloading
2. keep your firearm pointed down range / on target while reloading
I've never been involved in a shooting & hope I never am, & certainly not one involving firing more than 16 rounds, but we have to be prepared for the worst & "what if" ourselves to the max. Many carry 1 or more extra mags for a reason, so might as well be ready to use 'em.
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Do you really think you'll be able to keep a count of your shots when you're fighting for your life?
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I only do this in matches before the next stage. On the range and informal, I let my pistol run dry before a mag change. Real world defensive scenario?
In my opinion of course.
(I was going to say the same thing)
Just as good or better, especially if you do loose count of rounds fired!
In my opinion of course.
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The odds of keeping track of how many rounds you have left in the mag if you need more than 1 - 3 shots in a Life or death scenario is going to be like telling a rabid wolf to sit and stay. (sarcasim not intended, but it is the first thing that popped into my head). Between adrenaline,fear,tunnel vision etc (basically all the parts of combat stress) you will be lucky if you can remember the color of your shirt. Partial reload or a cover and check drillmay be better in this situation.
- Steve
- Steve
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I think it sounds good in theory but might break down in real life for the reasons mentioned above. Reload after initial encounter and cover, then get outta Dodge.
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