tactical reload
- Thread starter draka
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Draka, I just practice reloading. Not specifically tactical reloading. If I need to tactical reload just grab the partially empty mag in your gun and replace it with a fresh mag. There is no secret. With lots of practice it becomes second nature. I do practice while maintaining my view of the target.
At the range I like to practice double taps and reloading together. Just load 2 Rd's in each mag and shoot/load/shoot/load etc until your supply of mags runs dry. Dry fire as much as possible and pop mags in and out as much as possible.
As for transitioning from long gun to handgun......can't help much. If I'm using my long gun it would be hard for me to transition to a puny handgun without the long gun either running dry or malfunctioning. If that happens in a shootout I'd probably toss it aside (flame suit on).
At the range I like to practice double taps and reloading together. Just load 2 Rd's in each mag and shoot/load/shoot/load etc until your supply of mags runs dry. Dry fire as much as possible and pop mags in and out as much as possible.
As for transitioning from long gun to handgun......can't help much. If I'm using my long gun it would be hard for me to transition to a puny handgun without the long gun either running dry or malfunctioning. If that happens in a shootout I'd probably toss it aside (flame suit on).
Draka, If crouching puts you behind cover then crouch. Always try to reload from behind cover if it is at all possible. Remember most gunfights end with less than 5 shots being fired so chances are a reload will not be needed. I put more influence on other things in practice, like front sight location, the draw, and moving while maintaining a good sight picture or shooting. Others of more importance to me are shooting one handed and weak handed because the possibility is greater that I get wounded during the fight and need to continue with only one hand.
Draka - we use three point slings on our long guns; when they run dry of malfunction we just "sweep" them to the weak side while drawing our sidearms; the sling does the rest for us.
WRT "tactical" reloading ala the IDPA reload, I'm not a fan. It's a specialty skill that should only be used when you have a definite "lull" in the fight; not something you should be doing if there are still threats active in the area. Better to get VERY fast at reloading from slide lock ("Emergency Reload" for our agency) or just topping off with a fresh magazine ("Tactical Reload" for our agency). Neither of these skills requires any real thought, or any fine motor movements/juggling that is unlikely to be "do-able" in a gunfight.
Threegun's reload drill is as good as any; "shoot two, reload, shoot two repeat" will teach you the muscle memory you need to get fast at reloading. Once you've got the motions down, I like a more advanced technique wherein I load five or six magazines with anything from one to five rounds, put them in a pocket, and randomly load one, then put the rest in mag pouches. What this does is take some of the "game" out of the reload drill insofar as you don't have advanced warning of when you're going to have to reload...
Regards,
Kevin
WRT "tactical" reloading ala the IDPA reload, I'm not a fan. It's a specialty skill that should only be used when you have a definite "lull" in the fight; not something you should be doing if there are still threats active in the area. Better to get VERY fast at reloading from slide lock ("Emergency Reload" for our agency) or just topping off with a fresh magazine ("Tactical Reload" for our agency). Neither of these skills requires any real thought, or any fine motor movements/juggling that is unlikely to be "do-able" in a gunfight.
Threegun's reload drill is as good as any; "shoot two, reload, shoot two repeat" will teach you the muscle memory you need to get fast at reloading. Once you've got the motions down, I like a more advanced technique wherein I load five or six magazines with anything from one to five rounds, put them in a pocket, and randomly load one, then put the rest in mag pouches. What this does is take some of the "game" out of the reload drill insofar as you don't have advanced warning of when you're going to have to reload...
Regards,
Kevin
David Armstrong
Moderator
FWIW, years of research and hunting have yet to provide a single non-military example of a tactical reload making any difference in the outcome of a fight. It is a nice skill for the range, but is one of those things that is of no importance to an actual fight. Work on a good controlled reload and forget about saving mags/ammo.
For my department, I teach "Combat/Emergency Reload" for most everything...if there's that much of a lull, pick up the dropped mag if you feel the need.
"Reload with Retention" for admin purposes or when being covered by a teammate.
I'm too much of a Murphy believer to put much stock in the "Tac Reload." Take any class that practices the Tac Reload and you'll see many people having a hard time with it under range conditions, much less under the stress of combat...and it only gets worse with hicap mags. Can some do it? Sure, but the "fumble rate" seems higher.
My tac-tickle humble opinion...
"Reload with Retention" for admin purposes or when being covered by a teammate.
I'm too much of a Murphy believer to put much stock in the "Tac Reload." Take any class that practices the Tac Reload and you'll see many people having a hard time with it under range conditions, much less under the stress of combat...and it only gets worse with hicap mags. Can some do it? Sure, but the "fumble rate" seems higher.
My tac-tickle humble opinion...
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The bulk of your training should, of course, focus on the speed reload
But there is value in practicing the Tac Load as well
There are plenty of situations where dropping a mag on the ground would be a "bad idea".
Like for instance you are knee deep in water, standing in a dark muddy field, several inches of snow, etc.
For those that only carry one spare magazine, dropping your first mag on the ground is placing a whole lot of trust in that second mag
There is no real downside to the extra dexterity you may develop from practicing it.
It is , by definition, not something you need to be blazing fast at.
But there is value in practicing the Tac Load as well
There are plenty of situations where dropping a mag on the ground would be a "bad idea".
Like for instance you are knee deep in water, standing in a dark muddy field, several inches of snow, etc.
For those that only carry one spare magazine, dropping your first mag on the ground is placing a whole lot of trust in that second mag
There is no real downside to the extra dexterity you may develop from practicing it.
It is , by definition, not something you need to be blazing fast at.
All in the situational point of view then.
Mine...training and working with folks that carry at least 3 pistol mags, and many times, at least that many rifle mags. And in a city environment in TN, we are rarely knee deep in water or in several inches of snow.
I'd still say that if it's not something you have to be "blazing fast at" or you operate in an environment/situation that dictates something other than a "Combat Reload," then a "Reload with Retention" is still a better (more Murphy-proof) option than the "Tactical Reload."
Best
Mine...training and working with folks that carry at least 3 pistol mags, and many times, at least that many rifle mags. And in a city environment in TN, we are rarely knee deep in water or in several inches of snow.
I'd still say that if it's not something you have to be "blazing fast at" or you operate in an environment/situation that dictates something other than a "Combat Reload," then a "Reload with Retention" is still a better (more Murphy-proof) option than the "Tactical Reload."
Best
The difference is (and not just in MY mind, Dave Spaulding recently wrote an article on the subject in American Cop magazine, I believe, if you'd like to learn more about it), is that during a "Reload with Retention" you never handle two magazines at the same time. You basically stow the partially spent mag first before grabbing the new one.
In my opinion and experience, it's more reliable and not really any slower if you compare the techniques with a timer, as I have. If you don't have time to do a "Reload with Retention", you probably should have been doing a "Combat Reload" to begin with.
Ultimately, what works for you is the Right Way.
This seems to work for me and mine.
Sincerely.
In my opinion and experience, it's more reliable and not really any slower if you compare the techniques with a timer, as I have. If you don't have time to do a "Reload with Retention", you probably should have been doing a "Combat Reload" to begin with.
Ultimately, what works for you is the Right Way.
This seems to work for me and mine.
Sincerely.
Oh...well if David Spaulding said it ok then...
With everyone free to make up their own terms it sometimes gets confusing
I see no reason to bother practicing the "stick 1st mag in pocket then reload"
I can't think af anything that would be simpler...or more administrative in nature.
I don't see the RWR being as fast, if you just look at the time the gun remains empty...rather than including that pesky "put the 1st mag away time.
Which is the only time that matters IMO
I never saw the Tac Reload as being all that tactical...since it assumes a "lull in the hostilities"
But now that I am aware of the RWR....now there is a non-tactical manuever
With everyone free to make up their own terms it sometimes gets confusing
I see no reason to bother practicing the "stick 1st mag in pocket then reload"
I can't think af anything that would be simpler...or more administrative in nature.
I don't see the RWR being as fast, if you just look at the time the gun remains empty...rather than including that pesky "put the 1st mag away time.
Which is the only time that matters IMO
I never saw the Tac Reload as being all that tactical...since it assumes a "lull in the hostilities"
But now that I am aware of the RWR....now there is a non-tactical manuever
"I can't think of anything that would be simpler...or more adminstrative in nature."
That's my point exactly.
"I don't see the RWR being as fast..."
You said yourself it's not something (or a situation) you have to be "blazing fast at."
Anyway, as I said earlier, what works for YOU is the Right Way.
Happy training.
That's my point exactly.
"I don't see the RWR being as fast..."
You said yourself it's not something (or a situation) you have to be "blazing fast at."
Anyway, as I said earlier, what works for YOU is the Right Way.
Happy training.
Reloading with retention causes the gun to remain empty for the longest period. I believe that the fresh mag should be grabbed before the release of the other mag is pressed. If the partial mag drops oh well. If the bad guy attacks at the precise moment that you disengage the partial mag, the fresh mag is but inches away. If I had to choose between tactical and retention reloads , it has to be tactical.
Just try the "Reload with Retention" technique sometime. Give it an honest evaluation and make your decision from there.
Because it does not require the handling of two magazines at the same time, I find it much easier (and, for me, faster) to do under stress than a traditional "Tactical Reload." I think for those who practice a great deal with the TR, they'll be faster than the RWR guys. But for most of us, the RWR is actually a lot faster, and easier, to get done. And with a lot less fumbling (especially with my Glock magazines!)
Because it does not require the handling of two magazines at the same time, I find it much easier (and, for me, faster) to do under stress than a traditional "Tactical Reload." I think for those who practice a great deal with the TR, they'll be faster than the RWR guys. But for most of us, the RWR is actually a lot faster, and easier, to get done. And with a lot less fumbling (especially with my Glock magazines!)