Orientation and Position.
Magazine orientation and position is important. Magazines should be
in the pouches so that the bullet tip (front) points forward. If you
have the ability, Try to set up the magazine pouches so that you can
bring your support hand straight to the magazine without breaking the
angle of your wrist. This may not always be possible when complying
with the rules of a certain division, or when you are using one set up
that you may be issued.
Index Points.
Just as with the draw process or any other process, there are key
points called index points that allow a shooter to grip the magazine
the same way each time. This helps ensure that the reload is
consistent, which to me is as important as speed, as long as the
reloads are relatively fast. Index Points-
Point
one - Palm of the support hand on the front edge of the base pad. The
support hand should index the magazine with the palm of the hand
indexing the basepad of the magazine on the front edge. This guides
the rest of the hand into position and ensures that the front edge of
the basepad is in solid contact with the palm, which is how the
magazine will be pushed into the gun.
Point
two - Support hand index finger along the front edge of the magazine,
with the tip of the finger on or near the bullet of the first round.
The actual position of the index finger will depend on the length of
the magazine and the length of the shooters finger.
Key Parts.
The different types of reloads all have pretty much the same
mechanics, so I won't break each down. Basically, IDPA style reloads
are supposed to be more "tactical" in nature, and usually force you to
retain any unused ammunition. Whether or not this is actually more
"tactical" is debated in some circles, but I will break the loads down
within two categories (1) Saved Magazine, and (2) Unsaved Magazine.
Saved Magazine Loads-
Reload with Retention-
We
release the magazine and save it by stowing it in a pocket, belt line,
or elsewhere that will practically hold the magazine for future use.
Index
the new magazine by moving the support hand in a straight line to the
new magazine and grab it utilizing the index points described above.
Tactical Reload (also called magazine exchange in some circles)-
We
go for the new magazine first in this reload (differing from the reload
with retention where we stow the old first), indexing it as stated
above. As we bring the magazine toward the gun, we slip it between
our index and second finger.
Using our index finger, we release the old magazine and pull it out.
Rotating
our hand, we then rotate and insert the new magazine, tapping it into
the weapon with our palm (where it should be indexed).
The old magazine is then stowed in a pocket, beltline, or elsewhere that will practically hold the magazine for future use.
Unsaved Magazine Loads-
Speed Reload (the primary reload used in USPSA)-
This load is done while there is still a round in the chamber. It is (and should) be done when moving, if possible.
Release
and Retrieve. Let the old magazine drop by hitting the release,
while moving the support hand to the new magazine, indexing as
described above.
Orient the gun so the magazine well is
pointed (the hole) toward the magazine pouch on the belt. This will
help when inserting the magazine because the magazine well will line up
with the new magazine.
Insert and Re-grip. Regrip the
gun by inserting the magazine firmly with the palm of the hand, and
then moving the support hand upward until the index finger nuckle hits
index point 3 as described under the draw section.
Key:
Re-Prep the trigger and take the time to see the sights if another shot
is necessary. The shot right before the load, and the one after it are usually the ones that turn out to be misses!
If you want to learn to reload, shoot a single stack. Watch this: (Mike Seeklander Arkansas section) Shoot, load, shoot, load..............
Emergency Reload (done more when competing in IDPA, or in the USPSA single stack division)-
The steps under the speed reload all apply.
During
the Insert and Re-grip, the support hand thumb activates the slide
release as it is re-gripping the gun. Some believe (boldly) that the
slide release (called the slide lock by some) should be avoided since
it will be hard to use during stress. This is only true with guns
that have flat or smooth levers, and should be tested under stress.
There is a slight speed advantage when using the release (vs.
slingshoting or over-handing the slide with bruit force), and any
advantage in competition is advantageous. Test both methods, and pick
one that works consistently.
Other Tips.
Speed
is key, but consistency is king. Fast reloads certainly help, but
missed and dropped reloads cost huge ammounts of time, and usually
cause a shooter to make a shooting mistake (since they are trying to
catch up for the time they know they lost). Work on speed, but
dedicate yourself to consistency when it comes to performing reloads.
Fast - Slow - Fast: This is the way we
describe the reload. Fast movement (as fast as possible) to the new
magazine while releasing the old one, as well as when bringing it to
the magazine well. Slow describes the speed the magazine is inserted
into the magazine well (at least initially). This ensures that we get
the new magazine started into the magazine well properly. The second
fast describes the rest of the movement, the last half of the magazine
insertion, as well as the re-gripping and extension of the weapon. We
want to get back on target as quickly as possible.
Magazine
Grip. Don't release the grip of the new magazine until you are ensure
that it is started correctly into the magazine well. "Throwing" the
magazine into the mag well is one of the most common reasons that top
shooters miss their reloads. It is very important to maintain a good
grip on the new magazine until it is partially inserted and moving into
the magazine well.
