Palming a Mag Before Trouble?

[HGM22]

I'm wondering if this makes sense. Say you believe there may be an encounter where you must draw your weapon i.e. you hear gunshots. Let's also assume that escape/hiding aren't viable options. Would it make sense to draw your weapon and then put your spare mag in your off hand?

The advantages are that a reload will be quicker, which is doubly important for low-cap guns like the Shield, XDS, PF9, LC9, LCP, etc.

Disadvantages include chance of dropping your reload, less accuracy (one handed shooting vs. two hand grip, though one could use that off hand with mag for some stability), and less weapon retention.

 

[herrwalther]

Leave the reload where it is. Holders hold onto a mag for a reason, so you don't drop or lose it. If you are worried about how fast your reload will be, practice in all sorts of uncomfortable situations. Time yourself. See where you can get better. It should be as fluid and easy as drawing your firearm, except your magazine is smaller and (typically) on the other side of your body.

 

[David E]

The disadvantages listed are quite severe!

The rounds IN the gun are far more important than rounds OUT of the gun.

Maximize your hit potentisl FIRST, then worry about reloading. Hopefully, you'll be able to take all the time you need.

 

[Theohazard]

Yeah, I agree with the others; it's not a good idea. A two-handed grip is very important for accurate and fast follow-up shots. Handguns are not good man-stoppers, so chances are you're going to need at least one quick follow-up shot to get the job done. But very few gunfights last more than the capacity of even the smallest magazine, so you should try to make those rounds count rather than spending the whole gunfight preparing for a reload that may or may not be needed.

 

[GRIZ22]

Leave the reload in your pouch until you need it. That's when you're empty or when the encounter seems over, then reload.

 

[1911 guy]

Running a gun one handed is for bullseye shooting. And if you've lost the use of one arm or hand. Never choose to go into a fight running a handgun one handed. We practice it because excrement happens, not because it's the preferred method.

 

[NavyLCDR]

Would it make sense to draw your weapon and then put your spare mag in your off hand?

If it made sense then I think police forces, armed security companies and the military would train to operate that way.... but they don't.

 

[Mainsail]

I'm wondering if this makes sense. Say you believe there may be an encounter where you must draw your weapon i.e. you hear gunshots...

You lost me way back here. Hearing gunshots, in and of itself, isn't going to compel me to draw.

 

[Big_John1961]

^^^Exactly.

 

[rudeguy]

You lost me way back here. Hearing gunshots, in and of itself, isn't going to compel me to draw.

Not to be offensive or rude but threads like this scare me. Someone is really considering not only drawing, but also holding as many rounds in his hands while doing so and it sounds like he is looking for a reason to do so. Forget looking around and analyzing the situation, forget using the best firing position possible, he wants to use his gun and ALL his ammo NOW.

I don't think these people realize they are not only risking jail time but they are really risking hurting innocent people.

 

[Sam1911]

Well, good heavens, I don't think I'd read all of THAT into it. Sounds like a huge heaping helping of projection or something of the sort.

But I think we're pretty far into "dogpile" territory: The answer is pretty clearly NO, and it's been well explained by now. Might as well call it answered.