is gunfight reloading a necessary skill?

[GRB]

Blackhawk 6,

Nah, I meant any kind of a reload - tactical, combat, or at the range but; what the heck, different strokes for different folks. I imagine there can be merit to it either way you do it.

all the best,
Glenn B

 

[GRB]

For anyone interested in reloading quickly whether or not looking at the gun/mag when doing so there is one thing you may want to try while reloading and that is a change in how you grasp/hold the fresh magazine. Of course this only applies if you do not hold the mag when reloading as I am about to suggest.

I keep my spare mags in the pouch so that the front face of each the mag faces forward - you can keep em this way or, you can keep em so that they both face back (assuming multiple spare mags). It is important though to keep both mags oriented in the same direction (though some double mag pouches do not allow this so I don't use that style) and; even if you carry only one spare mag you should always keep it oriented in the same direction so you always grab it the same way. I draw the mag with my thumb and middle finger grabbing the magazine on its sides and my index finger on the front of the mag. This acts as a natural guide to get the mag where you want it to go as your index finger can find the magazine well almost on its own with a bit of help from the little gray cells. It can be done while looking as you reload or not looking at the gun. It improves speed and efficiency of reloading a pistol with a magazine.

I have watched, again and again over the years, others who refuse to place their index finger like this; they are often much slower at reloading than those who hold it this way. The old booger mining finger (sorry I could not resist) acts like a guide rod that brings you straight to the mag well. If you don't think so, give it a try, you do not even need a gun. Close your eyes and then quickly bring your finger to your nose tip. Then do it again but this time bring the finger to the right nostril still with eyes closed, then try the left nostril - be careful not to do this too fast or forcefully you do not want a bloody nose. I also tried my reloading hand side ear. I hit the mark every time and; the ear opening and nostrils are a smaller target than a magazine well. You would probably do likewise.

Now hold your strong side hand in front of you as if holding a pistol about to be reloaded. Make a partially closed fist so there is an opening in the middle of the hand about the size of a magazine well. Now take you other side (weak side) hand, bring it to your weak side hip (I always recommend that you place spare mags on the weak side hip not on the gun side) as if grasping a mag, then bring it up as if reloading the way I explained with index finger for a guide. The finger probably finds the hole in the semi clenched fist each time (if not it will after the first few tries and you only get better with practice). Now try moving the gun hand as you do this as if from extended shooting position back in closer to the body. As it moves, reload that hand (so to speak). Again the index finger of the mag hand finds the hole in the gun hand even when the gun hand is moving. One other thing that this type of hold does is to make you hold the mag more securely than if you grasp it with just index finger and thumb, so it is steadier as you try to get it into the well.

I have no special dexterity or agility. I am a klutz, but I get it each and every time. Amazing to hit the mark each time eyes closed, I do not think so. I think it is an example of how well our index finger and brain work together. Maybe just too much gold mining in the old snazolah for me or; maybe just that the index finger is a great guide. If you don't reload like this, give it a try, looking at the gun or not, eyes open or closed, it should improve how efficiently you get the job done.

If anyone does try this and has never tried it before please remember to follow the safety rules. When practicing with a gun, if you try this with eyes closed or in the dark, try it first with dummy rounds or an empty mag and empty gun several times to make sure you are getting it right - just to be on the safe side. Start with empty mag in gun, slide locked back, 'fresh' empty mag in pouch. If you do it while firing, wait until empty and slide locks back, then reload fresh live mag, and go right back to firing. of course, make sure to have your eyes open if using live ammo and firing so to always be sure of your target. You can choose to either focus on the gun or not while doing it. I mention all of this because poop happens. Some of the people I have trained would probably shoot with eyes closed too (even guys who have shot for years). They would miss the whole point of why they closed them while reloading as having been just to realize that they did not need to look to reload. Of course you always need to look and be sure of the target when shooting, maybe you guys think it goes without saying but I say it anyhow. Also only practice with a live gun/live ammo at a range never in your living room, dining room or basement, or elsewhere that was not made for shooting. Even when using dummy rounds or empty gun and empty mag - make sure the gun is pointed in a safe direction, finger off trigger.

More than enough from me on this subject for now anyhow. Later for this - I am off to Home Depot to get stuff to get some chores done.

All the best,
Glenn B