I have not read all the threads in this dialogue. ut as far as a reload goes on a gun with lesser payload such as a single stack auto or a revolver the best answer has been out there for a long time. A proven in combat answer that dates back to our Old Western times. And proven again by the likes Jim Cirillo in the 20th Century. Your best reload is a second (or even third gun if you function in a high risk environment) gun. The "New York Reload".
When you look at the actual historical record, pictures of the time, and so on you will see most of the real gunfighters like Wild Bill always carried at least two pistols. Not like in the Westerns of our youth did they come out blazing. But they had at least one back up and sometimes more. In fact during the Civil War some riders were recorded to carry 4-5 pistols on their person and/or horse.
Simple fact is under the stress of a gunfight everything quickly goes to crap. We know fine motor skills usually go out the window. Although some of this can be mitigated by training. It's not wise to fight against the natural reactions of the body. Adrenal dump causes us to get shakey, have tunnel vision, and all that type of thing. Rather than trying to mess around with trying to clear or reload a jammed or empty weapon producing another has always been the answer. And the one that makes sense.
Their is no "time out" when things go bad. Even in our days of single shot weapons a big bowie knife or "Arkansas Toothpick" (or tomahawk) was the usual answer when lead and powder were gone and their was no time to reload. "Those that do not learn from th mistakes of the past are bound to repeat them". Of course we should learn to clear our guns fast and reload. Just like we should practice shooting from all manner of position. Not just "Weaver " or "Isoceles" stances. Most of us don't get the luxury of choosing how and where to fight.
And yes I have a friend who wass quite good with a 1911 go back up North to visit his mother. He was a Champion level shooter with a 1911 as a matter of fact. Long story short. A gang had taken over his old neighborhood. Seeing him they figured cop and a gunfight with three gangbangers took place. He did everything perfect. Got behind his car. Engaged the assailants. Killed one, crippled another, and the third one ran off. He was running off reflex from good training. Had two back up mags.
When the third ran off and the fighting ceased his 1911 was locked back with the third magazine in it. The other two at his feet empty. Great skills and tactics saved him. But he realized something. All three gangbangers had hi cap 9mm's. The guy that ran off had a Ruger hi cap nine and still had bullets. he aid had the guy not ran off he could of simply come up and executed him with the 9mm since he still had bullets. My friend carries a 9mm no with lots of bulets and still two back up mags. And something else.
Chances of this nightmare happening? Slim. But more and more attacks are multiple opponents. And we train for the worst situations. Not the best. Lessons?
1.) Handguns even the "mighty .45" are not good at dropping someone. It took several hits to put the two down he did drop and one survived.
2.) Lots of bullets on board is never a bad thing. Someone once said in a hi cap gun you carry your reload on board. You can never be too well armed in a fight. Or have too many rounds. 3.) even if you have a great reload if you run out of bullets and the other guy doesn't. even if he has a "lesser caliber" (which I disagree with) he/she can and probably will execute you.
If you think reloads are easy under stress because of training they are. But take an airsoft or simuntions gun. Try to reload while you are being hit by pellet that sting like hell and watch your skills degrade rapidly. Food for thought.
When you look at the actual historical record, pictures of the time, and so on you will see most of the real gunfighters like Wild Bill always carried at least two pistols. Not like in the Westerns of our youth did they come out blazing. But they had at least one back up and sometimes more. In fact during the Civil War some riders were recorded to carry 4-5 pistols on their person and/or horse.
Simple fact is under the stress of a gunfight everything quickly goes to crap. We know fine motor skills usually go out the window. Although some of this can be mitigated by training. It's not wise to fight against the natural reactions of the body. Adrenal dump causes us to get shakey, have tunnel vision, and all that type of thing. Rather than trying to mess around with trying to clear or reload a jammed or empty weapon producing another has always been the answer. And the one that makes sense.
Their is no "time out" when things go bad. Even in our days of single shot weapons a big bowie knife or "Arkansas Toothpick" (or tomahawk) was the usual answer when lead and powder were gone and their was no time to reload. "Those that do not learn from th mistakes of the past are bound to repeat them". Of course we should learn to clear our guns fast and reload. Just like we should practice shooting from all manner of position. Not just "Weaver " or "Isoceles" stances. Most of us don't get the luxury of choosing how and where to fight.
And yes I have a friend who wass quite good with a 1911 go back up North to visit his mother. He was a Champion level shooter with a 1911 as a matter of fact. Long story short. A gang had taken over his old neighborhood. Seeing him they figured cop and a gunfight with three gangbangers took place. He did everything perfect. Got behind his car. Engaged the assailants. Killed one, crippled another, and the third one ran off. He was running off reflex from good training. Had two back up mags.
When the third ran off and the fighting ceased his 1911 was locked back with the third magazine in it. The other two at his feet empty. Great skills and tactics saved him. But he realized something. All three gangbangers had hi cap 9mm's. The guy that ran off had a Ruger hi cap nine and still had bullets. he aid had the guy not ran off he could of simply come up and executed him with the 9mm since he still had bullets. My friend carries a 9mm no with lots of bulets and still two back up mags. And something else.
Chances of this nightmare happening? Slim. But more and more attacks are multiple opponents. And we train for the worst situations. Not the best. Lessons?
1.) Handguns even the "mighty .45" are not good at dropping someone. It took several hits to put the two down he did drop and one survived.
2.) Lots of bullets on board is never a bad thing. Someone once said in a hi cap gun you carry your reload on board. You can never be too well armed in a fight. Or have too many rounds. 3.) even if you have a great reload if you run out of bullets and the other guy doesn't. even if he has a "lesser caliber" (which I disagree with) he/she can and probably will execute you.
If you think reloads are easy under stress because of training they are. But take an airsoft or simuntions gun. Try to reload while you are being hit by pellet that sting like hell and watch your skills degrade rapidly. Food for thought.