Training Tip: Reloading in the Workspace

25 Jun Training Tip: Reloading in the Workspace

One of the things that we are steadfast in emphasizing to our students is the importance of being able to conduct a consistent reload under any condition that you may find yourself in. The days of simply taking a magazine out of a pouch and jamming it into the magazine well are simply just done. There’s a method to the madness, folks and it is all done for a reason.

First and foremost, when you’ve shot to slide lock you have a problem: you’re out of ammo! You need to get your gun back into the fight like yesterday. Otherwise it’s like an erection on a nude beach… Everyone’s staring, can’t do anything with it. If you’ve attended one of our live fire classes you’ve heard me yell “FIX IT!!!” several times over the course of the day. One of the biggest mistakes that we a constantly correcting students on is not bringing the gun into their workspace to conduct the reload.

Here’s why you should bring the gun into your workspace during any type of reload: situational target awareness. We aren’t simply training for a choreographed set of movements that we hope we will utilize if the fit ever hits the shan. We are training to be able to conduct that set of movements without though, creating what Pat Rogers of EAG Tactical calls “unconscious competence.” The idea is that you in effect are doing the whole pat head/rub belly thing without even having to think about it. It just simply happens. Bringing the pistol into the workspace allows you to maintain your threat focus while also increasing your ability to conduct a smooth reload.

Next time you’re at the range, try reloading with your arm fully extended and the gun presented to the target. Not so easy, eh? Then try to reload with the gun compressed into your core, slide rotated slightly outboard, and just below your line of vision.

You’re welcome…..

In the meantime, please share this article with all of your shooting buddies and don’t forget to sign up for some more training!

-Rob