Magazine Swaps

[BulletArc47]

Changing magazine quickly is fairly difficult especially when you're timed in a life-threatening scenario, but man, I don't want to just drop them on the floor. That goes doubly when I make a 'tactical reload'. However I know letting fall free is probably quicker in the grand scheme.That goes doubly in a gun fight; where speed is the dividing line between life and death.

So, what do y'all prefer, letting them drop free, or catching them.

Discuss.

[Popeye]

I'm an old man and I figure that in any realistic scenario, if it isn't over in two shots, I'm dead. Therefore I carry a revolver and don't worry about tactical magazine changes. Rather, I pay close attention to what's going on around me. Paying attention lets you see things getting set to happen before they happen. Forewarned is forearmed.

[aa1911]

well, it goes like this.

if it's empty, it hits the ground; if there's opportunity, pick it up. if not, leave it and buy a new one.

if it's got even one round left, dump it down your shirt or whatever and retain it. Kinda like IDPA rules.

but most importantly, if you're in a situation where you've already expended 30 rounds and you need an instantanious 31st round, well... I hope you have much more training than how to change mags quickly. You're likely in a crap sandwich eating situation.

just my thoughts...

not to knock it though, it's a very very valuable skill to maintain, don't get me wrong.

[GunnyGene]

A lot of variables there. But basically I just let it drop. If I win, I can collect it/them later. If I don't, welll.

That said, there may be circumstances where if you drop it you loose it permanently - such as in a rice paddy - which means you have one less mag you can reload for the next fight.

[Country101]

You drop empties. You catch partials. That's all there is to it.

When you are doing speed relaods(you've run your gun empty and need to get back in the fight) you drop the mag and get a new one in as quick as possible. When you are doing tactical reloads you are behind cover in a lull in the fight and have rounds still in the mag. These you catch and put in your pocket for later. Should it last long enough to have to worry about how many rounds you have left, you'll be glad you still have them.

[Buzzard II]

Here in New Jersey we have what is called a "Jersey Reload"-carry a second, loaded gun!

[BulletArc47]

Originally Posted by Popeye

I pay close attention to what's going on around me. Paying attention lets you see things getting set to happen before they happen. Forewarned is forearmed.

I agree completely sir. If you see a bad situation brewing, and you have the opportunity to aviod it. Avoid it! There are betters ways of savin' you self and others than tryin' have a quick-draw in a gas station.

Originally Posted by Buzzard II

Here in New Jersey we have what is called a "Jersey Reload"-carry a second, loaded gun!

LOL!


Y'all have made some good points! Going over a magazine in a true self-defense scenario is very,very, unlikely, and I know this. However, I believe that people should give some consideration to how they'll handle magazine reloads if that situation, however unlikely, should ever occur. I don't mean to imply that an individual should base his/her strategy on magazine changes alone, but as aa1911 said: "it's a very very valuable skill to maintain"