How to Practice Drills with Your Handgun

Step-by-Step Guide

1. 1

   Step 1: You should be able to load your gun quickly 100% of the time — without looking at your pistol

   This should all be done while keeping your gun pointed at your target.
   
   Psychologically, lowering your gun gives your intended target an advantage over you and keeps you focused on your gun rather than on your target.
   
   The technique is as follows: when the slide locks back, you want to grab another magazine (likely from a magazine pouch).
   
   As you move the fresh magazine toward the gun, eject the empty magazine letting it hit the ground (they should essentially pass each other during the drill).
   
   Place the rear of the magazine against the rear of the magazine well of the gun, align the two, and with some force (though there should be little resistance) seat the magazine using the heel of your palm; then depress the slide release. , You know you have spent some rounds from the current magazine and want to prepare for whatever may come next.
   
   This drill can be done at the ready, since it should be done from behind cover and the other shooter (target) may be visible, but not an immediate threat.
   
   Reach to your magazine pouch (or other magazine holder — a pocket perhaps — and grab a magazine with your thumb, index finger, and middle finger.
   
   Move back to the gun and eject the partially depleted magazine into your hand, grabbing the ejected magazine with your ring finger, pinkie, and the palm of your hand.
   
   Insert the fresh magazine into the gun and tug on it slightly to make sure that it is seated in the magazine well correctly. (This is especially important when loading a magazine that is topped off.) This reload doesn't require manipulation of the slide release.
   
   This reload should be executed before you re-holster your pistol so if you need to draw again you are fully prepared. , The slide has two separate actions every time a round is fired; after the last round is fired you will only feel the first action, ultimately there is less muzzle flip.
   
   The quicker you are able to reload the magazine, the better.
   
   After this, you execute an emergency reload.
2. 2

   Step 2: your hands

3. 3

   Step 3: or your magazines.

4. 4

   Step 4: Emergency reload is the reload in which you have spent all the rounds from your magazine and your slide is locked back.

5. 5

   Step 5: Tactical reload is the reload in which you encounter a lull in the gunfight and are able to place yourself behind cover.

6. 6

   Step 6: You should be practiced enough that when you are shooting (no matter how many rounds are in the magazine)

7. 7

   Step 7: you should be able to feel when the handgun is empty.

Detailed Guide

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