Pistol Reload Methods?

[Spas-Tick22]

hey there, im just gonna throw this out there and ask, who has attempted/currently uses the new york reload in a match instead of the normal method of reloading and swapping mag's, and if so did you find it easier than swapping mag's or more complex?. Plus have you ever used this method in a sidearm only match?

PS: the new york reload is a method of reloading where instead of changing magizines after the clip is expended, you instead swap to another pistol, and continue with the fight.

[Greylocks]

In a real gun match, if that's what you mean, it would go against a whole truckload of common-sense safety rules.

No, I wont explain them to you. Yes, I do know what I'm talking about.

In airsoft? Why not. But that would mean you have the cash to start swapping guns instead of mags and where would the 'used' guns go? You would not gain any time.

I strongly suggest that if you want to learn about real guns, you should go to a real gun range and ask folks who do IPSC.

[Gryphon]

Originally Posted by Greylocks

No, I wont explain them to you. Yes, I do know what I'm talking about.

Way to support your credibility. Please, do explain these safety rules you'd be violating by going to a backup gun. I'm sure countless millions of soldiers, police officers, and licensed (American, mind you) civilians would love to hear them. Or were you just chest-beating again figuring no one would call your bluff?

Back to the subject at hand, we have one guy here who plays with five pistols in CQB. Pretty ridiculous if you ask me, but it turns his crank obviously and I suppose that's what counts. If you'd rather spend the dough on a second gun that's your decision, though a few extra mags for your first would seem more practical. I've used a USP Compact in CQB as a BUG in the small of my back, but I found it took some abuse when I flattened up against a wall. Also didn't use it much between my Glock and MAC. It was fun though.

If you're talking about using a handgun as a backup to a rifle or SMG that makes a lot more sense. I don't take my handgun into the field much but it's always there for CQB. When the MP5 runs dry and I don't have a couple of seconds to change mags, the Glock comes out to cover until I can retreat to a safe spot to do the mag change. Or sometimes I'll use it to keep someone pinned when the MP5 runs out and I can't afford to have them move on me. There's any number of reasons to do a New York reload although it's not always necessary. If you have the hardware and want to play that style there's nothing wrong with it.

[Manaconda]

here's the way you can do a quick mag change. Grab the needed mag pull the used mag and insert the new one. You can do this all the while keeping yer eye on the prize. you'll also find it much faster than puting one away and scrambling for the next. Or carry two and have em both drawn but you'll find it difficult to hit the mark with one hand.

Give it a shot.

[lyphe]

Originally Posted by dynomite69

here's the way you can do a quick mag change. Grab the needed mag pull the used mag and insert the new one. You can do this all the while keeping yer eye on the prize. you'll also find it much faster than puting one away and scrambling for the next. Or carry two and have em both drawn but you'll find it difficult to hit the mark with one hand.

Give it a shot.

You can try this
YouTube - Fast reloading

But i agree with dynomite, the conventional and assumably fastest way to reload is to grab the new mag with the index finger and thumb, then release empty mag into palm and hold with the other fingers, and then insert new mag. This way you have minimum time with no ammo, and line of sight.

[Viking]

Another method available to you is if you've just engaged someone with your pistol, and you have to move into another room or area. You know that you still have rounds left in your pistol, but the number of rounds are in doubt. You perform what is known as a tactical reload.
Keep your pistol trained on the threat area and with your non shooting hand, retrieve a fresh magazine. Bring the fresh mag up to your pistol and by the inside of the pistol grip. You're holding the bottom of the new mag by your thumb and your first finger, with the mag facing up and the rounds facing away into the threat area. Activate your mag release with your shooting hand and allow the partially spent mag to fall into your non shooting hand. Quickly replace with your fresh magazine and store the partially spent mag into a pocket for later. Give the magazine a quick insurance tap and you are good to go.
This allows you to recharge your weapon quickly without having to rack the slide and rechamber a round. Even in airsoft, seconds count, and this method can assure you a quick recovery back into your gunfight. I hope this helps.

[MadMax]

Originally Posted by Gryphon

Please, do explain these safety rules you'd be violating by going to a backup gun. I'm sure countless millions of soldiers, police officers, and licensed (American, mind you) civilians would love to hear them.

I'm suspecting that pistol match organizers don't like the use of secondary pistols because of the transition time between guns when it's likely that a shooter will have two guns drawn. It means twice the loaded guns to manage and twice the opportunity for safe direction issues (even empty guns are considered loaded guns). Too many dropped guns too I'd guess too.

In the field where bullets are being fired at you, you could probably accept some tradeoff between having an extra gun to control and quickly returning to combat effectiveness.

[Captain Tenneal]

I personally find it's just easier to sometimes find cover, and reload, no matter what technique you use (although now I'm growing fond of Center Axis Relock position as it keeps my profile smaller, although reloading is different). Just simply ducking down, and sneaking away from a firefight generally saves me, and if the hostiles aren't really aware of it, it can generally come to an advantage since they're thinking I'm still there.

In CQB, I've noticed most people aren't going to try and close the distance to try and kill you, basically putting themselves in the open and possibly shot by any hostiles that are nearby. Outdoors; well pistols aren't great outdoors, not to mention carrying more than one generally is a liability since a lot of people lose their pistol mags if they had it loaded.

That being said; NY Reloads are pretty damn cool, I used to do it with two pistols and two springers, but I never found it very effective considering you're going to have to have numerous holsters all over you, and unless your ditching your gun (which admittedly I have done on occasions) I found that its faster to reload than to switch.

But I think it's cool to be Il Duce so who am I to judge

[DuffMan]

If you are expecting a protracted engagement while using your sidearm, where you will have to put a large number of rounds downrange and are willing to break out of your iscosoles/weaver modified or whatever the hell you use, you can break into a harris stance, with the spare mag in your supporting hand as if it were a flashlight. Reloads are pretty lightning fast from this grip.

[Gryphon]

Originally Posted by MadMax

I'm suspecting that pistol match organizers don't like the use of secondary pistols because of the transition time between guns when it's likely that a shooter will have two guns drawn. It means twice the loaded guns to manage and twice the opportunity for safe direction issues (even empty guns are considered loaded guns). Too many dropped guns too I'd guess too.

Oh for sure, when you're shooting a competition and muzzle control is of utmost importance, I'd agree with that sentiment. However the poster wasn't talking about that. Muzzle control in a combat engagement is a distant concern.

[MadMax]

Well, Spas does ask about the New York reload in the context of a "match" in his first sentance. I think by match he's indicating competition as opposed to "fight". I think Grey is initially inferring a real steel comp which isn't necesarily a bad guess except that this is not CGN.

to ST: "New York" reloads are fairly common in airsoft where players have two pistols. However it's rather expensive to have multiple guns and not a very compact style of play. Some players enjoy having a wide variety of pistols and the NY reload caters to that. You do end up with a salad of non cross compatible mags though which can be a real bugger if you decide to go with one pistol in a game and wish you had a few mags for the one gun.

[Autumn]

Originally Posted by Gryphon

Way to support your credibility. Please, do explain these safety rules you'd be violating by going to a backup gun. I'm sure countless millions of soldiers, police officers, and licensed (American, mind you) civilians would love to hear them. Or were you just chest-beating again figuring no one would call your bluff?

What Spas is talking about seems to me a lot like what you would see in a movie, running around dropping empty gun after empty gun. He is not talking about carrying a pistol as a back up for an AEG; he is talking about swapping a pistol for a pistol.

When was the last time you saw police officers with four or five pistols strapped to their belt?

[Greylocks]

Originally Posted by MadMax

I'm suspecting that pistol match organizers don't like the use of secondary pistols because of the transition time between guns when it's likely that a shooter will have two guns drawn. It means twice the loaded guns to manage and twice the opportunity for safe direction issues (even empty guns are considered loaded guns). Too many dropped guns too I'd guess too.

In the field where bullets are being fired at you, you could probably accept some tradeoff between having an extra gun to control and quickly returning to combat effectiveness.

See Mr Gryphon, some folks do get it. The actual reason is that you must NEVER let go of a gun that is technically unsafe in a range environment. For a handgun (pistol) to be considered safe, you must remove the magazine AND clear the chamber. That takes far more time than any technique for swapping mags.
Remember that I did qualify my answer by asking if he meant at a range.

Oh, flame away, I'm sure you want to.

[Gryphon]

Originally Posted by Greylocks

See Mr Gryphon, some folks do get it. The actual reason is that you must NEVER let go of a gun that is technically unsafe in a range environment. For a handgun (pistol) to be considered safe, you must remove the magazine AND clear the chamber. That takes far more time than any technique for swapping mags.
Remember that I did qualify my answer by asking if he meant at a range.

And why on Earth would he be talking about shooting real guns, at a gun range, on an airsoft forum, in the General section, at 16 years old? You of all people ought to know about sections and reading closely, since you demand it so rigorously of everyone else. New York reloads in a real gun match? Give me a break.

Oh, flame away, I'm sure you want to.

You just make it so easy.

[Shrike]

Originally Posted by MadMax

....Some players enjoy having a wide variety of pistols ....

I love pistols, I carry one in my legdrop with 2 extra mags and 1 small one tucked in my vest just for the hell of it.

Do I need it? No. But I LOVE pistols!!