Ever since my earliest “practical” training with a pistol or rifle there has been a strong emphasis on the “speed load”. Having heard all the cute sayings about how you “can’t load fast enough in a gun fight” to there is no such thing as a “slow reload” it’s all fine, but mostly useless.
In the 40-plus years since hearing that and 30 years of police work it just hasn’t proven true. While a one second reload is of some value on the field of play, it just seldom happens in the real world. With the exception of gangsters throwing lead or an occasional LE shooting most shootings (or gunfights) are ended using what’s in the gun. Even if a reload is necessary, standing up facing the person shooting at you, is pretty stupid and in at least one situation I am aware of got them killed. Stepping to one side may help, but it’s still not particularly smart. Practicing what may be a tad slower but keeps you from getting shot is probably not a bad idea no matter what you are using.
Speed Load Dos & Don’ts
I get it, we still largely teach speed loads from a stationary position stepping one direction or another at Gunsite Academy in our beginning pistol and rifle classes. Especially with a wide disparity in students it’s really the only way to do it safely. This also provides a base for the manipulation of the magazine and firearm for those using them for the first time.
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Most instructors do the same and there is nothing wrong with that. The issue comes when that is the only thing you ever do, and even worse focusing on the time. Playing games where that is critical is fine, fighting with a firearm is different. It presumes you will always have both hands, a slew of magazines, a dump pouch, and all the tactical crap you will never use. Few people walk around that way unless it’s their job, most of us carry a pistol and one mag that is concealed and rifles are just seldom seen outside duty work.
Not Everything You Do On A Square Range Is Useful
Given most don’t stand there and get shot, your ability to perform that load on the move to cover is far more critical. Assuming you are fighting your way out of trouble, likely with your family, you probably have one hand free. Maybe you are holding on to a child, moving someone out of the way, opening a door, all kinds of stuff. No pre-shooting run throughs like in a match; you deal with it as it happens.
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Instead of spending all that time on the one second reload practice with one hand while moving to cover directing a loved one using the gun you carry with a magazine in your pocket. Maybe you load behind cover than move? Nothing is off the table. Can’t stick your rifle in a pocket so look for other support methods, maybe from a bag. Either way it is rare you can just focus on one thing, life is just not that simple.
Dry Fire Is Key
One of the excuses heard most is “the range won’t let me do that”. Most public ranges are not going to let you work from the holster or sling let alone while running. You really need to adopt a serious dry fire regimen. Everything you do as it applies to a reload, speed or otherwise, can be practiced using dummy rounds. The most accomplished shooters spend more time dry than live, it works. Add things like the Mantis Blackbeard X and dry fire with an AR is vastly more realistic.
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Safety is important, but as Clint Smith has often said “shooting guns is dangerous”. Whether you are hunting, using it for self-defense, or it’s your job the whole point is their lethality. This makes dry fire that much more critical. It can be done in the comfort of your home, garage or shop. Using strong safety protocols and following the rules makes it as safe as possible.
Use your pockets for one handed loads, or your holster. Practice lying down or leaning against a wall. Move to and from cover, load on the move or from behind cover. Stair cases or other obstacles can be great for one handed work. If you have a garage practice around your vehicle. Keep it real, and while you need to get things done as quickly as possible efficiency is far more important. You simply cannot do something two or three times at “speed” as fast as once just fast enough.
Bottom Line
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Speed is a thing; it’s just not everything. Granted, convenience makes it simple and fun. Nothing wrong with fun and gaming is great practice. On the other hand, fighting with a weapon (firearm or not) is a very serious business and must remain focused on what works not how fast it may be. Winning is everything, the consequences of failing are just far more final outside the field of play. Having fun keeps people interested, practicing for the fight may just be what allows you to attend that next game!
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