Drill of the Week: 1-Reload-2

As Learn to Reload month continues here at pistol-training.com, it’s time to take the skills we worked on in dry-fire practice last week and execute them live on the firing line.

The most common basic reload drill involves firing a shot, performing a reload, and firing another shot to record the shot-to-shot time. However, we recommend a slightly different variation of the drill: 1-Reload-2.

[QUICKTIME http://box2263.temp.domains/~juliegol/pistoltraining/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/118reload.mov 320 257]
In this video, the shooter begins from a ready position instead of aimed in at the target; note also that he properly decocks his Traditional Double Action pistol when bringing it back to a ready position

If you cannot see the movie, you may download Quicktime Player here for free

Why fire two shots after the reload instead of one? Often, in an attempt to make the reload look fast, shooters will fail to re-acquire a proper grip after the reload. While you can certainly break a shot with a hastily pawed pistol, recoil control will go out the window. By forcing yourself to fire two shots instead of one, you force yourself to get your normal shooting grip on the pistol after your reload.

Because we’re working on speed, we’ll use a large target such as an 8″ paper plate or 8.5×11 sheet of paper, and we’ll keep it fairly close … five yards. Remember, though, that even when we’re working on speeding up a manipulation we still need to maintain acceptable accuracy. A big, close target will let you run wild if you let it. Stay focussed and in control.

Begin aimed in on the target with your finger on the trigger. We’re not practicing the draw, or press-outs, just the reload. On your “go” signal, fire a single shot. Then perform a smooth and proper in battery reload. Like last week, we’re only working on the mechanics of the reload movement … we’ll worry about slidelock (“emergency”) and retention (“tactical”) reloads later on. Finally, fire two more shots on the target.

Don’t worry about speed at first. Just be smooth and get your reload right. As you become more comfortable with the drill, try to push yourself a little to make the reload happen faster but without sacrificing that smooth, precise execution. If you start to bobble and fumble, slow down again. Practicing is slowly and properly will improve your skill much faster than being a speed demon who bumbles half his loads.

As you get more proficient with the technique, break out the shot timer and see how fast you’re performing the drill. Get yourself a baseline and then you can come back to this drill for weeks, trying to shave a tenth of a second here and there by working on economy of motion. The video attached to this DotW entry recorded a 1.18-second reload time performed by an extremely proficient law enforcement officer using his stock issued SIG P229.

Training with firearms is an inherently dangerous activity. Be sure to follow all safety protocols when using firearms or practicing these drills. These drills are provided for information purposes only. Use at your own risk.