Please read this carefully. I don't give a rats a$$ if you or every shooter on the planet prefers their mag release on the weak side. Here is what works for me.
1. For me having the mag release on the string side is allows me to do an IDPA approved reload faster as well as an emergency reload sometimes used in IPSC.
2. By keeping the gun pointed in the general direction of the target I find it quicker to require the next target both in IDPA and IPSC. Both shooting diciplines require some semblance of speed in shooting (Terrace shooters need not comment on my speed).
Take Care
Bob
ps Now you have read this post, you should still be clueless if you aren't you are starting from an even less of a level of maturity then most here have given you credit for.
I will buy an M&P after it has a 20 year service history, with flawless reliability. The G17 is by far the most reliable, trouble free duty pistol ever. Anything less is a compromise.

So what you're saying is the technique you use is unique to you. It applies only to you and is not universal in its application.
No it is not unique to me, there are more than me who do this.
Am I correct in saying you've acquired this skill on your own without the assistance of any professional school?(not that all skills offered by professional schools are viable)
No
Would it be safe to say your technique is designed for gaming and has little if nothing to do with practical use?
No
I still don't see how keeping your gun oriented toward the next target is either faster or possible over other methods.
I am not surprised,
If you are indeed behind cover(or simulated cover) you are not afforded the privilege of seeing your next target short of using a thick piece of ballistic glass for cover that is.
Wrong, cllearly you don't know what you are talking about and no little of the sport. If you can get away from your latest Combat video you might want to do a little reseach on the two most popular action shooting sports before you start running off at the mouth with advice.
If you keep the muzzle pointed down range, your pistol is either oriented with the magazine well facing the ground or perhaps it is rotated so the magazine well is parallel with the ground. In either case the pistol is not at chest or head level.
Wrong
Which means your eyes are now looking down at the pistol and no longer scanning for threats/targets.
Looking down at the pistol???? You will have to make up a different conclusion. I know where the targets are and I am looking at the pistol.
The gain in speed you mention when ACQUIRING the next target is either substantial or minimal.
One or the other.... good guess one is right.
Seeing how you reload from cover and do not have a visual on the next target, the direction of the muzzle has zero influence on the time in which it takes to acquire the next target.
The first part is wrong, so is your conclsion.
If the gain is very minimal, why not focus on ones ability to place shots rather than gaining small fractions of time during a reload.
Why not just do both. when I seek your advice I'll do it by PM until then stand by....
Only hits count and a fast reload is still not a hit.
Really! Insightful that. Our scores are based upon time..you knew that...right?
Maintaining accuracy and increasing ones speed are the meat and potatoes for winning a match or a gun fight.
How many gun fight have been in? I haven't been in any so I wouldn't know.
Reloading should be smooth and as fast as possible, no debate there. Focusing on increasing your reload speed is admitting or accepting that your marksmanship isn't up to the task or isn't viewed as a priority. All disciplines are scored based on hits.
Some use time I think.....
Reading your posts do kill grey cells.
Take Care
Bob
They are both good pistols. The Glock has been around longer. Try before you buy.
If you had 4 shooters in the room there would be 4 different opinions on this topic.
Can someone please lock and sticky this thread so we don't have to see it every couple of months!!![]()
Are you off your meds or in the bottle? Where did you read in my post I reload at arms length? Has it occured to you that what might be difficult for you might be easy for someone else?
Do you actually shoot your guns or do you just attend weekend warrior classes and have wet dreams about being a commando?
Take Care
Bob
if you use cover to reload. Behind cover you can't see you target so you can't be sure your pistol is still pointed in the right direction.
As for a comment somewhat germane to this thread, is it true that the 45 calibre Glocks have regular rifling as opposed to the polygonal type in the other models?
Would it be safe to say your technique is designed for gaming and has little if nothing to do with practical use?
the pistol is not at chest or head level. Which means your eyes are now looking down at the pistol and no longer scanning for threats/targets.
Seeing how you reload from cover and do not have a visual on the next target, the direction of the muzzle has zero influence on the time in which it takes to acquire the next target.
They are both good pistols. The Glock has been around longer. Try before you buy.
sorry to continue the hijack, but here is an reasonable example of a reload that you can expect to do during an IPSC event http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxzrahUUTi8
here is a much better video, and series of video outlining reloads and DPA shooting
http://www.myoutdoortv.com/pdk/web/shooting.html?feedPID=roI_0LRpH7qQmkKcVa8X0Vt80ahwO0rX
interesting video, wouldnt you think keeping the empty mag makes it fractionally slower reload then the IPSC dump on the floor reload?
eh Ive carried up to 10 mags plus 1 top off mag..I figure if I cant get it dont with that..time to go home.. plus theres more fun when your out shooting outdoors and its raining and you throw your mags into the mud pit and watch them sink ..![]()
I have heard of some IPSC stages in the USA being 60+ rounds.....
thats where IDPA and IPSC differ, a competitior in IDPA is only allowed 2 magazines on the belt and thats it, plus one in the gun and a round topped off for a canada legal total of 31 rounds.... revolvers are limited to 3 speed loaders on the belt plus a full gun for 24 rounds total.
IDPA limits course of fire stage design to 18 round maximum....
one thing people forget, IDPA is a sport... it is not real world training and should not be construed as such.... the tactical wannabe's can whine all they want how "IPSC/IDPA" will get you killed but the fact of the matter is shooters are out using thier guns, they are learning how to use the sights and shoot sighted fire..... that to me is more important, being comfortable with your gun and being able to aim and fire it under the stress of competition DOES translate well to being able to use your firearm in other instances.
we are chatting about reloads, after competing reloads become second nature, how can that be a bad thing.... no fumbling and you have muscle memory helping out.
I think one of the biggest things that the sport teaches, is familiarity with the gun, shooting on the move and safety.
I gotta get out there and try IDPA now![]()
best post ever
IDPA rules stipulate that only 100% of the lower body and 50% of the upper body need to be behind cover during a reload, so you can still have visual reference to your next target while performing a reload.
.45 glocks have polygonal rifling as well, there was some talk back in the 90's that gaston was going to change it to a regular barrel but frankly his design works for jacketed bullets so he did not care, plus the aftermarket barrel makers stepped in and filled up the gap.
Again... IDPA does not require that reloads be done 100% behind cover... nor does the real world, keeping eyes on the threat is a valid tactical application, and the idpa reload mimics that.
For a new shooter I highly recommend both pistols, the learning curve on the M&P may be a little easier though because you can change the grip size but if a glock fits you then buy it, the aftermarket parts for the glock is huge.... the M&P not so big.
Thanks for providing some real information Westicle. Maybe I'm alone here but it looks like the requirement for a reload(according to IDPA) leaves plenty of body exposed to fire. I'd say the requirements are gaming oriented as opposed to practical for a defensive shoot. To each their own, somehow I don't think anyone in their right mind would expose any portion of their body when being shot at.
On a side note, how does one calculate 50% of an individuals upper torso???
Bob,
Thanks for failing to support your answers yet again.
TDC
More than 50% of the shooter’s upper torso must be behind cover
while engaging threat targets and/or reloading. For low cover, one
knee must be on the ground and for vertical cover such as a
wall/barricade, 100% of the shooter’s legs and feet must be behind
cover.
A general rule of thumb is that the shooter will have to lean out of
cover more for each target he engages (slicing the pie). The
distance between the threat targets will determine how much more
the shooter must poke out in order to engage the targets. A shooter
who engages more than one target from the same position has not
been using cover properly.
When possible, having the scorekeeper stand directly behind the
competitor (after the gun is drawn) will assist the SO in
determining if 50% exposure was maintained. However, in most
instances, the safety officer can position himself so both the
shooter’s gun and relationship to the targets can both be observed.
Safety Officers who observe a shooter not using cover properly
should shout the command “COVER”. The shooter should
immediately correct his use of cover. IDPA understands many
shooters are often too fast in engaging targets for the SO to be able
to warn the shooter in time. Therefore, if the Safety Officer did
not have the time or opportunity to yell “COVER” before the
shooter engaged targets without using cover properly, the shooter
still earns a procedural error.
All reloads must be executed from cover (if cover is available) and
must be completed before leaving cover. A shooter is deemed
loaded and may move from a position of cover ONLY when the
fresh magazine is FULLY SEATED and the slide is fully forward
or revolver cylinder is closed. Shooters may not move from one
position of cover to another with an empty gun. Reloads must be
completed from cover, however this does not mean that a shooter
must duck back completely behind cover to reload before
reengaging targets from a stationary firing point.
The contestant may keep his eyes on his next “opponent” as long as he
follows the definition of cover and does not expose too much of his body to
the next threat target.



























