Mag Change Drills
Often overlooked in practice, mag swaps are a fundamental skill for the concealed
carrier.
When
thinking of this skill, keep a few things in mind: where you carry your
spare and how you orient the magazine, how far under concealment your spare
mag is, and how to keep your target and firearm visible.
First,
carry your mag so it is easy to get to. And orient your magazine
the same way, always. I carry with my rounds pointing behind me.
I draw the mag with my index finger along the front of the mag as it sits in
the gun pointed at the target, and as low on the mag as I can get a good
grip. That way, I release the empty with my strong hand thumb as I am
grabbing the next magazine. I bring the mag to the magwell with my
index finger pointed at the trigger guard, and insert without having to
adjust my grip on the pistol or the mag. I open carry usually, but keep
my magazines in my Blackhawk cargo pocket.
Next,
practice a high reload. In the event you need to reload in a critical
situation, you want to keep your target in your view. Looking down to
reload isn't always a good option. Practice bringing your pistol up
high. Right into your line of sight. That way, you can see the
pistol and the target.
This is an
easy drill to do at home. Unload your pistol and magazine. Double
check, including the chamber, that you are unloaded. And
practice. If you have a metal magazine, use the bumper plates that came
with it, or get some. Mag drops can damage a magazine, especially 1911
or other single stacks.
Practice,
practice, practice. One of the fastest mag changers I know is my son, Ashton. He practices around the shop all the time. I wouldn't bet
against him in a mag change speed drill!
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