AR Sponsor
Posted: 6/8/2005 6:29:54 PM EDT
|
I'm taking a 2-day carbine course in a couple weeks. Uhm, being a total noob, could someone please explain the proper reload technique in the case your first mag is emptied and the bolt is locked open? Like, where is the spare mag carried? What is the handle sequence for a quick change and back to shooting? How about a tactical reload? Thanks. Any other advice for getting ready for the course would be great too. |
| My advise would be go to the course as a total noob and listen and learn all you can. Instead of trying to half assed learn things on the internet before you go to the course. You will look worse trying to look like you know what you are doing than you will just going in and learning from scratch. |
|
If nothing else, work hitting the mag release and pulling the mag out, retain the mag, and reinsert it. You want to be able to do this without looking, and without taking the carbine off your shoulder. Once you have this movement down, you can start working on gear, placement, and polishing up the rough areas. Make sure you download and remove all ammunition and loaded magazines from the room you are working your dry fire in. Good luck. Do this while watching TV or a good movie. If watching TV, run reload drills for 5 minutes at a time. A full commercial break is a good span of time, and the program wil give you time to relax before you start running the drills on your next commercial break. Once you've done this for a few hours, you can progress onto other dry drills. IM or email me if you need drills to work before your class starts. |
| A mag cinch will keep a reload handy.While still holding the rifle to my shoulder I reload with my left hand.I keep my mags in pouches upside down.I use nylon loops on the bottoms taped so I pull out one by the loopputting it right up against the left side of the empty and then eject the empty turn my hand around with a fresh one,lock it in and puch my bolt catch to release.This works best mags upside down in pouch ammo facing away from the body and I do this only after using my first 2 mag cinched mags.I use saw pouches as they hold 7 mags or six the same way but facing forward.I use the same technique when loading mags I carry on my right side I just transition the rifle to my left hand. |
| Go to the class. that's why you are spending the money. don't worry about impressing anyone with your knowledge. go there to learn a technique and then practice it. maybe later you'll learn a technique you like better and then adopt that one. nobody can teach you over the internet...... |
What he said . |
|
Still, I'd like to work on the gun and ammo handling before the class. I've taken combat pistol courses and I shoot IDPA every week. When I went from shooting an auto to a revolver, there were some significant differences in reloads (obviosly). I wish I'd have gotten advice from experienced revolver guys before I made the change. I did the release, retain, reload drill a bunch of times last night. Thanks, that helped. I also added in a motion to release the bolt catch with my thumb (the sling can get in the way). I can see where long heavy barrels would be a pain. I guess the reloads are done with the left hand, and the spare mag is kept on the left side, like in a vest pocket of a mag pouch? Funny though, my Sig Tac vest has AR mag pockets on the right side? Is there a right hand reload sequence? I guess the empty mag is pulled out and dropped to the ground? Or, do you expect it to fall freely? (With my Sig it falls freely, with the revolver I push them out). As you grab the spare mag, how do you orient it (bullets forward) and index it to the mag-well? With a pistol, you use your index finger to feel the mag-well opening (with a revolver you look at the cylinder). And, I suppose the mag swap is done with eyes on the threat, yes? Please offer some further advice. Thanks. |
Your already getting into bad habits. They will teach you in the course, thats why you signed up for novice course. Let them show you the proper way(example: Smack bolt release w/ palm not thumb) to handle you weapon. If your sling is in the way, you may have to reconfigure gear. You will learn all this the first day, if the trainer/host is worth a damn. Good luck. -Justin Edit. Try this in the training forum, great mods w/ lots of good advice. |
(the sling can get in the way). I can see where long heavy barrels would be a pain.|
Danner130, Check out the links below and most of your questions should be answered in them.  www.warriortalk.com/showthread.php?t=6979&highlight=reload www.10-8forums.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=4063&an=0&page=0#4063 lightfighter.net/eve/ubb.x/a/tpc/f/5606084761/m/9771039931 |
 Danner130, just go to the class. Let the instructor show you his way of doing things. The guy might have you retain mags, he might tell you to let them drop free to the ground. Just show up with good quality ammo and magazines. Know your zero before the class. Don't waste people's time having to zero your rifle. Use a sling that will allow you to rest the rifle in a safe (to the ground) position. Bring a small notebook & pen to take notes. Bring lots of water and sunscreen. A hat is a nice thing. Kneepads might be of use depending on drills you do. Don't screw around with ear plugs. Wear muffs. Easier to take off and quicker to put back on. Make damn sure your weapon is well maintained during the class. If you have a spare rifle or any spare parts - bring it. Bring a cleaning kit. During breaks check your kit. A BoreSnake during the break won't hurt. Wear comfortable foot gear! Have fun. Keep an open mind. Be safe. edit fer spellin' 
|
You will learn that in the class. Don't screw yourself up by trying to follow written directions. Just pay attention in class and you'll do fine. |
|
isint the course suppost to teach you how to do it 'properly'? dont try to get a head by getting behind through bad/wrong training by the way, i just: bolt locks back, i eject the mag, while w/ my left hand taking the fresh one out simultanously, slam fresh one in, slap bolt release |
|
Danner as other have said - go to the class as a newb. Having said that, ditch that vest! Where you carry you mag is less important as being proficient at both reload and failure drills. However a vest with strong side carry pockets (assuming you are a right handed shooter) is a cluster f*ck if there ever was one. Blade tech (?) makes a simple kydex clip on single mag pouch that is very common at low round count 3 gun matches. Bump in the night means it will probably be in your weak side rear pocket - probably ought to practice with that set up as well - and let the mag fall all the way down into the pocket - just like real world - digging for it while pressed for time. My personal favorite is the SafariLand thigh shourd with 3 AR mag holders and a Tactical Tailor dump pouch. I wear both on my weak side thigh. Dump pouch is worn imediately behind the shroud. Very trick, extremely fast. The basic mechanics of the reload are much the same as you HG - the goal -> get a fresh mag in / clear the jam and get a functioning loaded mag in and get the gun up and running as quickly as possible. The weapon remains at your shoulder the entire time. You should NOT have to take you eyes off of the target or area of potential danger during the reload - it should become second nature. As soon as the mag is in and the bolt is forward there should be no head movement or weapon manipulation of any kind to be back on target. As with your HG - once you get the hang of a static reload (standing erect in one place) work on doing the reload on the move or from an awkward postition - prone for example. Go to the class with an open mind. If at any time you find you disagree with what they are teaching - consider that their's is not "the way" but "another way". Do you best to become not only profiecent in the skill that they are teaching but also the reasoning behind it. In the end it is up to you - with full knowledge to go back to your home range and work on different drills. Retain all of the concepts that you were taught - break them down and figure out what does work based on your physical ability and your skill level. |
That's about right. I wouldn't try to learn everything before you go, as courses and practical experience will provide you insight into many things, but don't hesitate to seek information beforehand. Think about your pistol course experience. How many ways have you learned to do just one thing with a pistol? How many instructors or "experts" have given you well reasoned, if somewhat conflicting, advice? Get as much input as you can from every source. This will give you a better understanding of how to measure new information as you learn, so you can decide what to take and what to leave when making your own SOP's. Just do your best to know why a particular technique is being supported, then practice as you see fit. Good luck with the course. |
originally from mfingar
And this is the Number one reason to just go to the class and learn instead of taking advice off the Internet and try to use it. Sorry to single you out, but that is one of the most rediculus techniques I have ever heard. that ranks right up there with trying to count the rounds you have fired so you know when it's time to reload......  The smart guys just ignored you, but I've never been that smart and had to comment on this.....
|
AR Sponsor