You are now at the Range. You have an empty firearm. You're on the shooting line. Range Master gives the Command "Load & Make Ready."

Actions:

1. Draw your firearm with a purpose, Everytime.

2. Come up on target, gaining a quick sight picture of the target

3. Bring the firearm into your workspace.

4. With your support hand grab the magazine in your #1 mag pouch.

5. Take and insert that magazine seating it into your firearm with some force.

6. While still in your workspace rack your slide chambering the first round.

7. Come up on target, gaining a quick sight picture of the target.

8. Holster (finger straight and off the trigger)

9. Manage your Ammo (Magazines)

Load & Make Ready

Discussion:

Wow, talk about taking the scenic route to "load and make ready!" If that felt slow, don't worry— It'll get quicker but this one is one of the few actions that does not require "speed."

On duty, your firearm should already be loaded with duty ammo, your mags topped off, and your mindset locked and loaded.

On the range, things are just a Little different. Don't take that the wrong way in your thought process of "we practice differently than how we would in the field." This SINGLE process of coming to the line unloaded and deminstrating the process of loading is something we don't perform in the field in this fassion but is a performed action on the range in front of range staff. These actions are reserved for the Range. The Range Staff will kindly grant you the opportunity to unload your firearm and show clear on your arrival to the range. From there, you’ll be ready to head to the firing line when called to do so.

Here’s the "Cheat Code" if you will: this whole "load and make ready" routine isn’t just about the gun. It’s about you. You’re warming up your body through motion, sharpening your eyes as you lock in on sight pictures, and, most importantly, tuning your mindset to focus on putting those rounds really well placed on the target.

Bonus tip: notice the two chances to "cheat" a bit by pre-aligning that sight picture before your first shot? By the time your firearm is holstered, you're mentally dialed in, physically ready, and laser-focused. Your ready!

So, the next time you’re on the range, embrace this process—it’s your secret weapon for making that first shot well placed, quick and count. And of course it beats fumbling around like you’re rehearsing for a slow-motion action scene.

The terms "empty gun reload" and "emergency gun reload" are often used in firearms training to describe specific reloading scenarios, and their exact definitions may vary slightly depending on the instructor or organization. Here’s a general explanation:

Emergency Gun Reload

• Situation: An urgent need to reload the firearm during a critical moment (often when the gun is empty, but not necessarily)

• Goal: Quickly restore the firearm to a functional state to address an immediate threat.

• Steps:

  • If the gun is empty, the process is nearly identical to an empty gun reload.

  • If the gun still has ammunition (e.g., a malfunction or near-empty magazine), the process may involve a "speed reload" to replace the magazine quickly without worrying about retaining the old one.

• Key Feature: The urgency of the situation. The priority is getting the gun running as quickly as possible, often without regard to retaining the empty magazine.

• Focus: Fast action under high stress, possibly sacrificing efficiency or retention

Empty Gun Reload

• Situation: The firearm has been completely emptied of ammunition, and the slide or bolt is locked back.

• Goal: Reload the firearm as quickly as possible to make it operational again.

• Steps:

  1. Remove the empty magazine from the firearm.

  2. Insert a fully loaded magazine.

  3. Release the slide or bolt to chamber a round.

• Key Feature: The slide or bolt lock-back provides a visual and tactile cue that the gun is empty.

• Focus: Speed and efficiency to re-engage the target.

Key Differences

• Terminology: "Empty gun reload" focuses on the state of the firearm (completely empty), while "emergency gun reload" emphasizes the urgency and context of the reload.

• Context: An emergency reload can occur under various conditions, including but not limited to an empty gun.

• Retention: In an empty reload, you might choose to retain the magazine (if time allows). In an emergency reload, magazine retention is often deprioritized.

Both techniques require proficiency and practice to execute effectively under stress.

Steps for a Speed Reload

1. Recognize the Need to Reload: Either the gun stops firing because it’s empty, or you anticipate needing more ammunition (in competition or tactical situations).

2. Release the Magazine:

   • Press the magazine release button with your firing hand thumb (or another finger depending on grip and ergonomics).

   • Let the spent or partially spent magazine drop to the ground.

3. Retrieve a Fresh Magazine:

   • With your support hand, draw a fresh magazine from a pouch or holster on your body.

   • Hold the magazine with an index finger along the front for guidance.

4. Insert the New Magazine:

   • Seat the new magazine firmly into the magazine well.

   • Use a sharp motion to ensure the magazine locks into place.

5. Chamber a Round:

   • If the slide is locked back, release it using the slide release lever or by reaching up and over the top pulling slide to the rear and releasing it.

   • If the slide is forward (round still chambered), no additional step is needed.

6. Reestablish Grip:

   • Reestablish your grip, if you have time and continue engaging your target.

When to Use a Speed Reload

• High-Stress Situations: Defensive encounters or scenarios requiring quick follow-up shots.

• Competition Shooting: When seconds count, and retaining the magazine is not a priority.

Difference from Other Reloads

• Tactical Reload: In a tactical reload, the shooter retains the partially used magazine to conserve ammunition.

• Emergency Reload: Similar to a speed reload, but often used when the gun is completely empty and time is critical.

Practicing speed reloads helps develop muscle memory, ensuring smooth and efficient execution under pressure.