It doesn’t matter if you're in a competitive shooting scenario or a life-threatening situation, reloading your pistol quickly and efficiently is a “must have” skill. Understanding and drilling down on different types of reloads can significantly enhance your performance and ensure you're better prepared for any possibility. In this blog, we’re going to cover two reload techniques: the Slide Lock Reload and the Tactical (or Administrative) Reload. We'll hit on why they’re important, when to use them, and how to practice them safely using both dry fire and live fire drills.

Why Practice Reloads?

Reloading under stress can be a challenge, and like any skill unused or unpracticed, it is perishable. This is why it’s essential to get those reloading reps in so the actions come as easy as and natural as tying your laces. This sets you up for success in quickly getting your gun back in the fight. We suggest practicing using cover so that in a high-stress situation, your muscle memory will take over. In a real gunfight, reloading behind cover can be a life saver because it minimizes your exposure.

The Slide Lock Reload

When to Use It:
The Slide Lock Reload is also known as a Speed Reload. It’s performed when your gun runs completely empty, and the slide locks back. This situation demands a swift reload to get your pistol back in action. During a slide lock reload you’re going want to do this as fast as possible. Why? Because you’re in the middle of getting fired upon. If you can get cover, get cover.

How to Perform a Slide Lock Reload:

1. Release and Retrieve: When your gun goes dry, the slide locks back. Let the empty magazine drop from your gun.

2. Insert a Fresh Magazine – Insert, Seat and Lock: Using your non-dominant hand, grab a fresh magazine from your belt, insert it into the magazine well, seat it firmly, and lock it in place.

3. Send the Slide Home: Use the slide release or pull the slide back to chamber a round.

4. Rebuild Your Grip: Rebuild your master firing grip and get back in the fight.

The Tactical or Administrative Reload

When to Use It:
A Tactical Reload is also called an Administrative Reload. It is performed before your magazine is completely empty. You can use this reload when you have a pause in the fight and want to make sure your gun is fully loaded before the next engagement.

How to Perform a Tactical Administrative Reload:

1. Get Behind Cover: Always seek cover to minimize exposure.

2. Retrieve a Full Magazine: With your non-dominant hand, grab a full magazine and hold it between your index and middle fingers.

3. Swap Magazines: Use your dominant hand to release the partially used magazine while simultaneously inserting the fresh one with your non-dominant hand.

4. Seat and Lock: Ensure the new magazine is properly seated and locked in place.

5. Store the Used Magazine: Put the partially used magazine to your belt or pocket.

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Dry Fire Drill with Snap Caps

Dry fire practice is a safe and effective way to practice reloading techniques. Here's how to set up and perform dry fire drills:

1. Safety Check: Visually and physically inspect your firearm to make sure it’s unloaded and use snap caps to practice.

2. Initial Feeding: Start with your gun in the holster. Draw your weapon, insert a snap cap magazine, and perform a press check to ensure it's chambered.

3. Slide Lock Reload: Simulate firing until the slide locks back ( You’ll have to bring the slide back into locking position manually). Drop the magazine, insert a new magazine with snap caps in, and send the slide home.

4. Tactical Reload: Practice the tactical reload by simulating a break in the fight. Retrieve a full snap cap magazine, swap it with the partially used one, and ensure the new magazine is seated.

Live Fire Drill on the Range

Practicing reloads with live ammunition at the range helps you build muscle memory under realistic conditions:

1. Set Up: Load your magazines with a few live rounds and position yourself at the firing line.

2. Initial Feeding: Draw and fire your pistol until the slide locks back.

3. Slide Lock Reload: Drop the empty magazine, insert a fresh one, and continue firing.

4. Tactical Reload: During a lull in your shooting sequence, perform a tactical reload behind cover, then return to shooting.

Conclusion

Reloading is a fundamental skill that every shooter should have a good handle of. Regularly practicing the Slide Lock and Tactical Reloads keeps you sharp and ready to roll when things get real. Remember to practice safely, starting with dry fire drills using snap caps and progressing to live fire drills at the range. Stay behind cover whenever possible during reloads to minimize your exposure. Keep drilling these techniques until they become second nature because in a critical moment, every second counts. In all our firearms (pistol/rifle) courses we drill down on reloading among many other dynamic drills.  If you’re looking for some of the same training that we’ve taught Special Forces operators, click here for upcoming ISP courses. 

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About The Author

Hank Hayes is a Combat Arts Hall of Famer and inventor of the No Lie Blade. He is the founder and CEO of both Intuitive Self Protection and NLB Tactical and creator of the ISP/NLB viscous fighting system. Since 1998, he has trained well over 30,000 Military and Law Enforcement personnel via Government contract mainly at the elite special teams level and continues to train both civilians and MIL/LE how to come home safe.