I am curious. How many practice weak hand reloading?

I long ago taught myself how to reload both autos and revolvers weak handed. I once shot a qualification course weak handed just to prove to myself that I could do it. I set up my competition belts with at least 1 speedloader in front of my revolver holsters and 1 magazine carrier behind the holster for weak hand use. On duty I carry my spare mag just to the right of the buckle on my duty belt so it is available to either hand.

A few years ago I decided to get back into competition shooting after a long break and my first IPSC comp I was surprised to see A, Master and Grand Master shooters swapping hands during weak hand only stages to reload. When I decided to shoot Classic using a 1911 in Major I bought an extra double mag carrier and two mags to place behind my holster.

Early this year I shot a match which involved 2 weak hand only stages. On the second there were 3 shooting positions and like everyone else I decided on the walk through to reload while moving. On the middle stage two snatched trigger shots made me realise I was about to engage the last target requiring 2 shots with only a round in the chamber. I was going to have to reload, shoot then move.

I no sooner decided this than my right hand moved to draw the last mag behind my holster. As I transitioned to the last target my trigger finger hit the mag release and my right hand slid the mag into the gun and I just kept on shooting. (Fortunately the last shooting position only required 4 shots). One of my squad members asked me how I had gotten away with not reloading as I moved. Another asked him if he had not seen my reload before moving and commented it was smooth.

So as I said, I a, wondering how many spend time practising weak handed reloads?

I always load with my weak hand? I am right handed and load with my left. Revolver or semi auto.

Now if you ask can I shoot with my weak hand, well not so good.

__________________
Still Running Against the Wind

I don't have a "weak hand". I have a "Support Hand".

Yes, I've always practiced support hand reloading a revolver. I actually prefer it when using moon clips.

Actually I am more interested in loading techniques when shooting with he weak/support hand.

The only reason I would do a support hand reload is if my strong hand was non-functional. I do practice support hand reloads, but it's all done one-handed, which can be quite tricky with a 2" snub. However, it's not high on my priority list, compared to a skill like drawing.

What I don't get is basically doing things in a mirror fashion, i.e. if you're right-handed, shooting with your left hand and reloading with your right hand. Unless you're just trying to be ambidextrous. Or I suppose it's possible one might be shooting around cover using one's support hand to shoot and using one's strong hand for the reload. I try not to get too bogged down in what-if scenarios.

Since I'm all thumbs, I shoot weak handed left or right! I haven't done "off hand" drills. When My F-I-L was competing in "Police Combat" about 40 to 50% was weak hand shooting (1960-1980's). And when he taught me revolver shooting we did do some drills. He was naturally left handed, but his mother wouldn't let him so officially he is right handed! He had one child left handed, two grand children and so far 4 or 5 great grand kids be left handed. Even the grand kids that are couch potatoes have excellent eye hand coordination. Marksman ship comes easily for the ones that desire it. (His youngest set a US ARMY training record in 1982 that still stands! 298/300 My oldest went to beat his uncle but missis by a point in 1999!)

What I worked on with a group of ladies from church who Conceal Carry, was drawing from concealed position and clearing malfunctions. We started empty, and when I was sure they would shoot me or themselves we went with a dummy then live round, then dummy with full mag or cylinder, then 6 rounds of mixed dummies and live rounds. Three of the gals to this like a duck to water, the others not so much!

Please detail what you do for weak side or off hand drills. I think the gals will protest, but I'll say this is the latest from New Zealand!

Thanks!

Ivan

Ah, okay, gotcha. The only method I've ever used with a revolver is the one taught for decades by Mas Ayoob. When revolvers ruled this was actually part of a required qualification. You had to be able to complete two consecutive reloads successfully in order to pass.

Was taught the same technique for one-hand reloads...can also use the top of your boot if you're kneeling.

Way easier with a longer (4"+) barrel...snubs can be tricky. Lots of practice needed to get that right. Snubs I usually stuff into my pocket and use similar technique.

Tough drill, but good to try before you really need it.

I'll probably watch that Ayoob video. I'll likely learn something

I'm trying to figure how Kiwi Cop uses his trigger finger on the magazine release. ?? Does he have an ambi mag. release?

I'm presuming he's right-handed and shooting left-handed, in which case his trigger finger can hit a standard mag release.

Taking your comments with a grain of salt and toungue in cheek, I have to admit I can think of only two real life reasons for weak hand shooting and practicing drills. They are if the strong hand is incapacitated ( and given the fact that human nature is to zero in on the cause of the threat, hence a large proportion of gun hand injuries, this could well occur), in which case the use of the strong hand to assist is unlikely, and in the very rare case that shooting around cover dictates the use of the weak hand so as not to expose too much of the head and body. It is for those reasons only that I use the techniques in competition and in practice drills.

All of the drills I use I found in an early 1990's print run of Massad Ayoob's ""Stressfire" over 20 years ago as strong left hand shooting skills.

With an auto it is simple. Hit the mag catch with the trigger finger and use the right hand to reload, hence my completition rigs having mags on the right and my duty mag pouch on the front right of my belt. With an injured right hand I would probably tuck the pistol under my strong side arm or between my knees with the but upwards to insert the mag, hitting it against my thigh to "slap" it home.

With a revolver the left trigger finger pushes the cylinder release. The right thumb pushes open the cylinder and the right hand grips the trigger guard still with thumb through the cylinder cut out. Right trigger finger hits the extractor rod while left hand grabs speedloader. Tilt the revolver forward and back to the right to a)check cases have dropped clear and b) expose cylinder chambers to reload. After reloading drop speedloader and take hold on the butt with left hand, use right hand fingers to close cylinder and right hand takes up support grip.

As the only gun I am allowed to carry on duty is a G17 and off duty/self defence carry is not allowed in this country I have not tried to develop injured strong hand reloading techniques.

This is similar to the method I use. Like Lostaro said, it can be difficult to do with a snub, particularly if you're like me and have some, um, "tactical padding" around the waist. I also use my pocket, putting the barrel of the gun in the pocket and the extractor rod on the outside. I wear jeans 99.99% of the time, with a more horizontal opening, so this method works quite well.

Another method I've practiced requires dropping to a kneeling position, resting the gun muzzle down on the ground with the cylinder open and pointing away from me, and using my knees to hold it upright. Less versatile and takes longer, but can be a useful option.

Obviously, both methods work best if you can get behind some cover if at all possible.

Also, I brace the gun against my body, usually my thigh or abdomen, when both opening and closing the cylinder. It makes it easier and less fumble-prone.

And it goes without saying, muzzle discipline is important, even if you're just doing these drills with snap caps.

ETA: Also, because the extractor rod is so short on a snub, I usually do a bit of a downward jerk the same time I eject the spent cases with the gun held vertically and the muzzle pointing straight up, which Ayoob didn't do in the video. Worst case scenario, any cases that didn't get ejected can be removed manually before reloading.

These are the techniques that work for me. YMMV.

Yep, you got it.

Something we're all probably guilty of not doing enough. I've done it a few times during SASS Matches when the Stage scenario said we had to, but in normal shooting - not much. Now I will make it a point to do it the next time I go out to the Range. I'm glad you brought it up.