There IS a viable element to the Tac-load......

for when you don't want to leave any evidence at the scene !

Just sayin'............... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

one of the closest I ever came to being ordered off the line was over a tac reload...

This is one of those things that is going to get someone hurt really bad trying to do

Trying to take the "game" out of shooting is fine, but did they have to come up with that crap??

As with most things in an intense hobby, there are many opinions out there. I have trained with instructors who say that the 1911 is the only pistol to carry for self defense. I have trained with instructors who teach weaver only, isosceles only, modified weaver etc. I tend to heed the advice of those who have been in combat and actually done what they are teaching in real life. Some instructors subscribe to things like tactical reloads and some don't. I take what I can from all of these folks and adapt their techniques and teachings to my purposes. Just like anything in life, some advice works and some doesn't.

IPSC has no "tac-load"........that would be idpa.

People HAVE almost been hurt trying to do a tac-load. (some probably have been hurt) I witnessed a competitor doing a tac-load, but the partial mag slipped from his grasp. Not wanting to get the 3 second penalty for that, he grabbed for the mag. Meanwhile, he had a loaded, cocked and UN-locked 1911 in his hand. As he tried to grab it, the trigger finger went into the triggerguard....BANG! The bullet hit 5-6 feet in front of him. It very easily could've been his knee, as his pant leg had powder burns on it.

In my classes I teach to LET IT GO! and I cite this example.

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So I don't shoot either IDPA or IPSC but I have been shooting and reloading for a long time. What's the thought process behind the "tactical reload"? Was it created to add more stress to the sport or was it created in the field and adapted to the sport?
I have heard people complain about dropping their mags which either damages them or gets them dirty is this why it's done to prevent this?

Why would one be concerned about retaining a spent or partially spent mag in a fire fight? Most civllian encounters take place in less than ten feet and end in less than 5 rounds. But if for some quirk of events you should have to reload why not just let the mag drop?


Once the encounter is over and the police arrive they are going to take your gun and more than likly arrest you. At the very least they will take your gun and promptly unload it. One thing is for sure that gun will not go home with you.


I'm not trying to come across as a rear end orifice I'm just not following the thought process of why it's taught/advocated for streat use that's all.

Which is why it is important to have two guns at a minimum. I would also suggest one is registered in your spouses name. Law enforcement does not always exercise the best common sense. I have heard of them removing all of your firearms after an encounter.

Yep....

The alleged theory is, once you engage hostiles and then, somehow, sense a lull in the action, you want to bring your gun up to full capacity, should their buddies show up or maybe they're just playin' possum.....

So you retain the partial magazine, JUST IN CASE you need those 2-3 or 1 round later.

As I cited above: Military encounters aside, there's NEVER been a case of someone getting into a firefight, then somehow sensing a lull in the action, performing a 'tactical' reload, getting into ANOTHER firefight on the way home, running out of fresh ammo, remembering you might have one or two in your pocket (which one was it again?) being able to retrieve that mag amidst all the coins and keys then blow out all pocket lint from the mag, reload your gun, all while taking incoming fire, racking the slide and have THOSE 1-2 rds save the day.

To me, not only is that a virtual impossibility, it's misplaced priorities. My FIRST priority is getting my gun fully loaded while watching for other badguys, not being distracted keeping track of a partial mag (or is it empty?).

John Farnam, a famous gunfight instructor, teaches to drop the mag, insert the new one and then CYCLE the slide. His reason is to make sure you have one in the chamber. How do you know if the slide didn't catch the slide stop and slammed home empty? There are two sides to that argument, also, but it's light years ahead of retaining a partial (empty?) mag for possible later use.

A "tacload" is useful three times:

1) when utilized as an adminstrative type loading.
2) when you're involved in a shooting in knee deep water (ala Katrina.)
3) you don't want to leave incriminating evidence behind.

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I don't see that being much of an issue outside of New York.MD, NJ. What difference would it make?

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Yuppers should have clarified...Mea Culpa

I HAVE tried taking it out of the gun and shovving it in my pocket and that kinda worked..To much movement for me though..Get the gun loaded and go for it I say!!!!

Incriminating evidence haven't you already littered the country side with spent cartridges?

Unless you use a shell catcher. Or, better yet, use a revolver and don’t worry about stray shells. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />