fastest left handed reload

[trinydex]

does anyone have the best left handed reload technique for pistol and rifle?

perhaps a video of larry vickers doing both?

[Failure2Stop]

Assuming that you mean for an AR platform as far as rifle goes, here is my input-

Using a redimag or coupled mag is the most efficient way to reload the gun, but redimags are constrained by the righty-oriented manipulations of the platform. Since I do not have much experience using a redimag in a lefty role, I cannot recommend for or against, however, coupled mags (as much as I loathe them) do work fairly well (except for their well documented issues) for leftys since you are going to have to make contact very near the mag with the right hand anyway to release the mag in the first place, at which point it becomes a simple matter of inserting the fresh mag.

Other options-

1- get a norgon ambi mag catch, then you get to reload just like a righty.
2- shoot right handed.

As far as pistol is concerned you can either have the mag release switched to the right side (if possible, depending on your gun) so you can drop it with your left thumb, or just hit the mag release with the index finger of your left hand in it's standard position. The rest of the reload is pretty standard.

[trinydex]

i worry about using a redimag as a lefty because i'm not sure how to lock back the bolt with a redimag in place. so doing a double feed clearing would become a problem...?

for pistol reloads i'm mainly interested in where in the work place a lefty should choose to rack the slide. the fastest would be to have a gun with ambi controls but this is not an option as that takes glocks and 1911s out of the picture, two of the most popular handguns. i got to see larry vickers in a video reloading and he did it thumb index finger style, closer to his body and then pushed out. i think this is the best way but i want to see more footage.

[Failure2Stop]

The slide should be released during the presentation out to target, and it will be faster to achieve a grip following the release of the slide if you use the slide stop/release.

[Bighead]

With a standard configuration M4 (non-ambi) the quickest way for a lefty to reload is with a Redi-Mag....in my opinion, based off personal experience with the original version. I have not used the new version they are advertising.

It took a bit of getting used to in placing my hand in a position where I could hit the release with my thumb while being able to secure the magazines. There was not a huge difference in time between my lefty technique and a right-handed shooter during any training events.

The one problem I had to deal with was with the magazine release. It was a bit more "sensitive" with the Redi-Mag and an additional magazine than it was with a single. One good shot on the release against my armor and there go both magazines. It never bit me in the ass but just something to be aware of.

[trinydex]

how do you do a doublefeed clearing with the redimag in place? would this then require a BAD? (not a deal breaker)

[NeverForget]

I agree with whats already been said that a Redi-mag would be the fastest way to reload left handed on a normal right hand oriented AR. The only other option I can think of is to release the mag and drop it with your right hand, then speed reloading from a mag pouch.

I don't have enough experience with sidearms to give you a recommendation on the fastest reload.

Here is a video of me running a drill.

Drill: 2 rounds, speed reload, 2 rounds, tactical reload, 2 rounds, search and assess, safe. [To conserve ammo first mag is loaded with only 2 rounds and subsequent mags only have 3 rounds.]

http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee312/DesrucYlikcul/Range%205-11-09/th_MOV03814.jpg (http://s228.photobucket.com/albums/ee312/DesrucYlikcul/Range%205-11-09/?action=view&current=MOV03814.flv)


I don't have much experience with Redi-mag style systems and so when I was at the range using my friends AR it was a bit awkward for me. I personally don't care for these systems much. My friend has a BFG Redi-mod installed on his AR. I find the mag release can be cumbersome without training. The bolt release and bolt catch button are not as difficult to manipulate but again require training to become proficient with.

Here is a link. (http://www.blueforcegear.com/product.cfm?type=cat&cat_id=1&prod_id=91) There is a link to a video of Larry Vickers using the Redi-mod.

Here are two vids of another drill.

Drill: Failure to fire, clear double feed, reload, 2 rounds, tactical reload, search and assess, safe. [Magpul dummy 5.56 round in chamber, magazine inserted with 1 Magpul dummy 5.56 round, bolt forward, subsequent magazines have 3 live rounds each.]

My first try shows me struggling with the bolt release.
http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee312/DesrucYlikcul/Range%205-11-09/th_MOV03815.jpg (http://s228.photobucket.com/albums/ee312/DesrucYlikcul/Range%205-11-09/?action=view&current=MOV03815.flv)

My second try.
http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee312/DesrucYlikcul/Range%205-11-09/th_MOV03816.jpg (http://s228.photobucket.com/albums/ee312/DesrucYlikcul/Range%205-11-09/?action=view&current=MOV03816.flv)

I prefer not to remove my left hand from fire control to manipulate the bolt and so I reach around with my right hand.

I hope this helps. If you have any other questions please feel free to ask.

[trinydex]

oh i didn't know the redimag had a button on it to engage the bolt catch... that makes sense.

i don't know why people reach around with the right hand to hit the bolt release, is there a philosophy behind this? is there something wrong with reaching up with the left fingers (like the in larry vickers redimod left handed demo)?

[NeverForget]

I can't speak for the Redi-mags but the Redi-mod does have an extended bolt catch button.

Thats just the way I choose to release the bolt. I've mostly practiced like this. I find it difficult to release the bolt with the index finger of my left hand. Next time I'm on the range I will try other methods.

[trinydex]

The slide should be released during the presentation out to target, and it will be faster to achieve a grip following the release of the slide if you use the slide stop/release.

yeah i find it harder to pull and then race the support hand infront of the presentation to establish grip, i'm used to pushing out. it'd be easier if all guns were ambi and i could hit the slide release lever.