Dropping mag

[Austings]

I also drop the mag before its completely empty. Being new to USPSA, I figured it would save me time to just plan to drop at a specific point in the stage rather than shooting until empty. 

[EliteGuard]

It doesn't matter how many rounds were in the magazine as long as you avoid wasting time with something such as a standing reload. I have had stages where I did a mag change with 14 rounds left in the magazine and stages were I ran the mag to empty. Judge it based on how difficult the shots will be and if you think you will need a makeup.

[Topgeer]

I always look for best time to reload.  Most the time I try change when in motion

 

[Novagunner]

I like running 3+ mags just in case. I have found some 34+ round stages where I need a couple makeups or  a good spot between arrays where i drop 8 rds in the mag or have a mag crap itself. 

Edited October 4, 2017 by Novagunner

[Searchnman]

I try and leave a couple in the mag, of course plans only last up to when the first round is fired.

[blueorison]

Everyone has an opinion

If you're taking more than a few steps and aren't going into a difficult position/can afford to reload, why not do it?

[CrashDodson]

There was a stage at the desert classic this weekend where shooting limited I needed to reload twice, and once after only firing 8 shots.  You dont see that too often but it happens.  

 

At the same match I was handed an empty mag I had dropped.  Thats an Oh sh!t moment in limited.  

[enzo357]

I have deliberately ran my mags to 1 or 2 rounds, but it was the type of stage that had  10 close paper.  Maybe a 5 step run, and 3 more paper.

The shots were easy, the reload made sense.  

Most of the time, better safe then sorry. 

[Boudreaux78]

I try to put a real life spin on it. If I just engaged several bad guys and knew around the corner or down the way I was going to have to engage some more, I would want as many bullets in my gun as possible to not have to stand there with my a&@$) in the wind while doing a standing reload. To me that's why it's called practical shooting. 

[casarez]

One of the first set of things I had to learn shooting Prod: Plan your reloads while stage planning to execute while moving so that you are not doing it standing which costs you points.  There have been times I reloaded after only firing 4 shots since the next array was an 8 shot one and I had to move anyways. 

[jerkeejoe]

I do it the exact same way OP described.  Pick a planned reload place where I'll not be at slide lock during my stage planning and then reload at that point.  With proper planning, I should never have to reload from slide lock.  And like someone else said, if i end up with an empty mage, I've screwed up the stage.

[Yeti]

Ideally, the only time to run to slide lock (USPSA) is if the last shots in the array benefit it.  A miss or poor shot placement will necessatate it at times when your stage 'plan' goes to poop.    

 

[OrondoShooter]

Better to drop a mag with rounds in it then lock up on shot 1 of 2...

[XRING1911]

Good information for a novice like myself.

Makes sense to drop loaded than to drop the slide.

[Wrathen]

I’ve only ever shot IDPA due to the only USPSA match near me is 2 ½ hours away. I’m used to only having slide lock reloads.m, I wonder how hard it’s going to break that habit when I go to a USPSA match. ??

[MemphisMechanic]

On 3/27/2018 at 10:46 AM, Wrathen said:

I’ve only ever shot IDPA due to the only USPSA match near me is 2 ½ hours away. I’m used to only having slide lock reloads.m, I wonder how hard it’s going to break that habit when I go to a USPSA match. ??

 

Pretty easy to make that switch. You’ll just pause for a second after seating the mag and thinking about running the slide home to realize... “oh right. I’m done with the load already.”

 

It’s just like doing a tac load or RWR now: on the move from A to B, no need to manipulate the slide. You simply drop the partial in the dirt instead of slowing to retain it.

 

Edited March 28, 2018 by MemphisMechanic

[SCinTX]

I try to plan mag changes so I'll have enough rounds in the mag to cover extra shots.