Critical Importance of Mag Swaps
by Jim Bean, Chief Instructor Arizona Tactical Defense Training Institute
OK. So you are reading the title and thinking to yourself... "Really ? Like I don't know how to swap out a magazine in my handgun.". Well buck up buttercup, because in a gunfight it's not going to go how you think it might, or what you might see in the movies.
Practical Reality
Here is the practical reality. In a gunfight you are going to go through a series of biologic effects and human emotions. If you are unlucky enough to get caught at night, a constrained space, bad weather, or multiple attackers, it only gets worse. And surprise ! Even the most experienced, best trained are most likely not going to get all of their rounds on target (there are some research studies to support this and frankly the news is not good).
So what can we do about it ?
The good news is that you can anticipate and train for everything I have listed previously. First, let me say that what I am describing here is for the urban theater, with a handgun as your defensive weapon system. A military warfare theater has many synergies and many differences. We'll leave that to another discussion.
Training
It's not just about the bio-mechanics of swapping out mags in your handgun. You first need to consider training under duress. Assuming you are in good physical shape and can handle stressful physical exertion, prelim your range drills with a quick run, some pushups, jumping jacks, and a few 360 degree rotations. Get that heart rate elevated and add some confusion to the mix (the rotations). Note that safety is paramount ! Make sure you have a safe environment, a training partner, and verify that you have an unloaded firearm in your holster.
Once you have completed your prelim, and under time pressure:
- Present from holster, fire. You should be (more important - you better be) unloaded
- Make sure your weapon system is in your visual workspace
- Also keep sight on your target
- Move off of the line of attack !
- Check for malfunctions (let's pretend you didn't know you were dry)
- Perform a mag swap (your choice of tactical or emergency)
- On target, fire a sequence - 2 thoracic, 1 cranial
- After action drills !
- Clear, safe and check your target
All of the above are pretty standard for most defensive firearms classes. All are critically important and make sense. However the devil is in the details.
Loss of Fine Motor Skills
As adrenaline hits, with an elevated heart rate, and influencing environmental factors you are going to lose fine motor skills. Things like small arm, hand, digit movements, and a loss of tactile "feel". The problem here is that all of those will impact the effectiveness of your mag swap. The solution is ... Train, Practice and repeat ! Repetition builds muscle memory (which is a misleading anatomical description).
Safety first, safety always ! In addition to field and range training, I also practice mag swaps when I am sitting and watching TV. While you might attempt this as dry practice, the level of distraction from a TV is NOT recommended and you are placing yourself and those around you at risk. I get around this by using a SIRT. Nope, not an advertisement. Truly an effective training tool. I carry a Glock and the SIRT is a very close replica (shape, size, weight, trigger press, and weighted mags !). I love these things so much that I have purchased several and use them in our classroom training.
I will sit and repeat mag swaps over and over. I will do them in my visual workspace and I will do them by tactical feel. You want it to become second nature.
Other Important Details
If you are carrying for personal protection as a private citizen, you need to practice your presentation and your mag swaps in dress. When I carry concealed, I don't have a belt mounted mag carrier. I carry a spare mag in a pocket. It's important to have the extra ammunition (especially with a Glock 26), but getting the mag out of a pants pocket can be a challenge. Solution - Practice !
If I expect to be wearing a jacket, that adds another complication. Again, it is important to train for presentation with a garment - and - mag swaps with a garment. The off-side clearing motion combined with your spare kept in a pants pocket is a tough drill. However, it's a necessary drill. Solution - Practice !
Close Protection
If you are carrying as a close protection agent, you are most likely dressing to meet a similar appearance to that of your principle. That may include a sweater, sport jacket, suit coat, recreational vest, or just a shirt. Your weapon system and gear will need to be appropriately matched to the threat level, the environment, and to your apparel. Especially challenging is when your principle wants to go jogging in hot weather.
Yes, you should practice garment clearing and presentation from the interview position and the 2 hand lapel position, but do not stop there. You need to also practice mag swaps with the various garment types. Repeat it until you can't get it wrong.
Don't be that Guy or Gal
Don't trivialize the importance of mag swaps, training and practice. You don't want to be "that guy or gal" under attack, who is fumbling around under fire for their spare mag when they have run dry, or worse yet who drops it on the ground (go ahead - try to tell me how easy it is to find in the dark or rain). Train, practice and get it right.
Remember also - Safety first, Safety always !!!!! Do not compromise your personal safety or that of those around your when you practice. Taking a short-cut on safety rules never, ever works out in your favor.
Stay safe out there
- Stay Aware, Stay Smart, and Stay Safe !
- Adapt, Overcome, Prevail !