I don’t train to “strip then grip”, so if I ever have a mag not drop (like I have with a G19), then I’m stripping that mag out with the fresh mag in my hand. But that’s with guns that I KNOW will typically drop a mag. The key to recovering from a mag that doesn’t drop free from a gun that typically will drop them, is to not sit there and stare at the gun like grew a penis and go imediately into your remedial action. And besides, you’ll know before you’ve even extracted that fresh mag from the pouch whether that spent mag dropped or not, so you’ll (should) have already made the decision that you’ll need to strip it once your hand reaches the magwell.
If I have a gun like the OP that typically DOESN’T drop the mag, then I would train to do the “strip then grip”.
I grab a new mag them remove the spent one and insert new. I do not want to have to reload and then dig around for my mag on the ground that I let drop free as I went for another mag.
Yeah seeing a penis on your gun might make you pause a sec
That would be reloading with retention…which IMO isn’t really the same thing as a speed/emergency reload. It’s a good method if you want to keep all your mags accounted for, but not the best way to reload when you need rounds ASAP. (I’m sure I’m not telling you anything you don’t already know though…)
Yeah I was more replying to the OP, or maybe I misunderstood why he asked about mags dropping free. If I need a reload ASAP I’ll make sure it gets out before my new mag is even out of the pouch.
For general reloads I like to keep all my mags accounted for.
This is about the variable and what I can do to limit them. One way is to assure a clean reload without hiccup. I do not need to rely on the magazine to drop free because I have already ensured the weapon is able to accept a new mag, 100% of the time. And that reloading should not require my eyes to shift away from downrange; cover or concealment inaccessible for example or situation demands immediate action. This could translate to near zero loss of focus on target(s). I don’t believe that it is slow per se and that it it can be performed quickly and in a fluid manner.
Machining tolerances vary, molding tolerances vary, you may find yourself with an unfamiliar firearm and/or mags, yada-yada. Skies the limit here.
Just some thoughts. Will add more in a bit.
*You realize the mag did not drop free. That means your focus has been diverted to some degree.
*“Machining tolerances vary, molding tolerances vary, you may find yourself with an unfamiliar firearm and/or mags, yada-yada. Skies the limit here…” - I am the Common Denominator.
I’m actually faster on reloads with a VZ58 with a Neit Arms tactical bolt release (actuated by the trigger finger, eliminates the AK reach-around) than I am on an AR, despite having to strip the mag on a VZ.
Part of that is having more time on the VZ, but the main thing is that I don’t find stripping mags to be that problematic.
I once had to run a few hundred rounds through a borrowed AR while out of the country. It was a Cavarms polymer lower and the terrain was wet and sandy, and the sand stuck to the mags and bound up the polymer lower/magazine interface.
Sometimes you just have to strip mags. If you have your head screwed on tightly it’s not a big deal, but it does slow you down a little.
But in general, I’d prefer mags to drop free. Even though I’m faster with the VZ, it’s also set up differently. I like to play to the strengths of whatever platform I’m using. Part of what I like about the AR is the ability to drop mags with the touch of a button.
I wouldn’t fault anyone who wants to strip mags by hand, though. Honestly, that’s not the part of most people’s reload that they’re burning seconds on anyway. If you can get your hand down to your reload quickly and index the mag correctly on the way back up, and insert smoothly, tug firmly, hit the paddle and re-establish a consistent and solid grip with speed and confidence…who cares if you spent an extra 0.13 on stripping the mag out with your support hand?
