Different Mag Change Technique

[Reinz]

I'm apologize if this has been discussed.  I have been away for quite sometime.

While at the range recently, a young man was blasting away with his R9.  We engaged in a discussion.  He wanted to see my R9 w/o sights.  When he saw me remove my mag he was a bit perplexed.  After explaining the reason and showing him my techniqie he was grateful.  I thought maybe others may benefit since over the years some have complained about the awkwardness of mag changes with the R9.  I have found much more control with this method and much less chance of any "meat" getting snagged in the process.

If you grasp the gun in a "syringe" fashion, you take away any leverage of the magazine while going in with minimal fingers and hand muscles that would normally hold the gun.  With the syringe technique you have full control at  all times.  And you have more of the mag chute exposed for easier, quicker insertion.

pic 1 is old way  pic 2 is syringe method  pic 3 shows easy insertion      click on photos to enlarge

[Z]

Reinz

Excellent Info!

Thanks for sharing.

I like the VZ carbon fiber grips.

[Reinz]

Thanks Z, yeah I think the VZ CF are the best the market has to offer right now.  They look great on your Robar.

[Richard S]

That's a good tip, Reinz. Thank you for posting it.

I've been using a technique that involves holding the R9 flat and horizontal in my right (strong) hand, right thumb over the slide to secure the piece, and using the left thumb to disengage the magazine latch. It's hardly a speed reload. I think I'll work on breaking an old habit and try your "sryinge" method. Perhaps I can work a little more speed into the process.

[TpaBayFlyFisher]

I need to depress the old mag to unlatch it.  Therefore I use the "choke the chicken" grip with my first two fingers of the right hand depressing the mag and my thumb locked over the slide.  Can you depress the old mag with the sryinge grip?

[billib]

Reinz,  me likey.......you don't realize how
awkward the conventional method is till
you try your syringe (palm & insert) style
method. THANK YOU!!!

So, whats your best method to remove
your magazine?

[Reinz]

Richard - your method is a good one.  Better than the conventional one.  However, for me, there is the risk of when depressing the latch with your left thumb, it can get pushed into my palm, thus hampered somewhat.  With the syringe method you have more exposure which means a quicker and smoother reload and you have more power and control holding the pistol as well.

[Reinz]

TBF - I'm not sure I follow you.  First are you a lefttie?

Maybe this will help, for a Rightie:

Pull the reload mag with your left hand as normal with index finger on tip of bullet, thumb on side of mag.  See first photo.

While holding pistol in Syringe grip as shown above in right hand; now with left hand on mag simply slide your thumb off the mag to the right about an inch or whatever is comfortable.  See second photo. 

 Use the thumb to depress the mag latch.

I will have to post again for next step.

Click on photos to enlarge

[Reinz]

Billib - After depressing the latch with your thumb, the mag will pop out a bit.   Just slide your middle finger from underneath the mag or for me even better when I depress the latch with my thumb, my middle finger is already on the front stap stabilizing the whole mag change process.  First picture
Then it is a natural thing to slide your middle finger under the empty mag and pinch it with your thumb. If in a hurry, drop it and insert fresh mag.    Second photo      I have nerve damage and thus a dexterity problem, I can not hold the dry mag while reloading the fresh one.    Maybe some of you can.

Hope you can picture holding the gun while changing the mag, I can't take pics while doing a comlete mag change.

[billib]

Thank you Reinz. I got the loading part
right away. I'll need to work on the un-
loading part. If I were wearing gloves it
would be a breeze but I only wear them
at the range.


I have severe arthritis in my hands so I
had to modify (a little bit) how I hold the
PUP.

.

.

.

.

[Reinz]

Billib- I understand, you gotta do what works for you.  I have arthritis in my thumbs and the nerve damage has weakened my hands and my ring and pinky fingers on both hands have the strength of about a 5 yr old.

I do have one possible concern ----- do you shoot right or left handed?

[billib]

I'm right handed. The photos I posted appear
as though I'm left handed. It was simply easier
for me to hold the PUP that way while trying to
photograph it.

My left hand is close to useless from rheumatoid
arthritis. It can manipulate a magazine and wheel
chairs push rim but not much else. HA, ha, ha!!!!

[Reinz]

Thanks for clarifying Billib.

[Recluse]

Okay, played around with this a bit, and I prefer the old style.

Keeping my hand in the shooting position as natural for me, and if I ever needed to change mags quickly, it is faster to keep the shooting hand in the same position throughout the mag change, rather than moving the hand twice.

.....But I'm going to play around with it some more.....

[Reinz]

Well it's not going to be for everyone.  At least you were open minded enough to give it a try.