Anyone REALLY good at quickly loading a pistol mag?

Status
Not open for further replies.
O

OregonJohnny

Member
Joined
Jan 25, 2008
Messages
1,072
Location
Oregon
OK, so I was loading up a 15-round magazine for my Beretta 92FS last night when I realized that over the years, I've become pretty good at quickly loading bullets into a pistol magazine. It becomes really apparent when I take someone shooting for their first time and begin by showing them how to properly load a mag. Sometimes, it's painful to watch a newbie try and load a mag. I'm very patient, though and try to show them the best way to hold the bullet and the mag, where to push down with the thumb, etc. The worst part is after 2 or 3 minutes of them loading 9 rounds, they spend another minute just trying to get that 10th round in a 10-round mag. They usually hand it over to me and say, "Holy crap, that's hard."

So last night I got out my stop watch to test myself. I averaged about 22-28 seconds to load 15 rounds of JHP 9mm into my Beretta mag. It never took longer than 30 seconds, but I couldn't quite get it down below 20. My method was to hold the empty mag in one hand and all 15 rounds in the palm of my other hand and to just go at it. I'm not sure if it would be faster to have each round laying flat on a table in front of me, but that seems much slower since you have to reach for the round and then reach back to the mag.

Anyone have any tricks? I can load an 8-round 1911 mag in probably 8 or 9 seconds. Anyone have super-powers when it comes to quick mag loading? No cheating with tools, mag loaders, etc. Just bare hands.
 
I've never timed myself and sure hope I never have to do it under stress but I can usually get them in fairly quickly. I usually do the hand-full of rounds in one hand and mag in the other also.
It's not very hard to tell new shooters how to load a mag but darn near impossible to teach little tricks like where to place fingers/thumbs/etc. to help guide rounds in quicker. I think that's something that only comes with practice and done by feel.
 
I know what you mean. I've been shooting with my Dad recently, since I bought him an XD and his tuition to CCW class. Watching him load that 13rd. mag is painfully slow. But, it's all practice. When I shoot with other "gunnies", we're all about the same speed, so there's hope for Dad yet. Just don't tell him that. :neener:
 
OK - 1st rule is have more mags, 2nd rule is do a NY reload (have a 2nd, loaded gun), 3rd Is Uplula mag loader.

Need more info?
 
It becomes really apparent when I take someone shooting for their first time and begin by showing them how to properly load a mag.
Click to expand...

Isn't that the truth - it really does become almost painful to watch...especially as their fingers develop little cuts and nicks (which is about when they ask why they can't stick with a revolver).

Take care,
DFW1911
 
I've always used the "mag in one hand and handful of cartridges in the other" method. I've never timed myself but it is pretty fast. Of course the old 5900 series mags are really broken in. The M&P mags were a b**ch being brand new. I guess after about a few hundred reloads you get the hang of it. BTW my friend's father (an ex cop) could reload a revolver faster than I could reload an autoloader magazine into the well. It was really something to see. and no moon clips at all...loose rounds. No...really.
 
I use an UpLula for 9mm and .40 mags. Not that I can't load 'em, it's just a PITA. The only mags I can load fast with my fingers are 1911 single stack 8 rounders.
 
Let's see how fast you can put 8 rounds into a Luger mag..... :evil:

I've had a Luger for a few years, and had never gotten around to shooting it til this past weekend.........I forgot that they made a loading tool for it, and left it at home. Now I know why they make that tool....sheesh!!:eek:
 
Time yourself with a glock 33 round mag.

I average maybe 5 minutes but I do mine while watching tv. I do need to get an UPLULA for those things.
 
After 40+ years, and averaging 25,000 rounds a year for that entire period in various 1911s...and using only 7-round magazines...I've got a calloused thumb. Not meanin' to brag...but I reckon I'm 'bout as fast as they come when the talk turns to chargin' a .45 caliber single-stack magazine.

My normal range trip is 72 magazines...all pre-loaded the night before. It takes me about 20 minutes, including packin'em into 4 separate boxes if I don't rush.
 
It's kind of funny. I use the XD speedloader when I bought my gun because the mag springs were so stiff. Now that I'm used to it, I can load a 16 round mag pretty dang fast.

Loading a 30 round mag for the AR? yeah that takes time :)
 
The UpLula +1

1/second if the rounds are out loose and accessable.
Even better, it fits most single and double stack mags.
 
uplula is the way to go... i just have my 9 year old load up my mags on the way to the range... keeps him busy and stops him from complaining about how long the drive is
 
I cheat, and use one of those speed loader things, that presses the top round down. It's not as bad as when they were new, but cramming 17 rounds into a brand new magazine is no easy feat with your bare hands. I can do 2 magazines in probably a minute or so.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

D
  • Locked
M&P.40 mag springs
Replies
5
Views
840
Defense Minister
D
T
  • Locked
Beretta factory mag only holds 9 .40
Replies
11
Views
830
Newton
N
O
  • Locked
One mag may be bad?
Replies
3
Views
224
JohnKSa
JohnKSa
B
  • Locked
Glock 19 - Got a 15 Round Mag Today
Replies
7
Views
679
Steelcore
S
P
  • Locked
simple 1911 mag question
2
Replies
25
Views
3K
Aceoky
A
Back
Top