Slide Lock (Empty) Reloads - Fine Point IDPA Question

[TEX]

The below note is in the IDPA rule book

NOTE: Reloads may only begin when the shooter is fully behind cover and will be deemed completed when the fresh magazine is seated and the slide is fully forward or the cylinder is closed. (See Appendix THREE – Cover)

I am sure this has been discussed, but a search did not bring up what I was looking for. The word I need clairification on is "begin". The rest of it is clear to me.

When, exactly, does a reload begin; when the shooter starts to withdraw a spare magazine or when the shooter starts to eject the empty magazine. I am only concerned about slide lock reloads. The question really gets down to this - if you were shooting on the move in route to cover and you ran dry, do you have to wait until you are behind cover before you access the spare magazine? If I am supposed to be advancing on a target from cover and run dry, do I have to go back to cover to reload? I know this may seem anal, but I am just now getting back into the sport and this issue came to mind.

Common sense would tell me that if my gun were empty I could start and finish a reload while moving to cover as long as I was in fact moving, but I am pretty sure that would snag a procedural, which is what I am trying to avoid.

Thanks - TEX

[HighVelocity]

You cannot pull a magazine or speedloader from it's pouch until you're behind cover, nor can you hit the mag or cylinder release before you're behind cover. If you run dry in the open, you must move to cover (if available) to reload.
The best thing you can do on a stage that starts from cover is to not leave that position with less rounds than you need to to get to the next position of cover or complete the stage. I.E., do a tac load or reload with retention before leaving cover. The MD or SO may not always explain this in advance and instead will expect the shooter to figure it out themselves.

Personally, I am not a fan of the rule as it's written and agree with you that waiting to initiate a reload til behind cover is not realistic. But, it is the rule and if you want to play this game, you have to play by the rules.

There are other games you could play, like USPSA. In that game, you can reload whenever you please.

[Beiruty]

At our club, DPC this rule is not 100% enforced. We go with RO and MD enforced rules as written on the stage instructions. Most likely Reload instructions are stated if not, it if free to reload anytime. The matter of fact, reload instructions and restrictions are always stated.

If I am RO, I do not consider reload started unless you drop the magazine or open the cylinder. Magazine in your pocket, pouch or even in your left hand is competitor choice. So, if you removed a magazine from pouch before you reach cover and then drop the magazine (no retention) then that is Okay with me. Now, most stages requires to keep the retention of magazine while reloading.

[CompVest]

HV is correct. The idea is to NOT run try in the open and to run the scenario in such a way as you won't. I know there are some clubs/RO that are not strict about this and other rules and that is fine so long as no one in the club is planning on going to major competitions. What is the point of shooting IDPA matches if the rules aren't applied and is the match really an IDPA match if the rules aren't applied?

[TEX]

Thanks for the replys folks. I get it now. If you run dry - don't do anything that resembles reloading until you are behind cover. I agree that it makes more sense to ensure you have enough ammo to make the crossing (tac reload if necessary). Pehaps the original thinking was that it is better to concentrate on gaining cover and not take the chance you could fumble your spare magazine (possibly your only spare) while out in the open and on the move. Makes sense in a way, but if the mag in my gun is empty, it is of no use to me so dropping it would be of no consequence unless while doing so you lost the grip on your gun and dropped it : (

Thanks Again - TEX

[CompVest]

TEX, I doubt too many IDPA shooters will argue that IDPA rules are for a game and not necessarily appropriate to possible real life situations. However, it is a game and the powers that be in IDPA Headquarters make the rules and so to play the game you got to follow the rules.

[Beiruty]

For some, while move and found out the slide is locked open, they think they have to stop and look for the spare magazine do a reload and they are stopped in the clear, making them an easy shot for their opponents. Now, experienced shooter would drop a magazine and do a tac reload in 1-2 sec while still on the move. They run like deer when the hunter scent is in the air.


While moving I would prefer be shooting on target or to have cover fire.