How to hold a magazine

[MoJo]

From "The Tactical Wire" http://www.thetacticalwire.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Skill Set: How To Hold A Magazine
by Tiger McKee


The skill to manipulation your pistol is one of the big three components of Jeff Cooper's Combative Triad. The ability to operate your pistol is a critical skill, both for safety and its application during a lethal confrontation. When your weapon runs dry, or a malfunction occurs, you need to get reloaded or clear the stoppage as quickly as possible, which means performing the task efficiently. One of the areas commonly overlooked during training and practice is the proper way to hold your pistol magazine.

Although holding the mag properly is easy, it's often fumbled during stressful situations. Positioning the mag correctly in your hand is also a simple thing, and like most simple matters if this isn't performed properly it leads to bigger problems. Take care of little things and they don't create big problems.

To hold the mag properly your first finger should be on the front of the magazine, with the fingertip actually touching the top round. The thumb and other three fingers hold the mag on the sides, and the base of the mag should be in contact with the heel of the hand. Indexing the mag in this manner does several things. It positions it properly for inserting it into the pistol. Placing the first finger on the top round lets you know the mag is being held correctly, not upside down or backwards, without having to look at it. Everything you do with your weapon should be by physical confirmation, keeping the eyes up on the threat(s) or your environment. When a round is partially sticking out of the mag, which occurs often with a type three malfunction and will prevent you from inserting the mag into the pistol, your finger can push it back or flip it out of the mag. With the base of the mag against the heel of the hand you can seat it into the weapon aggressively, like your life depended on it, which it may.

To insure the mag is positioned correctly in your hand the mag should be carried properly in your mag pouch so that as you pull it out your fingers are exactly where they need to be. When carrying mags vertically the actual bullet should be facing forward, toward the centerline of your body, and on the support side. For horizontal carry the mag is positioned with the bullet facing upward. This way as you draw the mag from the pouch your first finger is ready to drop down on the first round.

The key with this skill, and all other fighting skills, is consistency. Every time you pull a mag from a pouch, or pocket, you should be indexing it the same way in your hand. With repetition you learn, develop good habits, and help insure you'll do it properly when lives depend on your performance.

Tiger McKee is director of Shootrite Firearms Academy, located in northern Alabama, author of The Book of Two Guns, a staff member of several firearms/tactical publications, and an adjunct instructor for the F.B.I. (256) 582-4777 http://www.shootrite.org" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[TDDude]

I've worked this out on my own and am glad to say that I'm on everything except placing my finger on the top of the mag. I have small hands and am not sure I could keep the heel of the mag against my palm with a fingertip on top. I'll have to try it when I'm not at work surrounded by co-workers.

Thanks for the lead.

[Zoomie]

As a side note, rifle mags should also be indexed in this manner with the singular difference of not touching the top round with your index finger because of the size of most rifle magazines will not allow it.

[cougartex]

As usual, great article.

[Zero_G]

This advice is what I have seen coming from the majority of training systems I've looked at. However, for whatever reason, it feels extremely awkward to me to store the magazine with the bullet facing forward. I have to twist my wrist around in an uncomfortable position to make the draw. If I store the magazine facing the rear, I find it very comfortable to slide the magazine out with my index finger on the bullet nose and rotate it forward (again, a very natural motion) into the magazine well. I've practiced in both positions. I'm not sure if I should force myself to use the forward facing method as that seems to be the 'standard', or continue with what works for me.

[cbr600]

If you haven't read Tiger's Book of Two Guns you're missing out.

[davidtx]

This advice is what I have seen coming from the majority of training systems I've looked at. However, for whatever reason, it feels extremely awkward to me to store the magazine with the bullet facing forward. I have to twist my wrist around in an uncomfortable position to make the draw. If I store the magazine facing the rear, I find it very comfortable to slide the magazine out with my index finger on the bullet nose and rotate it forward (again, a very natural motion) into the magazine well. I've practiced in both positions. I'm not sure if I should force myself to use the forward facing method as that seems to be the 'standard', or continue with what works for me.

Are you cross drawing the magazine? The article suggests that you carry the magazine on your support (weak) side. If you do that, then bullet forward would be natural.

[mrvmax]

The writer of the article may want to perform a grammer check, as far as I can tel he left out "of":
"The skill to manipulation your pistol is one of the big three components of Jeff Cooper's Combative Triad. "

[Excaliber]

I've worked this out on my own and am glad to say that I'm on everything except placing my finger on the top of the mag. I have small hands and am not sure I could keep the heel of the mag against my palm with a fingertip on top. I'll have to try it when I'm not at work surrounded by co-workers.

Thanks for the lead.

Index finger on the top round is the ideal, but if your fingers aren't long enough I wouldn't worry about it. You can ensure the magazine is facing the right way by always carrying and drawing it as described in the article, and confirm proper orientation by noting that the rounded edges of the mag tube are alongside your index finger and the squared edges of the mag tube and baseplate are under your thumb and middle finger.

Try it a few times the right way and the wrong way - holding it backwards feels instantly awkward, and you'll be able to easily recognize that feeling, even in the dark.

[chabouk]

This advice is what I have seen coming from the majority of training systems I've looked at. However, for whatever reason, it feels extremely awkward to me to store the magazine with the bullet facing forward. I have to twist my wrist around in an uncomfortable position to make the draw.

I agree. It's far more natural (not to mention you get a surer grip) to carry with bullets pointing backwards. I index my thumb along the back of the magazine.

[TLynnHughes]

This is the way I was taught to hold a magazine as well with the exception of putting your finger on the tip of the first round. I'm trying to avoid slamming my finger on the bottom edge of the magazine well (this is particularly true for women who have long fingernails...OUCH!).

T.

[Zoomie]

[/quote]

Index finger on the top round is the ideal, but if your fingers aren't long enough I wouldn't worry about it. You can ensure the magazine is facing the right way by always carrying and drawing it as described in the article, and confirm proper orientation by noting that the rounded edges of the mag tube are alongside your index finger and the squared edges of the mag tube and baseplate are under your thumb and middle finger.

Try it a few times the right way and the wrong way - holding it backwards feels instantly awkward, and you'll be able to easily recognize that feeling, even in the dark.[/quote]

That is the one piece I don't totally agree with, It doesn't seem that touching the round is necessary, Like Excalibur said, if you carry the mags bullets forward every time, you shouldn't have to worry about drawing the wrong direction, and the mag itself should provide enough tactile feedback. Another thing to consider is pulling your handgun back towards your body into your "workspace". Pulling your arm into your chest provides physical feedback concerning the position of your weapon. This helps to allow you to reload without breaking focus to look at the mag well.

[Excaliber]

Index finger on the top round is the ideal, but if your fingers aren't long enough I wouldn't worry about it. You can ensure the magazine is facing the right way by always carrying and drawing it as described in the article, and confirm proper orientation by noting that the rounded edges of the mag tube are alongside your index finger and the squared edges of the mag tube and baseplate are under your thumb and middle finger.

Try it a few times the right way and the wrong way - holding it backwards feels instantly awkward, and you'll be able to easily recognize that feeling, even in the dark.[/quote]

That is the one piece I don't totally agree with, It doesn't seem that touching the round is necessary, Like Excalibur said, if you carry the mags bullets forward every time, you shouldn't have to worry about drawing the wrong direction, and the mag itself should provide enough tactile feedback. Another thing to consider is pulling your handgun back towards your body into your "workspace". Pulling your arm into your chest provides physical feedback concerning the position of your weapon. This helps to allow you to reload without breaking focus to look at the mag well.[/quote]

Another little tip that works for me is to insert the top of the mag into the magazine well by putting the flat back edge of the magazine against the flat back edge of the magazine well and "rocking" the magazine forward into the gun as it's driven into place with the support hand. It's much easier than trying to line up the magazine with the magazine well and makes it much easier to do without looking at the magazine or the gun.

[TLynnHughes]

Another little tip that works for me is to insert the top of the mag into the magazine well by putting the flat back edge of the magazine against the flat back edge of the magazine well and "rocking" the magazine forward into the gun as it's driven into place with the support hand. It's much easier than trying to line up the magazine with the magazine well and makes it much easier to do without looking at the magazine or the gun.

Oh...good tip. I'll have to try that one. Thanks for sharing!

T.

[Zero_G]

This advice is what I have seen coming from the majority of training systems I've looked at. However, for whatever reason, it feels extremely awkward to me to store the magazine with the bullet facing forward. I have to twist my wrist around in an uncomfortable position to make the draw. If I store the magazine facing the rear, I find it very comfortable to slide the magazine out with my index finger on the bullet nose and rotate it forward (again, a very natural motion) into the magazine well. I've practiced in both positions. I'm not sure if I should force myself to use the forward facing method as that seems to be the 'standard', or continue with what works for me.

Are you cross drawing the magazine? The article suggests that you carry the magazine on your support (weak) side. If you do that, then bullet forward would be natural.

No, I'm right handed and have the mag holder on the left hip. To grab the magazine when it's stored in the bullet forward position, my elbow moves out away from my body and the rotation of the magazine is sideways. With the bullets pointed to the rear, my elbow stays tight, my wrist is in a comfortable position, and the rotation is a very natural forward motion straight into the mag well.