Loading from empty

[jkatz44]

What's the point of keeping the gun "between you and the threat" if it is empty? Reload the way you are most proficient and comfortable with and have practiced.

[PHYSICALFLUIDITY]

1:48 he talks like hes dumb

even though hes a gun genious

[Skanklongandprosper]

"...racked the action, what I've done is loaded every single pistol on the planet and thats my priority." tell the truth

[mrrightwing1000]

Actually, not all guns can be loaded by slingshotting it. Kahrs for instance won't go into battery if slingshotted, and the book says to use slide stop/release. I could never get my Kahr into battery slingshotting it. Better to use slide release IMO.

[BooBooToo]

@mrrightwing1000 Better not to buy a Kahr IMO.

[mrrightwing1000]

Actually, not all guns load the chamber with a slingshot (pulling back on slide). Kahrs for instance tell you to use the slide stop/release when loading. I had a CW9 that would not go into battery if slingshotted. It us better to use the slide stop IMO.

[Solidgun]

@mrrightwing1000 While they do say this in the manual, I have a well broken in Kahr P and PM series in 9, 40 and 45 that function by racking the slide to chamber a round. They have not had any failures and all of them have over 500 rounds and spent time on tactical classes. I have had issues shortly after their break in recommendation of 200 rounds, but like any firearm I own, I don't mind carrying them after reliability testing.

[dmckenn2]

I'm pretty new to shooting, and really like the Clint Smith series of videos. I was curious if anyone had experience with non-Drop Free mag reloading.

I plan to pickup a range gun with non-drop free mags and a safety for the specific purpose of training on a battery of arms with as many things to check as possible, so when I pick up ANY handgun, I can operate and manipulate it without too much thinking.

I would like to see a video with a good "suck the mag out" step if anyone has one.

[wcropp1]

@dmckenn2 Many non-drop free magazine pistols also have a "European style" magazine release at the heel of the grip, in which case your hand will already be in place to pull out the magazine anyway. Otherwise you would release a Browning-style release with your firing hand and pull the mag out with your off hand. Either way, it's a two handed affair and a bit slower than reloading a gun with drop free mags due to the added step. Good to practice though. I don't know of many guns (cont.)

[wcropp1]

@wcropp1 with a Browning style magazine release and non drop free magazines--that's one of the strong points of the Browning release and would in some ways defeat the purpose. This category mostly includes Com-Bloc pistols, such as the Tokarev and Makarov, at least as far as anything relatively common goes, and of the two the Makarov has a heel mag release, and I *think* the Tokarev has a Browning style one and mags that don't drop free. Old Colt autos may not drop free, but I know at least some

[wcropp1]

@wcropp1 of them had a heel magazine release. I'm sure there are more automatics without drop free magazines from the past, but any military/police pistol made in a Western nation in the past 100 years (since the invention of the 1911, basically) should use drop free magazines. The only exceptions I can think of are pre-1911 automatics and some older European pistols, particularly Soviet designed ones.

[scotchlouis]

"What I have done is loaded every single pistol on the planet"

AMERICA, F*** YEAH!!!

[fpsurgeon]

"Never seen a stopwatch in a fight and there's no reason for me to believe that I'll fight with my gun." Great, memorable quips to solidify this in the mind. Strong work, Mr. Smith.

[mrrightwing1000]

What's with the hissing? Also, not all guns load with the slide being pulled back, Kahrs can jam if not done a certain way. I train to use the release with all my guns because of it.

[TheMechanicalGuy]

This guy talks like a total douche bag, couldn't stand more than 30 seconds...

[MadmanDKDK]

@TheMechanicalGuy

Agree to that, repeats everything twenty-four-thousand-mother-fu­cking-times!

[DennyRec]

Excellent

[TJstrong11]

"So when I seated the magazine and came up over the top and racked the action...I have loaded every single gun on the planet."

that is awsome logic.

[dookie1481]

@TJstrong11

Except when it's an M9 you just engaged your safety.

[Aussie038]

Good drill accept that in a middle of a gunfight you would hardly be STANDING in the open with an empty gun. You will either be moving real fast or under cover. In that instance having the gun close to your body makes a lot more sence. One thing for sure you will not be looking at the target.

[MrJeffdamit]

Clint rocks. Any idea what holster he uses?

[colt45irish]

@MrJeffdamit MIlt Sparks summer special

[ASCBLUEYE]

MO FO PIMP! Every pistol on the planet, he sounds like john wayne!

[LaRueDeeko]

Just loaded every single pistol on the planet...

Thanks Mr. Clint Smith, When I was 13 or so I thought you were too old school and full of dust, but now I understand your ways.

[iDoLiZeDbyALL]

Wonder how many people youtubed, Rob Leatham vids after this! I know I did.

[LibertyTrombone12]

If you don't have a target...dont shoot!

hahahaha I loved that. So wise.

[45oneshotstop]

He is good, however, it is faster and smoother to use the "off hand" thumb, in this case the left hand thumb to depress the slide stop and re-aquire the grip at the same time rather than grasping the slide to the rear. It works both ways but in my humble opinion, as an instructor, I prefer to use the slide stop lever. Try it both ways and see for yourself. Good video, good info.

[John234pwns]

@45oneshotstop Well, like he said, it's a universal technique. Some guns lack slide stops altogether (PPk variants) or have miserable ones (Glock.)

[deepsouthranger]

@45oneshotstop I agree but only when the pistol has a prominent slide release. I also disagree with keeping the pistol out at the shooting plane. It's much easier to work with your hands closer to the body.

[jtrebuchon57]

My brother keeps on telling me that when you first start using a pistol you have to prime it and while the slide is back physically push the bullet into place. is this correct?

[silvermediastudio]

@jtrebuchon57 No, in any semi-automatic weapon, the slide strips the next round out of the magazine and pushes it up the feed ramp and into the chamber as it all moves forward into battery.

[averagepatriot]

OHH CRAP ITS NOT LOADED :(

[silentknight2112]

slow is smooth, and smooth is fast...... and this guy is awesome

[Southern661]

Anticipating recoil? you gotta get over that.

[CoreitoTheGreat]

Glad I'm not the only one who's sick and tired of all these mall-ninja, delta-force wannabes all over the internet yelling SPEED SPEED SPEED at the top of their lungs in every discussion of shooting technique.

[matrix077174]

Clint rocks

[paraAA82]

In this video Clint Smith uses a Springfield 1911-A1 in .45 ACP This is an special edition made for Thunder ranch. You can have one directly from Thunderranch or the closes model is the Springfield TRP

[sbd45acp]

@paraAA82 The pistol in the Video is a Les Baer 1911. Clint has used and endorsed SA pistols in the past. This pistol has the close fwd cocking serrations and bright polish blueing found only on a Les Baer.

[straps6661]

whats the specific name of the handgun he uses? i really wanna know

thnanks for uploading btw

[416RemMag]

@straps6661

1911 by custom gunsmith Les Baer. Les makes a pistol called the Thunder Ranch Special.

[karategirl96]

I think this guy is great...I just faved another of his videos, but I don't see any options for women here on YT...I am beginning shooter and am interested in what options women have...any suggestions are appreciated

[shortwavecolt]

Clint makes several Thunder Ranch training videos. He recently produced a video series on women's concealed carry. You can find them at the Thunder Ranch web site. I think it runs about thirty bucks.

[UrbanKnight12]

Clint Smith is a god among men!

[IslamInternationall]

@UrbanKnight12 That is actually a serious statement there even though it seems not to be

[UrbanKnight12]

@IslamInternationall only if you're a religious fanatic. Islam is a lie anyway.

[monimstarfox]

lol "unless your robby lathan unless you are watching this robby and i am sure your not"

Rofl this guy is hilarious and a good teacher

[whackjob23]

I have taken Clint's classes. What he's talking about, by putting your index finger on the top round to load into the magazine well, is to guide the magazine into the well IN CASE YOU ARE FIRING IN THE DARK or a dimly lit area! Practice this with your eyes closed to simulate placing the mag in the well as if you are in a fight in a poorly lit area. Practice this technique and get good at it. It can save your life.

I will see him in a few days and will find out the holster brand and post it.

[gentleman948]

Slow is smooth, and smooth is fast. Mr. Smith understands this very well.

[beatensane]

Just curious, what kind of holster is he using . . .? . . .obviously its an IWB but what make? . . . If anyone would just happen to know . . .

[orson115]

I think it's a Milt Sparks summer special

[416RemMag]

I think you are correct, Milt Sparks Summer Special (excellent holster, I have used one for about 8 years now).

[12GaugeLosAngeles]

best info i got from this vidoeo, don't shoot if you don't see your target, lots of criminal folks love shooting blind from behind cover and thus lose rounds to what is just loud noise.

[ELITEHAMSTER123]

when he is pulling out the magazine, what does it mean that the round could be "fouled"?

[metroidhunter]

I honestly don't know, but maybe he means it doesn't jam it up when you're reloading.

[REAPER4206969]

He is placing his index finger on the bullet of the top cartridge to prevent it slipping forward from the feed lips and blocking the magazine from smoothly inserting into the magazine well.

[1kperday]

Sounds to me like he's talking about it getting knocked partially forward along the feed lips, which would prevent you inserting the mag.

[CrippledPidgeon]

A couple reasons, one is as reaper said, putting your finger on the bullet of the top round makes sure that it's seated properly.

The other reason is that putting your index finger along the front of the mag makes it easier to insert the mag into the magwell without looking. In a single stack gun like a 1911, it's really easy to bind the mag in the magwell if you're not inserting it straight.

[bat29man]

He's talking about the first round not feeding from the magazine correctly. This typical happens because of a overfeed or improperly loaded round. By putting his finger forward of the magazine he is ensuring that: first the round in the magazine is not to far forward to ensure that the mag will load and secondly to guide the mag all the way into the gun. Hope that helps

[HardcoreKeith]

Great video. (BTW, I teach racking the slide as well. I'm a big fan of using the same gross motor skill regardless of whether you're going from slide closed or open.)

[ELITEHAMSTER123]

so the thing on racking the slide, all guns work that way?

[HardcoreKeith]

I can't think of a semi-auto that doesn't. You can even rack the slide on a tip-up Beretta 21 to chamber a round.

[ELITEHAMSTER123]

so just to make sure, you just have to pull the slide back and let go, and it will chamber a round?

[HardcoreKeith]

Yes. May I recommend you attend an NRA First Steps class before you next go shooting?

[jlac2xmglock]

I really like Clint Smiths philosophy, i can't wait till I head over to Thunder Ranch!

[Ratiug163]

"What i´ve done is loading every singel pistol on the planet and thats my priority"

Hah! Liked that one :D

[AmokBR]

Yeah, but what pistol doesn't have a slide lock ?

[CountStrangulaX]

kel tec

[093325]

highpoints pistols dont have a slid lock

[AgentMcgeek]

@AmokBR perhaps

But they aren't all in the same place

and some don't anyway

[crwy06]

i carry a gun because i cant carry a cop..good video

[Tatsumi67]

well said, in the video and in print

[NormanMatchem]

lmfao that's brilliant. Unfortunately here in Canada we can't carry neither. We can carry a cell to call the cops but when seconds count, minutes just won't do, eh.

[90kulu33]

Holy shit clint is cool

[iittaatt]

very slow in motion

[hondac55]

You're an asshole licking idiot.

[30carbineshooter]

I agree with this video 100%. Clint believes in the KISS system (keep it simple stupid).

[UrbanTiger74]

Clint is all about NO BS'ing. AWESOME!

[flasher555]

Clint is awesome.

[ALEX165ALICKI]

@UrbanTiger74 Just wondering what IWB holster he is using there.? Does anyone know.?

[grantorino2009]

@ALEX165ALICKI He's using a Summer Special IWB by Milt Sparks.

[bddc201]

This video reminds me of why I love the HK P7. The grip handle is the slide release and all you have to do is squeeze. So long as the slide goes into battery normally, sight recovery and follow up shots are just a little quicker. The P7 is probably the only semi-auto pistol where this minor difference would be an issue, however.

[xRapidDavex]

This guy is great.

[neohilander]

Hmm...now that makes sense. I would have to admit that under serious adrenaline it would be easy to fumble on a lever like the Glock's! A very legitimate reason after all. Thx, MrMonkeyLint!

[jpblackbelt]

yea, training under even mild stress I've missed the slide release before. Once I changed to using the slide I actually got faster and (more importantly) have never missed it/fumbled with it.

[neohilander]

Ok, so this is the technique to use to reload a gun picked up from a downed man (like in the movies) with a broken slide lever (virtually never encountered) using spare ammo that you also happened to pick up to be able to perform the reload in the first place?! The more you try to justify Clint's slower, unorthodox reload, the more bizarre and unlikely these scenarios are getting. Maybe we should always reload one bullet at a time, because we might have to pick up someone's revolver?

[MrMonkeyLint]

The "Slide Grab" release teaches what is called "Violence of Action" it helps to enforce the mindset needed to win and survive the fight. It is a simple, physically violent act, ensuring that is where the shooter's focus is on: violence.

Fine motor skills also can become dramatically impaired in a real fight, the slide provides for a large control on which to get proper purchase on to return the weapon to the fight, compared to a fairly small or - like the Glock and SIG - TINY release lever.

[Ind1791]

"neohilander", no disrespect, I just want to offer a point of view. While it's true that a semi-auto can be charged using the slide release, it's a poor way to train. What if the pistol you have / pick-up has a broken slide lever? Hesitating for a second because your slide lever didn't work, may get you killed. Racking the slide, covers all possible problems. Also, I don't think Clint advocates training to be slow, but as with anything, accuracy takes precedence over speed.

[5150jon]

+1

Practice slow and build up speed until you can reload like a pro.

[neohilander]

Clint Smith is certainly a renowned expert, and I wouldn't have expected to disagree with him on anything, but his comment on manually racking the slide during a reload is just confusing to me. Whether or not you have a 1911 is irrelevant. Every semiauto will chamber a round with the slide lever. I've never seen an instructor teaching this. And as for there being no stopwatch in a gunfight? Since when is time not an issue? Don't intetionally train to be slow!

[postranni]

you are realy professional.

- it is good to see how dont do useless movements

THANKS

[JoshuaG19]

Thanks Clint! I've really learned alot from your videos.

[MorrisonsMorgan]

Better yet, why don't all of you guys or girls just go out & buy the mans DVD's !! You will most likely get all the answers you are looking for. After watching his DVD's you guys will be like, oh yeah cool so thats why he does it like that !! Most importantly you will definitely learn the proper way to handle your firearm during a real life & death scenario !! Ultimately buying the DVD's will not just help our ECONOMY, it just may help you to save your life &or the lives of your LOVED ONES !! ;)

[MorrisonsMorgan]

I get a good laugh @ reading some of these comments.

First of all Clint is a PROFESSIONAL !! You must listen to him carefully, think about & visualize the situation & add in a little common sense. His techniques are fundamentally sound. Dropping live rounds to the ground using tactical load technique, could wind up costing you your life. Taking apart a working loaded gun gives your threat a window of opportunity to taking you down !! His technique is solid. Keep your gun & eyes on the threat.

[madpelletgunner]

just shoot the mofo in the head with your first shot and there will be no need to reload

[SWmodel29]

I am an ex-security guard, ex-police lieutenant and now i am a truck driver(yeah i know strange job shift)

Well i do not agree with this person why very simple: If you have the time reload!

Loading from empty is good because you know how many bullets there are in your magazines and you reload faster ok but it is bad because you go into a fight with a weapon that has maybe 2 bullets inside the magazine and you see a target you shoot 2 times but targets still moving and is shooting at you

[SWmodel29]

-and you must reload target shoots you dead.

Tactical reload is good because you go into battle with a full magazine and you re stack the half empty ones later if battle is over.

Its bad because of what he said in this movie reloading is slower.

[SWmodel29]

Best way in my opinion is shoot some bullets and eject the magazine with some bullets in it

and let it drop to the ground and put a full one in the weapon.

You lose bullets but after the battle you pick up the magazines from the ground if you have the time for it.

But this way you need many full magazines.

[lostcoaster]

So let me get this straight. Your opinion is that it is BEST to throw away ammunition in the middle of a firefight?  That's rich. Anybody would be glad to have an opponent like you in a firefight. Good luck with that!

[crwy06]

it sounds stupid, but there is a reason for it. you always want to have as many rounds in your weapon as you can. if you are in a firefight, your not going to be counting every round you shoot. if there is a delay in action, you want to reload a fresh mag and store ur partial mag, that way your weapon will never go click because it is dry... its a tactic that the military teaches, doesnt mean its right or wrong its the shooter preference. Semper Fi

[NJdevil1013]

Absolutely! Ok, i know this is going to come across as juvenile, but I came across the same thinking when: playing SOCOM the PS3. Same rationale, if I have a few seconds in a fire fight, having a full clip is better than a mag with 'n' rounds left.

[rocket881]

Indeed. The enemy doesn't necessarily care how many rounds are on your belt, but they definitely care how many are in your magazine.

[MEATWUDD]

hey shut up there blart! and just keep on trucking . this is good instruction. oh and by the way i was superman before i delivered boxes for a shitty living too..

[SWmodel29]

You were superman good for you well i have experience with firearms in my previous jobs, and why should i shut up? i just give my opinion so please calm down i just give my opinion and i dont say my tactic is the best but the best in my opinion.

[SWmodel29]

btw i am not an internet bragging warrior i was really a security guard and i was police lieutenant and you think how can somebody from my age has been police lieutenant well simple answer really i was the only one who signed on for that function and i passed the test so that's why i became lieutenant very quick.

But i understand that you think i am a bragger because 95% of the youtubers are.

[dmitrikonovich123]

"..there's no stopwatch in a gunfight.."? Are you kidding me?! These are the split seconds differentiating life and death! Additionally, what good does an empty gun do pointing on target, manipulate the gun to favor you. Lastly, you should bring the firearm inside your cone of defense. In other words, if you in close proximity to others, what're the odds someone could overt you muzzle? This man is simply a shooter, not a combative shooter.

[JustOneGunner]

I bet you're the kind of guy who likes AR-15s and Glocks, eh?

Better to do it the most reliable way than the fastest. Loading from empty is easier -- and, since you seem to be obsessed with speed -- and faster than a 'tactical reload'. It also prevents having magazines with an unknown number of rounds left in them floating around.

Keeping the gun in front of you lets you keep watching the scene around you, instead of only being able to see the gun you're loading. =)

[dmitrikonovich123]

That's a rookie misconception. Ever taken into consideration to what's behind the gun? Brandishing the gun in front of your face will only impede your vision. I'm not sure why you responded, you haven't really displayed any tactical credibility, neither knowledge nor insight. I simply disagree w/ his methodology and tactical reasoning for employing these techniques. W/o getting emotional or personal, why is it that you disagree w/ me?

[JustOneGunner]

Without getting personal? Wow. Hypocrite.

In fact, I explained every point I made. You, on the other hand, misconstrue things to make them seem to strengthen your statements.

You're not supposed to block your vision with your gun; you're supposed to keep it between you and the threat, looking down the sights. This is unarguably a superior technique to bringing it in and restricting your vision.

You're the one who hasn't displayed any credibility, my friend.

[Vice001]

his voice makes me laff

lol

[meiowalot]

I have one question about consistency, esp. the way he talks about operating the slide vs. using the slide release. When clearing a jam, I hear over and over again that it's best to not use the position he shows, because it's very easy for your hand to cover the ejection port in that case. I do not agree that your arms "work better" with his method than with the tried and true "slingshot" position for grasping and releasing the slide.

[JustOneGunner]

His doesn't, and if you're grabbing the serrations, neither should yours.

[eldogg4life]

This guy is a walking "Idiots Guide To Firearms". He explains everything so well. He keeps it so simple. I'd love to train with him.

[jonsairsoft]

god i just found out thunder ranch is in Oregon and im in Oregon man im happy!!!!

[invictus014]

lucky, too bad for us SO-CAL guys. atleast we can buy the dvds