How to Reload Semi-Auto Pistols Rapidly & Safely

In this episode of Smith & Wesson's GUNSMARTS, pro shooter Julie Golob teaches the secrets to a safe rapid reload.

posted on October 5, 2021
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **

Have you ever watched a pro shooter like Team Smith & Wesson's Julie Golob swap out her magazines on the fly and thought to yourself, "If only I could do that"? The fact of the matter is that you can! Although Golob is a world-class shooter with a roomful of trophies who can reload almost quickly enough to fool the eye ... she was a beginner once herself. 

Changing the magazine on your semi-automatic pistol from empty to full is sometimes called "swapping mags" or "reloading." (Don't confuse that use of "reloading" with the practice of handloading your own ammunition ... they're very different.) It's an extremely useful skill even if you are not a competitive shooter; self-defenders are often called upon to change magazines that are low or out of ammo. What's more, it's a useful skill that you can perform safely and quickly.

This episode of S&W's GUNSMARTS series has some terrific common-sense advice that both new shooters and women with some experience under their gunbelts can use. The secret, as Golob explains, is to break down the motion into a series of efficient and easily repeatable steps. Over time, you can build muscle memory such that these efficient steps blur into one smooth, safe reload. 

Latest

Yackley Load Out Lede 2
Yackley Load Out Lede 2

ConcealedCarry Load Out for Running, Walking, Hiking

Depending on what you're doing, your activities call for a different level of personal protection. Here’s a rundown of what to put in your pack for each.

What NRA Shotgun Instructors Need To Know About Patterning

If you or your students have ever wondered why you missed that easy shot, or if you are having trouble improving your shotgun skills, the trouble might be the relationship between your choke and barrel.

Understanding and Mitigating Shotgun Recoil

What’s really going on when you shoot a shotgun, and how can you make it hurt less?

What’s the Difference: Reflex Sights With Open Emitter vs. Closed Emitter

When it comes to red-dot optics, should you go with a closed emitter or an open emitter? What’s the difference?

Understanding Single-Stage and Double-Stage Triggers

Knowing the difference between the two triggers and understanding how they operate will help you become a better shooter.

Review: Benelli Nova 3 Pump-Action Shotgun

Benelli might have set a new benchmark for what we expect out of a workhorse scattergun.

Women's Interests



Get the best of NRA Women delivered to your inbox.