How to Reload a Pistol

Co-authored by Roger Judd

Last Updated: September 24, 2024

Instructions for reloading/loading a pistol that uses a magazine. Methods to maximize reliability, and applicability to the widest variety of handguns.

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Keep your finger off the trigger unless you are ready to shoot. Do not point a gun at anything you are not willing to shoot or destroy. Keep the firearm pointed toward the target or a safe backstop at all times.^{[1]
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You will be able to see the empty chamber through the ejection port. If the slide is not locked back a round may still be in the chamber

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With the thumb of the firing hand, press the magazine release, which is usually a button or small lever on the grip just behind the trigger on the left hand side of the gun.^{[2]
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(The side the bullets face.) Place your index finger at the top of the front edge. This will help you guide the magazine.
(The hole at the bottom of the grip.) Then push it in firmly upward until you hear a click.^{[3]
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Failure to seat the magazine is a primary cause of malfunctions in semi-auto pistols.
The slide will snap forward, cambering a round from the loaded magazine. Do not hold on to the slide as it moves forward, or attempt to ease it down.^{[4]
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Question

Do you release the slide before inserting a new magazine?

Darth_Doomslayer

Community Answer

No, you're handgun is empty, the slide will snap back automatically. You just need to insert a magazine and pull back the slide and you're ready to fire.

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Tips

If the gun has not been shot empty, it is not necessary to work the slide. Simply remove and replace the magazine.

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Some European pistols have a magazine catch at the base of the grip, behind the magazine well. Pull this back toward you to release the magazine. Magazines in these pistols will usually not drop free, and will have to be pulled out.

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For a speed reload, grab the new magazine with the non-shooting hand while pressing the magazine release. Allow the old magazine to fall to the ground while bringing the new magazine into position. This does require a pistol with a thumb release and "drop free" magazines.

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Warnings

Remember, bullets go through things. Interior walls rarely stop bullets.

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Also, bullets generally bounce off hard things -- so KNOW your backstop is safe, so it won't bounce the bullets back at you. (Proper firing ranges calculate where the bullets will bounce when they are built.)

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Keep the firearm pointed toward the target or a safe backstop at all times.

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Things You'll Need

A pistol that is fed by a detachable magazine and uses a slide mechanism
A magazine (sometimes referred to a clip which is incorrect and not to be confused with real clips.)
A legal place to shoot your handgun