There are times where we might find it necessary to manipulate our handgun while utilizing one hand instead of two. While this is not an ideal situation, we should be aware of how to get our gun back in the fight should we use all of our ammunition or experience a malfunction. We might need to perform these tasks when we have one arm that is injured but there is still a threat present, or when we are carrying something we can't put down (such as a baby or small child). In such a scenario, we would need to be able to continue fighting with only one hand and therefore should know how to keep our gun in the fight if we only have one hand with which to manipulate it.Strong Hand Only Stow Points and Ledges
Strong Hand Only:
Available Stow Points for storing the firearm while retrieving a magazine:
- Holster
- Bend of strong-side knee while in a low-kneeling position
- Between your knees, pointed down with the grip frame pointed away from you
Available "Ledges" for racking the slide:
- Holster
- Edge of sturdy belt
- Heel of strong-side shoe
- Nearby table/object with 90 degree angle
Weak Hand Only Stow Points and Ledges
Weak Hand Only:
Available Stow Points for storing the firearm while retrieving a magazine:
- Bend of weak-side knee while in a low-kneeling position
- Between your knees, pointed down with the grip frame pointed away from you
- Holster (if carrying a cross-draw or appendix holster that can be utilized with the weak-hand only)
Available "Ledges" for racking the slide:
- Magazine Carrier
- Edge of sturdy belt
- Heel of weak-side shoe
- Nearby table/object with 90 degree angle
Reload from Slide Lock
Reload from Slide Lock:
- (Gun is at slide lock) Drop the Magazine
- With the slide still locked to the rear, place the firearm in an available stow-position
- Retrieve a magazine, insert it into the magwell (ensuring that it is properly seated)
- Retrieve your firearm and use an available ledge to rack the slide (alternatively you can use the slide release)
Proactive Reloads
One-Handed Proactive Reloads:
When operating a firearm one handed, the likelihood of a successful proactive reload is greatly reduced. Therefore, whether you are using your strong or weak hand, a proactive reload will be performed as follows:
- Drop the magazine and allow it to fall to the ground
- Stow the firearm in an available location (holster, bend of knee, etc.)
- Retrieve another magazine and place it in the mag-well (ensuring that it is properly seated)
- SAFETY ASSESS- and if safe, retrieve your original magazine from the ground and stow it
- Draw your weapon if needed to prepare for additional threats
Alternative Method:
- Stow the handgun in an available stow-point
- While in a stowed position, eject the magazine and keep it in your hand being used
- Insert the depleted magazine into your belt line (similar to performing a proactive reload when using both hands)
- Retrieve and insert a fresh magazine into the handgun
- Retrieve the handgun from the stowed position
Tap, Rack, Roll Malfunction Correction
Tap, Rack, Roll:
Any "Tap, Rack, Roll" sequence can be used by tapping the magazine with the same-side knee and then running the slide on any available ledge. Instead of the knee, you can also use any hard suface such as your holster or magazine carrier.
Double Feed Malfunctions
Clearing a Double-Feed Malfunction:
Method 1:
- Lock the Slide to the rear by utilizing an available ledge
- Drop the magazine, shaking the handgun if necessary to get the magazine out
- Using an available ledge, rack the slide until the chambered round is extracted and ejected
- Using an available stow-point and hard edge, reload the gun
Method 2:
- Press the mag release
- Raising your opposite knee at a 90 degree angle, "chop" your forearm (of the arm holding the firearm) down on the part of your leg just above your knee
- This should release the magazine and allow it to drop free
- Rack the slide until the chambered round is extracted and ejected
- Using an available stow-point and hard edge, reload the gun
