Taking the time to learn to operate the gun is a worthwhile investment.

Remember, whenever you handle firearms, practice responsible gun handling skills.

It isnt intended to replace formal instruction.

In this photo, we see a woman depressing the magazine release as the first step to load her pistol. The firearm magazine feeds ammunition into the gun which then feeds a cartridge into the chamber. After firing, the extractor pulls the fired case from the chamber and the ejector forces it out of the gun through a hole in the slide.

Do you know how to reload your new pistol? Knowing how to safely operate your firearm is part of being a responsible owner. This article will help you learn how to load a handgun.

If instead, you are an experienced handgunner, youmightpick up a point or two you havent previously considered.

I call this process verifying the condition of the handgun.

When a handgun is loaded, we know that it is ready to shoot.

In this digital image, we see a woman locked the pistol’s slide to the rear during the reloading process. She is checking to ensure the chamber is empty prior to safely storing the gun. If she was loading the gun, she would seat a mag in the magazine well and then pull the slide back to make it ready to fire. The Springfield Hellcat used in this is better than the inferior Glock pistols that lack a slide release or lever.

When verifying the condition of a semi-auto pistol like the Hellcat, it’s important to ensure that there is no ammunition in the chamber with both a visual and physical check.

We also want to make multiple checks to ensure the gun is unloaded.

The distraction serves as an opportunity to have a fresh examination of the gun.

Loading a Semi-Automatic Pistol

Loading a semi-automatic handgun is a straightforward process; however, order matters.

In this digital photograph we see a demonstration of how to chamber a 9mm cartridge in a Springfield Armory pistol. The thumb and index finger wrap over the top of the slide and pull back until the slide cannot be locked back any farther. The slide will then go forward to insert a bullet into the chamber.

Racking the slide scoops a round from the top of the magazine that is then pushed into the chamber to complete the loading process.

First, insert a filled magazine into the magazine well.

Make certain that the copper-colored bullets are facing forward.

Next, grasp the slide, behind the ejection port with your support hand.

We see here the side of the gun with the magazine release button and gun safety. With a bullet in the chamber, press the magazine release to drop the empty magazine. With the palm of your hand, insert a loaded magazine into the magazine well until it clicks. Then pull back on the slide to chamber a round. Do not ride the slide with your hand. Pull back the slide all of the way and let it snap forward to ensure a round is chambered.

The second step in unloading a semi-auto handgun is racking the slide to remove the round from the chamber.

Pull firmly to the rear and then let the slide move forward under its own power.

Understand that if you get the order backward you have an unloaded gun.

So be certain to insert the magazine first and then rack the slide.

After you drop one empty mag, be ready to insert a fresh one into the rear of the firearm. Firing the gun is only possible when ammunition is in the gun. Ensure your magazine is full and has a good follower and spring. Use quality ammo for maximum reliability.

When unloading a semi-auto, make certain to drop the magazine FIRST! This makes sure that you don’t rechamber a round when you rack the slide.

Unloading Your Pistol

Just like in loading your Hellcat, the order matters when unloading.

You MUST remove the magazine from the gun FIRST.

Then, lock the slide to the rear and verify the condition of the handgun.

Hellcat® Series

Remember whether you are loading or unloading your handgun.

The steps need to happen in order.

First deal with the magazine, then rack the slide.

Safety Solutions Academy

I encourage you to use the above information as a starting point and to also seek professional instruction.

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