With such a strong response from Police1 members, this is obviously a hot topic. Below is the original post from Officer Sean McLaine (NYPD) followed by several submissions from other Police1 members.
Original Post:
When it becomes necessary to handle your weapon after one hand/arm becomes disabled, the street is not the place to figure out how.
Try this technique when you only have one hand:
Hold the slide behind your knee, and kneel down. Your calf and thigh will secure the weapon while allowing access to the magazine well and release.
If it becomes necessary to cycle the slide (dud round or slide stop malfunction) hook the rear sights on the top of your duty belt just behind the holster, or on the heel of your boot. Then, push the gun forward as hard and fast as possible.
This may be more difficult with weapons like S&W because of the “ramp” on the front of the sight, but it is possible. If worse comes to worse, try to hook the edge of the ejection port.
Adair County, Mo. Deputy Sheriff Ray Jagger responded:
An easier way I have found to load with one hand is to put the gun back in the holster, release the magazine and slide in a new mag.
It is not recommended but with a glock and many others if the slide is locked back you can just take the gun out of the holster, point it in a safe direction and release the slide catch. Be sure to keep your fingers out of trigger guard.
Deputy Sheriff Eric Kozowski, Wallowa County, Or. responds:
Be very careful using the technique where you place things behind your knee then kneel down, pinching the item with the back of your calf and thigh.
I know of one officer that did that and it tore up his knee to the point of needing surgery. It caused his knee joint to be separated.
Think of the joint as a nutcracker, but instead of the nut giving way, the joint gives way and separates. For a one hand reload, putting the pistol either back in the holster or holding it in between your knees is a safer option.
Detective Randall Isaacs, Richmond (KY) PD responds:
WE have been teaching our officers to drop the empty mag, emergency load, or the partial mag, tactical load, and place the weapon under the opposite arm. They then retrieve the next mag and place it in the weapon. They can let the slide go by using the release, or can cycle the action by hooking the sights on their belt etc.
This allows the officer to keep facing the threat and eliminates the tendency to look down while reloading. We practice this strong and weak hand.
Police Officer I Brant Sammann, Town of North Castle, NY, responds:
I agree with Sean McLaine and Robert Drake whom posted on this topic. The method of behind the knee provides the officer the ability to perform this action from the “strong” or “weak” side. This method also allows for malfunction clearing. If there is a need for a “Rip & Rack”, the officer can perform this action with this method.
Putting the weapon back in the holster is an option. However, if the technique is done properly, going to the holster may be an unnecessary step. We have been practicing this technique for several years and the officers have acclimated well.
Park Ranger Robert Drake, DCNR Pennsylvania, responds:
The option of using the holster only works if that hand is the one that is not disabled. We were taught in the academy by the Pa State Police the method of behind the knee, works for either hand.
Officer J. Buford Tune, Metro Nashville, TN PD responds:
OK we all need to think, “if it had got that bad that we need to use one hand then that means it has got bad... real bad.
We all need to use common sense and think about knowing each and every different type of reloading. In one case the bend of the knee will work in another under the arm and another the holster. All will work so why not know them all and then practice with each and every one of them.
We are all not built the same way and some may not be able to do things that others can with ease.
Have many tools to use, “IF IT GETS THAT BAD UNDER STRESS YOU CANNOT EVEN TIE YOUR SHOES”.
Police Officer II Carl Slaughter, Jr., Alexandria, LA., PD responds:
As far as placing the weapon under the arm, in February, 2003, I took an AK round through my left bicep; no way I could have put my handgun under that arm. I couldn’t even control it’s movements for about 20-30 seconds.
After that, I had no feeling at all in that arm for days. It’s a good technique to know, as the more we know the better equipped we are to handle an emergency, but I hope your guys are being shown another way to perform one-handed reloads, just in case.
Sergeant Randy Higley, Tremonton Police, Utah responds:
I have found that using your holster for one-hand reloading/clearing works well with Weapon Hand side, and the behind the knee method for Reaction Hand side loading.
To release, you can either hook the rear sight or ejection port on the rear of your holster, heel of boot or side of pants.
Be warned: the pants method may snag your duty pants, use an old pair to practice. Just hook the sight or port on the side of your pants, then push forward to release. This also gets the muzzle pointed toward the threat.
Police1 would like to thank our members for their valuable tip submissions and encourage other members to share their knowledge and experiences.