A tactical reload is the action of reloading a weapon that has only fired a few rounds out of its magazine, and retaining the original magazine. An example is an infantryman reloading before entering a hostile building, concerned about ammunition. Tactical doctrine states that one should always have a full magazine before entering the building or hostile situation, but it is also a bad practice to throw away ammunition in case it is needed.
A tactical reload is executed by ejecting the magazine with the hand holding the weapon while drawing a new magazine from its place on the shooter's body. Before the used magazine drops out, the shooter takes it with his other hand, the one with the fresh magazine, using his fourth and fifth finger, and inserts the fresh magazine with his thumb and index finger. This retains the partially expended magazine for use later.
Advantages and disadvantages
The main advantage of performing a tactical reload as opposed to a speed reload is the retaining of the rounds left in the partially spent magazine for future use.
The main disadvantage is that tactical reloads take longer than speed reloads if one is not experienced with them, and leave the shooter with no defence if the weapon is open bolt or has a magazine safety. The reason for this is that open bolt weapons do not leave any rounds in the chamber with the magazine detached from the weapon. Therefore, tactical reloads are generally performed behind cover so as not to expose the shooter to attack.