I remember being taken a bit aback a few years ago when the range procedures for my class called for us to work in tandem with a "buddy," and the buddy did all your magazine charging for you while you shot. I'm sure it sped things up considerably, but like any good Airborne Ranger I would always prefer to pack my own 'chute, as it were. I have my own little rituals--like smacking the charged mag against the palm of my left hand to make sure all cartridges are aligned and seated against the primer-side--that really aren't necessary...but they make me feel better.seamusTX wrote:Requiring a certain skill level is a slippery-slope issue that we have to tread carefully. As soon as we acknowledge that the state has the power to set a standard for exercising the RKBA, we have opened the door to making the requirements so stringent that no one can meet them.
I agree with Jim about the slippery slope of additional skill requirements. The current requirements are explicit, and they are what they are. That said, however, from a practical standpoint I could never advise someone carry a firearm for which they cannot perform basic administrative procedures. If you can't clear a failure-to-feed on a Glock 26, don't carry a Glock 26.
The good news is that there are a lot of handguns to choose from. The way the regulations are written, there really is no reason to qualify on anything but SA. But for many, a good revolver may be a better option for daily carry.