How long to reload a weapon?

This is a place for G.M.s and GM wannabes to share ideas and their own methods of play. It is not a locked forum so be aware your players may be watching!

Moderators: Immortals, Supreme Beings, Old Ones

User avatar
MaxxSterling
Adventurer
Posts: 650
Joined: Mon Aug 11, 2008 10:05 am
Comment: I'm here to kick ass and chew bubblegum...
Location: Lvl. 3-B, Wonderworld

How long to reload a weapon?

Unread post by MaxxSterling »

Ok, I did just find the answer, I believe. However, the excruciating lengths I had to go to, to find it cannot be possible, even for this system. Where is it written in either the main book, GMG or RUE the time required to reload weapons.

-The answer I found was 1 melee or about 5 seconds for an e-clip under a coalition launcher description sidenote in the main book... Tell me it's also someplace else that makes more sense please.
User avatar
Damian Magecraft
Knight
Posts: 3472
Joined: Sun May 12, 2002 1:01 am
Comment: Evil GM
Master of Magics
Defender of the Faith
Location: chillicothe, ohio; usa
Contact:

Re: How long to reload a weapon?

Unread post by Damian Magecraft »

MaxxSterling wrote:Ok, I did just find the answer, I believe. However, the excruciating lengths I had to go to, to find it cannot be possible, even for this system. Where is it written in either the main book, GMG or RUE the time required to reload weapons.

-The answer I found was 1 melee or about 5 seconds for an e-clip under a coalition launcher description sidenote in the main book... Tell me it's also someplace else that makes more sense please.
actually i believe it all depends on the weapon in question...
DM is correct by the way. - Ninjabunny
It's a shoddy carpenter who blames his tools. - Killer Cyborg
Every group has one problem player. If you cannot spot the one in your group; look in the mirror.
It is not a good session until at least one player looks you in the eye and says "you sick twisted evil ****"
User avatar
flatline
Knight
Posts: 6153
Joined: Sat Nov 12, 2011 7:05 pm
Location: Memphis, TN

Re: How long to reload a weapon?

Unread post by flatline »

I can load a shell in my shotgun in about 2 seconds. I can remove the magazine from my glock and replace it with another in about 4 seconds if I'm willing to drop the empty magazine on the ground. 6 or 7 seconds if I need to put it in my pocket.

I do not have real training, so I imagine someone with training could do significantly better.

--flatline
User avatar
Damian Magecraft
Knight
Posts: 3472
Joined: Sun May 12, 2002 1:01 am
Comment: Evil GM
Master of Magics
Defender of the Faith
Location: chillicothe, ohio; usa
Contact:

Re: How long to reload a weapon?

Unread post by Damian Magecraft »

flatline wrote:I can load a shell in my shotgun in about 2 seconds. I can remove the magazine from my glock and replace it with another in about 4 seconds if I'm willing to drop the empty magazine on the ground. 6 or 7 seconds if I need to put it in my pocket.

I do not have real training, so I imagine someone with training could do significantly better.

--flatline

I have always treated it as costing one action unless the weapon description states otherwise.
DM is correct by the way. - Ninjabunny
It's a shoddy carpenter who blames his tools. - Killer Cyborg
Every group has one problem player. If you cannot spot the one in your group; look in the mirror.
It is not a good session until at least one player looks you in the eye and says "you sick twisted evil ****"
User avatar
MaxxSterling
Adventurer
Posts: 650
Joined: Mon Aug 11, 2008 10:05 am
Comment: I'm here to kick ass and chew bubblegum...
Location: Lvl. 3-B, Wonderworld

Re: How long to reload a weapon?

Unread post by MaxxSterling »

That's what I thought... does this game seriously not have a canon answer? Did we just get so used to making up so many other rules that we just auto house ruled this without it even crossing our thoughts?

I appreciate the suggestions and real world examples. I found what I needed to know basically for e-clips but I was just hoping it was something I could look at in a book presented in reasonable fashion.
User avatar
Icefalcon
Champion
Posts: 1704
Joined: Tue May 08, 2012 5:04 pm

Re: How long to reload a weapon?

Unread post by Icefalcon »

Have you tried the FAQ?

I have always used the rule that it takes one action to reload a magazine fed weapon (or change a cable on belt canister), one full round for a belt fed or revolvers, two actions for double barrel shotgun, and three actions for hand loading a rifle (3-8 rounds).
*Sniff, Sniff* Why does it smell like wet dog in here?!
User avatar
The Dark Elf
Rifter® Contributer
Posts: 3074
Joined: Tue Sep 20, 2005 8:04 am
Comment: "So gentlemen, are you prepared to open your minds and travel to worlds hitherto undreamed of?"
Location: UK

Re: How long to reload a weapon?

Unread post by The Dark Elf »

I use one action too.
Rifter 52 Cannibal Magic
Rifter 55 The Ancestral Mystic P.C.C.
Rifter 59 The Lopanic Games adventure "The Lion, the Ditch & the Warlock". Illustrations to this adventure can be found here.
Rifter 71 & 72 Double Issue Ninjas & Superspies adventure "On a Wing & a Prayer"
Rifter 80 Masters Unlimited
User avatar
Shorty Lickens
Hero
Posts: 1281
Joined: Mon Sep 19, 2005 10:24 pm
Comment: Arrrrgggghhhh!
Location: Praxus

Re: How long to reload a weapon?

Unread post by Shorty Lickens »

Damian Magecraft wrote:
flatline wrote:I can load a shell in my shotgun in about 2 seconds. I can remove the magazine from my glock and replace it with another in about 4 seconds if I'm willing to drop the empty magazine on the ground. 6 or 7 seconds if I need to put it in my pocket.

I do not have real training, so I imagine someone with training could do significantly better.

--flatline

I have always treated it as costing one action unless the weapon description states otherwise.

This, one melee action unless description says otherwise.

On an unrelated note: I wish all weapon stats would also include the WP needed to use it, cuz some of them are not obvious.
http://incompetech.com/graphpaper/
Create and print dozens of different graph papers.
User avatar
Grell
Republican
Posts: 1306
Joined: Mon Dec 12, 2005 10:34 pm
Comment: We are the hope for the future and we will not fail in that duty.
Location: Sacramento, CA
Contact:

Re: How long to reload a weapon?

Unread post by Grell »

Damian Magecraft wrote:
flatline wrote:I can load a shell in my shotgun in about 2 seconds. I can remove the magazine from my glock and replace it with another in about 4 seconds if I'm willing to drop the empty magazine on the ground. 6 or 7 seconds if I need to put it in my pocket.

I do not have real training, so I imagine someone with training could do significantly better.

--flatline

I have always treated it as costing one action unless the weapon description states otherwise.

Yep, my stance as well.
"He who commands the kitchen commands the ship." -C. Magewind, Ley Line Rifter and self proclaimed "Best Cook in the Three Galaxies"

"The question is not why the mechanoids kill the humanoids, but only why nobody did it sooner." -Killer Cyborg
User avatar
Mercdog
Hero
Posts: 810
Joined: Mon Apr 13, 2009 1:49 am
Location: Montana, USA

Re: How long to reload a weapon?

Unread post by Mercdog »

I use one action if the reload is relatively simple (ie. slapping in a clip, speed loader, or a couple rounds by hand), 2 actions if more complicated (ie. reloading multiple rounds one at a time by hand, changing an ammo belt).
Blade with whom I have lived.
Blade with whom I now die.
Serve right and justice one last time.
Seek one last heart of evil.
Still one last life of pain.
Cut well old friend...
and then farewell.
-Sir Orin Neville Smyth, Flight of Dragons
User avatar
Damian Magecraft
Knight
Posts: 3472
Joined: Sun May 12, 2002 1:01 am
Comment: Evil GM
Master of Magics
Defender of the Faith
Location: chillicothe, ohio; usa
Contact:

Re: How long to reload a weapon?

Unread post by Damian Magecraft »

Mercdog wrote:I use one action if the reload is relatively simple (ie. slapping in a clip, speed loader, or a couple rounds by hand), 2 actions if more complicated (ie. reloading multiple rounds one at a time by hand, changing an ammo belt).

Ok this has been bothering me ever since this thread came up...
I cant recall which book its in but I do recall reading somewhere the time frame on reloading a revolver by hand.
Anyone got the skinny on where?
Also what was it? I want to say it said 1 full melee but that sounds off to me.
DM is correct by the way. - Ninjabunny
It's a shoddy carpenter who blames his tools. - Killer Cyborg
Every group has one problem player. If you cannot spot the one in your group; look in the mirror.
It is not a good session until at least one player looks you in the eye and says "you sick twisted evil ****"
User avatar
dragonfett
Knight
Posts: 4193
Joined: Mon Aug 09, 2010 2:39 pm
Contact:

Re: How long to reload a weapon?

Unread post by dragonfett »

Shorty Lickens wrote:
Damian Magecraft wrote:
flatline wrote:I can load a shell in my shotgun in about 2 seconds. I can remove the magazine from my glock and replace it with another in about 4 seconds if I'm willing to drop the empty magazine on the ground. 6 or 7 seconds if I need to put it in my pocket.

I do not have real training, so I imagine someone with training could do significantly better.

--flatline

I have always treated it as costing one action unless the weapon description states otherwise.

This, one melee action unless description says otherwise.

On an unrelated note: I wish all weapon stats would also include the WP needed to use it, cuz some of them are not obvious.


I wish they did that for for all vehicles as well.

Damien, it's located in the descriptions under the payload for the conventional revolvers in New West, so if you have the GMG, it should also be in there aw well.

It takes 1 full melee round (15 seconds) to reload unless you are some of the special OCC mentioned in the book (i.e. Gunfighter, Lawman, etc.)
Under the Pain of Death
I would Stand Alone
Against an Army of Darkness
And Horrors Unknown
User avatar
TiekoSora
Explorer
Posts: 121
Joined: Tue May 04, 2010 9:25 pm
Comment: I've made my saving throw to disbelieve.
Location: Where I Lay My Head Is Home

Re: How long to reload a weapon?

Unread post by TiekoSora »

From a professional standpoint, any weapon that uses a magazine would take about 5-7 seconds to drop the magazine while reaching for the new one, and slapping it in place, and releasing the slide/action to ready the weapon. That's about one combat round. For belt-fed weapons, it can take up to 15 seconds if you are experienced and do not already have the additional belts in a handy location. If you have somebody there to assist, they can link the belts together, which takes about the same amount of time, but the gunner would not need to stop firing. Now the M249 SAW, which is used by many NATO military units, fires from a belt, but the ammo comes shipped in a plastic container that can clip under the weapon. I still adjudicate two rounds to load, because it can be awkward to handle, and you still have to lift the feed tray, seat the new belt, and close the feed tray.
They make a wondrous mess of things. Brave amateurs, they do their part.
User avatar
Icefalcon
Champion
Posts: 1704
Joined: Tue May 08, 2012 5:04 pm

Re: How long to reload a weapon?

Unread post by Icefalcon »

TiekoSora wrote:From a professional standpoint, any weapon that uses a magazine would take about 5-7 seconds to drop the magazine while reaching for the new one, and slapping it in place, and releasing the slide/action to ready the weapon. That's about one combat round. For belt-fed weapons, it can take up to 15 seconds if you are experienced and do not already have the additional belts in a handy location. If you have somebody there to assist, they can link the belts together, which takes about the same amount of time, but the gunner would not need to stop firing. Now the M249 SAW, which is used by many NATO military units, fires from a belt, but the ammo comes shipped in a plastic container that can clip under the weapon. I still adjudicate two rounds to load, because it can be awkward to handle, and you still have to lift the feed tray, seat the new belt, and close the feed tray.

Most combat trained troops are taught to have the next magazine ready before the first one runs dry. This shaves about one to two seconds off the reload time. One of my gamers (fresh back from the military) states that reload is around 3-3.5 seconds. This translates to one action in game terms.
*Sniff, Sniff* Why does it smell like wet dog in here?!
User avatar
flatline
Knight
Posts: 6153
Joined: Sat Nov 12, 2011 7:05 pm
Location: Memphis, TN

Re: How long to reload a weapon?

Unread post by flatline »

Panomas wrote:I wouldn't say that this is average but still impressive!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xG8aOIB ... re=related


I've seen guys shoot and reload like that in competitions at the range.

I can't do it.

--flatline
User avatar
TiekoSora
Explorer
Posts: 121
Joined: Tue May 04, 2010 9:25 pm
Comment: I've made my saving throw to disbelieve.
Location: Where I Lay My Head Is Home

Re: How long to reload a weapon?

Unread post by TiekoSora »

Icefalcon wrote:
TiekoSora wrote:From a professional standpoint, any weapon that uses a magazine would take about 5-7 seconds to drop the magazine while reaching for the new one, and slapping it in place, and releasing the slide/action to ready the weapon. That's about one combat round. For belt-fed weapons, it can take up to 15 seconds if you are experienced and do not already have the additional belts in a handy location. If you have somebody there to assist, they can link the belts together, which takes about the same amount of time, but the gunner would not need to stop firing. Now the M249 SAW, which is used by many NATO military units, fires from a belt, but the ammo comes shipped in a plastic container that can clip under the weapon. I still adjudicate two rounds to load, because it can be awkward to handle, and you still have to lift the feed tray, seat the new belt, and close the feed tray.

Most combat trained troops are taught to have the next magazine ready before the first one runs dry. This shaves about one to two seconds off the reload time. One of my gamers (fresh back from the military) states that reload is around 3-3.5 seconds. This translates to one action in game terms.


Yeah, I fall into the category of combat trained troops. Six years as an Infantryman with Bravo Company 2nd Battalion 22nd Infantry, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (LI). Pretty sure I am an expert.
They make a wondrous mess of things. Brave amateurs, they do their part.
User avatar
MaxxSterling
Adventurer
Posts: 650
Joined: Mon Aug 11, 2008 10:05 am
Comment: I'm here to kick ass and chew bubblegum...
Location: Lvl. 3-B, Wonderworld

Re: How long to reload a weapon?

Unread post by MaxxSterling »

I found the official answer, it's basically 1 melee action for most guns. I'm not sure what page, but there is like a random blurb paragraph in the GMG towards the front near where the bonuses for modern weapon proficiencies is listed... sorry didn't catch the page #.
Last edited by MaxxSterling on Wed Oct 03, 2012 11:04 am, edited 1 time in total.
User avatar
flatline
Knight
Posts: 6153
Joined: Sat Nov 12, 2011 7:05 pm
Location: Memphis, TN

Re: How long to reload a weapon?

Unread post by flatline »

MaxxSterling wrote:I found the official answer, it's basically 1 melee for most guns. I'm not sure what page, but there is like a random blurb paragraph in the GMG towards the front near where the bonuses for modern weapon proficiencies is listed... sorry didn't catch the page #.


Chalk another one up for authors who write stupid rules not grounded in reality.

Ease of reloading is a high priority for any military evaluating weapons for their soldiers. There's no way
any designer would make an infantry weapon that takes 15 seconds to reload.

--flatline
User avatar
dragonfett
Knight
Posts: 4193
Joined: Mon Aug 09, 2010 2:39 pm
Contact:

Re: How long to reload a weapon?

Unread post by dragonfett »

Are you sure that he didn't misread that part and it said 1 melee action?
Under the Pain of Death
I would Stand Alone
Against an Army of Darkness
And Horrors Unknown
User avatar
dragonfett
Knight
Posts: 4193
Joined: Mon Aug 09, 2010 2:39 pm
Contact:

Re: How long to reload a weapon?

Unread post by dragonfett »

Rifts GMG, p. 40, right column, last sentence of the second to last paragraph.

Except for extenuating combat conditions, reloading takes a few seconds and counts as ONE melee attack or melee action


So I think that clarifies the issue pretty well.
Under the Pain of Death
I would Stand Alone
Against an Army of Darkness
And Horrors Unknown
User avatar
Zamion138
Hero
Posts: 1569
Joined: Sun Jan 08, 2012 4:34 pm
Location: Carson City NV

Re: How long to reload a weapon?

Unread post by Zamion138 »

reloading should only take an action not a round inless it revolver without a speed loader or a tube feed like a shotgun, if shooting is your busisness or even your hobby its not going to take a round to swap any magazine or clip in a modern weapon
this guys going slow to show you how to swap mags in a klashnikov weapon and it still doesnt take him that long http://youtu.be/5PzoAnUslXQ an eclip would be a push button drop and slapping a new one home, you wouldnt even need to recharge the weapon its ready to fire sense you dont have a mechanical charging handel to pull. insert and shoot.
Locked

Return to “G.M.s Forum”