I am a video gamer, and one of the running jokes is the LMG-gunner that reloads after firing a single shot from his 100 cartridge belt. Obviously in reality, this makes no sense because everyone would spend 80% of their time reloading, and you would quickly end up with 10 barely emptied magazines.

But how do the pros do it? Do you simply empty your magazine, and then reload with your head down while the rest of your squad cover you? If you have the time and there are only 3 bullets in your magazine, do you reload early?

Do you yell "RELOAAAADING", or is that just another stupid movie trope and you just put in another magazine without letting friend and foe know? In a live battle, I guess you would not even be heard...

Thank you for answering my stupid question, but I just had to know! Thank you everyone!