Reload Action

Does the reload action for firearms include the action needed to pull the required components out of where they are stored?

For example, to reload, you need both the bullet and the powder.

Normally, reloading a Pistol is a standard action. Rapid Reload can make it a move action, and an Alchemical Cartridge in conjunction with Rapid Reload can make it a free action.

However, do you need to have the Alchemic Cartridge in hand, or does the action already include the time it takes to get the Alchemical Cartridge?

Readying ammunition is a free action

From the PRD:
"Drawing ammunition for use with a ranged weapon (such as arrows, bolts, sling bullets, or shuriken) is a free action."

Although I have pointed out before that the argument can be made that an alchemical cartridge is an alchemical item, and thus needs to be readied before hand or drawn as a move action to be used properly.

Readying ammunition is a free action

Although I have pointed out before that the argument can be made that an alchemical cartridge is an alchemical item, and thus needs to be readied before hand or drawn as a move action to be used properly.

I would respectfully disagree with that for one reason.

The description under the alchemical cartridge item says

"Alchemical cartridges make loading a firearm easier, reducing the time to load a firearm by one step"

So the intent seems to be the cartridge is faster instead of slower, plus if you don't interpret the cartridges as ammunition, the 'Paper cartridge Bullet' has no effect other than increasing the cost to shoot by x5 while simultaneously increasing a gunslinger's misfire value. It seems like you should be getting "something" for those downsides.

Ssalarn wrote:

Readying ammunition is a free action

Although I have pointed out before that the argument can be made that an alchemical cartridge is an alchemical item, and thus needs to be readied before hand or drawn as a move action to be used properly.

I would respectfully disagree with that for one reason.

The description under the alchemical cartridge item says

"Alchemical cartridges make loading a firearm easier, reducing the time to load a firearm by one step"

So the intent seems to be the cartridge is faster instead of slower, plus if you don't interpret the cartridges as ammunition, the 'Paper cartridge Bullet' has no effect other than increasing the cost to shoot by x5 while simultaneously increasing a gunslinger's misfire value. It seems like you should be getting "something" for those downsides.

I personally don't rule that alchemical cartridges are alchemical items rather than ammunition, I was just pointing out that there are valid arguments that have been made that they are. Even if treated as alchemical items, they improve your action economy by roughly 1 attack per 3 rounds, which may not feel like much, but is an improvement over your base. I typically treat them as any other ammunition, that is, a free action to draw as part of reloading.