Wait, nvm. I have made that comment in another thread where anotheer brocel complained about the same update / change.
Well, why would an operator do thiss, you ask?
It all depeends on the circumstances, I'd say..
In the game it is obviousrly mandatory and happens regardless of the situation.
In the heat of the battle, in close wuarter combat, I too would not bother putting a used mag back into my pouch and then get load a fresh one as that simply takes too much time, I'd argue.
If you are at a safer distance, have cover and time, you can of course do that.
Imo, Valve could have given the player the option between two types of reloads.
A quick tap on R makes you reload and discard the used mag.
Holding R for a little longer makes you put tthe used mag back in your pouch (cycle) and load a fresh mag, which should obviousely take a little more time.
Now that would then be a tactical decision and surely would make the game more interesting.