Full magazine + 1?

[Mr. 16 gauge]

I'm just curious.....for those of you who use semiautos (and I suppose those who are LEO as well): Do you carry your sidearm with a full magazine, plus one in the chamber? Or do you load the magazine and and then strip off a round and call it a day? Reason I ask is that I have read in a couple of places (although I can't remember where exactly) that semiautos generally function better (i.e. fewer jams, failures to feed, ect), when stripping one off the magazine. I read were the British special forces, when using the Browning Hi-power, would only load 11 rounds in the mag instead of the 13 that the gun can carry, because they got better function.

Any thoughts? Enquiring minds would like to know............

Thanks in advance.

[Dan Morris]

When I actually carry my ccw.......traveling and responding to a midnite alarm at work......my 45 simply has one mag then jack slide..go on thumb safety. A silent prayer that I do not have to use it!It goes in a shoulder holster under jacket and I go onward
as normal.I do not carry a full battle load......PD is out there for that...God bless em!
Dan

[Joe Boleo]

I prefer the full magazine plus one up the tube. Take care...
Joe

[Andy L]

Full mag+1, always.

[Andy L]

Dan, I cant find a cop if I lock myself out of my car or have any other roadside problems.

Good luck with relying on them to protect you.

[Dan Morris]

Hey, this is just my way of carrying.......I'm sure it doesn't work for everyone....LOL
Dan

[Contenderizer]

I keep 5 in the cylinder. I thought magazines were for reading while sitting on the can

[8X56MS]

in my .45 Colt, one in the chamber, a full magazine, cocked and locked.
Same drill with any of my other semi autos.

[Adam Helmer]

Mr. 16 gauge,

I think the Brits have it right. If anyone wants to load a mag + 1, ensure the gun will function with a full magazine loaded in a gun already chamber loaded. Many guns function by stripping the top round off the mag. The spring balance is changed by loaded mag + 1.

In my days as an agent, my Glock 19 had the 15 round mag inserted and the top round went into the chamber. To load 15 + 1 seems redundant to me and I never did it in 7 years of Glock 19 daily carry. If 15 rounds are not enough, better schedule some range time.

Adam

[Tater]

I carry my Springy XD-40 most of the time now and I carry it with a full mag, empty chamber, simply because the hammer's internal and there's no decocker. I practice pulling and racking the slide in one fluid motion and I'm getting pretty good. I also carry 2 backup mags. I just keep hoping I'll never have to use it.

[muledeer]

Full mag plus 1. Works fine in my two Berettas. 92 FS and 96.
muledeer

[Adam Helmer]

Tater,


In a confrontation, "pulling and racking" the slide will give you away and direct hostile fire onto you pronto! Keep in mind another bad guy MAY be behind you. IF you intend to shoot a bad guy, you will have better chances of surviving by releasing the safety and firing.

Secondly, if it appears you may need to use your gun, you must rack the slide to be in a positioin to fire. On the other hand, if your gun is ALREADY chamber loaded, you can decide to fire or not without anouncing to everyone that you are armed.

Adam

[Skinny Shooter]

Hi Tater, I also have an XD but in 45acp and there is no reason why you can't carry it with 1 in the chamber. The grip safety is an added benefit.
Mine functions with a full mag +1.
Reduce the the chances for an accidental discharge by racking the slide when you are not under stress like before you leave the house when you know your finger is out of the trigger guard.
Hope you like your XD as much as I do mine.

[Adam Helmer]

Skinny Shooter,

Happy New Year.

Thanks for your input on the XD since I am not familiar with that pistol. You make an excellent point about trigger finger placement while the slide is racked!

I worked a few cases undercover and let me assure you, the LAST thing you wanted to do was "RACK" a slide because EVERYONE is the place would have you in their sights since they would not know if you were a good guy or a bad guy. If a person has qualms about carrying any semi-auto pistol chamber loaded, then I suggest they go to a DA revolver. Let me say, the less noise it takes to employ your handgun the better.

Adam

[Aim to maim]

Originally posted by Adam Helmer
........ If a person has qualms about carrying any semi-auto pistol chamber loaded, then I suggest they go to a DA revolver. Let me say, the less noise it takes to employ your handgun the better.

Adam

Well-said.