I learned to count rounds when I first started shooting IPSC/USPSA matches.
What is your classification?
You save a lot of time on reloads if you never shoot the gun empty and have the slide lock back.
Not necessarily, but slide forward is preferred.
It takes a while to learn to always count the shots but it puts you ahead of the competition that does not count their shots.
Not true. You're cluttering your mind with superfluous information.
It is a VERY GOOD habit to develop.
Negative.
David E., if you think this is a waste of time why do suppose people like Rob Leatham never shoot to slide lock and teach their students to reload before the gun is empty?
You are assuming that Rob counts each shot because he teaches to reload with the slide forward. Slide forward on loaded chamber is preferable to slide locked back, as I acknowledged.
The typical USPSA stage requires 8 rds or less per position. If there are 4 paper targets, you engage each one with two shots. Where is the need to count anything on that first array? If you're running a single stack 1911, you move, you load. Ok, so the next position has a Texas Star, requiring 5 hits, one for each steel plate. But once you hit one, the star spins, making subsequent shots more difficult. Your gun holds 9, minus hits required, 5, = 4 spare shots. You don't count your shots as you go, you count
misses if and when they happen. If I miss 4 times but still have two plates, I'm reloading NOW, when I want to, not when I have to. If I missed 4 and have one plate left, I'm going to apply the concentration that had been lacking previously, usually resulting in a hit. If 8 rds are needed at the next position, I know I have zero makeup shots on board, unless I do a double reload to give me one extra shot.
My way is faster and more accurate, as it frees up your mind to pay attention to the more important things, like hitting the target(s) with each shot.