Carrying a 1911 .45 With 8+1

[OregonJohnny]

To me, carrying an autoloader with a full magazine "plus 1" in the chamber seems like a no-brainer. It's my standard practice with my primary carry guns, the Ruger LCP (6+1) and the Kahr CW9 (7+1). The more rounds in your gun, the better, right?

I've recently entertained the idea of carrying my full-sized S&W 1911 .45 IWB, and have even given it a few tries. While heavy, it actually carries pretty well in the 3:30 position.

Anyway, it just doesn't seem like as much of a no-brainer to load it with 8 in the magazine plus 1 in the chamber. So far, I've been carrying it with a Kimber 8-round flush-fit magazine. I chamber a round, flip the safety on, and holster it. If it were a 7-round magazine, I might be more inclined to top it off after chambering. Does anyone carry their 1911 .45 with an 8-rounder plus 1? Any problems with function?

 

[Olympus]

I've never encountered a problem under normal shooting conditions. I wouldn't think it would be any different in a carry situation either.


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[KodiakBeer]

I've always loaded the chamber and then topped off the mag. I can't imagine why you'd have a function problem. I never have.

 

[Matt-man]

In addition to carrying a 1911 loaded 8+1, I've done quite a few drills on the range that end with a tactical reload - removing the partially spent mag and replacing it with a fresh one. This results in 8+1 since there's a round left in the chamber, and then I continue with more drills. I've never had any issues with it. For what it's worth I use Wilson 47D magazines.

 

[SWAT1911]

+1 to the above, never had any problems with 8 + 1 in my PT1911

 

[Ala Dan]

Loaded chamber, topped off magazine for me too~!

Been that way for year's.

 

[RLZIII]

I carry a Kimber Pro CDP II with a Kimber TacPro 8-Round magazine in Condition One with 8+1. I drop the first bullet in myself, drop the slide, engage safety, then add the full magazine into the pistol. Holster and I'm good to go.

Before I started doing this, I of course tested how the gun would like the magazine full with an additional round in the chamber already at the range: no problems so far.

 

[HorseSoldier]

Eight rounds in the mag plus one in the chamber is the only way I ever carried on the street. Even if you ever need to use a CCW'ed pistol for selfdefense that one extra round might not matter . . . Or it might matter a whole lot.

 

[yeti]

I drop the first bullet in myself, drop the slide

Good method of destroying your extractor.

The extractor of a 1911 is not made to be forced into popping over the rim of the cartridge, the rim is meant to come up behind the lip of the extractor.

 

[Zerodefect]

I full mag +1. If there is a time where I plan on emptying the chamber for whatever stupid reason. Them maybe I'll carry with one less round in the mag. Just so I have a convenient place for the round I take out of the chamber.

I prefer the 7 round mags with the flush baseplate. Smaller gun profile. I keep a 10rd mag for reloads to make up the difference.

 

[JoelSteinbach]

I always carry full mag +1, been doing it forever, it has never been a problem, I usually rotate my magazines monthly on carry weapons, that calls for a whole lot of Chip McCormack and Wilsons

 

[Vern Humphrey]

Does anyone carry their 1911 .45 with an 8-rounder plus 1? Any problems with function?

I've carried a full-size M1911 for more years than I care to remember. For the last 15 years or so, it has been a Kimber Custom Classic, and I always carry 8 in the magazine, plus one up the spout. And I carry 2 spare magazines in a Wal-Mart "Ozark Trail" multi-tool belt pouch.

 

[sarduy]

i used to carry my ria tactical 8+1 too. (and yes it's heavy) but easy to carry in winter, i carry a g23 in the summer.

 

[Sam1911]

Yes, of course. 8+1 sure isn't going to be considered "too many."

To be completely honest, on match days when I'm carrying the xDM, I'm generally lazy and don't top off. I mean, 8+1, sure ... 19+1?

 

[oldfool]

yeah, but I bet you carry a pair of extra mags on match day

 

[Sam1911]

I carry an extra pair of mags ... everywhere!

So, if I have to take that 19th shot, I guess I've got 38 more on my belt to follow-up. And probably two or three more mags in the range bag. Heck, I iz uh armee of wun!

 

[Colt Smith]

1 in the pipe and 8 on deck. Zero problems.

 

[Low Budget Shooter]

I go 8+1; works fine; if trouble ever comes, I'll be glad for that extra one.

 

[saltydog452]

Some of the preceding posts were made by gents whose opinions I value.

That said, I just can't get all warm and fuzzy over an 8 round mag in the 1911

I have three 8 round Tripp Cobra mags that I fool around with a bit at the range, but they are about .4" longer than std mags. The added length is hidden by the slam pad.

I guess if it starts raining on my parade and I can't muddle through the storm with 7 times 3, it just wasn't my day to get out of bed.

salty

 

[1911Tuner]

Since I'm known for the point/counterpoint thing...here goes.

Reliability isn't about guarantees. It's about increasing the odds and stacking the deck in your favor...even in small increments.

From a purely mechanical standpoint, the two most likely places in the magazine to experience a misfeed is on the top round and on the last round.

Why?

Because those are the two extreme positions. With the top round, the spring is exerting maximum force. It's stripping the round against not only the cartridge's inertial resistance, it's also fighting the friction between the cartridge and the feed lips. As soon as the round is released from the magazine, the next one moves up and creates more friction between it and the center rail...all working to bring the slide to a stop.

Small things...but small things add up.

On the last round, spring tension and its influence are at a minimum. The spring is struggling to get that round up into feed position in time to meet the slide so it can be properly controlled. A good, strong spring and a speed bump on top of the follower help to maintain full control, but there's no such thing as a free lunch. A stronger spring to help maintain control of the last round means more tension with the magazine topped off. Kinda like Catch-22.

So...I guess it boils down to a simple question that everybody will have to consider, and use the information to make a decision.

"Is it more likely that you'll need that extra round...or that you'll have need of the second round feeding and chambering reliably? It's about the odds...stacking the deck... even in small ways.

My decision is to insert a full 7-round magazine...rack the slide to chamber a round...and flip the safety on. Your perception and personal decision may vary. Like almost everything else in life...we rolls the dice and takes our chances.

 

[amd6547]

Since I am perfectly comfortable armed with a 6 shot revolver, a 7 shot 1911 causes me no anxiety whatsoever. I use Checkmate hybrid lip 7rd mags with the skirted follower and extra power spring, and find them extremely reliable (and affordable).

 

[Loosedhorse]

They make 7-round 1911 magazines? Well, knock me over with a feather!

(My "1911"s are by S&W and ParaOrdnance--I know, I know. But that means I've never owned a 7-rnd magazine.)

 

[FREERANGETIME!]

8+1

8+1 is how I carry daily with my 1911, same is true for my dad and my friends that carry 1911s. That being said, +1 to the other poster regarding Wilson mags, I advise carrying at least one extra mag, I also advise carrying an extra gun.

 

[NMGonzo]

I load the top off the mag after chambering a round.

Why would anyone do anything different?

 

[Water-Man]

I use Wilson 8 round mags. I don't use 8+1.