Do folks still count their shots?

[230RN]

I still mentally count my shots. I started that a long time ago, Don't know where the idea came from, but it was back in the day of six-and-seven round handguns and (usually) six or eight round mags and clips.

...BANG! ("Four.")....BANG! ("Five.")...BANG! ("Six.")...

I'm wondering if folks still bother with that, considering many standard magazines nowadays are 16 or 17 shots or more.

Terry

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

I try to in my rim-fires. But get caught up in concentrating on groups. And forget to keep counting.

 

[mcb]

Yes, it happens at a subconscious level for me now. Though not without issues. The first few times I shot Limited after years of shooting Limited-10 I would walk around pick up half-full magazine because it has become so instinctual to reload after 10rds or less. I don't seem to have the trouble transitioning between a semi-auto and revolver but between different semi-autos or revolvers I do sometimes depending on how much I am shooting at the time.

 

[MrShooter]

I usually do, even with 15-20 rounds. I guess I just like to know how many shots I have left. I'm usually shooting steel and like to save the last few shots for the smallest target.

 

[Speedo66]

Yes, it was part of our training, and now retired 12 years I find myself still doing it subconsciously.

Actually, not a bad habit, could save your life.

 

[Chuck R.]

I try my best during matches (IDPA) at least as an attempt to "slide-lock" reload while moving between TGTs and shave time. Other than that, not so much, unless it's a drill requiring "X" rounds.

 

[Dale Alan]

I count while shooting rimfire so I do not dry fire .

 

[RougeLeader1]

I count in IDPA and in training. I find it saves time in IDPA but thats just me.
Here in CT it's a 10 round maximum and I usually carry a 6-shooter, so the numbers don't exactly get too big. As you state in your premise, keeping track of a 17+ round mag would be far more of a hassle!

 

[Ric]

Wheelguns, yes
Semi auto, not usually. When the slide locks it’s in a great position to reload

 

[mcb]

Wheelguns, yes
Semi auto, not usually. When the slide locks it’s in a great position to reload

Better to reload when the slide is still forward on a round, its faster as you do not have to release the slide from the slide stop and with some handguns you can over insert a magazine (especially if your going fast) when the slide is open, jamming a magazine in the gun and in some cases breaking an ejector.

 

[Ric]

I’m not that tactical
I haven’t tried competing, but I see most shooters reload before slide lock

 

[Jim Watson]

USPSA field courses and IDPA scenarios, I don't count, but on the walkthrough, I have noted the PLACES to reload with a minimum of delay. Classifiers and Standards, yes, you have to count.

I count to six when shooting Revolver, so I don't go Click Click looking for the additional rounds in an auto.

On the street? Haven't had the occasion, but I doubt I can meet Jeff Cooper's standard of counting shots in every situation.

 

[.455_Hunter]

I tend to shoot <10 capacity guns most of the time- revolvers and single-stacks, and do almost subconsciously count shots.

 

[snowman357]

yes I was instructed to do so and was quizzed on it growing up and so does my wife and son. On pistols

 

[1942bull]

I do. I got in the habit when I carried a M1911 in the Corps. We had 7 rounds with no chambered round. I just felt a need to count so I could anticipate the timing of a magazine change. I just never shook the habit.

 

[trackskippy]

I sorta subconsciously count the bursts. Autos or revolvers. The revolvers are actually a little easier, as the number of targets is actually a better indicator.

 

[tark]

I used to try to count my shots when shooting older 22s . A lot of them shouldn't be dry fired for fear of firing pin tip damage. Invariably I would lose count. So I started positioning a couple of shorts or low velocity LRs so they would be the last rounds fired. The difference in the noise would alert me that the gun was almost empty. This will work for all revolvers and most any other 22, regardless of type.

 

[Demi-human]

I feel like it’s always a good idea to know how many are in the firearm.
I like to know how much gas I have in a truck, and how much water I have left in the cooler too.
(Today, knowing the water level was most important! Whew!)

 

[Riomouse911]

I always have and probably always will.

It’s so ingrained that I don’t even realize I’m doing it. I will say that I don’t get surprised by an empty-mag (or cylinder) bang, bang, click!

If it’s a dud/light strike, or a drill with a dummy hidden in the mix, then it’ll be a surprise.

Stay safe.

 

[chicharrones]

I can subconsciously count to 6, thanks to revolvers.

Any number higher than that, I simply fire 'til empty.

 

[Pat Riot]

I always count my rounds. Have for years. I started paying more attention to round count when shooting competitions and it just stuck.

 

[WheelGunMan]

No not really...I try to focus on the mechanics of grip and trigger squeeze and let the noticeable click of an empty cylinder or a slide locking open notify me.

 

[230RN]

Some darned good answers above, especially with respect to (A) rimfire damage, and (B) working the slide on a new magazine is faster by the power of the next shot than doing it by hand or hitting the slide release.

I knew about rimfire damage, but I never trained or shot in tactical competition, just metallic silhouettes and bullseyes. So (B) never occured to me. Most of my <ahem> "tactical" practice was on rocks and cowpies on the National Grasslands and National Forests. And on Prairie rats at farmers' requests.

I really wasn't aware of tactical competition until Son2 took it up. So I got interested in it, but by then I was too handicapped to participate.

With respect to why I started counting shots, I cannot say. Perhaps from reading one of the gun magazines of the 1960s, or whatever, but it stuck.

Thank you all for your insights. I didn't really expect to see as many responses. At the very least, I now realize that I am not some kind of kook for counting shots. I never happened to hear of it being discussed before.

Terry, 230RN

 

[Howland937]

With respect to why I started counting shots, I cannot say

I'm guessing Dirty Harry convinced you

For most of my target shooting, I don't count. The dead click let's me know right away if I'm starting to anticipate the trigger break or retaining whatever discipline I have.

If I'm shooting handguns for "practice", I do try to keep count.

 

[ACES&8S]

With a revolver I keep count thru the first 3 or 4 speed loaders then start slipping lazy habit.
Magazines same way with pistols but not rifles for some reason.
Hunting I never loose count, even top off asap.
Guess I am just scatter brained at times.