Is it okay to load an extra round in the mag, and have the mag fully loaded with a round in the chamber? I know on something like a Glock it wouldn't make much of a difference (16+1 versus 17+1) but I was thinking of getting a Kahr as a second handgun, so I was wondering if anyone does this, and if not, what reason there is NOT to do so.
Extra round in the chamber?
- Thread starter N3rday
- Start date
- Status
Mulliga
Member
I'd wager most people do this, at least with pistols.
It might affect some guns' reliability, as they are feeding a top round that is under more pressure than if the mag were not fully loaded. In my experience, though, if a gun is that sensitive, it probably isn't very reliable in the first place. The best course of action is to make sure the gun will work fully loaded at the range with carry ammo. Almost makes you want to get a revolver...
It might affect some guns' reliability, as they are feeding a top round that is under more pressure than if the mag were not fully loaded. In my experience, though, if a gun is that sensitive, it probably isn't very reliable in the first place. The best course of action is to make sure the gun will work fully loaded at the range with carry ammo. Almost makes you want to get a revolver...
Ohen Cepel
Member
It's not a bad idea. However, I don't think it's going to make much difference in a hi-cap pistol (if you aren't done in 15rds then you need a lot more )
Might be a better option in lower cap pistols.
I have been told (might be BS) that you should feed Glocks from the magazine, then top the mag off again. Slamming the slide with one in the chamber is supposed to be hard on the extractor. I bought a used one once and was told that's why the extractor was busted.
)Might be a better option in lower cap pistols.
I have been told (might be BS) that you should feed Glocks from the magazine, then top the mag off again. Slamming the slide with one in the chamber is supposed to be hard on the extractor. I bought a used one once and was told that's why the extractor was busted.
possum
Member
n3rday,
i carry a khar k40 and before that an xd and i always had a round in the chamber, i see no reason why not too. it hasn't caused any problems at all. You definetly need the extra rd in the chamber with the kahr's like you said 6+1 still isn't the greatest situation to be in but I am very confident that i could handle almost any defense situation with the 6+1, but on my other side i carry an extra mag in a leather pouch that matches the don hume paddle just in case. that is plenty of rds to take care of anything defensively.
i carry a khar k40 and before that an xd and i always had a round in the chamber, i see no reason why not too. it hasn't caused any problems at all. You definetly need the extra rd in the chamber with the kahr's like you said 6+1 still isn't the greatest situation to be in but I am very confident that i could handle almost any defense situation with the 6+1, but on my other side i carry an extra mag in a leather pouch that matches the don hume paddle just in case. that is plenty of rds to take care of anything defensively.
With a DAO(Double Action Only) autoloader a round in the chamber is a approved carry method, but still reqiures the attention, and respect given to a SA(Single Action) autoloader. I carry a Daewoo, and always have a round in the pipe, and a full magazine.
It's usually good practice to chamber from the mag, but that trend really started from people using the 1911 - the extractor is internal on the 1911 and doesn't have much room to move sideways, so it could be damaged over time. Some of the more recent 1911s have an extractor which cams outwards through a slot in the slide - as does the Glock. I think it would take a lot of cycles to break a Glock extractor in that fashion.Ohen Cepel said:
MICHAEL T
Member
I only had one pistol I couldn't carry full mag and round in chamber. If I went 10+1 I was asking for trouble 9+1 was trouble free Didn't really matter after I figured out I figured 10 was plenty.
Should not be an issue with a modern gun
First off, most defensive use of CCWs is typically 1-2 shots, sometimes 3. (actually, they are rarely fired and the revealing of the weapon almost always makes the badguy turn tail and run or realize you still get to be alive in prison, so they give up.)
Second, one in the pipe is fine, considering the stress you'll be under if you're in a situation that warrants it, racking a slide may seem like an eternity to get done. However, I have a DAO and DA/SA, so I would choose DA with one in the pipe for carry purposes.
Third - I've placed a single round in the chamber of my PT145 and 10mm Witness and snapped the slide shut by releasing the slide lock. No issues encountered yet, or looseness noted in parts because of it. But these are both external extractor models, may not apply to an internal extractor models.
I usually leave my mag 1 or 2 short just so I don't compress the spring as much, in hopes of giving it a longer life on nightstand duty. (or so I've read, may be BS) However, when I carry it in the car and stuff it under the pillow while on camping outings, it's running on Full with one in the pipe.
jeepmor
First off, most defensive use of CCWs is typically 1-2 shots, sometimes 3. (actually, they are rarely fired and the revealing of the weapon almost always makes the badguy turn tail and run or realize you still get to be alive in prison, so they give up.)
Second, one in the pipe is fine, considering the stress you'll be under if you're in a situation that warrants it, racking a slide may seem like an eternity to get done. However, I have a DAO and DA/SA, so I would choose DA with one in the pipe for carry purposes.
Third - I've placed a single round in the chamber of my PT145 and 10mm Witness and snapped the slide shut by releasing the slide lock. No issues encountered yet, or looseness noted in parts because of it. But these are both external extractor models, may not apply to an internal extractor models.
I usually leave my mag 1 or 2 short just so I don't compress the spring as much, in hopes of giving it a longer life on nightstand duty. (or so I've read, may be BS) However, when I carry it in the car and stuff it under the pillow while on camping outings, it's running on Full with one in the pipe.
jeepmor
Autolycus
Member
I would load it from the mag and then load another round into the mag. Its not going to hurt the gun so dont worry about it. And that extra round may save your life... but then again it might not. So you might as well bring it just in case.
bpisler
Member
I always topped off the 6 round mags
when i carried a Kahr MK-9.It didn't
seem to affect reliability at all.
when i carried a Kahr MK-9.It didn't
seem to affect reliability at all.
carpettbaggerr
Member
- Joined
- Nov 13, 2003
- Messages
- 1,676
Good Lord! Why, you might as well defend yourself with a revolver! Or a rock!
NineseveN
member
If I have a semi with me, I always have a round chambered and the mag full.
I do the obvious:
For any semi that I do this with, I've checked this out at the range to assure no problems. None with my Sig 228, 226, 232 or my Smith and Dan Wesson 1911s.
I do the obvious:
- Load a full mag into the gun
- Chamber a round
- Place safety on or decock
- Remove mag
- Top off mag with a round
- Load mag back into gun
For any semi that I do this with, I've checked this out at the range to assure no problems. None with my Sig 228, 226, 232 or my Smith and Dan Wesson 1911s.
Aguila Blanca
Member
I guess I'll show my age and ask the obvious (to me) question: Why are any of you referring to a round in the chamber as "extra"? IMHO and in my experience, the only way to carry a semi-automatic pistol is with a round in the chamber and a full magazine. That's not "extra" -- that's "loaded." Any other way is "reduced capacity."
Old Dog
Member
Hawkmoon is entirely correct.
WayneConrad
Member
I keep one in the chamber, but I don't bother removing the magazine after I load to stuff another round into it. Three reasons:
When I unload, I like being able to put the round I remove from the chamber back into the magazine. No loose round rolling around.
Less administrative gun handling means less chance for ND.
The difference between 16 and 16+1 rounds, for a weapon that will in all likelyhood never be used in anger, and if used in anger is unlikely to be fired, and if fired is most likely to have only a few rounds fired, is not worth loosing sleep over.
When I unload, I like being able to put the round I remove from the chamber back into the magazine. No loose round rolling around.
Less administrative gun handling means less chance for ND.
The difference between 16 and 16+1 rounds, for a weapon that will in all likelyhood never be used in anger, and if used in anger is unlikely to be fired, and if fired is most likely to have only a few rounds fired, is not worth loosing sleep over.
MICHAEL T
Member
quoteWayneConrad : The difference between 16 and 16+1 rounds, for a weapon that will in all likelyhood never be used in anger, and if used in anger is unlikely to be fired, and if fired is most likely to have only a few rounds fired, is not worth loosing sleep over.
Now then if that the case why on earth do people buy these 18 round hi cap pistols and carry 1 or 2 more mags. A 5 or 6 shot wheel will do just fine as will a single stack auto with 7 or 8 rounds.
I have a Taurus PT-92AR and a 10 + 1 45 I can't stand these things Theyfeel terrible in the hand and have yet to see reason for all that ammo in a hand gun Its not a M-16 7+1 of 45 or 9mm will handle the trouble. Rest is waste of time packing around.
I stay with my single stack autos and J frames thamk you.
Now then if that the case why on earth do people buy these 18 round hi cap pistols and carry 1 or 2 more mags. A 5 or 6 shot wheel will do just fine as will a single stack auto with 7 or 8 rounds.
I have a Taurus PT-92AR and a 10 + 1 45 I can't stand these things Theyfeel terrible in the hand and have yet to see reason for all that ammo in a hand gun Its not a M-16 7+1 of 45 or 9mm will handle the trouble. Rest is waste of time packing around.
I stay with my single stack autos and J frames thamk you.
Bobo
Member
Load as many rounds as the gun will fire reliably!!
fast97rs
Member
Exactly.... in a carry gun you should be "Cocked and locked" you will most likely not need the extra round, but you will probably not have time to rack the slide and then continue to fire.... remember this also takes both hands...
I love my 1911. Cocked and Locked.... you draw, drop the thumb saftey, and pull the trigger.... one hand, safe, and fast
if you can't get the job done with 7+1 rounds of .45ACP you should have saved that last round for yourself.......
Jorgy
Beretta actually hints that it's better if you not "top off" the magazine after chambering a round.
Here's the quote from my Beretta 92G manual:
I suspect that this is a total non-issue with single column magazines and not much of an issue with most double-column magazines. It is worth noting that if you insert a fully loaded magazine into a pistol that has a round chambered (or that has the slide forward) the spring is compressed a bit by the bottom of the slide. Since some double-column magazines are riding the hairy edge of over-compressing their springs (which shortens spring life), this extra bit of compression may be more of an issue than it seems at first.
Here's the quote from my Beretta 92G manual:
LOADING TO MAXIMUM PISTOL CAPACITY: During normal chamber loading, as described above, the pistol contains one round in the chamber plus 14 rounds in the magazine. This is an advantage because the magazine spring is not fully compressed but under about the same tension as a 15-round loaded spare magazine.
I suspect that this is a total non-issue with single column magazines and not much of an issue with most double-column magazines. It is worth noting that if you insert a fully loaded magazine into a pistol that has a round chambered (or that has the slide forward) the spring is compressed a bit by the bottom of the slide. Since some double-column magazines are riding the hairy edge of over-compressing their springs (which shortens spring life), this extra bit of compression may be more of an issue than it seems at first.
Medusa
Member
CZ 75 has capacity of 16 rounds, i fill it up and chamber a round, drop the hammer all the way,and leave it be (so the mag has 15 rounds in it). There's another reason for it - law forbids having a chamber loaded on semi-auto pistol so i can always appeal on a accidentaly slide racking 
. Though, noone checks it unless i do something stupid (and i'm the only one handling the gun here).
. Though, noone checks it unless i do something stupid (and i'm the only one handling the gun here).- Status
