Magazine capacity question

[dhdsman]

I have searched with no luck... I am getting ready to enter my first USPSA match and have a question regarding magazine capacity. I will be shooting a Glock 34. I have four 17 round magazines. I keep reading about only allowing 10 rounds per mag. If this is the case, can I just put 10 rounds in each mag, or do I need new magazines. Thanks in advance for your help.

Brian

 

[SDM]

I've only shot in a couple USPSA matches so I may leave something out. If so I hope someone will correct me. It's fine to use the 17 rounders loaded to 10. I believe you are required to top off to start (you are in IDPA) so stick 11 in one of them. That's for production, same for L10 but you would be scored minor. If you shoot limited or open you can put all 17 in there, but you will be scored minor (L10) or compete with the comped/optics guns (open). Also, I was advised to start with four on my belt and one in the gun. I've not had to go to that last magazine in the matches I've shot but you may want to consider picking up a couple more just in case. You usually don't run out, you just reload between array's to make sure you don't run out in the middle of one.

 

[dhdsman]

Thanks for the info. I plan to shoot production. What about ammo? I have been shooting WWB Value packs. 115 grain. Will I be better off shooting something along the lines of a 124 grain or ??

I will get a couple more mags, I just wanted to make sure I didnt need to buy a bunch of 10 round mags. Thanks.

 

[1911user]

You can download 17rd mags to 10 rounds. 6 mags would be a good minimum to have. I'd buy 17 round mags for any new ones unless you could get a really good price on 10rd mags. Don't buy junk mags; a reliable pistol is important for competition and other use. Mags and ammo play a big part in reliability or not.

115gr ammo is fine unless some steel targets are set badly or too heavy. Lots of people shoot blazer 9mm with good success.

 

[palcapt]

I have been shooting G34 for production for the last 3 years. You can use your hi caps mags as long as you only put 10 rounds. You are not required to "top off" at the start. I suggest you don't get into that habit. At this years nationals, I heard that a competitor "accidently" used his "top off" mag (11 round on a stage where you start "unloaded" gun on the table) and was bump to "open" class!
As for WWB (115 gr), thank God for Wal-Mart!!! I NEVER had malfunction and most likely shot about 15K rounds never had a problem knocking down a steel just when I "grazed" it Like what 1911user said "unless some steel targets are set badly or too heavy"
I have about 6 mags but on average, I use 3.
I can explain more "ruling" about production but it will be wise to visit their site instead....www.uspsa.org....good luck

 

[SDM]

I have been shooting G34 for production for the last 3 years. You can use your hi caps mags as long as you only put 10 rounds. You are not required to "top off" at the start. I suggest you don't get into that habit.

I wasn't sure if you had to top off or not. From what I've seen it really doesn't matter because you end up reloading before slide lock anyway.

At this years nationals, I heard that a competitor "accidently" used his "top off" mag (11 round on a stage where you start "unloaded" gun on the table) and was bump to "open" class!

If you can't count use 10 rounders.

 

[1911user]

You don't have to load 10+1 at the start, but it's probably a good habit especially if you can easily load 11 into your first mag. Just don't forget which one it is.

 

[Jim Watson]

I had a fit of forgetfulness once and worked out a way to avoid Procedurals.
I now have two P226 magazines with pasters on the basepad.
I ALWAYS load them with 11 for LAMR.
If it doesn't have a paster, it gets 10 only.

 

[akanotken]

Similar to what Jim said

I've messed up mag loads before.

Now I put 10 rounds in ALL of my mags.

I do a variety of things to get to 11 rounds, sometimes I thumb a round into the mag as I'm approaching the line, sometimes I'll to a reload with retention, then top the mag off. Sometimes I use a barney mag. But I always start with 10. I usually do this for stages with limited mag capacity, then download to the required amount.

But no way do I load my mags with 10's AND 11's