Number of Rounds or Functionality ?

[Gun Master]

Safe Number of Rounds in Mag (Plus 1 = ?)

Yep, I knew there would be several who could honestly state that the +1 works for them. I believe you. It's the gun, the mag, and the experience.
If it works for you, great!

I'm also not surprised that you thought Ayoob's statement that 14 +1 worked OK, but "Twelve for sure beats 13...maybe.", sounded strange.
Maybe a lead into a future installment ?

 

[Snyper]

Maybe Ayoob doesn't know that his 14 round magazines are really 15 round magazines?

I'd suspect a simple typo before I'd think he didn't know

 

[tactikel]

+1 issues are mag and technique related. Make sure the fully loaded magazine is seated completely, and verify each magazine will function. Unce you find mags that work keep them clean and free of damage.

 

[TarDevil]

The only gun I have that doesn't function with a full mag is a Bryco 48 (and the gun has amazed me with it's accuracy and reliability!)

I did download my other mags by one after a THR discussion concerning effects on magazine springs, but not because the guns were less reliable.

 

[orionengnr]

Since I gave up on double-stacks a number of years ago, everything I own/carry (which are essentially one and the same) works correctly with +1...and in general terms, they remain so loaded for months/years at a time.

I have a measure of respect for Mr. Ayoob, but his experience (in this specific realm) may be different than mine. Guess whose experience I am going with?

I have sold a lot of guns, but they were ones that I found that I did not like as well as I had thought. Or I wanted something, and had to sell something to buy something.

Or occasionally, they were just POSs that would not function reliably (not related to the number of rounds in the cylinder/magazine).

These I disposed of by selling at a loss with full disclosure, with the exception of one that was kissed several times by a six-pound sledge hammer and then given a brief swimming lesson...which it failed miserably

 

[george burns]

The Capacity of a gun, is the Total number of rounds it holds. That is why they advertise 7+1, 8+1, etc. The one in the pipe is the most important one, as that will be coming out first.
No one in their right mind wants to leave it to chance<'except the Israeli's " when it comes down to chambering a round while drawing your weapon in a gunfight.
Most true gunmen don't even raise the gun past the hip when responding to a clear and present threat. The gun is fired as soon as it clears the holster. There are 3 day classes where the sights are never used.

 

[Deaf Smith]

Reliability is always number one.

And since I put more emphasis on the first shots of a gunfight than the 10th or 12th or whatever then if a gun needs to be downloaded one round to ensure reliability, then so be it.

Deaf

 

[ATLDave]

Reliability is always number one.

And since I put more emphasis on the first shots of a gunfight than the 10th or 12th or whatever then if a gun needs to be downloaded one round to ensure reliability, then so be it.

Sure. But the discussion is around the "if." Some people seem to have the view that, for all guns, it should be assumed that a less-than-full magazine is inherently more reliable. Some people (including myself) think that's not right, and that many - though surely not all - guns are just as reliable with a full mag as with a -1.

 

[RetiredUSNChief]

Sure. But the discussion is around the "if." Some people seem to have the view that, for all guns, it should be assumed that a less-than-full magazine is inherently more reliable. Some people (including myself) think that's not right, and that many - though surely not all - guns are just as reliable with a full mag as with a -1.

Good point.

A gun that will not work as it's designed to work is unreliable. If you have to go to extremes to make it reliable, then that's a clue that it needs to be fixed.

If a gun is designed to work with a 7 round magazine, then it should function reliably with the magazine loaded to 7 rounds. End of story.

 

[Ignition Override]

What were USMC or Special Forces' procedures with their handguns, for example, doing search and grabs in Iraq or infiltrating Bin Laden's compound (SEALs)?

 

[ku4hx]

I download all my my magazines by one because for a few guns a fully loaded magazine is very hard to insert with the slide closed. I'm just being consistent across the board as I see it.

And besides, that round "missing" from my magazine is the first round in my wife's magazine so I feel covered ... so does she.

I like options and choices and generally just do what I feel is right for me. As far as +1 goes, I have felt the need for that so I bought guns with higher capacity magazines. Now I have both worlds ... choices and options.

 

[RustyShackelford]

Post #35, US special ops, weapons .....

I served in the US military but not a tier one or special forces unit.
I did read about & speak to a few 18 series troops who said it was(is) common to use shorter or fewer rounds in carbines/SMGs/etc.
It would make the operator faster & more nimble in CQB situations. They would train to fire, then reload, then either engage the downed subject or shoot another target.
Some SRT or military units would use extended pistol mags(20/25) for pistols like the Hi Power 9x19mm or SIG P226.
For many years, the pilots & aircrews of the elite Task Force 160(now called SOAR or Special Operations Aviation Regement) carried HK PDWs or MP5K sub machine guns. They used the shorter 9mmNATO MP5 magazines.