Sig magazines and the round count

[Vex]

There is only one problem I have with Sig. I love them otherwise. This problem is that they don't put nearly enough holes in the magazine to check the contents. Take my P229, for example... For the ten capacity magazines, the holes are at 5 and 10. For the twelve capacity, the holes are at 5, 10, and 12. Why not every 2 rounds? Or, like Glock, put them on the back and make a hole for every round.

Hm... would I damage the integrity of the magazine if I fabricated my own holes with a drill?

 

[1911user]

Hm... would I damage the integrity of the magazine if I fabricated my own holes with a drill?

If you went crazy drilling holes, yes, you could damage the integrity of the mag body. Another problem is that each hole will leave an indent inside the mag for the follower or spring to hang up on. I'd leave the mags as is for reliability purposes (and potential resale; you drill it, you keep it).

Just count your shots if you must know exactly how many rounds are left in a mag.

 

[Falconeer]

Vex: Agree with you regarding the Sig mags.

Is your concern at the range, or in a possible self defense situation? If it's self defense, my understanding is as soon as you have a safe moment do a tactical reload and get a full mag in the gun. Keep the partial in case you need it. It's one of the reasons you should carry at least one spare. Another being if you fumble a mag, accidently drop it in the dark, etc it's much quicker to go to the spare.

I recently attended Randy Cain's Tactical Handgun 101. On the first day, we could top off magazines whenever (leave gun in holster, pull the mag, top off). One the second day he told us we could top off the spares, but couldn't touch the one in the gun. Once you've hit slide lock in the middle of a failure drill a couple of times you get so you automatically tac reload when the opportunity presents itself.

 

[Vex]

recently attended Randy Cain's Tactical Handgun 101. On the first day, we could top off magazines whenever (leave gun in holster, pull the mag, top off). One the second day he told us we could top off the spares, but couldn't touch the one in the gun. Once you've hit slide lock in the middle of a failure drill a couple of times you get so you automatically tac reload when the opportunity presents itself.

We did the same drills in my police academy. Sometimes I still do it at the range for practice. Mostly, I just want these holes as a convenience, not really as a tactical solution that my training solves. It's got to be easy to put the holes in there... so why aren't they there?

 

[Falconeer]

It's got to be easy to put the holes in there... so why aren't they there?

I can't think of any logical reason. It's probably one of those 'it's the way it's always been done' kind of things. Either that or they don't want to look too much like Glock mags.