topping off your mags

[Sven]

Do you top off your mag after putting one in the pipe?

 

[Ala Dan]

I voted, YES as a rule! Cuz, I do, and I want every shot
that is possible.

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. LIfe Member

 

[AR-10]

Yes, but I didn't vote. Used to hate the polling feature. Now I just ignore it.

 

[New_comer]

Only during competition, most especially when the course is long and with movers.

For carry, never

 

[mgjohn]

All ways, never know when the extra round may be needed.

 

[NJ3]

I voted yes. I didn't think there was another option.

 

[JPM70535]

all the time. If the mag holds 7 rds, if holds 7rds. not 6


HAPPINESS IS A WARM GUN

 

[modifiedbrowning]

Always top it off. Why wouldn't you?

 

[sm]

Always
Especially CCW
Always top off extra mags

 

[MJRW]

I don't. I may be misguided, but I feel it compresses the spring less and thereby increases the lifespan of my mag spring.

 

[dfrog]

I went 'Most of the Time' because I don't when I'm at the range. For CCW, yes.

 

[Hkmp5sd]

Always. Train as you fight. Same procedure every time.

 

[Phyphor]

Never know when that 16th round might come in handy. ALWAYS.

 

[Chan Bates]

I can't answer the poll the way it is written.

I carry a full mag with one in the pipe, but I do not load the top round of a full mag. I load one round from a spare mag, then insert the full mag.

Ridiculous, perhaps, but it would stop a slam-fire malfunction after one round, and it makes mag insertion and round count consistent without having to remove a mag to reload it after loading the gun.

I can imagine a scenario where by reflex in a critical situation you act as you train, i.e., load a full mag at slide lock, then drop it without thinking to top it off and find yourself in a WOS, especially if you shoot a gun with a mag safety interlock.

Modern springs, and even ancient ones, should not take a set because of the mag being full. If they do, you have cheap springs and you need to replace them with higher quality. There are too many stories of loaded mags many decades old that fire just fine, and too few that point to a spring that has taken a set as the cause of a malfunction, especially if you check your gear often.

CB3

 

[Hkmp5sd]

then drop it without thinking to top it off and find yourself in a WOS

Interesting viewpoint. I've always looked at it from drawing the gun and pulling the trigger only to hear click because I got distracted and didn't chamber the round before leaving home.

This way, if there is a magazine in the gun, I *know* there is a round in the chamber. Since part of my practice includes changing magazines, the odds of me dropping the magazine immediately after reloading are minimal.

Guess it is really what you are more comfortable with.

 

[JimC]

Always. Why would you not.

 

[ruger357]

All the time.

 

[New_comer]

I carry a full mag with one in the pipe, but I do not load the top round of a full mag. I load one round from a spare mag, then insert the full mag. ... but it would stop a slam-fire malfunction after one round,

Very interesting.

Never thought such an AD would happen during casual chambering of a round, but come to think of it, 'tis possible!

Excellent point! Thanks a lot

Always learn new things from you guys!

 

[FPrice]

The smaller the mag capacity (e.g., six rounders) the more likely I am to top it off. For my G19 15 round mags I generally do not.

 

[KMKeller]

It would stink if I got myself killed for lack of shooting back...

 

[Chris Rhines]

Yep. I keep a handfull of my favorite carry ammo in my 'safety tupperware' and use it to top off my magazines.

- Chris

 

[10-Ring]

I voted yes. If I need to chamber a round, I want to have as many as possible at my disposal.

 

[Gewehr98]

Here's an analogy...

Would you leave on a trip without a full tank of gas?

 

[dave]

"but I feel it compresses the spring less and thereby increases the lifespan of my mag spring." by MJRW




Yes, I always top off. I think I'd rather increase MY lifespan.

 

[MJRW]

The difference to me between 20 and 21 shots is negligible. If capacity where that big of a concern for me, I'd get something with a higher capacity.