How do you load when carrying +1 and a full mag?

[veyec]

Came across this as I was researching some 10mm info.

http://www.firearmstactical.com/pdf/fbi_m1076_instruction_guide.pdf

Very interesting and relevant to many guns, not just the S&W.

Page 9 has specific info in regard to the topic curently discussed, but I suggest that the entire article be read. It broadend my understanding greatly.

[apollosmith]

I rack the slide to chamber a round, then top off the magazine.

Unless there is some reliability issue to keep you from carrying with a full magazine, why wouldn't you? Yes, the odds of needing that last bullet are slim, but so are the odds of using the gun at all, having my house burn down, dieing suddenly, or getting in a car crash, yet I still take reasonable precautions in case those events occur. For those who make the argument that most gun fights only require 1-3 rounds - why don't you just carry 1-3 rounds every day? Because there's a change you might need more - so why not have as many as your firearm can reasonably and reliably carry?

[NSD]

For those who make the argument that most gun fights only require 1-3 rounds - why don't you just carry 1-3 rounds every day? Because there's a change you might need more - so why not have as many as your firearm can reasonably and reliably carry?

That is not what I said! I said that 1-3 rounds are all the are likely to hit the target depending on how many rounds your guns carries. You should carry a full magazine at least IMO. But the +1 option for me doesn't buy any more protection than just having the gun does in the first place. I would be willing to bet that you don't park a fire truck in your driveway, or wear a helmet while driving a car. Why not? They would better protect you in the event of fire or car accident. Because the risk does not meet the benefit. (And you would look silly driving down the street with a helmet on in your truck/car. ) All I'm saying is the +1 option for me doesn't provide any added benefit and in times of unloading and storage I always know where the extra round is.

Now back to the topic.

[mqondo]

If carrying loaded in an auto, I ALWAYS load from the mag, take out the mag and add the additional round. The additional weight is not an issue, so might as well have an extra round handy in case Sasquatch wants to attack.

[ProtectedBy9mm]

I always, ALWAYS load from the magazine. Apart from the fact that this is how the gun was designed to operate, I personally know two individuals who have broken the extractor claw on their pistol by repeatedly dropping a bullet into the chamber and then closing the slide, which forces the claw to bend around the case rim.

Wow. I never even thought about that! This is how I normally load all my handguns and gives me great thought as to why my extractor failed on my SIGMA those years ago.

I can say for sure, that i will no longer be loading my guns like this: I'll be racking it from the slide and loading the extra in the mag from now on!

It makes PERFECT sense: The extractor wasn't designed to do that.

[steelhawk]

Like most here, I carefully chamber a round from the mag to minimize setback, then add one back to the magazine. If I have to unload, I store the extra one in my pocket for awhile.

I used to let one slam home until I learned about bullet setback.

[jutley]

Wow. I never even thought about that! This is how I normally load all my handguns...

I can say for sure, that i will no longer be loading my guns like this: I'll be racking it from the slide and loading the extra in the mag from now on!

It makes PERFECT sense: The extractor wasn't designed to do that.

+1 Guess I will change my loading habits so I don't ruin my handguns. Thanks for the info everyone!

[Jeff Johnson]

I always load from the magazine, then top off the magazine. I also carry a spare magazine.
If I ever need it, I want all the ammo I can get.

[MasLakas]

I always carry a spare magazine so this works for my 1911 or XD45.

With unloaded firearm:
1. Lock the slide back.
2. Insert my spare magazine.
3. Release the slide to chamber a round.
4. Remove spare magazine.
5. Insert full magazine into firearm.
6. Holster firearm.
7. Top off spare magazine.
8. Insert spare magazine into carry position.
9. Proceed with normal daily life.