HiCap mags in restricted states is always a vexing conversation. I can only comment from the NY perspective, YMMV.

BLUF: It's cheaper to buy a compliant magazine or pistol then to get a lawyer to go to court and debate the definition of import and whether it applies to you.

I would recommend switching to a compliant magazine or pistol if you are traveling into a state that has a magazine capacity law. S&W makes some very nice J Frames and Shields that meet the criteria handily.

The reason I recommend the above is that I don't expect anyone to just stop you and ask you to check your magazine capacity. I would expect either a traffic stop, your pistol got spotted and someone called 911 or some kind of defensive situation would lead to Law Enforcement taking an interest in your pistol. If that sort of situation occurs I don't want the officer to have to think or figure out if the magazine is legal or not. If they know a ten round magazine is legal and find a 10-round magazine, they'll move on to the next thing. I don't expect that the office would be willing to entertain discussion on whether you are importing a high cap magazine or not. I also wouldn't want to have to deal with a district attorney if at all possible (they are usually, the ones that decide what gets prosecuted, YMMV). I've always found that the easier you make the interaction with the officer, the better (there is a limit to that, know when to shut up).

That said, I read about a case in NY where it was argued that the officer didn't have the Probable Cause to inspect the magazine for capacity, it was years ago in NY and I don't remember the outcome.

I wound up buying a 10-round mag from Sig and sticking that in when on the occasional visit to Washington.

If traveling through or visiting a 10-round state, will that state be okay with a pistol having 10-round mags even if the gun can accept larger mags?
And if just traveling through, does the mag size matter (apart from other transport laws)? For instance, could I travel through NJ, CT, or MA with 15-round mags?

J Frame time.

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NRA LIFE MEMBER

JMHO. Don't go playing jail house lawyer. If it says 10 rounds, that means 10 rounds. Not a 12 round mag. loaded down, not some bubba block to make a 12 rnd mag only hold 10, not because your from away and only there for a few hours, open that wallet wave the moths away and buy 10 rnd mags. OR get a J frame problem & solved.

This is an S&W forum. Carry a revolver. Higher capacity can easily be attained by carrying speedloaders and/or more revolvers.

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Formerly Model520Fan

This discussion came up on another form several years ago and Masaad Ayoob responded. "You're always better off to remain in clear compliance with the Law instead of staying in the grey area."

That's why I carry a glock 19 in Colorado instead of a Glock 17

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Retired Career Security Guard

AG won't give you legal advice. Call the WSP. They may not know the law but they know why they will arrest you.

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That's just somebody talkin.

Montana could care less what guns you have. You don't even need a permit. I can carry what ever gun or guns, I please, with any size magazine I chose. I don't need a permit for that, but have one for travel. No gun list, in fact it says concealed weapon, so switch blade, sword cane, club or Glock with 20 round mag are all good here.

Or a 625/1917/22 with moon clips.

Seems to me that S&W has been infiltrated by Semi-Autos also.........😁

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USMC 69-93 Combat Pistol Inst.

I'm down to having a gun on me or nothing in OR. I live in WA with only a CPL so I'm pretty much going to have to be illegal in OR with a pistol. I've done it both ways while in OR. I'm scheduled to be in OR this summer again. I'll toss a coin before I go. The last time I crossed I went sans my carry. I don't like that ODB. What are the odds. Living on the ragged edge. I'm getting old and getting to the point I just don't GAF anymore. One percenter I guess. OR s**keth.

I'm not advocating this. Just make the call and be on your way.

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That's just somebody talkin.

See edits below.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Not sure what your point is here. State firearms laws are inconsistent at best so it's imperative that you know before you go.

I just stopped traveling through CA on my way to AZ when I was spending my winters there in an RV. Originally I would do a few camps in southern CA but decided it just wasn't worth it. Some states just need to be avoided. WA has become one of those if you don't live here.

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That's just somebody talkin.

What about a S&W auto?

Why ya gotta discriminate?

😆

Tradition. I'm gonna be old before long, but I remember when revolvers were king of the mountain. For some purposes they still are, including most of mine. I've got nothing against functional autoloaders carried by folks who know how to handle them, but they are not exactly essential to competent defense.

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Formerly Model520Fan

MY "point" was answering this question that I quoted
Originally Posted by gjgalligan View Post
"Is that Montana that requires the firearms to be listed on your permit?"

You may very well be correct, but I would double check that if I was you. A whole pile of places had laws about saps, monkey fists, "dirks", razors, the dreaded "Bowie knife" long before they started in in guns.
It only takes one police officer that had a fight with the Mrs the night before, spilled coffee in his lap on the way to work, got chewed out by the boss this morning, and generally having a bad day to make your life miserable for months to come.

I would do what the State Requires. If you had to use your firearm it would go better for you. In my case if I can’t carry legally I stay away from that state. I check handgunlaw.com every year before I drive to Florida to make sure I am carrying legal. I also check the CCWSAFE website and check laws.

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Two Handguns every day

I plan to retire at the end of 2026, and my wife are on the process of having an RV (Super C on a WesternStar 47X) built. We will travel a bunch. Despite my preferences for certain firearms for personal defense (generally Glock pistols and an AR), I am selecting travel guns based on restricted capacity and the long gun will be a .357 lever gun (with RDS, light, etc). The handguns will be a revolver (M66) and pistols that come standard with small mags (Shield 4" PC; Sig 239; G33) that are not too hard to replace if seized. I not only do not own any reduced capacity mags for the Glocks, but I am well aware that they are contraindicated for serious use.

I also plan to avoid dumb places unless there are really major factors in favor of going to them: CA; MD, WI; MN; NJ at a minimum.

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NHI, 10-8.

I totally get it.

I believe in going with what I am most competent and familiar with. In my case that's an auto, hands down. Wife and I will be driving to TX in a couple weeks.

If we go thru Illinois they have a 15rd mag limit.

For this trip I just take my M&P .45 compact (10+1) and a couple spare mags.

31 rounds of 230gr HST +p and I'm not worrying about not being compliant.


Revolvers are cool, I just don't shoot them as well as autos.

I bought an AR online that came with a 30 round magazine. It was shipped to my FFL in NY.

Before doing the transfer he installed a fixed 10 round mag. He gave the 30 rounder to the local State Police. (they have no restrictions)

Eons ago I bought an AK and it came with 10 and 20 round magazines. When the 10 round law came into effect, I simply took a Sunday afternoon drive to PA and traded it to a gun shop for a couple boxes of ammo.

Gotta follow the law. I hear Attica is not a nice place. Besides, whether your carry contains 12 or 10, if you can't get the job done with 6, maybe you should do more practicing.

I have a road trip heading South soon traveling through numerous less gun friendly States. Just ordered two 10 round magazines for my Beretta PX4 Storm.

When going to a 10 or less rounds mag restriction area, I am well-armed with a revolver or single-stack semiauto, even if I can't actively carry concealed there. At least I have a gun along for the trip.

DAnd this is THE reason National CC reciprocity is needed NOW. I’m no bigger “threat” to anybody in Illinois or NY than I am in KY, BUT in those states I’m in serious trouble for simply doing the exact same thing I do, legally, every single day, and that friends is BS.