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In another thread it was mentioned the tendency for Smith autos to partially or fully strip off the top round when the magazine is remove to either top it off after chambering a round, or for other reasons. I thought it would be interesting to discuss various opinions of whether or not to top off or just leave it in the gun as is, one round short?
My humble opinion is to leave the magazine after you have chambered a live round in the gun. There are several reasons in my view. By doing so, you can be reasonably certain the gun is in battery with a fully inserted magazine. Whether you pull the slide to the rear and let it go or you have the slide locked and just release it forward, you can be certain the gun is ready upon completion. If you chamber a round, then remove the mag, insert another round then slam it back in (slamming usually required) you have the possibility, remote as it may be, of failing to fully seat the mag.
Another possibility is that the now fully compressed magazine created enough force on the bottom of the slide to, in admittedly unusual circumstances, fail to fully feed the top round. This could occur with a force limp wristed grip in a combat situation or if the slide is lightly bumped when in a prone or barricaded shooting position. Again, while these events are unlikely and only a remote possibility, they are things to consider.
My phobia, if you will, comes from many years of using an AR. No one with any experience every puts 10 rounds in a 10 round mag, 20 rounds in a 20 round mag, etc. Yes, the design and function of an auto pistol is dramatically different than an auto rifle. However, being a somewhat old timer, old habits die hard. I keep all my unloaded pistol magazine full, but rarely top one off after chambering the first round.
I am looking forward to opinions and views on this subject. I expect them to vary considerably and for different reasons.
My humble opinion is to leave the magazine after you have chambered a live round in the gun. There are several reasons in my view. By doing so, you can be reasonably certain the gun is in battery with a fully inserted magazine. Whether you pull the slide to the rear and let it go or you have the slide locked and just release it forward, you can be certain the gun is ready upon completion. If you chamber a round, then remove the mag, insert another round then slam it back in (slamming usually required) you have the possibility, remote as it may be, of failing to fully seat the mag.
Another possibility is that the now fully compressed magazine created enough force on the bottom of the slide to, in admittedly unusual circumstances, fail to fully feed the top round. This could occur with a force limp wristed grip in a combat situation or if the slide is lightly bumped when in a prone or barricaded shooting position. Again, while these events are unlikely and only a remote possibility, they are things to consider.
My phobia, if you will, comes from many years of using an AR. No one with any experience every puts 10 rounds in a 10 round mag, 20 rounds in a 20 round mag, etc. Yes, the design and function of an auto pistol is dramatically different than an auto rifle. However, being a somewhat old timer, old habits die hard. I keep all my unloaded pistol magazine full, but rarely top one off after chambering the first round.
I am looking forward to opinions and views on this subject. I expect them to vary considerably and for different reasons.
