How to load +1?

[Hoop1101]

I have been wondering what is the best way to load the chamber for +1. There are two ways that I can think of:

1. Lock slide back. Physically drop a cartridge into the chamber. Release slide. Insert full magazine.

2. Lock slide back. Insert full magazine. Release slide/chamber round. Eject magazine. Add round. Re-insert magazine.

The first option seems simpler, but I didn't know how safe or reliable this would be instead of having the round picked up from the mag. I would like to know what everyone else does and why. Thanks!

[Bawanna]

The second method you describe is correct. If you physically just drop a round in the chamber and drop the slide it makes the extractor ride over the rim of the case. While this is not catastrophic (usually) it causes unnecessary stress and some guns, some 1911's don't like it much. If you feed from the magazine the case slides up under the extractor as designed.
I usually avoid top loading myself, most guns seems to like it better and feed more reliably. That is just my own opinion to be taken as such.

[hsart]

I would only chamber a round from the magazine.

[jeep45238]

Do not do #1, always load your semi auto pistols from the magazine (and most rifles).

If you slowly watch the round going up into the chamber, you'll notice the rim slides UNDER the extractor. Dropping one in the pipe and slamming it home will force the extractor to slam against the rim, then over it, and then claw into it. An action like that of the Kahr is NOT designed to do that. Some guns, like AR15's, do that with every single round that's fired - it's VERY rare to find a handgun that's designed to do that.

You'll eventually break your extractor, and if using ammo with brittle brass, you increase the probability of ripping the rim off the case and being unable to extract that case without the aide of a cleaning rod.




I always do #2 if you couldn't tell - besides the above mentioned reasons, it's less likely to jam up feeding from the magazine than performing an action the gun was never designed to do.

[jwr]

What Bawanna45cal said.

The extractor is designed to mate up with the cartridge as it's fed in from the mag--not ride over the lip of the casing already in the barrel.

Good question, btw.

[Hoop1101]

Thanks

Thanks for the replies so far! Great info and explainations. I couldn't find much information on it out there. I will definately do #2.

[ltxi]

Joining the chorus, Kahrs in particular do not like having the extractor forced over a cartridge rim like that, method #1. It will, probably sooner than later, chip off the edge of the extractor.

[Dietrich]

Thanks for the replies so far! Great info and explainations. I couldn't find much information on it out there. I will definately do #2.

It`s good that you do #2
#2 is what I do
It keeps you safe the whole night through
#2 is good for you.

[ripley16]

#3

I generally use method number three... Load one round in the mag, load the gun, drop the mag, load it fully and re-insert. This avoids having to load that pesky, thumb eating last round twice.

[jeep45238]

#3

I generally use method number three... Load one round in the mag, load the gun, drop the mag, load it fully and re-insert. This avoids having to load that pesky, thumb eating last round twice.

That last rounds helps build callouses, embrace loading it multiple times!

[jwr]

#3 This avoids having to load that pesky, thumb eating last round twice.

You've put some thought into this. Well done!

[tv_racin_fan]

Uplula is my friend.

[ripley16]

You've put some thought into this. Well done!

This method also serves as a sort of press check too. If the round is gone, the mag empty, then your pistol is loaded... no doubt about it.

[WMD]

it`s good that you do #2
#2 is what i do
it keeps you safe the whole night through
#2 is good for you.

grooooaannn! :d

(rotflmao)

[wyntrout]

Once a round is in battery position or chambered, when I want to make sure that the gun is loaded, I point the muzzle toward the best light source and look down the barrel -- finger off the trigger, of course. I don't want to pull the slide back and possibly leave it a bit out of position. Besides, it's a comforting sight -- that nice little hollow point waiting to perform its duty.
I can see a lot of surprised faces.
And ripley16 said "This method also serves as a sort of press check too. If the round is gone, the mag empty, then your pistol is loaded... no doubt about it." Unless... CRS has kicked in and you think "Dang, did I just put an empty magazine in?"
Wynn