Lets analyze this issue as it pertains to handguns:
Step 1): Look down the empty magazine well from the bottom with the slide forward.
Step 2): Observe bottom of slide at the top of your magazine well.
Step 3): Ask yourself whether the factory magazine was designed to be loaded to maximum capacity and inserted in the magazine well. This answer should be "yes."
Step 4): Ask yourself how a round in the chamber puts any extra pressure on the magazine. This answer should be "it doesn't" since the fully loaded magazine is in contact with the bottom of the slide and not the round in the chamber.
Step 5): Realization. If the full magazine can't sit in the magazine well when there is also one round in the chamber (aka +1), then the full magazine can't sit in the magazine well WITHOUT a round in the chamber, since based on 1-4 above, the pressure on the magazine should be the same regardless. Reread step 3 if necessary.
Step 6): Action. File away above points to know you can carry +1 without damaging your gun if you want to.
Its not about damaging the GUN. Its about damaging the magazine SPRING. It is possible to cause the last round to not load properly in some guns if the spring becomes compressed and does not return to its full length or with as much pressure as designed.
While it was not a handgun, I have personally proven that at least temporarily you can overcompress a magazine spring to the point that it causes feed issues. In my case it resolved itself by letting it sit for a long time unloaded. (see my last post)
I would never have expected it, but I have shown it can happen in rare instances. I personally still load my mags fully.
Mags are considered to be wear items.
I have witnessed guns that have trouble with the +1. Overall pretty rare, especially among double stack service pistols.
Carry your shooter with full mag +1
How many of you guys carry fully loaded mags with that +1 in the chamber?
Mags are considered to be wear items.
I have witnessed guns that have trouble with the +1. Overall pretty rare, especially among double stack service pistols.
Carry your shooter with full mag +1