5 or 6 rounds in the magazine for mouse guns?

R

Recoil spring

New member
I have been carrying only 5 of a possible 6 rounds in my Ruger LCP and Kahr CW 380 pocket pistol magazines as I felt it would preserve the spring tension better and be more reliable. I do rotate magazines with fresh ammo every 3-4 months, and have extra mags for both guns.

The Vietnam guys used to run a round or two less in their M-16s for reliability, and have read of other guns like that, so have adopted this policy. Been looking to boost the firepower output as I kinda feel naked with only 5 rounds late at night, similar to the S/W J frame .38 special snub-nose that I sold off due to limited ammo capability.

Would I be OK for the 6th round in the magazine? These are modern guns and comparing them to something from the 1960's may not be relevant.
 
I carry my LCPII daily with 6 in the mag and 1 in the pipe. And I fire it empty every couple weeks or so. Has never been a problem.

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You always rock one less bullet in the clip.

Not doing so is a good way to get "done kilt" as the old timers would say.
 
Go get the Magguts conversions, then you have 7 in the magazine...

When I carry my LCP, I carry it in my back pocket, in a Recluse holster. Includes a reload, so I have 15 rounds on tap (7+7+1).
 
I always carry my LCP with 6 in the mag, plus one in the chamber. In fact, I got two extra mags so that I can leave my original mags loaded all the time, since it's the cycling of mags that wears out the springs. The spare pair of mags is what I use for the range.
 
I felt it would preserve the spring tension better and be more reliable.

The Vietnam guys used to run a round or two less in their M-16s for reliability
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Pretty sure those vietnam springs are much different than the ones we have now.
 
Recoil spring said:
The Vietnam guys used to run a round or two less in their M-16s for reliability,
Click to expand...

Where'd you hear that?

Granted, I was only one guy, in only one unit, and I was there in 1868 and the U.S. was there for four more years after I left, but ... I've never heard anything about this. Not while I was in country, and not from any veterans group or site or friends, in the 49 years since I DEROSed. I would think that if this was something real I would have at least heard a whisper about it.
 
Me- "In the Vietnams, how many rounds would yall put in a 30 round magazine? 28, 29, or 30"
FASHA- "28 to keep from Jamming, then mags taped back to back"

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I'm trying to get him to clarify. I thought the 16 mags were 20's. My ole man's memory isn't great.

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And whatever this means LOL
"100 round cans for 60's. 200 round can for 25's on gun truck , some 25 belts with 500"
But In WAY OFF TOPIC. Sorry.

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I load all magazines to capacity. I see no reason not to. They all get used at least occasionally and I have never had a problem. I shoot an old military 1911 that has magazines from a couple of wars before Vietnam. The gun and mags all have been rode hard. I don't use it for anything other than target shooting, but would not hesitate to use it defensively if needed.
 
I've had my early dash S/N Elsea Pea since the get-go. Filled up with one in the pipe, and never had a problem. Sometimes my carry ammo gets taken out, and a few mags of Winchester white box, or other range fodder gets run through it. A few times per year the Speer Gold Dots just get shot through it. There has never been a single problem with either, or any other ammo I have tried. There is also no sign of a mag says ring problem. Thinking my round count is easily at, or past the 1K mark.
 
"Pretty sure those vietnam springs are much different than the ones we have now."

Wow! Like the VN war was sometime in the dark ages, maybe before the invention of guns!

Jim
 
Mags fully loaded and one in the pipe. I've never carried less than a full magazine in any self defense pistol. Especially in a pocket gun of small caliber and low capacity to begin with.
 
I have been carrying only 5 of a possible 6 rounds in my Ruger LCP and Kahr CW 380 pocket pistol magazines as I felt it would preserve the spring tension better and be more reliable. I do rotate magazines with fresh ammo every 3-4 months, and have extra mags for both guns.
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Two things I glean from this statement;
One, you are new to guns in general and carry in particular. Kudos for asking the question. You are perfectly safe in carrying a full mag load and the one extra in the chamber. If not, then how could you load the gun ever with a full mag?

Two, you don't shoot often enough if you're going four months between mag/ammo changes. Don't worry about the springs in the Ruger and Kahr, they can be loaded for extended periods but if you shoot more often you do away with that concern as well as become more proficient. Rule of thumb... never leave a mag loaded for more than fifty years.
 
I've got a Kel-Tec P3AT that has been kept fully loaded for more than a decade and it still works fine, two disclaimers...
I don't shoot it that often, use would impact mag spring life.
It is not a primary carry gun if I can do better.

20 years ago I would have been content to carry a pocket 380 as primary defense, now I'm not.
I only carry a pocket 380 when I can't do better.
I would be doing a disservice to say, "You are carrying something, good job" when I would consider the same insufficient for myself.
 
Load to capacity. I went into the Army post Vietnam and we were trained to put 30 rounds in a 30 round magazine. At times when we were re supplied with loaded mags, they had 30 rounds in them, the mag loader stripper clips held 10 rounds.

I did not hear this downloading theory for some years until all these tactical schools started popping up. I think it is the same reason people obsess over 5 lb AR rifles. If you are having trouble seating the mag or carrying a 7lb rifle you need the gym, not less ammo.

Carry the biggest most powerful gun you can conceal and shoot well. I carry a fullsize Glock and a S&W Shield.
 
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