How do you "handle" your carry ammo?

[YuDanJa]

Years ago when I first started to carry, I'd load the magazine and chamber the first round (like we're supposed to). I'd get home every night, unload the pistol, rack that round out of the chamber and reload it right back on top of the mag. So this went on for a few months...kept on re-chambering that same round every night...until one day, I noticed the bullet was sticking out of the shell more than it should. I give it a slight tug and it just popped right off...powder spilled everywhere. Since that day, I started to "rotate" the rounds in the mag. I'd actually mark my calendar weekly to remind me to "rotate round" where the chambered round would be racked no more than 7 times, and put in the bottom of the magazine. So for awhile, I'd replace the entire mag with new ammo after a 17-week rotation. This system...sort of/kind of worked for while, but things got out of hand easily. I'd forget which mag was which, when I rotated the round... there'd be days I cannot carry and I'd be confused of how many times I racked a particular round...one time it came to a point where I even stopped chambering the round. Anyway, instead of going through this tedious "tracking system" I mentioned above, what simple methods do you guys use?
Ultimately, I'm trying to make it so I only change my carry ammo once a year (without worrying my cartridge will fall apart). I know some of you may disagree with that, but...that's another thread discussion.


OR...was this a very unusual case to begin with? ..."Rounds arent's supposed to fall apart like that no matter how many times they've been racked...you had defective, cheap ammo!"

[WRW]

I think repeated impact with the ramp is going to be the culprit here. I would load the first round manually, slide to battery, then insert the magazine.

[YuDanJa]

I think repeated impact with the ramp is going to be the culprit here. I would load the first round manually, slide to battery, then insert the magazine.

I've always heard that's a bad thing to do...damages the extractor or the shell. They mention this especially to those who ask about the +1 round in the chamber; to load one in the mag, rack it into the chamber, then fully load the magazine.

[Chasbo00]

The concern here is bullet setback. This is when repeated chambering of a round causes the bullet to "setback" within its case. The result is a pressure increase when the round is fired that, if severe enough, can result in a Kaboom.

Manually loading a cartridge directly into the chamber and letting the slide slam forward thereby causing the extractor to jump or ride over the cartridge rim is potentially damaging to many pistols.
Best to always feed the chamber from a magazine.

I've heard of some folks using a permanent marker to place a mark on the base of a cartridge each time it has been chambered and rotating individual rounds based on the marks.

I don't go that far, but I do check my carry rounds for bullet setback or any bullet looseness that would result in setback given normal chambering. I also shoot up my carry rounds and rotate in a whole new batch at least every couple of months or so.

[WRW]

Manually loading a cartridge directly into the chamber and letting the slide slam forward thereby causing the extractor to jump or ride over the cartridge rim is potentially damaging to many pistols.
Best to always feed the chamber from a magazine.

I had no thought that brass could affect spring steel like that, but have now found other references to damaging extractors by doing just that. Thanks.

[CCFan]

... what simple methods do you guys use?

I don't re-chamber anything each night.... My EDC has one in the chamber, and it stays in the chamber until I go shooting. If I'm going to go plinking or target practicing and I don't feel like shooting the "good" ammo, I will just unload my entire magazine of defense ammo, and when I re-load the magazine later, I'll just grab them randomly and put back in. I also shoot a magazine of defense ammo from time to time just to keep it fresh, as well... I'm sure there's other methods, but that's what I've gotten used to... I'm curious to hear what others do, as well, though!

[Jim]

There are no children in our house and we seldom have guests because we're so isolated. My two carriers stay loaded 24/7.

[NewColonial]

In today's world, it's my feeling you are more likely to need your gun at home, than away. An unloaded gun does you no good. Keep it loaded.

[grumpyMSG]

Manually loading a cartridge directly into the chamber and letting the slide slam forward thereby causing the extractor to jump or ride over the cartridge rim is potentially damaging to many pistols.
Best to always feed the chamber from a magazine.

I had no thought that brass could affect spring steel like that, but have now found other references to damaging extractors by doing just that. Thanks.

I am just curious, how does it damage them? Isn't that in effect what happens when the slide comes forward, strips a round out of the magazine and pushes it into the chamber? Which pistol manufacturer's operators manual advises against it?

I wouldn't place blind faith in everything I read on the internet, I know of a bunch of people online, who sware #7 shot is the ultimate home defense round, I know of one Police Officer who's eyesight was saved by his glasses and had to have a bunch removed fom his face. It pissed him off and required minor surgury to remove it. Had it been 00 buck shot, I probably would have been attending a funeral.

[Jim]

In today's world, it's my feeling you are more likely to need your gun at home, than away. An unloaded gun does you no good. Keep it loaded.

I agree with all of that.
I live in a very remote location. I would guess home invaders would be more likely to try an isolated target than one in a populated area.
We have four dogs, all of which bark like crazy at strange noises/appearances. The largest is a trained shepherd and nothing would suit her better than for somebody to come through the door. I think that would have a major bearing on an intruder's decision to continue an intrusion attempt.
I keep a loaded sidearm by my bed, one on my office desk and my wife keeps a S&W model 19 on her office desk. It is rare that I am not carrying at any given time. There is a pump 12 loaded with 00B cached in an easily accessible location at one end of the house and a loaded SKS in another at the other end. This might be interpreted by some as being paranoid. I would submit I'm not living in fear, just prepared.
Although I have suggested against husbands teaching their own wives, I did train my wife. I feel she is fully prepared to repel boarders.

[Chasbo00]

Manually loading a cartridge directly into the chamber and letting the slide slam forward thereby causing the extractor to jump or ride over the cartridge rim is potentially damaging to many pistols.
Best to always feed the chamber from a magazine.

I had no thought that brass could affect spring steel like that, but have now found other references to damaging extractors by doing just that. Thanks.

I am just curious, how does it damage them? Isn't that in effect what happens when the slide comes forward, strips a round out of the magazine and pushes it into the chamber? Which pistol manufacturer's operators manual advises against it?

Many center-fire pistol's extractors are not designed to move over a cartridge rim. As the cartridge is stripped from the magazine during normal feeding, the cartridge rim moves under the extractor. If the extractor is forced to jump or move over the cartridge rim, this forces the extractor to operate outside of its intended range of motion and can lead to a loss of extractor tension, premature extractor fatigue, and/or failure/breakage of the extractor. The pistol operator's manual should address proper loading of the pistol.

[NewColonial]

Jim, good points, although there were 2 home invasions in Stafford County neighborhoods just this week. My theory is if my pants are on, so is my carry gun. Pants off, it's within reach.

I totally agree with you that this doesn't make us paranoid, it makes us prepared. I'm not planning on my house burning, but I have fire extinguishers around. I pray every morning that I don't have to use my gun today, and thank God every night that I didn't have to.

And yes, my wife is quite prepared as well. We have code words that warn of possible issues, words known by us and also a few very close, and armed, friends.

[YuDanJa]

Well, I'm not in a situation where I can keep a weapon by my side at all times in the house loaded and chambered. If I could, I definitely would. Plus, I like to practice reloading, dryfiring, and tap/rack. I'm sure there are others who are in a situation like me for whatever reasons, so I'm trying to get some ideas for rotating rounds.

The concern here is bullet setback. This is when repeated chambering of a round causes the bullet to "setback" within its case. The result is a pressure increase when the round is fired that, if severe enough, can result in a Kaboom.

Yes, Chasbo is right...this is my major concern. If I were unlucky, never discovering that loose bullet described in my OP, something terrible could've happened.

[LFS]

I normally store my carry gun and HD guns in a pistol safe. When I take off my carry gun, it stays in the holster and goes into the safe that way. When I do unload it for dry fire practice or rang practice, I always make sure the chambered round is not put back on the top of the magazine and I check it for bullet setback. On top of that, I change magazines.

[Diomed]

I'm with the "don't constantly load and unload it" camp. The more you fiddle with the gun, the more the chances you have for something to happen that you don't want to happen. Speaking of undesirable possibilities...

Plus, I like to practice reloading, dryfiring, and tap/rack.

Don't use live ammo for that. Use dummies and snap caps, that's what they're for.

[Jim]

.....I totally agree with you that this doesn't make us paranoid, it makes us prepared. I'm not planning on my house burning, but I have fire extinguishers around.
Now, THAT'S a SMART MAN.
I pray every morning that I don't have to use my gun today, and thank God every night that I didn't have to.
I'm right there with ya', brother.

And yes, my wife is quite prepared as well. We have code words that warn of possible issues, words known by us and also a few very close, and armed, friends.

[zephyp]

Yep, bullet setback is an issue with rechambering your carry ammo and cause pressure issues with some cartridges...I leave all of my carry and HD guns, locked, loaded and at the ready 24/7.

[YuDanJa]

I'm with the "don't constantly load and unload it" camp. The more you fiddle with the gun, the more the chances you have for something to happen that you don't want to happen. Speaking of undesirable possibilities...

Plus, I like to practice reloading, dryfiring, and tap/rack.

Don't use live ammo for that. Use dummies and snap caps, that's what they're for.

Everyone does make very good points about keeping it loaded and leaving it alone. However, like any type of skill, I'm a firm believer of "practice makes perfect". I don't get to hit the range every night (and can't afford it). And, as I mentioned earlier, I'm not in a situation where I can leave it loaded at all times.
Don't worry...I do not practice "dryfiring" with live ammo. I do use snap caps for tap/rack practice.

[gunderwood]

I'm with the "don't constantly load and unload it" camp. The more you fiddle with the gun, the more the chances you have for something to happen that you don't want to happen. Speaking of undesirable possibilities...

Plus, I like to practice reloading, dryfiring, and tap/rack.

Don't use live ammo for that. Use dummies and snap caps, that's what they're for.

Everyone does make very good points about keeping it loaded and leaving it alone. However, like any type of skill, I'm a firm believer of "practice makes perfect". I don't get to hit the range every night (and can't afford it). And, as I mentioned earlier, I'm not in a situation where I can leave it loaded at all times.
Don't worry...I do not practice "dryfiring" with live ammo. I do use snap caps for tap/rack practice.

I leave my loaded as much as possible. Granted, I don't have kids, but when I do have people over I secure all loaded or unloaded firearms except those I am carrying. YuDanJa, I'd recommend that find a way to secure the loaded gun when you don't have it on you instead of contantly loading/unloading it. There are lots of cheap gun boxes which are designed for this. The intent is not to secure the firearm from theft, but rather to secure it from accidental possession. I'd recomend you only store one gun per divided container and nothing besides guns in these. A loaded gun that is properly stored is not an issue, but I'd would not want other loose things in the box just in case it got knocked over or something. Putting the loaded gun in your holster and then putting it in the box is even better.

If it is your kids you are worried about, I'd recommend you train them (depending on age, it is not a replacement for a secured container). There is no better solution to firearm safety than proper training. Adults are not inherently safe with firearms either. Try teaching someone who is new to guns how to shoot and they will break every rule in the book twice over. Only extensive and proper training can instill good gun handling skills into anyone; adults or children.

As a side note, lots of people who only ever visit a range are not use to seeing guns handled. They get antsy over "field" use of a firearm. Little things like walking around with a loaded rifle or handgun, etc. Nothing unsafe, but they are not use to handling them. If you have done tactical, pratical shooting or hunting, you learn these things. The best example I can think of is CC. People who only ever visit the range tend to be "concerned" over the carry of a loaded gun. You can observe all gun safety rules, but be confident and fluid with your carry/practice/checking of your guns. I am a big believer in handling your firearms. I check the states of my HD guns nearly everytime I leave the house. The idea that I handle a loaded gun or even move it scares the living daylights out of some people. Never mind that I had a good hold of it, finger was not on the trigger, safties, if applicable, were on and I never pointed it towards anyone...

When handling other peoples guns, I revert back to a less confident posture and allow them to explain the operations. Even models I've shot many times have differences or the owner has done modifications. At the very least, I can not attest to the functional state of the firearm. I.e. for all I know the trigger could be busted or something else is broke.

[YuDanJa]

Okay… it seems things have gotten a little off the point of my original posting. Again, I appreciate everyone’s input on why the gun should stay loaded and their share of philosophies of handling, carrying, securing, and storing weapons, but… with all respect, my question was geared toward those who carry and handle their weapons frequently for practice like I do.
I apologize if I had mislead anyone to thinking I was asking for help or suggestions in how to set up home defense or carry, but that is not the case. Please accept the fact…I do what I do (for reasons right or wrong; doesn’t matter). I empty the chamber when I get home, so I can handle the weapon and practice with it. I empty the chamber at the range, too, and load it with FMJ target ammo. This may not be the best practice according to many of the recent posts, but…I know I’m not alone in this. I know others do exactly what I do, too.
So, for those who constantly empty their chamber for whatever reasons and have a concern of “bullet setbacks”, I ask for simple solutions that aren’t so tedious to track.
Thanks!

BTW, I do keep the firearm(s) loaded when I'm not practicing with it