If 1 in Chamber, reuse round how many times?

[billv]

This is not about if you carry one in the chamber. If you don't move on.

If you do carry one in the chamber, you sometimes have to remove the round for cleaning, dry or live fire with practice ammo or other reasons.

How many times do you reuse the round before you replace it with another?

I have heard that the ejector can damage the rim. I don't want to have a damaged rim, have to use the weapon and then have the brass not eject and be left with a rock for a weapon.

Thanks,

 

[ClearSightTactical]

That's a damn good question. My weapon remains loaded 6 days a week, unloaded once for range day. I unload all of my mags so I'm not sure how many times my carry round has been used, where I'm emptying out my HP's and they get mixed up I'd say its safe to say they're used at random alot of the time.

 

[Treo]

When I unload my SD magazines I rotate the top round to the bottom. I also shoot my SD ammo every 6 months and replace it

 

[NavyLCDR]

Inspect the round for damage and bullet setback. If there are no signs of damage or bullet setback, it should be good to go. I've probably loaded the same round now at least 50 times. I carry full magazine +1, so on range or cleaning days the full mag gets removed, the round in the chamber gets removed. When loading up, the extra round goes in the chamber and the full magazine in behind it.

If I did notice bullet setback, I would give it a couple taps in a kinetic bullet puller and then run it back through the bullet seating and crimping dies to reset everything.

 

[S&WM&P40]

Inspect the round for damage and bullet setback. If there are no signs of damage or bullet setback, it should be good to go. I've probably loaded the same round now at least 50 times. I carry full magazine +1, so on range or cleaning days the full mag gets removed, the round in the chamber gets removed. When loading up, the extra round goes in the chamber and the full magazine in behind it.

If I did notice bullet setback, I would give it a couple taps in a kinetic bullet puller and then run it back through the bullet seating and crimping dies to reset everything.

+1 on that. That's about how I do it as well. It's really left up to your own jugement as to when you should stop using the said round. If you can see that it's starting to get dings in it then it's time to replace it.

 

[Itstjs]

Ive never had an issue with a damaged rim, I use the same round in the chamber every time I go out. Never had an issue. You should be fine if you use the same round. Although, you should visually inspect your rounds on a regular basis.

 

[Naybor]

I use it until it's shot.

Really, think about it. It's not being hurt by just sitting there in the chamber. Handling it does not hurt it.

I unload all of my self defense ammo and load with target/range loads every time I go to a shooting session. Then I load up the original SD ammo to carry. I DO shoot all of the clip and use fresh SD ammo about every three months or so.

I've never had a problem doing that.

 

[Tango Victor]

The extractor is not likely to cause any significant damage to the case rim. I have cases I have reloaded many times and they eject just fine. As previously mentioned bullet set back is the bigger concern. The force of the bullet sliding up the feed ramp and into the chamber can cause bullet set back. Bullet set back can dramatically increase pressure. As stated earlier it's a good idea to rotate the cartidges in the magazine so the same one is not chambered every time. Set back can be checked with a dial caliper if there is any doubt. Simply compare the OAL of the round in question with a known good round.

 

[Mobuck]

I usually shoot my carry gun about once a month-by that I mean I shoot the round in the chamber at something. That may be the only shot fired or maybe more. If I plan to shoot several rounds, I'll drop the mag and put in a mag of practice ammo but fire the chambered round rather than ejecting it. I seldom unload the chamber once loaded except by firing it.

 

[Tackleberry561]

As a rule of thumb I will always load my mags with the practice ammo and leave the Personal defense round in the chamber. I will shoot this one first and note the (first shot placement of the defense round)..,.This is going to be the first shot that is deployed at the BG. I know there is minimal difference between practice and defense ammo(as far as POI) but its just good to know.

 

[Fitch]

Couple of things:

I load the chamber by racking the slide and loading the top round from the magazine. Then I add one to the magazine in the G26, I don't add a replacement to the magazine when I'm carrying the G19.

It is tempting to slip the round in the chamber and let the slide close on it. Bad idea for two reasons: First, the extractor can be damaged being slammed over the rim of the round which doesn't happen when the round is stripped from the magazine. Second, the cartridge rim can be damaged by the extractor to the point where it won't extract.

When to stop chambering a particular round? When it is damaged or shows any sign of getting shorter from being repeatedly pushed into the feed ramp. I don't clear and reload my carry gun very often. For example I don't do it daily. I go to the range for IDPA practice once a week, sometimes more often, when the weather allows it. Between practice sessions the round in the chamber may get rechambered once, when I clean the gun.

I check the length of the cartridge that will be chambered before I put it in the magazine, and look for damage to the bullet nose. I shoot all my carry ammo once a year and replace it - not sure why other than to be sure the gun still cycles it. So far I've never had to set aside a round that was loaded in the chamber because of either damage or looking like it might have gotten shorter.

That doesn't mean it can't happen, it can, and I watch for it, but it hasn't happened to any ammo I've loaded in my Glocks.

Fitch

 

[thebrez1]

Interesting info. I had been wondering this my self. I fly every week and always take my semi auto. That's twice each trip on when I leave and one when I come back plus the reload when I arrive. Clean lint out every week and inspect so the top two rounds get rotated into the top of the mag several times a week. I have looked at them and can not see any damage and length appear to be the same as other rounds. I do always load from the mag and then remove the mag and add another round (aways the same two rounds getting rotated). I have heard of extractor damage from just putting one in the pipe and letting the slide go.

Anyone else empty/reload a semi this often? If so, how often do YOU change out the rounds??

 

[Rocketgeezer]

As a rule of thumb I will always load my mags with the practice ammo and leave the Personal defense round in the chamber. I will shoot this one first and note the (first shot placement of the defense round)..,.This is going to be the first shot that is deployed at the BG. I know there is minimal difference between practice and defense ammo(as far as POI) but its just good to know.

Glad to see I'm not the only one who does that