Loading mags pre match

[Glenn E. Meyer]

Our upcoming match has 8 stages, 4 low round, 4 high round count. Given we are a 10 round state - I figure from the stage descriptions about 18 mags plus a barney mag. That is if you shoot straight 10 rounds before a reload as compared to figuring out where to reload, usually about 8 rounds and reload to try to be reload efficient as you move, etc. Or you screw up and need a mag - like you dropped one, etc.

So, I'm gathering all my 10 round G17 mags of various generations that are Glock and 4 Magpuls. I come up with about 26 mags. I have a slew of ten round Glock mags that I bought when the AWB sunsetted and 10 rounders were dumped really cheap. I bought them for IDPA (had to ditch the higher caps for NYS - sigh, same old rant). All will be loaded with Herter's or WWB. Have some Tula for backup. Tula made a guy mad at me at a match as he was of Ukranian descent. Do YOU know they are Russian? Dude - 1. I am solid Easter European, 1/4 Ukranian. 2. Bought these during an ammo crisis way before the Orange Man's idol invaded Ukraine. He was molified.

Now, I kept two 10 rounders, one with Critical Duty and one with Buffalo Bore Kill 'em a bar before he was 80 (haha!) for each G17 in extremis - even though the G26 is the EDC with a few HP mags at the ready.

I prefer to preload to avoid having to screw around off line. I will take an extra box of 9s anyway. Lately I've been shooting out the 10 rounds if that works as the reload planning isn't my thing. If it's a two mag stage, might due 8 reload depending on configuration. Hopefully, my brain will realize the differene between Virginia and Comstock as I blew a stage as I ignored the mandatory reload. Sigh.

Going to shoot production as my last RDS run was crappy - might be due to lack of practice. I alternate - my EDC is irons. I don't want to screw around looking for the dot or past the dot at the target or for a divine sign in the SRO window, whatever for this match.

[Jim Watson]

I have been preloading magazines for match and practice for a long time.

Mostly IDPA 6 stage, 18 per string maximum. Therefore 12 ESP 10x9mm 1911 magazines plus a spare, plus a Barney, plus one or two loaded with 6 for the occasional downloaded start. Plus a box of ammo in case of reshoot.

I don't have enough 2011 or S&W magazines for a whole USPSA match, but I can load enough for half or more of the usual club shoot and reload at leisure.

I preload for practice so I shoot what I mean to and don't degenerate into casual plinking.

[CraigS]

Same here. For our local idpa matches wife and I both carry 18 loaded mags. The benefit of shooting Beretta 92s for 20+years. When we practice we take 18 mags loaded to 10 only. I usually let her shoot an extra mag or 2 since she only shoots one match per month while I shoot two. Also keeps us from using too much ammo.

[DaBigBR]

I aim to bring 1.5x the number of stages in loaded mags and a box or two of additional ammunition.

For classes, I try to bring 500 rounds in loaded mags (minimum).

All that time others are loading mags, I can be doing something else.

[1911Nut]

I shoot a lot of IDPA matches. Usually, I shoot either CO or ESP division, which both allow for a max of 10 rounds loaded in a mag to start a stage of fire.

Occasionally a stage will require one to start a stage with the magazine in the gun downloaded, usually to 5 or 6 rounds.

For a five stage match, I take 12 preloaded magazines to the match:
One magazine loaded with six rounds in the event a stage calls for a downloaded magazine to begin
One magazine loaded with 11 rounds to be used to start the first stage. At LAMR, chamber the top round in the magazine and holster the pistol
Ten magazines loaded with 10 rounds
Between completing the last stage and beginning the next one, I ensure I have one mag loaded with 11 rounds, followed by the unused mags containing 10 rounds
When notified I am "in the hole" to shoot, perform a final check . . . magazine in my FRONT pocket has 11 rounds, both mags in my belt carriers have 10 rounds. (or 5 or 6 etc.)

After each match, I unload any ammo remaining in any of the magazines, clean and inspect the mags, rotate them out of use and replace them with 12 "fresh" mags loaded as described above.

Repeat

The process varies when I am shooting a single stack 1911 in ESP division that will only hold 10 rounds maximum. This precludes use of starting stages with a magazine with 11 rounds loaded. In that case, I substitute the above mentioned magazine loaded with 11 rounds in favor of a second magazine loaded with 6 rounds, which becomes my "Barney" bullet magazine used to load my pistol for each stage I shoot that day. When I am notified I am "in the hole" to shoot, ensure:
Magazine in my FRONT pants pocket is loaded with maximum (up to 10) allowed number of cartridges allowed in stage description
Both magazines in my belt carrier are loaded with 10 rounds
Magazine in my BACK pants pocket is loaded with at least one cartridge to be used as "Barney" bullet at LAMR