Posted: 11/7/2009 6:19:34 AM EDT
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I have a 1911 (Kimber) that I use for home defense and have a couple of basic questions that I was hoping someone would have some insight on:
1. Is there any reason that I wouldn't want to keep a round chambered? 2. How long can I keep the clip loaded (other than the chambered round) before it damages the spring? In other words, how often should I rotate the clips? 3. Once a round is chambered, I can clear it by dropping the clip and racking it again, right? Thanks guys! |
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I have a 1911 (Kimber) that I use for home defense and have a couple of basic questions that I was hoping someone would have some insight on: 1. Is there any reason that I wouldn't want to keep a round chambered? 2. How long can I keep the clip loaded (other than the chambered round) before it damages the spring? In other words, how often should I rotate the clips? 3. Once a round is chambered, I can clear it by dropping the clip and racking it again, right? Thanks guys! IN before the SS. 
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I have a 1911 (Kimber) that I use for home defense and have a couple of basic questions that I was hoping someone would have some insight on: 1. Is there any reason that I wouldn't want to keep a round chambered? 2. How long can I keep the clip loaded (other than the chambered round) before it damages the spring? In other words, how often should I rotate the clips? 3. Once a round is chambered, I can clear it by dropping the clip and racking it again, right? Thanks guys! 1. That is a personal decision. I keep mine with the chamber empty. 2. The MAGAZINE can be left loaded for a long time (years) before any change will take place. Modern springs are really good. They a German submachine gun a few years ago that had sat with a loaded magazine since WWII and the spring was still serviceable. 3. Yes |
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Springs do not wear from staying in one position, whether it be compressed or relaxed. PERIOD.
Metal fatigue that affects springs comes from repetitive motion. Chances are, you will NEVER wear out the springs in your magazines, unless you shoot massive amounts of ammo every year. Leave your magazines loaded with confidence. |
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Quoted: I have a 1911 (Kimber) that I use for home defense and have a couple of basic questions that I was hoping someone would have some insight on: 1. Is there any reason that I wouldn't want to keep a round chambered? 2. How long can I keep the clip loaded (other than the chambered round) before it damages the spring? In other words, how often should I rotate the clips? 3. Once a round is chambered, I can clear it by dropping the clip and racking it again, right? Thanks guys! 1. Depends on your feelings with a round in the chamber, for me it's always round in the chamber unless it's for long term storage. Then it's empty everything. 2. You can keep a magazine loaded for years without issue, springs lose their spring when used not when it's compressed. btw, clip and magazine is not a word you can interchange. The guys will jump on your for that. just an fyi. 3. Correct. 4. Just remember the always always never never rule about a gun and gun safety. If you remember and follow those rules, you will have lots of fun and stay safe. |
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in addition to the above advice, I would strongly suggest you get a lot of training on the 1911 platform.
it's not a point and click type of firearm. especially in cocked and lock status. if you are not going to take a lot of training (a good idea regardless) I would suggest keeping the gun in condition 3, loaded magazine in the gun, empty chamber, hammer down. (again, make damn sure that the gun is empty before you drop the hammer) then insert the magazine (not clip). a 1911 is nothing to play around with, neither is any gun really, but if you fuck up with a 1911 it WILL BITE YOU. |
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At home I keep mine condition 1(full mag, nothing in the chamber). Out and about, condition 0(one in the chamber, hammer back, safety on). Condition 1 is a loaded magazine inserted, a round in the chamber and the safety engaged. Condition 0 is a loaded magazine inserted, a round in the chamber and the safety disengaged. ETA: Here are the conditions of a 1911 (and similar single action autos) Condition 0 - A round is in the chamber, hammer is cocked, and the safety is off. Condition 1 - Also known as "cocked and locked," means a round is in the chamber, the hammer is cocked, and the manual thumb safety on the side of the frame is applied. Condition 2 - A round is in the chamber and the hammer is down. Condition 3 - The chamber is empty and hammer is down with a charged magazine in the gun. Condition 4 - The chamber is empty, hammer is down and no magazine is in the gun. |
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At home I keep mine condition 1(full mag, nothing in the chamber). Out and about, condition 0(one in the chamber, hammer back, safety on). Condition 1 is a loaded magazine inserted, a round in the chamber and the safety engaged. Condition 0 is a loaded magazine inserted, a round in the chamber and the safety disengaged. Yeah I just checked, I keep it condition 1 and 3 |
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At home I keep mine condition 1(full mag, nothing in the chamber). Out and about, condition 0(one in the chamber, hammer back, safety on). Condition 1 is a loaded magazine inserted, a round in the chamber and the safety engaged. Condition 0 is a loaded magazine inserted, a round in the chamber and the safety disengaged. Yeah I just checked, I keep it condition 1 and 3 
My 1911 (Springfield EMP) is in the nightstand in Condition 1. I even Barney Fief it so that I have a fully loaded magazine AND a round in the chamber. |
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My home defense 1911's all have full magazines and one chambered, that's how they were designed to be carried.
But it's your personal preface. I do not have any children running around that I need to worry about, (they would either have to be well trained around firearms or I would consider something different.) I have several magazines that are loaded and have been sitting around for well over several years and I have no concerns about their functionality. Your Kimber owners manual will explain how to unload your weapon but yes you are correct, after removing the magazine you rack the slide to clear the chambered round (all while pointing the muzzle in a safe direction.) |
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i carry a SA1911 compact and carry in condition one. when i get home it goes in its hidey place and stays in condition one. Accidents happen when people fiddle with loading and unloading them too much. just my opinion  Hmmm, thats an interesting point I never thought of. |
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Quoted: I have a 1911 (Kimber) that I use for home defense and have a couple of basic questions that I was hoping someone would have some insight on: 1. Is there any reason that I wouldn't want to keep a round chambered? 2. How long can I keep the clip loaded (other than the chambered round) before it damages the spring? In other words, how often should I rotate the clips? 3. Once a round is chambered, I can clear it by dropping the clip and racking it again, right? Thanks guys! ok, first things first, knowing the difference will serve you well on here....  Keep a round chambered, it won't hurt it at all, it's designed to be carried that way, it's called Condition 1 with a round chambered and the hammer cocked. It will not hurt your springs, springs wear out from compressing and expanding over and over, not being expanded or under compression for long periods of time... Dropping the mag and racking the slide is the only way to unload it other than shooting it... Just go mag drop verse then slide rack, not the other way around.... I have a Kimber TLE that has had a round in the chamber for over a month now, doesn't hurt them at all.... |
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With all due respect, from what/how you asked, you need to get a substantial amount of training BEFORE using ANY gun for home defense especially a 1911.
I realize that everyone starts somewhere in their knowledge of firearms. Reading between the lines you've written, you're more likely to be a danger to yourself with a gun than the unlikely event of criminal behavior comming your way. GET EDUCATED, in person, from competant teachers (not joe blow the gun expert) and PRACTICE. |
At first, you said "clip" and I was all like: Then you said "magazine" and I was all like:  1. No. Condition One* is why the 1911 is still a viable, and often superior, self defense choice nearly 100 years on. 2. In my experience, years. 3. Yes. * Condition Zero: A round chambered, full magazine in place, hammer cocked, safety off. Condition One: A round chambered, full magazine in place, hammer cocked, safety on. Condition Two: A round chambered, full magazine in place, hammer down. Condition Three: Chamber empty, full magazine in place, hammer down. Condition Four: Chamber empty, no magazine, hammer down. |
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I have a 1911 (Kimber) that I use for home defense and have a couple of basic questions that I was hoping someone would have some insight on: 1. Is there any reason that I wouldn't want to keep a round chambered? If perhaps the weapon is in a place where kids could get to it. Generally, however, I would encourage you to keep the weapon on your person as much as possible. I carry in a holster even when I'm at home. A 1911 can be safely carried with a chambered round. That's how I left my 1911 when it was my primary handgun. 2. How long can I keep the clip loaded (other than the chambered round) before it damages the spring? In other words, how often should I rotate the clips? Depends on the magazines themselves. Wilson 8 round magazines are very popular for 1911's...but they are also notorious for springs that take a set easily. When I carried the 1911 as my primary I swapped out my mag springs (I used Wilson 8 rounders) every six months, and I never kept mags loaded except the mags I used for daily carry. 3. Once a round is chambered, I can clear it by dropping the clip and racking it again, right? Yes, eject the magazine then rack the slide to eject the round. Remain aware of where your muzzle is pointed during this process and ensure that your finger stays off the trigger. |
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Quoted: I have a 1911 (Kimber) that I use for home defense and have a couple of basic questions that I was hoping someone would have some insight on: 1. Is there any reason that I wouldn't want to keep a round chambered? No. Always keep it condition one if you plan to use it! 2. How long can I keep the MAGAZINE loaded (other than the chambered round) before it damages the spring? In other words, how often should I rotate the MAGAZINES? You don't need to worry about that. Keeping a magazine loaded does not damage the springs. 3. Once a round is chambered, I can clear it by dropping the MAGAZINE and racking it [the slide] again, right? Correct. Thanks guys! |