45acp 1911

[the lone gunman]

I have a colt 1911 that I keep in my bedroom,, Is it alright to have a full clip in and the slide locked back for extended periods of time?

[Mikey]

No!  Do not leave the slide locked back.  Return the slide to battery so the recoil spring is not compressed - of all the springs in a 1911 the recoil spring is the one that requires replacement most often. 

The magazine may remain loaded for extended periods of time but this is not a great or even good practice.  There are instances of finding magazines that have been fully loaded for years and they have worked perfectly but there are also instances of them not working perfectly after being loaded for extended periods of time. 

You can leave your 1911 loaded, chambered and set on half cock if it is just sitting in a bedroom drawer - do not leave the hammer down on a live round in the chamber.  You can leave your magazine loaded during that time but I recommend shooting the pistol and that magazine at least once every six months.  Actually, I would like to see you get out with that 45 at least once a month.  JMTCW.  Mikey.

[Savage]

+1 on what Mikey said! Not to mention all the foreign matter that might collect in the open action. There is also the possibility of a feed failure when chambering the first round by hand. Any defensive weapon should be chambered and ready to rock!!
Savage

[the lone gunman]

Thanks guys,

[1911crazy]

This is why i went with the CZ82 in 9mm mak.  Its a double action on the first shot so there's no need to have it open or cocked and locked.  My point is my 1911's are safe sleeping...

[Lloyd Smale]

i keep mine in the bed stand with 5 rounds in the mag and the slide and hammer down on an empty chamber. Figured that it would be harder for someone like a grandkid to shoot it accidently and its the same way I carry the one in my truck so ive trained to grab it and rack it and do it automaticaly. I keep the mag with only 5 in it and a spare mag loaded the same. I doubt if your every going to even get 5 rounds off inside your home.

[John R.]

Lloyd what's the purpose of only 5 rounds? Magazines can be left loaded for indefinite periods of time without malfunctions. If worried about that why not download a Wilson 8 rounder to 7? For what it's worth, I use Wilson 8 rounders with eight in them and the chamber empty, unless I'm carrying then it's 8 in the mag, one in the chamber, cocked and locked!!!