GUNSMARTS: How to Load a +1

When looking at or reading about firearms you’ll often see capacity listed as +1. It’s a way to make the most of your firearm’s capacity and involves a fully loaded magazine with a round inside the chamber of your firearm. In this Smith & Wesson GUNSMARTS video, I address a safe way to top off your pistol.

Steps to Load a +1

1. Find a safe spot to load your pistol with a table or other flat surface you can work from.
2. Load your magazine to its full capacity and set it on your tabletop.
3. Retrieve your unloaded firearm and lock the slide to the rear.
4. Pick up the magazine and load it into your firearm.
5. Press down on the slide release/slide stop or manipulate the slide to the closed position.
6. Press the magazine release button and remove the mag from the grip. You can either keep the magazine in your hand or set it down.
7. Carefully set your firearm down on the table making sure you keep your finger off the trigger.
8. Retrieve the magazine and load a cartridge so that you’re back to full capacity.
9. Carefully pick up your pistol with your strong hand making sure you keep your finger off the trigger.
10. Load your magazine fully into the mag well.

As with any time you’re handling your firearm, keep your finger off the trigger and keep your firearm pointed in a safe direction at all times. If at any time you don’t feel comfortable, just set your firearm and magazine down on your tabletop and review the steps. Check out the other GUNSMARTS videos in this loading series

• How to unload your pistol
• How to load your pistol

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