A Wake-Up Call...

[sheepherder]

...That I'm getting too old...

I was trouble-shooting a new 1911 clone built up from a Sarco parts kit. Parts all looked good, nice slide, but wouldn't feed - round kept getting stuck between extractor & side of slide relief/bolt face...

Anyway, I opened my safe, pulled out my Colt Gold Cup to check clearances etc. I dropped the magazine and racked the slide & locked it back...Then noticed there was a live round in the magazine...

Just one round. Winchester 230gr FMJ-RN. Brand new. Nothing in the chamber, no other rounds. I opened my ammunition storage desk and looked for a box of Winchester .45 auto...There was one, with 49 rounds in it...Brand new box, all new cartridges...

I have no idea how that one round came to be in the magazine, stored in my safe, in the pistol. I keep my Colt Gold Cup magazine separate from all others, usually in the pistol itself.

I can't even think why I would have left one round in a magazine. I don't 'test' with live rounds, especially brand new ones with a FMJ-RN, which will chamber in practically any 1911 regardless of chamber mouth, ramp, or extractor. No need to trouble-shoot them.

It's a mystery. I went through all my handguns (took a while!) and no other chambered rounds. I don't remember buying the Winchester - I don't shoot FMJ-RN in .45 auto. It must have come from Wal-Mart, but I don't know why I would have bought it.

Mind you, I do keep a loaded handgun within reach in my home. But this wasn't it.

Certainly was a shocker.