Police Officer Preparation & Law Enforcement Resource - Archive

Hi, i live in Iowa and i am wondering if while transporting a handgun the magazines must be unloaded. I know that the gun itself cannot be loaded and has to be in a "securly fastened case, to large to hide on a person." I was just wondering if it was legal to have the magazine loaded but seperate from the gun. My grandpa lived with my family and when he died he left my brother and i several of his guns. A .45 1911 that he had while serving in Korea, 2 lever action 30-30s, a double barrel 12guage shotgun, a 44-40 revolver, a .22 revolver, a remington model 700 rifle, and 2 ruger 10-22s. Since i was not 21 at the time, my older brother took possesion of all of the handguns and now that i am 21 and would like to take the .45 to the range i just want to make sure that i do everything legal. I know that i could just keep the mags unloaded and save the trouble but the range near me is busy all the time and i just thought that it would be better to have them loaded at home and not make others wait behind me while loading them. Thanks for the advice.

If the gun is in a case, in the trunk, I don't see an issue with carrying loaded magazines in the same gun case. (unless you've got a carry permit, then you're good to go with whatever)

As for the range, it only takes a few seconds to load seven rounds into an empty magazine. I don't see doing things either way are going to make that big of a time difference.

Something you might want to think about... have the .45 checked over by a gunsmith. Some of those old 1911s had the reputation of being kind of "loose", meaning hard to hit what you're shooting at. Cheap insurance.

Actually at around 20-25 yards the .45 is accurate enough to hit all 7 shots in a milk jug. Any farther though and i might as well throw the gun at the target. We keep it in very good condition. I break it down and clean it all the time. I priced similer ones on the internet with the same "property of U.S. Army" markings and they are selling for around $2000. Does that seem about right?

Actually at around 20-25 yards the .45 is accurate enough to hit all 7 shots in a milk jug. Any farther though and i might as well throw the gun at the target. We keep it in very good condition. I break it down and clean it all the time. I priced similer ones on the internet with the same "property of U.S. Army" markings and they are selling for around $2000. Does that seem about right?

They weren't the 1911's I shot in the army. I think many were made in WWI, seriously. It's not a matter of keeping them clean and oiled, the guns are so old and have had so many rounds fired through them you can hear the barrel rattle when you shake it.

Even in the Army, I bought my own .45, the issue pistols were horrible.

I wouldn't pay $20 for one, much less $2,000.

If you're talking about keeping loaded 'bullet clips' in your car, I'd say it would be safer/better for you to just load your 'bullet clips' when you get to the range... Nobody is going to buy your reasoning that loading 'bullet clips' at the range is inconvenient or impractical... :rolleyes:

'bullet clips' :rolleyes:








ok, no more... :p

They weren't the 1911's I shot in the army. I think many were made in WWI, seriously. It's not a matter of keeping them clean and oiled, the guns are so old and have had so many rounds fired through them you can hear the barrel rattle when you shake it.

Even in the Army, I bought my own .45, the issue pistols were horrible.

I wouldn't pay $20 for one, much less $2,000.



Yeah, $2000 is waaay to much for an Army issue 1911. I carried one right before the 92s were adopted and I lucked out and drew one that the slide and barrel didn't rattle. It was a rare find.

http://www.usacarry.com/ is an excellent resource.

Considering Iowa is a may issue CCW state... it's probably best to error on the side of caution on this one.

Thanks for the replies. I know Iowa is a may issue state and i also know that my county sheriff has never given a CCW permit unless it was for a professional reason.(guards, bank employees ect.) For that reason i am not even going to apply for one. And the fact that i really dont need to carry around a gun unless im hunting or target shooting.

And the fact that i really dont need to carry around a gun unless im hunting or target shooting.


Or someone tries to rob and kill you. Do yourself a favor and move to VA. You'll love it here. It's a shall issue state.

Iowa Code

483A.36 Manner of conveyance.

Gun Case Law

No person, except as permitted by law, shall have or carry a gun in or on a vehicle on a public highway, unless the gun is taken down or completely contained in a securely fastened case, and its barrels and magazines are unloaded.
A gun may be transported in an automobile without a permit if it is carried:
(1) In a closed and fastened container;
(2) In a securely wrapped package too large to be concealed on a person; or
(3) In a luggage or cargo compartment that is not easily

Iowa Code

483A.36 Manner of conveyance.

Gun Case Law

No person, except as permitted by law, shall have or carry a gun in or on a vehicle on a public highway, unless the gun is taken down or completely contained in a securely fastened case, and its barrels and magazines are unloaded.
A gun may be transported in an automobile without a permit if it is carried:
(1) In a closed and fastened container;
(2) In a securely wrapped package too large to be concealed on a person; or
(3) In a luggage or cargo compartment that is not easily

Thanks for pointing that out. I read that same paragraph, but i must have over looked the last part.

Or someone tries to rob and kill you. Do yourself a favor and move to VA. You'll love it here. It's a shall issue state.

I doubt anyone will try to rob or kill me. I live in Iowa and the local gang is a bunch of 12 year olds with airsoft guns. I am probably more likely to be killed hitting a deer in town than being shot lol. Even the last officer involved shooting around here was over 10 years ago and that guy was shot simultaneously by 2 deputies, a town cop, and a state trooper.

But if i do decide i need a gun at all times ill do just that and move to VA. Thanks for the reply.

I doubt anyone will try to rob or kill me. I live in Iowa and the local gang is a bunch of 12 year olds with airsoft guns. I am probably more likely to be killed hitting a deer in town than being shot lol. Even the last officer involved shooting around here was over 10 years ago and that guy was shot simultaneously by 2 deputies, a town cop, and a state trooper.

But if i do decide i need a gun at all times ill do just that and move to VA. Thanks for the reply.

Sheeple.:o

Sheeple.:o

Well i wouldnt say i was a sheep. I just relize that i usually dont have a need to have a gun with me. Most of my day is spent at work where they have expressly requested that no one bring guns on to their property. I also have a 6 month old daughter and i just feel that having a gun with me or in my car would just aggrivate a situation that could otherwise be defused by verbal means or good swift kick to the junk. :D

Well i wouldnt say i was a sheep. I just relize that i usually dont have a need to have a gun with me. Most of my day is spent at work where they have expressly requested that no one bring guns on to their property. I also have a 6 month old daughter and i just feel that having a gun with me or in my car would just aggrivate a situation that could otherwise be defused by verbal means or good swift kick to the junk. :D

OK, to each their own... but IMHO, you are a Sheeple in denial who won't be able to protect his family when or if the time comes... no, check that... could have, but elected not to.

even if i did decide to carry a gun with me, since my county sheriff does not issue CCW permits i would have to have the gun stored away and unloaded. If i was then attacked i would have to get the gun out and get it loaded and by that time.....on the other hand if someone comes into my house i will simply enter my 4 digit combo into my gun safe in my bedroom and the intruder will come around the corner and be greated by both barrels of my 12ga.

even if i did decide to carry a gun with me, since my county sheriff does not issue CCW permits i would have to have the gun stored away and unloaded. If i was then attacked i would have to get the gun out and get it loaded and by that time.....on the other hand if someone comes into my house i will simply enter my 4 digit combo into my gun safe in my bedroom and the intruder will come around the corner and be greated by both barrels of my 12ga.


Assuming its not a push-in...