Reload practices in the field without slide lock

[browningautorifle]

Even having been under fire before, there's no guarantee you will always keep your head

That's the part that always bothered me.

The decision not to incorporate the hold open in the follower is a given

They did later do rebuilds of 15 rd mags with the open back followers (hold open) installed. I still consider a hold open more like the FN or M14 have, M16...so you replace the mag and snap the action shut. The one for the M1 carbine is more like a warning that you're out, so try something else.

Of the recovered weapons, a staggering # were found to be loaded

I'd heard this before. It shows men can't feel recoil, even heavy recoil of those muskets under stress. Guess they just forgot the alcan cap. imagine remembering after several ball/charges were loaded?