M3 Factory Mag tube capacity

[kleda01]

Hello,
I just purchased a preban M3 M144xxx serial number. It has the factory fixed,full length tube and I was under the impression that the mag tube held eight rounds but I am only able to load six? Can someone clarify this for me?

Thanks

[jmikesteen]

Are you using 3 inch shells? The M3 holds 7 2 3/4 in the mag 1 on the gate and one in the tube

total 9 2 3/4