It does'nt say where you have to have the 9 rds, just no more. Put them all in the mag if you have to start w/ empty chamber. Everyone at the major matches & nat.'s do this.
With the simmions 1.5x5 on 1.5 you can leave both eyes open & see everything up close like a C-more. Just put the diamond in the middle & jerk the hell out of the trigger.
Most uf us tactical class shooters all use the high rider so as not to have to use a riser on the flat top. If you are only shooting matches don'nt worry about irons because if your scope breaks, just put on your back up scope for the next stage.