How many magazines per EBR (AR, AK, FAL, M1A...) do you feel you need to have as the bare minimum? Let's say you lived in one of the freedom-challenged states like Kali where getting decent new ones is difficult. How many would you own per rifle?
EBR's - how many magazines?
- Thread starter dave3006
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I like to go with ten or more. With the common rifles, mags are affordable enough that that isn't that much of a financial challenge. I've got ten packs of used mil-spec AR mags on my website for $120.
Plus under heavy use you are going to start damaging magazines, and that way you still have plenty on hand.
My comp AK started out with 10 mags, and I'm now down to 7. Contrary to internet belief, you can damage an AK mag.
Gotta go get me another pack of mags.
Plus under heavy use you are going to start damaging magazines, and that way you still have plenty on hand.
My comp AK started out with 10 mags, and I'm now down to 7. Contrary to internet belief, you can damage an AK mag.
Gotta go get me another pack of mags.BryanP
Member
Now that AR mags are so affordable there's no excuse not to load up. I need to pick up some more mags for my AK and my AR.
I have 20 new-in-wrar Steyr and FN mags for the STG 58. I have a handful of used mags as well, but I don't trust them since the reason the gun didn't run right when I first got it was due to a bad used mag. I should try out the other used mags for functioning eventually, but right now the new ones work great and are still cheap.
I have 9 AK 74 mags for my SAR 2. I need to pick up at least one more 4 pack, if not two. I'll also get one or two more 10 round mags, as they don't stick out as much and are better for some uses.
I have a whole bucn of M-1 Garand clips. About 40 or 50 or so loose clips. I also have several hundred rounds of clipped LC .30-'06. I'm not actively buying clips, but I collect them by the ones at twos at Camp Perry, etc.
I only have four M-1 Carbine mags for my two carbines, but I'm going to order more soon.
Mags break and wear out and availability is not guaranteed for the future. I'll probably buy more FAL mags while their cheap and more AK 74 mags.
I even collect mags for rifles I don't yet own. I have three M-14 mags that I got a good deal on, and I'm hunting for deals on more. I have 2 M-16 20 round mags and six or seven AK-47 mags. I'll probably order more AK 47 mags while they are cheap and readily available, even though I don't know when I'll buy a 7.62 AK to go with my 5.45 gun.
I'm not a SHTF type of guy, but I see the possibility of mag scarcity in the future if surplus imports are banned or anything else happens, so I'm trying to get myself set up while I can.
I have 9 AK 74 mags for my SAR 2. I need to pick up at least one more 4 pack, if not two. I'll also get one or two more 10 round mags, as they don't stick out as much and are better for some uses.
I have a whole bucn of M-1 Garand clips. About 40 or 50 or so loose clips. I also have several hundred rounds of clipped LC .30-'06. I'm not actively buying clips, but I collect them by the ones at twos at Camp Perry, etc.
I only have four M-1 Carbine mags for my two carbines, but I'm going to order more soon.
Mags break and wear out and availability is not guaranteed for the future. I'll probably buy more FAL mags while their cheap and more AK 74 mags.
I even collect mags for rifles I don't yet own. I have three M-14 mags that I got a good deal on, and I'm hunting for deals on more. I have 2 M-16 20 round mags and six or seven AK-47 mags. I'll probably order more AK 47 mags while they are cheap and readily available, even though I don't know when I'll buy a 7.62 AK to go with my 5.45 gun.
I'm not a SHTF type of guy, but I see the possibility of mag scarcity in the future if surplus imports are banned or anything else happens, so I'm trying to get myself set up while I can.
MagnumCaliber357
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- Jul 20, 2004
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- 305
Always keep a reserve of them, stuff hits the fan...... there wont be any around. THIS is a perfect example. I was in my friends izuzu trooper and he has a wet cell battery. He desperatly needed some distilled water fast to put in his battery (minerals in drinking water isnt too good for it) and we drove to pathmark, walmart, a+p, pepboys and none of them had any distilled water. WHY....apparently parts of my area had floods, so masses of people went out and killed the local supplies of distilled water. We ended up calling people and found someone who had some. But lesson learned, anything you think you might need ......get extra and store it somewhere, better safe then sorry.
natedog
Member
Exactly 74.623 magazines.
itgoesboom
member
The only EBR that I have is a CETME (SKS doesn't really count), and it accepts G3 mags (after a little tinkering), so I was able to stock up on used mags during the AWB. I bought almost 50 of them for under $2 each (no that isn't a type, less than two dollars each). And most of them were in very good condition, some were like new.
After fitting and testing, I have about 45 20rnd magazines that work right. 6 of them I have painted to match the camo pattern of my rifle.
I am probably going to pick up a few extra springs and followers, just in case.
I.G.B.
After fitting and testing, I have about 45 20rnd magazines that work right. 6 of them I have painted to match the camo pattern of my rifle.
I am probably going to pick up a few extra springs and followers, just in case.
I.G.B.
beerslurpy
member
I keep 2-300 rounds worth of AK mags loaded, mostly 40 rders. I am keeping an eye out for chinese drums at the moment.
I think 20 for each rifle is sufficient. I probably have 300 20 and 30 round mags for my ARs (I have 6 ARs) and 25 for my FAL and 20 for my M1A.
Jeff
Jeff
Thrash1982
Member
I have 22 for my FAL and 11 for my AR (4 mil spec, 1 SA80 and 6 Orlite). One of these days I need to get some more for the AR and for my Beretta 96
Lord Bodak
Member
I have the SKS, so none. But 200 rounds always loaded on stripper clips and in a chest pouch, with an extra 100 stripper clips in a box. I should probably buy another 100 to be safe, since they're pretty cheap at the moment.
Feanaro
Member
I guess I'm screwed when the Commies invade, I think six is good 'nuf. I have eight for my CETME but that includes the(IMO) crappy mags that came with it.
I have eight for my CETME but that includes the(IMO) crappy mags that came with it.itgoesboom
member
feanaro,
I will take those crappy CETME mags off your hands
I.G.B.
I will take those crappy CETME mags off your hands
I.G.B.
Bartholomew Roberts
Member
Determine a basic load for your needs and then double that number. That is about how many magazines per rifle you should have (assuming you guessed the first number correctly).
Think of 7 as being the "standard" load*. If you're planning on fighting off zombie mutant ninja bear hordes, and have a vehicle, 15 might be a decent number to "load out".
I think at least 10 mags should be had. If you're doing a lot of shooting, buy a few extra beater mags.
*Understanding that infantry's job is to "sneak and peek", not really close with and destroy. If you are acting on your own or with a friend or two, understand you will have even fewer resources than a military squad with support weapons, and arty and air on call, so E & E is the game, if at all possible.
John
I think at least 10 mags should be had. If you're doing a lot of shooting, buy a few extra beater mags.
*Understanding that infantry's job is to "sneak and peek", not really close with and destroy. If you are acting on your own or with a friend or two, understand you will have even fewer resources than a military squad with support weapons, and arty and air on call, so E & E is the game, if at all possible.
John
i liked that, anticipate your needs and double them...that's how i arrived at 20 mags per rifle. in CA, i'm now limited to stripper clips for my SKS
RevDisk
Member
Minimum 10. A basic load would be seven magazines. Three spares, just in case. If you can afford it, go with 20. Rotate magazines if you feel the desire to keep a number of them loaded all the time.
Matthew748
Member
I just took an inventory count and have 8 FAL magazines, 7 M1A magaines, 5 AR15 magazines, and a dozen enbloc Garand clips. It looks like I am kind of lacking in this department. There are two gun shows coming up so I will see if I can remedy the situation.
Bwana John
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- Sep 10, 2004
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- 2,960
~20 mags (tested!)for each rifle, plus a equal ammount of ammo in bandoleers and stripper clips, with mag chargers.
You only need what you can physically carry and manuever with. So grab your rifle and gear and start doing wind sprints from tree to tree or building to building. You will quickly decide how many magazines are sufficient.
As a side note, unless you are wearing Class IV body armor and a helmet, you probably won't be using more than one mag.
As a side note, unless you are wearing Class IV body armor and a helmet, you probably won't be using more than one mag.
Ohen Cepel
Member
Hmmm, how many fill up a foot locker ?
Really though, if you're shooting a lot and are hard on your gear I think 20 is good. However, 10 would be fine if it's not being used much and you're sure that they all work.
Good time to buy now since I don't think you could begin to make some of the mags (G3 comes to mind) for the price they are selling for now. They can't get much cheaper.
?Really though, if you're shooting a lot and are hard on your gear I think 20 is good. However, 10 would be fine if it's not being used much and you're sure that they all work.
Good time to buy now since I don't think you could begin to make some of the mags (G3 comes to mind) for the price they are selling for now. They can't get much cheaper.
My rule of thumb is to have enough on hand to last the rest of your life in case you suddenly can't get any more. I kept an eye out for sales and would head out and stock up when the price was right. Easier to foot the bill back in the day, I tell you, than during the ban. Now prices have plunged. Stock up, boys.
OK, how many body parts did I mention in that last part?
Seriously, I would want 10 mags as a minimum. Last time I looked I had something like 600 magazines for my various semi-auto firearms. Some are ridiculous, like about 100 for the FAL, while the Luger is more a keepsake and I only have the one original mag that came with it.
OK, how many body parts did I mention in that last part?
Seriously, I would want 10 mags as a minimum. Last time I looked I had something like 600 magazines for my various semi-auto firearms. Some are ridiculous, like about 100 for the FAL, while the Luger is more a keepsake and I only have the one original mag that came with it.
Zach S
Member
I prefer to have at least ten. I have a dozen or more for my AR (two 20s, the rest 30s), and I think eight for my thompson (again, two 20s, the rest 30s).
Good point, but some people move faster when their life depends on it.
Depends on the situation. War? Yeah, a helmet and armor would definately come in handy. Zombies? Just extra weight.
Chris Rhines
Member
I have two AR-15s.
In total, I have around 30 AR magazines.
Six are my competition/working mags - they've been refinished, numbered, and fitted with ISMI springs and Magpul followers (highly recommended!)
Four are Colt 20-rounders with the old metal followers.
All the rest are used USGI 30-rounders. I use those for practice.
- Chris
In total, I have around 30 AR magazines.
Six are my competition/working mags - they've been refinished, numbered, and fitted with ISMI springs and Magpul followers (highly recommended!)
Four are Colt 20-rounders with the old metal followers.
All the rest are used USGI 30-rounders. I use those for practice.
- Chris
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