How many AR mags per rifle?

[MaterDei]

Many people will say that they think that having 1000 rounds of ammo per rifle is a reasonable amount to have on hand. I tend to agree.

I'm curious about mags, specifically AR mags. How many mags per rifle would you consider prudent? I have 3 ARs and 32 mags. Seems like a lot but not having to load mags at the range is nice. Also, the threat of having some sort of federal ban on mags with higher capacities is never going to go away. Am I crazy thinking that 20 - 30 mags per rifle is prudent?

What say you?

 

[Walkalong]

10, they wear out.

 

[CharlieDeltaJuliet]

Agreed, I always try to keep a "load out" (10 per rifle) for my AR's except my 24". I use 10-20 rounders in it and just haven't bought enough yet (only have 4 for it).

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I have had the same three that were issued to me loaded all the time except when they get used for bi-annual qualifying for 13 or so years. Never had an issue or saw a need for more.

 

[stumpers]

I have 37 mags for two ARs. 20, 20rd Brownell mags and the rest a mix of HK, DH, and others.

I would feel okay with 10 mags total. I can only shoot one gun at a time, wouldn't ever carry more than 6 or 8 mags at a time, and don't shoot more than 200 rounds per range trip.

That said, once prices drop I'm going to buy whenever I have extra cash so during the next panic, I don't panic.

 

[MountainBear]

ten to fifteen per rifle. five twenty rounders, ten thirty rounders...

 

[gotboostvr]

Colt, am I to believe you've only fired your duty weapon 630 times in the past 13 years?

3x30rd mags at 7 biannual qualifications makes for 630 to 639 if you load every mag on a loaded chamber.

Edit:Appologies to ColtPythonElite, I knew I had to have been missing something.

 

[TIMC]

10, they wear out.

That's a pretty good number and about where I would like to be. I have a pile of 20 and 30 rounders for .223 AR's and 20 for my .308 AR's. All are a mix of steel and Pmags. Problem is I have picked up a couple more AR's and it has brought my ratio down. Now I need the panic to end so I can get my mag supply back up to the 10:1 ratio.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

Got,

I believe bi-annual means twice per year.

 

[HOOfan_1]

Ha...I let the panic get to me.

I originally bought 2 30 round Pmags for mine. Then bought a 3rd as well as a couple of D&H Aluminum mags (which I don't like or plan on using). I was given 2 20 round Pmags. Then I ordered two more 30 round Pmags in August knowing Obama would get re-elected.

When the Panic hit, I back-ordered 4 more 30 round Pmags, which I now have, and 2 30 round Gen 3 Pmags, which I am still waiting for.

So I have

9 Gen 2 30 round Pmags
2 Gen 2 20 round Pmags
2 30 round USGI mags
2 Gen 3 30 round Pmags on backorder.

Soon I will have 15 mags for a single rifle, and I will likely only ever used 3-5 of them.

 

[Certaindeaf]

I think a "tactical load-out" is like a bunch.. unless you have a wheelbarrow.

 

[bigdaa]

10 here plus spare springs.

 

[ID-shooting]

In the day, load was 7 mags, one in the rifle, six in the two mag pouches but I am from the Desert Storm era. An 11b buddy of mine who just got tells me that 10, (one in rifle, three mag pouches), is the new norm.

Since I don't own an AR, I think "as many as you can afford" is a good number but Ruger mags are stupid expensive.

 

[Hunterdad]

I have 7 and never had the need for more than 4 at an given time

 

[Ditch-Tiger]

I consider 6 mags per non-primary (handgun or fun rifle) firearm minimum, and 12 the minimum for a primary long gun.
That being said, I have a lot more for my AR's & AK.

 

[yzguy87]

I have a lot. I have 1 AR and one stripped lower. I have 29-30rd mags and 10-20rd mags and I will buy more. Why? Because I could see standard capacity mags out lawed some day. I don't think it will happen anytime soon because there are enough people who don't want their rights taken but America seems to be becoming more liberal in their beliefs. I hope I am wrong but I'd rather be safe than sorry. I may have enough for me but I'd like my children to have the same things I do. If 20 or 30 years down the road unconstitutional laws are passed and my family can no longer buy new products for themselves, I'd like to be able to give them something to enjoy and use for protection.

 

[loose noose]

I have two AR-15s and have 6 30 round mags and 6 20 round mags, now my Mini-14 I've got 6 30 round mags & 3 20 round mags, as well as the 5 round mag it came with. Recently shot the Bushmaster up at Front Sight in Pahrump, NV. and used 6, 20 round mags exclusively with no problems (P-Mags). I've had the 30 round Mags for over 20 years and never had a problem, will I buy more probably, but for now I'm comfortable.

 

[Skylerbone]

I load my own ammo so I prefer having magazines to store that ammo in. Load the magazines, drop them into the ammo cans and forget about them until range day. I still have thousands of loose rounds in cans so I still need more magazines. 20 for every family member you have that might inherit an AR might be a good number.

 

[The_Armed_Therapist]

At least 1 per rifle. After that, n+1. I have about 50 mags, but don't even quite have enough ammo to fill them all. I'm in ammo buying mode, but when I reach the mag limit, I'll get more mags.

It is true, though, that if you ever needed that many mags you'd be on the move and wouldn't be able to carry that many. LOL... So... Maybe I am a little crazy. They'll make good barter chips, though, should the time come.

 

[cfullgraf]

I have ten for my service rifle, eight for the rapid fire stages marked either two or eight, one spare, and one with a single shot follower.

Other than that, I have no idea. I have an adequate supply on hand and before November 2012 would buy a couple when I found a good price.

I like 5 and 10 rounders for use in my long, heavy barrel, "crew served" AR.

 

[Dunkelheit]

10 mags per rifle and 4 mags per handgun.

A lot ammo and a many bullets and primers.

 

[Onward Allusion]

MaterDei
How many AR mags per rifle?

Yup, they wear out. At least a dozen for any single firearm. A couple for the range and the rest for a rainy day. Spare parts, too.

 

[Welding Rod]

I don't really see a relevant link between number of mags (And ammo) and number of ARs.

One man can only pack and use so many guns.

Personally I think the right number is based more on how much shooting a guy does, and how old he is. Number of children might be a consideration for some as well. I buy with the intent of being stocked for my foreseeable lifetime.

I shoot a fair bit, mostly in organized matches, and like to have at least 50 mags on hand, but I don't really see any particular reason to buy more than 100. I don't have a realistic expectation of outliving the service life of my supply at my frequency of use, and I don't buy gun stuff for speculative purposes.

As far ammo, I do reload but it still seems prudent to me to keep at least 5,000 rounds on hand so I can shoot uninterrupted during these shortages, while still keeping 2,0000 or so on hand for contingency use.

 

[fireside44]

20 mags for one go-to rifle. 10 each if you have more than one of the same weapon.

 

[xxjumbojimboxx]

Currently

I do not own an AR15,
I got out of .223 after the panic... Wasnt feasible anymore... still isnt.
But I do have three AK's... Which i love. Ive got well over 10000 rds for them as they used to be cheap, and still kind of are considering... And I always buy a few mags when i see them cheap (usually tapco's cuz they're really cheap) but whenever i can find steel mags under 12 dollars i load up. I've got well over 50 now. Lots of guns, lots of bullets, lots of mags, put them away is my suggestion. Worse comes to worse, another panic breaks out, and you can capitolize on all of the dummies who didnt prepare themselves. Best case scenerio, your ready for anything. I say as much as you can!