How many mags per gun is enough?

[Deer_Freak]

I have a couple magazine cases for my belt. The only magazine that wont fit in any of them is my 32 round magazine for my Ruger P-95. The 10/15/17 round magazines work very well. I found all my magazine cases on ebay for $10 or less.

 

[David E]

If they're what I'm thinking of, those mag pouches are unsuitable for competition or concealed carry. Hiking, hunting or camping or casual range use, ok.

 

[TreeDoc]

2 or 3, used to pick up one here or there used at a good price. Probably have 10 mags for the glocks and 5 for the Mark II. Multiple mags make range time more enjoyable.

 

[Girodin]

What is the general rule of thumb when there's a 16 round capacity? I'm looking for daily (I would say one in gun and two spare) and SHTF. (No idea) All opinions are welcome.

I don't know if there is a general rule of thumb or not. Daily, I tend to carry one spare mag in mag pouch on my belt (currently I use RCS one's for most of my guns). Occasionally I will use a double mag pouch. My spare mags hold 17 rounds. I like to have the mag as much for simply having another magazine available as for having more rounds.

For SHTF I figure I might well have my chest rig and/or plate carrier. This would be in addition to belt carried mags which is either 3 mags my single and double pouch or a sonny rig which carries two pistol and two rifle mags on the belt. In a pinch, I might use some combination of the sonny rig and other pistol mags. The chest rig I'm using holds four pistol mags if I only put mags in the other pouches (other things I might put there include multi tool, flashlight (although these days I'm carrying one else where), etc. My plate carrier similarly is set up to hold 4-5 pistol mags. I'm sure if I really tried I could put more on but for now I'm content with the current pistol mag load in relation to the other things on it.

So in short I'd likely have at least 4-6, and maybe more, pistol mags in addition to the one in the gun. That is 119 rounds. My chest rig (or plate carry) and belt set up allow for 7-10 rifle mags as well.

As to how many I like to own for each gun. I like to have at least 1 set of proven mags for a full load out, and one set of training mags for a full load out and a few extras. This often means 10-15. For other guns that serve other roles I still like to have a bunch (I still like having at least ten) but feel more comfortable having fewer one.

 

[hAkron]

One or two really. In most situations where 32 pistol rounds isn't enough, you really should have a rifle, or be on your way to find one.