How many mag's

[bakert]

Although I like to have extra magazines for the range,I never carry an extra when going out. I watch the places I go and avoid certain areas if at all possible. For a LEO, extra mags make sense but as an average person carrying a concealled weapon I figure 8 rds of .45 ACP or 14 rds of 9MM is going to be ample for my needs at any given time.

 

[TheFrontRange]

I'm working toward having a supply of at least six mags per firearm, preferably more like 10. As for CCW, typically I carry 2 spares backing-up the one in the pistol...if revolver, two speedloaders in reserve. I'm interested in trying speed-strips, also.

For range trips, all the mags go and get a workout, followed by a thorough cleaning along with thier respective firearm.

 

[trickyasafox]

g23 with 13+1 with a spare 13 round with a plus 2 base pad for a total of 29. the mag fits in the holster, and the holster is IWB or SOB. not that it matters, as i can only carry while in the woods, hunting, hiking etc.

 

[Mad Magyar]

There is the "real world" and we have.....

 

[[email protected]]

Four spare magazines on-duty, two spares off-duty. It's just not any harder to wear a gun and two spare magazines than to carry just a gun. Whatever garment covers the gun behind one hip covers the magazine carrier behind the other. To me it just feels better having weight on both sides.
Now that being said, the whole "you'll never need it" argument could just as easily be applied to carrying a gun in the first place. Any malfunction not cured by a tap-rack drill is addressed by forcefully removing the magazine, and if you don't have another, you've got a really short club. Just my $1/50, whatever you carry, be careful and stay safe.

DanO

 

[MCgunner]

So it seems to be pretty common to have multiple loaded mags in the home. But someone mentioned changing them out to keep the spring fresh. So how long is TOO long to keep a mag loaded without firing or unloading it?

I don't worry too much about rotating mags in my carry gun since I'm usually shooting it every month at least. I'll unload 'em at the range and load 'em with my practice loads, then reload with the carry ammo when I'm through. In ten years, they haven't failed, yet.

If by chance I haven't shot the gun for a while, I'll unload it and let it sit for a few days while I carry my revolver. I just don't like them sitting up too long, have had mags "take a set" when loaded for a long time in the past, admittedly on a rim fire gun. My Mec Gar mags seem to be pretty high quality, though, and I don't know if they'd have a problem leaving them loaded for a year or more, just don't take the chance. Also, in my experience, double stack mags are more prone to this than single stack mags.

If you're willing to trust the gun leaving the magazines loaded for extended periods, fine, but I'm not. I know that I've left my carry loaded (9mm double stack) for a couple of months and it's fed find, makes me happy with my routine. Better to be safe than sorry. I don't knew that there is any rule to this deal and I'm sure there are guns you could leave loaded forever and never have a problem, just my routine makes me feel warm and fuzzy. Being basically a revolver shooter in the past, I still distrust the autochuckers somewhat. I'm getting less and less that way, though. My guns are all good performers. I've owned ones in the past that weren't and got rid of 'em.

 

[Geronimo45]

Well... if you intend on clearing buildings of terrorists a la Die Hard, you'd better bring extra mags.
In case I run into trouble, I'd be overjoyed to have a spare mag with me. I can empty one mag into a guy ( keep pulling the trigger 'till they're not a threat) and still have another for any of his pals.

As for loaded mags and ruining springs, some say letting the mags sit for an hour or two empty will let the springs go back like they ought. Just make sure you test out your mags, if you keep them up at full capacity all the time. If the springs get weak, buy new springs. Springs are cheap.

 

[Soybomb]

Theres alot of stuff printed about how much is too much and how all gun fights are over with 2 rounds and a mean look or something along those lines. I'm never sure how much faith to put in the authors of such pieces. When I talk to people that I feel like speak with personal authority I would trust they all say whatever you have at the time doesn't seem like enough. if you watch video of shootings its amazing to see how quickly someone can fire through 5+ rounds, and how they might not even realize it.

What do I think a good guideline is for generally carry in my completely unscientific culled from reading and talking to people in a very nonacademic way? How about 15 rounds planning that 1 magazine will malfunction? Thats 5-8 rounds each for 2-3 people at worst. 1 15 round mag in the gun? Carry a spare in case of mag failure. One 10 round mag in the gun? Carry 2. spares. But thats just my sort of half baked opinion.

I've always wondered if its better to carry 2 guns than a reload? If I'm carrying a g26 with 11 rounds in it, is it better to slip a g19 mag in the pocket, or something like a pocketable .380? You loose more rounds of the better caliber, but you a get a gun thats already loaded and chambered and ready to go. Plus you get a gun you can reach somewhere else if you can't go for your larger one.

I feel so mall ninja now

 

[Jack19]

Statistics say three rounds, three yards, three seconds. I've never believed in statistics. "Statistics" will get you killed.

Bring more.

I've carried, with some exception due to gun nut experimentation, a Browning/FN Hi-Power, or a Glock 19 for almost all of my adult life. Rarely have I left the house without two spare mags on my person.

Lots of people say you don't need more ammunition than a few shots to save your life. In my opinion, do what works for you. It's your life to save. Your choice.

My advice: Bring all the ammunition you can comfortably carry and conceal; and do it every day.

It's better to have more rounds on you than more rounds in you.

 

[varoadking]

how many mags is enough? I try to keep 10-15 per gun.

+1...I have something over 300 loaded rifle and pistol magazines at any given time...

Add the Garand clips and speedloaders/speedstrips and it's perhaps 400 or so...

 

[varoadking]

is it better to slip a g19 mag in the pocket

I'd never carry a loaded Glock in my pocket.

 

[bigmike45]

I always carry two extra mags.....I am an old Boy Scout and I am always prepared!!!

 

[panzermk2]

I go with 2 additional mags. At 20 rounds each my total is 60+1.
Alot yes but it's good to be prepared for a rainy day