How Many Extra Magazines Per Handgun?

[WisBorn]

How many extra magazines do you like to have per pistol? The question is not how many you carry with you, but how many you like to have that fits a specific firearm.

I understand that this can be a difficult question for handguns that can use other models magazines. Like a Glock 17 mag in a Glock 19 and so on...

In the poll I looked at one in the firearm plus the extra magazines

 

[badkarmamib]

I want one in the pistol, one carried as a reload, and one spare for range ammo or if something happens to one of the primaries. I have more than that for some, but 3 is my minimum comfort level.

 

[Wildbillz]

Your numbers are a bit off kilter. But I like to have five per pistol min and ten per rifle min. Then I can start adding on the extras, and where that stops is anyone's guess.

WB

 

[tubeshooter]

I want one in the pistol, one carried as a reload, and one spare for range ammo or if something happens to one of the primaries. I have more than that for some, but 3 is my minimum comfort level.

Same for the semi-autos I have... not so much for the reload necessarily, as to have at least 2 functioning backup mags.


A gun with a single mag is a gun waiting to be disabled (eventually).

 

[Jonny2guns]

It depends on the intended use of said firearm.
Occasional hunting 3 mags
Training/ defense 10+ mags

 

[Walkalong]

Anywhere from 0 to 5ish for me.

 

[mcb]

For my competition handguns I have at least a dozen or more except my USPSA Limited gun I believe I only have 8. But they hold 20rds each so... Even for my conceal carry only handguns I have at least 6 for each of them. Magazine are a nearly a consumable part of a handgun. Buy them in quantity (especially when on sale) and use them, fix'em if needed, throw them away when they are no longer fixable.

ETA: Not to leave revolvers out because moonclips rule! I have at least 100 moonclips for each my competition revolvers and for my conceal carry revolver I have about two dozen. Half dozen speed loaders for the Model 10 and even two custom made speedloaders for the 455 Webley (the model 10 speedloaders work on the Mk IV 38/200 Webley too)

 

[trackskippy]

I like to have at least 10 for practice (for each "type" of gun) and I usually keep the mags that come with the guns separate from that and for use.

I like to load all my mags before I go to the range so I don't have to do it there.

 

[LiveLife]

How many extra magazines do you like to have per pistol?

< I have a magazine collection problem >

I have lost count of Glock magazines I have both factory and Magpul Glock magazines in various range bags and even have one dedicated range bag full of magazines, some of which are still in plastic packaging.

I have case boxes and boxes of Magpul, Bushmaster, etc. AR magazines, most of them new in plastic packaging.

Magazine are a nearly a consumable part of a handgun. Buy them in quantity (especially when on sale) and use them, fix'em if needed, throw them away when they are no longer fixable.

For me, magazine springs/followers, like recoil springs, are consumable items that get replaced when worn with extra power springs and new followers. I use magazine bodies/tubes until they break/wear out (I have broken only one Glock magazine body in 30 years ... Wore out plenty though until feed lips were rounded shooting over million rounds of pistol/rifle rounds).

How many people never replace recoil springs/magazine springs/followers and complain about feeding issues?

Sad but true.

 

[JTQ]

Anything that is more than a casual use gun (a plinker), I like mags in sets of four - one in the gun, two for use in mag pouches on the belt, and a spare for the set. I'm most comfortable with at least three of these sets per gun. This would mean at least 12 mags per gun.

 

[Dave DeLaurant]

Depends on use and price. At least one spare in any case, but with milsurps and expensive magazines one is usually plenty for me.

For a CCW or nightstand handgun, or if I run into a good deal, around 3-4 spares is a better average. I've a bunch for my Glock 19 and my Astra M400s for both reasons respectively.

 

[kidneyboy]

Except for 1911s I like to have enough mags to load 50 rounds - 3ish.
Lots of 1911 mags here.

 

[Lennyjoe]

3-5 for pistol

 

[jar]

I find magazines jess seem to cumulate.

 

[Lo-Profile]

How many extra magazines do you like to have per pistol? The question is not how many you carry with you, but how many you like to have that fits a specific firearm.

Minimum of 4
Some I have 10+

 

[doubleh]

2 or just 1 for most. I do have several for 1911 and AR that have found a home with me but that's it for multiples.

 

[unspellable]

Generally I run to three. Not all agree, I bought a used Buckmark, eleven mags came with it!

 

[jmr40]

Three minimum. I'll keep at least 2 loaded with self defense ammo and a 3rd range mag loaded with FMJ. I'll rotate them occasionally.

I have owned several Glocks in 9mm over the years and I probably have 20 assorted mags lying around that will work in all of them.

Same with AR magazines, I have 20+. Some are 10, 20, and 30 round mags.

 

[JohnB-40]

3 minimum

 

[tarosean]

10 at minimum.

Its not a "collection problem" rather they are wear items and can end up vaporwear or paying absurd prices, if you can find them. Orrrr you end up with a nice single shot paperweight.

caveat being, if your going to shoot 50rds over the next 50yrs. A couple will probably suffice.

 

[PistoleroWadcutterGANG]

The easy method of determining how many magazines you need. Take yourself and your gun and your mags to the range. Shoot all your mags up. Then ask yourself did I have enough fun with the magazines that I had on hand ? If no you need more mags.

 

[kidneyboy]

The easy method of determining how many magazines you need. Take yourself and your gun and your mags to the range. Shoot all your mags up. Then ask yourself did I have enough fun with the magazines that I had on hand ? If no you need more mags.

I solved some of the mag clutter with uplula mag loaders. You do need 3 of them though. 1 for double stack, 1 for single stack and 1 for rimfire.

 

[alfsauve]

10 at least for most pistols. One reasoning being is I load them all up before I go to practice and for local tier one matches. Why waste time at the range loading magazines? I may be short 1 or 2 of my goal for a couple of guns. Interesting about same magazine for several guns. I've got a full size and a compact P320. I've got 11 round mags for IDPA CCP, 17 round mags for IDPA SSP and USPSA Production, and 20+mags for using the X5 in Limited or Open. About 25 altogether. (Lots of Sig discount coupons and LGS sales)

Now for my Glock 17. I shoot it in two divisions of GSSF which means a minimum of 8 to shoot the plates stage. Ideally, though I haven't invested the money yet, I'd like to have 20 so I can do the whole match without reloading. I'm at 13 mags and GSSF hasn't been a priority so I may never get more. First world problem I have to reload between stages.

 

[.38 Special]

For plinkers, target guns, etc., I don't really care. One or two is fine.

For a fighting gun I like to have at least five, to minimize downtime while training.

 

[Jim Watson]

My main SHOOTING is at IDPA ESP and USPSA SSm with a Colt or SA "1911" 9mm.
For a six stage IDPA, I need a basic load of 12 10x9mm, a spare, a Barney, and a download with 6.
For a six stage USPSA, 18 and a Barney.
I own more than that.

I don't have enough double stack magazines to complete a match, but I can get through three stages, so I shoot stage #1, reload magazine set #1 while waiting my turn, shoot #2, reload #2, shoot #3, reload #3, shoot #4, 5, 6.

I have 6 magazines for my lone remaining Glock so I can use 5 of them in GSSF without having to unload and reload my carry mag of hollowpoints.

I have 2-6 for others.