Carry spare mags for CCW? If so, Full size or compact mags?

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David007

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I have the M&P9c with Crimson Trace.
It came with three 12round mags, 2 of which have pinky extensions.

I just ordered the full size 17round mag as a spare mag for CCW.
Then thought do i really need to carry 30rounds (12+1, 17)? Heck, do i even need the spare mag?

For those that CCW, do you carry spare mags? Why/why not?

If so, do you carry full size mags, or the smaller compact mags? Why?

And recommendations for a mag pouch?
 
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My gun came with a total of 2 magazines. I bought a third one that was more reliable for my gun.

To answer your question, No. I do not carry an extra mag. Why? Well, I have 11 rounds of .45acp for one and two, I don't think I would have enough time to reload to a second magazine anyway in SHTF scenario.

Just my 0.02
 
yes

I carry two spare 8 rounders for my 1911. If I were to switch to my Glock 23 I wound be carrying at least one spare mag, probably a 22 mag that holds 15 rounds. Magazines are the weakest link in any autoloader, so it is wise to carry an extra.
 
RNB65 said:
No. Never felt any need to. I'm not planning on getting into a firefight.
Click to expand...

Then you are, by that logic, planning on shooting somebody.
 
I alternate carry between my g27 and my g30. If I'm carrying my 27 I carry a g23 mag as an extra mag. If I'm carrying my 30 I carry a 21 mag as a back up. I carry back up mags for a few reasons
One being for the simple fact I have more fire power. No I'm not planning on getting into a gun fight but I'm on of those people who thanks it could break bad at any time and want to be prepared.
Two being because if the mag in the gun causes a malfunction I have something else ready to go.
Three because I'd rather have it and not need it then to need it and not have it. Never can be to careful. Its easy to drop one in the front pocket and go about my way.
And if all else fails I carry a pf9 as a BUG in my pocket.
 
When carrying a P225, yes usually one spare mag in an old nylons belt clip. When carrying a P228/229, no usually not. Probably should though.

Weather is also a factor. In the warmer months with shorts and Tshirts, I tend not to carry spare mags. Now that its getting colder, its easy enough to keep a spare mag or two into a coat pocket.
 
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wojownik: It isn't a clip, it is a magazine. ;)


I almost never carry a spare magazine. Sometimes I put one in a cargo pocket, in an OWB mag carrier, or on my ankle. If it was a bit more convenient and comfortable I would do so more often.

When carrying a revolver I usually have a speedloader or speed strip in my cargo pocket.
 
I always carry two with my 1911 or one with my BHP. As previously stated it helps to balance the weight on your belt and is a backup if you have a magazine malfuntion. Not to mention the extra rounds....
 
We don't get into firefights and most self defense incidents are over with fewer than 10 rounds fired.

Still, a spare magazine can be of critical value in a failure situation.
 
My Rami has 10+1 and I'll be honest most of the time I'm lazy and leave the spare mag at home. I've carried my Rami religiously for the last two years need to get better about making the spare mag a priority as well.

I would still say I have improved as my carry setup before was an LCP which I got when it came out because it was so easy to carry. Even with a spare mag it only gave me 13 rounds of .380. Not really confidence inspiring.
 
I carry one extra 7-round magazine for my 1911. The magazine rides in a pocket, no special magazine carrier, but there's nothing else in that pocket for the magazine to bump into. If I were going to carry multiple magazines, I'd probably have a magazine carrier on my belt.

As for why, it just seems like a good idea to carry an extra in case of a malfunction. Doubt I'll ever need it - doubt I'll ever need the gun, either - but it doesn't hurt to have it.
 
Yep, I carry a spare. Sometimes two. All my magaizines are 7 rd (full size) for a 1911.

First, it's comfort. Helps balance the weight of the pistol on the opposite side. Secondly and perhaps more importantly, a second magazine is the single fastest way to clear a persistent malfunction in a semiautomatic pistol. As for not having time, if you've got time to draw, you've got time to stay in the fight. If it takes you more than five seconds to go from FTF to competing BOTH malfunction drills and have a running gun in your hands, "you need to stop staring stupidly at your gun when it doesn't fire and just fix the blasted thing." *

* screamed repeatedly into my ear when I was a young lad of 20 something by a guy who came right out of central casting. Sasquatch department. I deleted the expletives. Shortened the sentence by two thirds.
 
.


I would if I could find a slim mag pouch for a SW Bodyguard .380, but no one makes one and no one on here could point me to one.



With keys in the left pocket, pistol w/ holster in the right pocket, cellphone in the left rear pocket and wallet in the right rear pocket I don't have any pockets to throw it in.

.
 
I carry a revolver and find the extra moon clip more of a comfort factor. When I was working in rougher areas, I would have two moon clips available.
 
I have 8+1 in my M&P 45 Compact

I dont carry an extra

Reasons?

1) The research shows overwhelmingly that less than FIVE rounds
are used in almost all encounters (Its actually 1-3)

2) I live in a VERY safe area in a north Dallas suburb
(Cow tipping is a REAL threat)

3) My 45 compact has NEVER misfired for me

4) I practice, practice, practice so that I can hit center mass

5) My pockets are ALREADY full with Keys, cell phone, lint, etc
 
For those that CCW, do you carry spare mags? Why/why not?
Click to expand...
I have a policy of at least one reload for any gun I carry, whether a speedloader or speed strip for a revolver or a magazine for a pistol, on the basis that it is better to have it and not need it, than the reverse. It is still possible to shoot even a 12-15-round magazine dry, or have a stoppage occur that needs a fresh magazine to correct. It takes up little if any additional space. I think one magazine is sufficient when it holds over 10 or 12 rounds to start with, but with slim single-stack mags there is no real weight or space penalty to carry two.

If so, do you carry full size mags, or the smaller compact mags? Why?
Click to expand...
This isn't really applicable to my two guns, which are slightly more compact versions of the full-size gun. Their full-size counterparts would only add two more rounds. However, I can see full-size mags for their subcompact counterparts. Your M&P, for example, would gain five more rounds if you use the full-size mags. And with very short-butted guns, inserting a full-size mag is easier - and helps avoid the tendency to pinch your little finger - with hands that are both working fast and shaking.
 
"I would if I could find a slim mag pouch for a SW Bodyguard .380, but no one makes one and no one on here could point me to one."

I have the perfect miniature spare mag holder for my LCP (I don't know the size of the Bodyguard mag, but it should be fairly tiny too). What you do is order a mini multi-tool from Cabelas for only $5 ($10 w/shipping). The belt sheath case for the tool is a PERFECT fit for a 380 mag, and is so small and out of the way that I forget I am wearing it. Plus, anyone that does see it will just assume it's a small knife holder (which it is, after all).

http://www.cabelas.com/multi-tools-cabelas-mini-multi-tool-led-light.shtml

.... and you get a free multi tool with the case! The only problem is that if you order it online instead of picking one up at a Cabelas store, you cannot pick the multi-tool color...

You will receive a pink one.

In answer to the OP, yes I always carry an extra, for reasons others have already given. For my compact 1911 I do have a Wilson extended 8 round as my spare carry. It doesn't hurt to have an extra round for a single stack.
 
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Usually, I don't carry spare mags.

I always carry speedloaders and/or speed strips. :neener:
 
I always carry a spare mag, but not for the extra ammo.

Murphy's Law of magazines.
1 mag = 0 mags.
2 mags = 1 mag.
3 mags = 2 or usually 3 mags.

You can drop, lose, break, or bend a mag.

Without a spare mag, all you have is a very expensive single-shot pistol.

rc
 
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