bikerdoc
Moderator In Memoriam
What RC said !!!!!
Carry spare mags for CCW? If so, Full size or compact mags?
- Thread starter David007
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mdauben
Member
I always carry a spare magazine (or speed loader or speed strip). While it may be true that most confrontations are resolved in less than 5 rounds, I am prepared for the minor inconvenience of carrying a spare mag to be ready for the off chance that I will need it. There is also the issue of mag failure of your primary mag. Sure, its probably a remote possibility but I'm again willing to be prepared for it.
I don't normally carry an extra mag. I know I should and I have a carrier for one. But it just doesn't seem to make it on my belt.
Reasons I should carry one.
Malfunction, if I get a malfunction it's easier and quicker to drop the mag, put a new mag and rack the slide than to figure out what the heck happened.
Sometimes mags fall out, either inadvertantly pressing the mag release or not seating mag completely. If it falls out, it's quicker to pull a fresh than to dive on the ground in search of lost mag.
In the case that I needed more rounds than in the original mag then it's nice to have extra ammo. I don't forsee this being necessary, but you never know.
***Note to self, start carrying your extra mag dummy.
Reasons I should carry one.
Malfunction, if I get a malfunction it's easier and quicker to drop the mag, put a new mag and rack the slide than to figure out what the heck happened.
Sometimes mags fall out, either inadvertantly pressing the mag release or not seating mag completely. If it falls out, it's quicker to pull a fresh than to dive on the ground in search of lost mag.
In the case that I needed more rounds than in the original mag then it's nice to have extra ammo. I don't forsee this being necessary, but you never know.
***Note to self, start carrying your extra mag dummy.
Most gun fights are over in 5 seconds or less. The time it would take to diagnose a magazine failure, remove the bad mag, retrieve the good one and get the gun into action will far exceed 5 seconds. If your mag fails, you're dead. Reliability over capacity.
Zach S
Member
Yes, I carry a spare magazine, or two. Of course, I carry full size magazines when I carry a 5" 1911, but when I have compact I use OM mags. Saw someone at the range break their ejector by slamming a GM magazine into an OM pistol...
For my Glock 19, I only have two 15 round magazines, the ones that came with it, and only one is in use. All my other Glock mags are for the 17 or 18. Obviously, the 33 round magazines are just for fun at the range...
Agreed. I carry a spare tire in my car for the same reason...
For my Glock 19, I only have two 15 round magazines, the ones that came with it, and only one is in use. All my other Glock mags are for the 17 or 18. Obviously, the 33 round magazines are just for fun at the range...
Agreed. I carry a spare tire in my car for the same reason...
Not if you train for it. I have crap mags specifically this purpose. Remington GBs in my .22lr 1911 also makes for good practice...
I've NEVER heard of anyone killed because he had too much ammo so all the logic that you will never need it is foolishness because it will never hinder you either. Its not like you are comparing the possible need for more against the drawbacks of having extra. What is the downside to having more ammo than you needed? Are they ever going to find someone dead and say, "Man, if he didn't have that spare mag on his belt he would have been just fine." ?? You can say you are "probably" going to get killed if you had to reload but I think your chances of getting killed if you have NO MORE AMMO. is probably higher. The most compelling argument to me is the chance of malfunction of the magazine in the weapon. If you have no backup, you no longer have a weapon. I know you can take that step to the next level and argue you should then have a backup weapon which may make sense too. I've been trying to find someone to make a mag pouch that has room for one mag then a holster for an LCP vertically right behind it. That would be the best of both worlds.
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
Except the mag would be on the wrong side of your body to get to it when you needed it in the worst way.
A spare mag needs to be accesable to the hand without the gun in it to be of any use in a gun fight.
rc
The spare mag carrier would be for you main weapon, on your weak side, with the LCP right behind it so you would have access to the spare mag or your BUG in the same carrier. I'm not talking about an LCP with its own mag carrier. You can already buy lame holsters like that.
Your logic, well isn't. If you have a magazine failure it seems to me another good magazine is exactly what would cure the problem. A backup weapon is also a choice. Claiming a revolver is the only choice that will reliably work is not only naive but its trolling for an argument that is off topic from the OPs thread about whether or not to carry spare ammo and doesn't prove much either way.
bigfatdave
Member
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is an occasional loadout, although the NAA is mostly a toy that I can fit in instead of a spare mag, I slip in a knife more often than the mini, but I find the mini amusing in there
That's an Officer-size 1911 with a Wilson 7x mag, in a CBST, and a Tucker Gunleather double IWB carrier designed for 1911 mags that happens to accept a NAA mini-revolver in the rear slot and fits 8x Wilson mags nicely as well as working with pretty much whatever single-stack mag I want to slide in it, so long as I tweak the center hex screws.
So, to address the OP:
extra mags?
... yes, almost always
extended?
... sort of/sometimes ... one extra round seen here, two extra rounds for the PPS, same size for the XD45c (bigger mag carrier, for stagger-stack .45acp mags)
why?
... malfunction clearing, balance, because I can, because I might want to blast something, dispatch a critter, defend myself ... and then reload, because I can have an entirely different batch of ammo in the reserve mag
recommendations for a mag pouch?
... the tucker IWB seen above is pretty good, although I've had to re-adjust the Kydex clips a few times, mostly because I'm clumsy and get them caught on stuff
... the CrossBreed IWB offering is also pretty good, again, I'd get the double and use the spare slot for whatever, it doesn't have to hold a second magazine, after all. CB used to have a single IWB mag pouch that was so-so, the new design is essentially a SuperTuck with mag slots
... I've used the tool/knife pouch, I just don't like crap hanging outside my belt and snagging on stuff
afponiky
Member
Extra Mag, not most of the time. G30 that is proven, if I have to feel that I carry one just because of a failure I would change guns.
Long trips, usually 2 or 3 extra. I always have an extra in my vehicle though, just not on me.
Long trips, usually 2 or 3 extra. I always have an extra in my vehicle though, just not on me.
Except it will be too late to do anything about it, so the extra mag really won't help. It's like having a back up gun in the glove compartment while you're in the restaurant.
There is nothing 100% immune from malfunction. But that doesnt mean anything less than 100% in unacceptable.
Mag failure in a gunfight is a non issue because if it happens there isn't enough time to fix it. Fortunately it doesn't happen.
kwelz
Member
The magazine is the weakest link in a firearm. It doesn't matter if we are talking about a high end AR or a Hipoint pistol. I am. Of going to trust my life to a 25 dollar part that has proven to be the part that will fail.
I mean. No offense to this. Next part although I am sure people will take it as such.
If you think you don't nred a reload because a fight only takes a couple rounds or you won't have time to reload then you need to get some training. Your gun WILL fail and you will need to reload.
I mean. No offense to this. Next part although I am sure people will take it as such.
If you think you don't nred a reload because a fight only takes a couple rounds or you won't have time to reload then you need to get some training. Your gun WILL fail and you will need to reload.
TexasRifleman
Moderator Emeritus
Dr. Rob said:
Yep, that's pretty much it for me too.
Bubba, please tell us what firearm you are talking about since obviously you are the only one so smart as to know the only firearm that is 100% foolproof so we will all know. I mean I'm carrying and M&P 9C approaching 10,000 rounds that is sure to start failing any day now I want to switch to the one you are talking about before its too late.
orionengnr
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If you spend even a bit of time shooting competition you will soon be able to do a mag change pretty quickly...
You may also see enough failures where a spare mag becomes desireable.
You may also see enough failures where a spare mag becomes desireable.
kwelz
Member
Bubba you seem to have a slight disconnect with the reality that there is no Gun that is 100%. I have no idea when any of my Guns will fail. But I have no question that they will. because all machines fail. Will it be at the range? In a training course? Or in a 2 way range environment? No idea. But it will happen. You can make silly claims like "get a new gun" all day long. But the fact is that any gun is going to fail. And Magazines are usually one of, if not the, first point of failure.
And it may not even be a mechanical failure. What if your accidentally hit the mag catch? The mag is still in place but just. And when you draw and fire the mag falls out of the gun! Would you rather have a handily available reload or go fishing on the ground for the one your dropped and may now be damaged or fouled.
And don't try to claim this doesn't happen. I have seen it happen with both pistols and carbines.
Of course if you know of a mystical firearm that is 100% reliable with a magazine that is also 100% reliable then please by all means tell us what it is. Because that will revolutionize Self defense, warfare, and police training.
And it may not even be a mechanical failure. What if your accidentally hit the mag catch? The mag is still in place but just. And when you draw and fire the mag falls out of the gun! Would you rather have a handily available reload or go fishing on the ground for the one your dropped and may now be damaged or fouled.
And don't try to claim this doesn't happen. I have seen it happen with both pistols and carbines.
Of course if you know of a mystical firearm that is 100% reliable with a magazine that is also 100% reliable then please by all means tell us what it is. Because that will revolutionize Self defense, warfare, and police training.
Dutchman195
Member
I have a mag carrier that holds two double stack mags for my gun, BUT when I CC, I usually leave the two mags in that car. After one mag I should be getting out of the situation and calling backup (911)
My grandfather carried a 6 shot revolver when he was a Police Office and always said "it'll be over after 6 rounds, either I die or the other guy dies." Given revolvers have a longer reload time but I feel the same logic applies to a semi auto, If it's not over after one mag, something probably is going right.
My grandfather carried a 6 shot revolver when he was a Police Office and always said "it'll be over after 6 rounds, either I die or the other guy dies." Given revolvers have a longer reload time but I feel the same logic applies to a semi auto, If it's not over after one mag, something probably is going right.
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