Carrying a Spare Mag?

[G11354]

I've been carrying regularly for a few months now and was wondering if I should be carrying a spare mag? If so, how should I go about it?

I'm currently carrying a S&W M&P40 full size IWB.

 

[Creature]

I carry a spare mostly in case of a magazine failure. The extra ammo is a bonus. As to actually how, I carry the spare in a mag pouch on my belt.

 

[The Bushmaster]

Weapon on my right hip and the spare magazine on my left hip...

 

[JTQ]

In a mag pouch on the belt. There are both IWB and OWB options as well as vertical and horizontal.

Dale Fricke covers most of those options http://dalefrickeholsters.com/#

 

[herrwalther]

Depends on how you carry your firearm. If you carry your firearm on your hip from either 2-6 oClock, traditional wisdom is you carry the spare magazine on the left side of your body. And opposite for left handed shooters. Idea behind this is if you need to swap magazines, you grab it with your non dominant hand. A prolonged gun fight is unlikely for a civilian carrier. The likelihood of a magazine based malfunction is much higher.

That being said I carry a spare magazine most of the time I am carrying. I carry mine in an IWB holster made by the same company that makes the IWB gun holster.

 

[guyfromohio]

When I carry my PPS (7-round mag), I carry a spare 8-rounder in my front left pocket. Other than that, concealment of my concealed carry is the goal. Not planning on going into battle. Just going to the store.

 

[Flintknapper]

I agree that a 'prolonged' gunfight is unlikely, however...more and more incidents involving more than one aggressor are happening these days. So capacity 'could' be a factor.

Of more importance (IMO) is the need to have spare mag in the event of a magazine related failure/malfunction.

Other than a dirty pistol, the magazine probably accounts for more stoppages/malfunctions than anything else. Not a bad idea to carry a spare.

 

[southoftheboarder]

LC9 on my right hip, mag clip on the left. Hopefully I will not have to use the extra ammo.

 

[Telekinesis]

I carry 2 spare mags. One for a malfunction (mags are the most likely part of a semi-auto pistol to malfunction, and the quickest/surest way to fix it is to put a new one in). The second mag is for a reload AFTER the fight. I don't want to get in a gunfight and then stand around waiting for the cops with an empty gun.

Multiple attackers is always a consideration too. 15 rounds (glock 19) goes fast in a fight - 5 or 7 rounds would be gone very fast... Add to that the fact that handguns suck at stopping attackers and high capacity is comforting.

I tend to carry my mags in my back left pocket. I find it conceals better than a belt pouch and 2 mags work well in the back pocket of a pair of jeans. A belt pouch is probably the best way to go if you can easily conceal it.

 

[1911 guy]

Like others have said, carry an extra magazine because the most common failure point of any semi automatic handgun is the magazine.

 

[Warp]

I rarely carry a spare magazine. I just haven't found a good, comfortable-enough way to do some. I'm more likely to carry a BUG.

When I do it's either IWB concealed pistol behind my right hip with spare mag IWB behind left hip, or pistol OWB on right hip and spare mag OWB on left hip.

 

[Gun Master]

Extra Mag and How ?

This is not a joke, but in a sealable sandwich bag in my pocket.
I leave the bag unsealed, to allow easy access. The top (the sealable part) stands up and keeps lint out. Try it.

 

[Flfiremedic]

IWB weapon on right, have a IWB single mag holder (steel belt clip) that I clip into left front pocket. Conceals well.

 

[gillmeister692]

If you carry an extra magazine(s) loose in a pocket you'll have trouble getting it properly ORIENTED for rapid insertion into the pistol. By carrying in a belt-mounted pouch, you'll always have the magazine properly oriented, bullet toward threat, in your support hand.

 

[Kevin Rohrer]

One extra mag is a good idea. Carry it somewhere it will be available and won't get damaged.

 

[4v50 Gary]

I was looking at knife sheaths as a means of carrying a spare mag.

 

[Gun Master]

Keep looking. Sounds good. Please report your findings.

 

[Warp]

I was looking at knife sheaths as a means of carrying a spare mag.

Look specifically at leatherman/multi tool sheaths.

 

[Swing]

Yes, when packing an auto, I always carry at least one spare mag. With a wheelgun, speed strips.

 

[redbullitt]

I generally take a spare mag. Got pockets, why not lol.

I like the "snag mag" fwiw. It goes in your pocket and looks just like a folding knife clipped there. Mag clips in to stay in place and is always in the same spot. Comes out easy and fast. Best way I have found to do it.

 

[Ironicaintit]

I carry an extra mag for the BHP in a safariland leather mag holder, on my belt, left side.
I used to carry a mag in my back pocket, but it got to be a pain in the butt!

 

[M-Cameron]

Eh, my carry gun carries 20 rounds of 9mm......I honestly doubt ide need more than that.....ever...

If I was carrying a compact or subcompact auto....idea probably carry a spare mag just to bump it up to the 20 round count.

I've all but stopped carrying revolvers, low capacity and slow to reload.

 

[Bobson]

Eh, my carry gun carries 20 rounds of 9mm......I honestly doubt ide need more than that.....ever...

What do you carry, just ooc? I know the Five-seveN has a 20 round mag, but nothing else is coming to mind off the top of my head lol. Maybe the full size XDm-9?

Personally, I think carrying a second mag is a good practice, for clearing malfunctions if nothing else. I support and encourage it, but honestly don't carry one regularly, myself. I've been meaning to change that, but haven't yet.

 

[M-Cameron]

What do you carry, just ooc? I know the Five-seveN has a 20 round mag, but nothing else is coming to mind off the top of my head lol. Maybe the full size XDm-9?

im currently carrying a Glock 17 with a +2 mag extension, giving me 19+1....its about the most firepower i can carry in a handgun and still keep it concealable.

 

[Warp]

Eh, my carry gun carries 20 rounds of 9mm......I honestly doubt ide need more than that.....ever...

If I was carrying a compact or subcompact auto....idea probably carry a spare mag just to bump it up to the 20 round count.

I've all but stopped carrying revolvers, low capacity and slow to reload.

There are reasons to carry a spare mag beyond having more total rounds.

A lot of semi auto pistol malfunctions can be blamed on the magazine, a phase II malfunction clearance drill (or remedial action drill, whatever) calls for replacing the magazine.

Also, while it is not common, especially with a good holster that covers the mag release, it's not unheard of to have a magazine eject accidentally...sometimes, people have had happen, without realizing.

Still...a spare magazine probably isn't going to be needed the vast majority of the time a gun is needed.

Of course, the VAST majority of the time you leave home, a gun won't be needed at all, so...up to you if it's worth it or not