Carrying Spare Mags

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Smalls and I think exactly alike...

I carry 2 spares with my 1911 but only one with my Hi-Power, both in OWB leather carriers. Besides the obvious benefit of extra ammo, I find the mags help offset the weight of the pistol making for a more balanced rig. For the 1911 I keep a 7 round mag in the pistol with one in the chamber for 8 and (2) spare 8 rounders in the carrier. This way my pistol is "always" loaded with 8 rounds.
 
Actually when I'm carrying cargo pocket it's a Remora Double Mag pouch, which keeps them oriented fairly well. I can actually grab em pretty quick, it's putting them back that's the problem.
 
Well, then you're better off than most!

You don't have to worry about putting mags back in the pouch on the clock. Just be able to dump the partially-spent mag into a pocket somewhere, rather than drop it on the ground.

That's an IDPA rule hangup some folks really hate. It just is what it is.
 
Well then I think I'm fine on that front! In reality, though, I think on the belt would offer some other improvements, i.e. balancing the weight on both sides of the belt (I like symmetry).

I did notice that Comptac doesn't have XDm listed for their mag holders, what would be the closest thing? XD or something else?
 
Sam1911 said:
That makes sense. I don't know why it doesn't always work, though. Probably with practice it should.
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It always works in practice for me too...just not always when it's on the clock.

I can't explain it either...maybe if I went to separate carriers...but it has also been my experience
 
Er...it was the Blade Tech site, I'm not sure why I said Comp Tac. I don't see XDm listed for any of their models of single or double mag pouch.
 
Admittedly, I don't carry a spare mag all that often even though I know I should. When I do, it is owb and similar to this except made by a friend:

http://www.ravenconcealment.com/mod...carriers/quick-ship-single-pistol-mag-carrier

Either that, or I use the standard glock plastic OWB mag holder.

For IDPA I love a double mag kydex paddle holster so I can slip it back off when I'm done with no fuss. I shoot what I carry, so I can just slip it off and go about my business without fussing about with my gear.
 
What are some good paddle double-mag holsters? I think I like that design better than belt loop.

Also, I'm preferential to kydex over leather, although I'm willing to consider something other than kydex for my magazines.
 
Good ones are Comptac and Blade Tech. Those aren't "paddles" though -- they use "TecLocks" which are secure belt loops which unlock and open up. You can slip them through your belt (like a paddle) and lock them closed.

The only paddle style mag pouch I've used is (gasp) the Fobus, and (gasp) I still do for the 1911! I've broken one or two of them, but they're cheap and they work for years. Not the greatest thing in the world, but if they work for years, with what I do with them, they really aren't that bad.
 
What are some good paddle double-mag holsters?
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This one is awesome sauce:
http://www.comp-tac.com/product_info.php?products_id=136

The only paddle style mag pouch I've used is (gasp) the Fobus, and (gasp) I still do for the 1911! I've broken one or two of them, but they're cheap and they work for years. Not the greatest thing in the world, but if they work for years, with what I do with them, they really aren't that bad.
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Gasp! The horror! Fobus is cheap plastic crap! But they're $20ish vs $60ish. It is what it is and I like Fobus, too. I had one that was too tight no matter what I did, but since it was cheap plastic I didn't feel bad about taking some sand paper to it.

That being said I'll pony up for a more expensive holster, but I've seen some really great shooters reloading from the cheapo fobus paddle double mag holster.
 
The cellphone case isn't bad , it is almost like camouflage for it. People see a cellphone case and just assume it's a cellphone. When I carry my Glock 19, I carry my spare mag in Blackhawk! single mag carrier. It rides close to my body on my 1.5" instructor webelt, and I put it between the left-side belt loop and my gerber just behind my left hip. The belt loop keeps it from sliding forward, and the slightly thinner Gerber right behind it helps smooth out the line so you don't see anything. I use a black belt with black mag carrier, black Gerber puoch, and on the other side, black G19 in a black holster with black belt clips. Black on black...nothing to see. And if you wear black pants, you could almost strap a sawed-off shotgun to your leg, and very few people would notice. When I used to carry a single stack, I just popped in my back pocket next to my wallet. The wallet in the same pocket kept it oriented the right way. Try some different things and see what worksm but don't assume different gear is the answer, maybe just a different technique.
 
I use a condura belt pouch that came with my old schrade pocketknife.

Despite being the perfect size for a single-stack magazine, it doesn't look like one.
 
I actually didn't like the Comp Tac paddle (I have a Comp Tac paddle holster), it slipped around my waistline too easily. I could try something else, but for right now I think I'll stick with what I have.
 
No spare mag for me. If it takes more than eight shots I should have brought a friend.
 
I actually didn't like the Comp Tac paddle (I have a Comp Tac paddle holster), it slipped around my waistline too easily. I could try something else, but for right now I think I'll stick with what I have.
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Much of it depends on body type. I recently lost a few pounds, toned up and dropped 4" off of my waist. Some of the gear I once loved is now residing in my junk drawer. Holsters are one of those "you don't really know until you try it on yourself" kind of things.
 
I can't imagine not carrying a reload, though I know I am overprepared for doing so.

I am ok with being overprepared.

In any case, spare mags get carried in whichever weak side pocket is least full, speedloaders go into a strongside pocket. I do practice reloads from the pocket.
 
No spare mag for me. If it takes more than eight shots I should have brought a friend.
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A while ago I was trying to find court cases that involvded reloading. (just to see if that was ever brought up in a SD trial) Couldn't find anything.

Outside of LEO/GOV situations normal citizens don't get into firefights. With exception, of the watch store owner in CA Lance something (?) who just stashed multiple guns around his shop and used as needed.
 
No spare mag for me. If it takes more than eight shots I should have brought a friend.
Click to expand...

A while ago I was trying to find court cases that involvded reloading. (just to see if that was ever brought up in a SD trial) Couldn't find anything.

Outside of LEO/GOV situations normal citizens don't get into firefights. With exception, of the watch store owner in CA Lance something (?) who just stashed multiple guns around his shop and used as needed.
Click to expand...

The main purpose for a reload is in case of some sort of failure. Having a few more rounds is just a convenient byproduct.
 
No spare mag for me. If it takes more than eight shots I should have brought a friend.
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Yup, just give up as soon as you run out of ammo. Maybe you hit the bad guy(s), maybe you didn't. Doesn't matter though, the fight's over for you the moment your magazine is depleted. The bad guy(s) can finish the fight on his/their terms.
 
I feel a bit odd now. I always carry a M&P 40 compact with a spare 15 round full size mag. I always just throw it into my left rear pocket. I modified the floor plate on my spare mag, it is basically not extending beyond the bottom of that magazine, for it just dangles from my compact anyhow. I did it so that so that the lip wouldn't dig into my leg. Should I know something about not pocket carrying a spare mag?
 
Spare magazine goes into an empty front pocket. Don't want to sit on it, don't want it tangled up with keys and such.
 
surferdaddy said:
I feel a bit odd now. I always carry a M&P 40 compact with a spare 15 round full size mag. I always just throw it into my left rear pocket. I modified the floor plate on my spare mag, it is basically not extending beyond the bottom of that magazine, for it just dangles from my compact anyhow. I did it so that so that the lip wouldn't dig into my leg. Should I know something about not pocket carrying a spare mag?
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1. You're not my daddy, change your name lol.

2. I modded my mags like that. I index my pointer along the mag body having shot mostly 1911s and glock's previously, so that lip on m&p mags messed with my mag changes.

3. The back pocket grab works fairly smooth for me because just a little bit of mag protrudes. The important thing is that you can grab it fast and it is always oriented in the same position (I.e. bullets forward). A leather pocket insert that wont pull out with the mag aided this.

4. I don't like the front pocket grab because I have to reach inside the pocket. That may or may not be possible if I'm squatting, laying down, kneeling, prone, moving or sitting.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
surferdaddy said:
Should I know something about not pocket carrying a spare mag?
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It would be fine, it it was sticking out the top lip of the pocket or it was held in your pocket by a mag carrier, but there is a lot of downsides to just throwing it in there.

1. You have to reach into the pocket which positions your hand incorrectly for the draw.
2. It's orientation can change due to movement, which makes it more a fumble than a draw...you're adding the step of orienting it with the bullets down and forward.
3. Sitting on a mag isn't usually a good idea...moreso with 1911 mags than others..you distort the feed lips
 
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