Compact pistols and spare mags

[Skribs]

I'm just curious to see how many people carry like I used to, and how many people carry like I do now (not specifying which is which for the sake of this poll, I'll vote myself once some results are in). This specifically applies to people who carry a compact/subcompact pistol AND a spare mag for it. If you don't carry both, please refrain.

When you carry your compact pistol, do you carry a compact spare mag or a full size spare mag? IOW, if you have a M&P9C with the 12-round magazine on your hip, do you have a 12- or a 17-round spare magazine on tap?

 

[jim243]

Not trying to mess up your poll but I carry a "compact", just not the size you are talking about and it uses magazines made for it's size. So for my purpose they are full size mags, just not the same as for a full size CZ-75B.

Jim

CZ 75 P-01 3.8 inch barrel 14 round mags.

 

[bigfatdave]

sometimes one, sometimes the other, sometimes something in between

(listed in approximate frequency of carry)
compact 1911 - compact mag in gun, spare(s) are fullsize with a magazine base to take up the extra room (wilson combat makes these from the factory, they're pretty nice and 100% reliable in my experience)
Walther PPS9 - 6x flush-fit mag in gun, spare(s) are generally 8x
XD45c - 10x in gun, spare(s) are 10x as well, the extended mag is clumsy and I don't need the extra grip
KT PF9 - rarely carried, but same as PPS, flush-fit in gun, factory +1 as spare
KT P32 - don't remember the last time I carried the world's loudest wallet, but I only use flush-fit in that gun, the extended magazines are range toys

 

[Skribs]

Jim, I was specifically referring to whether you use flush magazines or magazines designed for a bigger version of the firearm.

 

[SpentCasing]

I carry a G19 and my spare mag is for the 19 so thats what I carry. The only reason for that is its because thats all I have. If I had a G17 mag I suppose I would carry that as the spare but all I got is 7 G19 mags and 1 33rd G18 mag.

 

[coalman]

Depends.
G26 = G19 mag (sometimes G26 mag)
G30 = G30 mag (sometimes G21 mag)
1911 officers = officers 1911 7rd mag (but I'd run an 8rd with 7rd basepad adapter)

 

[mavracer]

I prefer to use the same mags for carry and back up. The exception to this is my Kahrs as they come with +1 spare mags.

 

[Rexster]

My case is in-between. When I had a G27, I liked mags made for the mid-sized G23. Some Glockers say that causes malfs in the baby-sized Glocks, but mine ran fine.

I sometimes train with inexpensive Mec-Gar P226 magazines in my .40 P229, but do not carry them on the street, as there are subtle differences in dimensions other than just length, that make that a not-recommended practice. P226 mags, in .40, do not add capacity, anyway.

When I had mini-1911 pistols, I did not use full-sized mags, because of accounts of the straight-walled magazines being jammed in too far during vigorous re-loads.

If I happen to buy a G19, I will probably use G17 and G18 mags, and will then be able to answer "yes" to this question, if one considers the G19 to be compact.

 

[bigfatdave]

Coalman:
I like theae ones:
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/249786
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/966655

When I had mini-1911 pistols, I did not use full-sized mags, because of accounts of the straight-walled magazines being jammed in too far during vigorous re-loads.

see above link and observe basepads

 

[easyg]

This is what I carry...



A 10-round mag in the pistol and a 17 round mag on my off side.

 

[thedriver101]

G19 with a spare G19 magazine. I'm about to do the same with my compact 1911, once I order the leather.

 

[Esoxchaser]

P238 and/or P938. 7 rd mags in both, 7 rd back ups. 6 rd mags are seldom used even at the range.

 

[hentown]

G26. Rarely carry spare mag on me, but when I do, it's a G19 mag, with A&G sleeve. Carries great in an open-top mid-sized phone holster with rotating belt clip.

 

[Don357]

I usually carry a Kel-Tec P-11 with a 12 round mag and no extra. I figure 12 rds should be enough to get me out of trouble one way or another.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

I have a concern - founded or not - that, with no travel stop on the longer mag, it could be pushed in too far and bind things up.

 

[bigfatdave]

An overly long magazine can be slammed in too far, in some guns it can screw up the ejector, even.

That's why magazine sleeves and base pads are designed to limit upward travel
See easyg's picture above
see here:

see here:

 

[Skribs]

I have a concern - founded or not - that, with no travel stop on the longer mag, it could be pushed in too far and bind things up.

With single stacks this is a concern, with double stacks it isn't. Also, I'm pretty sure a single stack with a grip sleeve wouldn't have issues (the sleeve serves the same function as the baseplate).

 

[el Godfather]

I dont carry extra magazine in routine. However, sometimes when i take g19, i take one spare g19 mag and 3 17+2 rd magz. None are carried on person.

 

[Teachu2]

Sometimes there is no advantage - my G30 and G21 mags are all 10 round capacity, thanks to CA .....

 

[Skribs]

Sometimes there is no advantage - my G30 and G21 mags are all 10 round capacity, thanks to CA .....

Yeah, but if you start talking G26 vs. G19 (also both 10 rounds in CA or other states) then it might be the 2-finger vs. 3-finger grip you would consider.

My personal experience has been that it is easier to conceal a compact mag in the pistol, but not that much more difficult to conceal a full mag in a mag pouch. Therefore, having extra rounds on-tap should I need a reload isn't much of a deal. However, I've recently made the switch back down to the compact size for my spare, simply because I want to have the same one for both.