How many magazines do you own for your pistols?

[Dr_2_B]

I’ll reduce the numbers if it’ll make you feel better but the restriction on full capacity magazines still lingers in memory.

Ooh yeah. Times like that are game-changers.

 

[David E]

It depends on the purpose of the gun.

Serious guns should have a minimum of 12 (which is two sets of 6, which is two sets of 3)

I prefer 24 for the serious guns myself. (2 sets of 12, which is...)

Non-serious or fun guns, 3-4 minimum.

 

[JohnKSa]

I consider 5 to be a minimum for lightly used recreational guns. For more heavily used recreational guns or "working" guns, I don't feel comfortable until I get up over 10 per gun--more if the gun in question takes mags that hold over 10 rounds.

I hedge my bets a little because I usually have more than one gun that takes the same mags if it's a heavily used rec or "working" gun. So while I might only have 10-15 per gun, the total # of mags I own that will fit a particular gun is usually a lot higher.

 

[Jurist]

mag count

I keep a minimum of 3 mags per gun(H.D.usage).

 

[carbuncle]

PPS .40: 4 mags
6906: 5 mags
5906: 5 mags
BG 380: 3 mags

I like a minimum of three for any gun I own, and I can live with that number, but the more the merrier. I need a few more Mec-Gars for the 5906, I want to convert my sole S&W factory 5906 mag to a 15-roung backup for the 6906 with the S&W grip adapter.

 

[beatledog7]

At least six for all my semi-autos.

 

[eazyrider]

Same here, at least 6.

 

[Wildbillz]

My min on anything that I count on is 5. At about 10 I start to think I have close to enough, maybe just one or two more?

WB

 

[mljdeckard]

I try to keep five for each.

 

[481]

For pistols, my minimum is six. A baker's dozen (that's thirteen) is my preferred maximum, although more is always nice to have.

Like wideym said, "Those of us who remember the '94AWB and the Clintonista tribute magazines that came with that stellar piece of sh...er,...uh...legislation see things a little differently...

 

[Jonah71]

Not many. Only 3 for most and 2 on the CZ's and Kimber. Kinda lazy on the range with the G 26. I have 2 10rnd with ext. one 17, plus one 31 rnd (not very practical I know.)

 

[bottom shelf]

8 for each pistol, and all 8 are the same capacity. If a new pistol comes with 2 different capacity mags, I get 7 more of the one I want to use, and retire the oddball one to the junkbox.

 

[mavracer]

My mathmatical average is 4.4 per gun. That includes all my collectables and heirlooms that only have 1 or 2.

 

[Nushif]

My pure range toys ... Howevever many they came with.

My usage guns? Anywhere between four and six.

 

[Professor Gun]

At least 10/gun. Continuing to add more.

 

[Bobson]

Serious guns should have a minimum of 12.

I prefer 24 for the serious guns myself.

Seeing many of these types of responses. Wondering why? And maybe even more importantly, what is this based on? Are these numbers as arbitrary as they seem to be?

I mean, let's say a "serious gun" is a handgun you carry every day. How many mags are you going to bring with you when you go out, not counting the one in your weapon? One spare? Maybe two? Based on the recent thread regarding "actual civilian gunfights," many THR members [who responded] believe that carrying even one spare mag is almost completely pointless - and claim they don't do it. (Source)

If that's true (and I realize that isn't the case for everyone), why the need for "a minimum of 12" magazines, much less 24 of them?

And yeah, you can own anything you want, without reason; but I can't help wonder. And anyone can respond to this, obviously. The real question is, why is magazine hoarding so common?

 

[Purgatory]

3 is plenty for each pistol for me.

1 extra stays in the house with the gun, 1 extra stays in the glove box.

So if I leave with just the gun due to lightweight attire, etc., it's nice to know I have an extra in the car at all times.

This trumps just leaving a 'gun' in the glove at all times.

 

[David E]

Seeing many of these types of responses. Wondering why? And maybe even more importantly, what is this based on? Are these numbers as arbitrary as they seem to be?

12 mags is two sets of six, which is two sets of three. Three is what many consider to be bare minimum. Two on the belt, one in the gun = 3

I mean, let's say a "serious gun" is a handgun you carry every day. How many mags are you going to bring with you when you go out, not counting the one in your weapon? One spare? Maybe two? Based on the recent thread regarding "actual civilian gunfights," many THR members [who responded] believe that carrying even one spare mag is almost completely pointless - and claim they don't do it. (Source)

I don't care what others think or do. The most reloads I'll generally carry on my person are two and then only if the gun holds 8 or less. But usually I'll carry just one if in town.

If that's true (and I realize that isn't the case for everyone), why the need for "a minimum of 12" magazines, much less 24 of them?

Because hicap mags are an endangered species. The AWB wasn't that long ago. I've shot National matches in swamp-like conditions. Ejecting a mag into the muck that has to be found by feel, gets shaken out and put away for the rest of the match, because I have enough mags to make it thru the day. Even in good conditions, it's nice to take the used mags and simply replace them with pre-loaded ones so I'm ready to go again.

The real question is, why is magazine hoarding so common?

A better question is: "How many are 'enough' magazines...if you could never get more?"

 

[481]

Seeing many of these types of responses. Wondering why? And maybe even more importantly, what is this based on? Are these numbers as arbitrary as they seem to be?

I mean, let's say a "serious gun" is a handgun you carry every day. How many mags are you going to bring with you when you go out, not counting the one in your weapon? One spare? Maybe two? Based on the recent thread regarding "actual civilian gunfights," many THR members [who responded] believe that carrying even one spare mag is almost completely pointless - and claim they don't do it. (Source)

If that's true (and I realize that isn't the case for everyone), why the need for "a minimum of 12" magazines, much less 24 of them?

And yeah, you can own anything you want, without reason; but I can't help wonder. And anyone can respond to this, obviously. The real question is, why is magazine hoarding so common?

In an ideal world, magazines never break or suffer inadvertent damage, wear out or get lost, so if that is where you live then, yes, one or two magazines might be enough. However, if you have no magazine for your semiauto pistol, you have a very difficult to load single shot pistol. That's the real world.

Having six or twelve magazines is hardly hoarding and even twenty-four may not be "hoarding" if someone is a really prolific competitor. I compete with some of my carry guns and magazines get dropped, damaged and even lost. I have had magazines wear out after as little as two seasons of competitve use.

If someone is "hoarding" (whatever that is) magazines, I see little problem with that since it is their money and their decision pointless as the practice may or may not be. If that "floats their boat" more power to 'em.

Even more silly than that is wasting one's time wondering why or worrying that someone else is accumulatiing magazines.

Life is too short for such goofiness.

 

[Bobson]

A better question is: "How many are 'enough' magazines...if you could never get more?"

Great way to look at it, and great answer. Thanks for putting it in perspective.

If someone is "hoarding" (whatever that is) magazines, I see little problem with that since it is their money and their decision pointless as the practice may or may not be. If that "floats their boat" more power to 'em.

"Hoarding" means stockpiling, accumulating vast numbers of, etc. And it wasn't meant sarcastically or suggestive that anyone who stockpiles magazines is doing something wrong. I was just asking why its so common because I was curious. Life is never too short to allow time for a question.

 

[ROCK6]

My advice to new shooters who often by a pistol with only one or two magazines is to pick up a few more…minimum of 5 or 6 magazines. If anything, it helps reduce reloading time at the range.

For my smaller, deep conceal carry pistols (P32, P3AT, Beretta 21A), I like to have at least 5 magazines (need a couple more for my little 21A).

For typical double-stack autoloaders, I would have a minimum of six (6) magazines with a goal of 10.

For single-stack autoloaders, I would have a minimum of seven (7) with a goal of 10 or 12.

So, even if I have three different 1911 autoloaders I would have no less than 21 magazines and shoot to have 30 (or more if I run across a sale).

Some magazines just plain suck when it comes to price. My wife’s favorite CCW is her Bersa .380. Those mags are quite expensive for a single-stack .380; however, they are well made and quite reliable. She only has six and I just ordered two more for an early Christmas present. It honestly just makes range drills easier and more focused.

Most people are happy with a single mag or two. If you rarely shoot, I guess that would be fine, but if your one magazine breaks or gets damaged, you’re hosed.

Six magazines should be a good minimum if you’re serious about carrying concealed and practicing on a regular basis. Keeping one loaded for carry and another loaded as the reload, plus having two loaded magazines by the bed…that leaves two empty spares that can be rotated every six months…either to the nightstand or the concealed carry. You should always test your carry mags at the range and this would keep everything checked on and inspected; especially for your carry mags.

I know most would have as many as you could afford, but a little rationale could make a minimum number work leaving more money for ammo…which is just as important. I’m an admitted magazine whore and for some pistols and rifles, I have 20 to 30 mags per.

ROCK6

 

[David E]

"Hoarding" means stockpiling, accumulating vast numbers of, etc.

24 magazines per serious gun is "comfortable," not hoarding.

Now, a couple 1000? Well, maybe...

 

[Purgatory]

Wow. 24 magazines per gun?

That's a lot of magazines IMO.

If each mag is roughly $25, then that's $600 worth of magazines.

That's a whole 'nother gun.

To each his own, of course.

 

[Gunner4h1r3]

If it is a pistol I shoot/carry/IDPA with a lot, I have more mags (My G19 has 10 15 round mags). If it is a CC gun then I have a minimum of 4 with the exceptio of my LCP. Now in the case of my HK PSP, I have 11 mags as they are hard to come by and I have found pretty good deals on them so I buy as many as I can afford at the time (bought 6 for about $45 a pop, a real deal compared to the $65 on a website).

To each their own but I believe the more that you have, the easier it is to replace one if it breaks, wears out, gets lost in the country, etc.

 

[David E]

I don't buy them all at once. Two here, three there. Four when they're on sale. In a year or so, you'll have 24.