How many mag's is enough? That is what i want to try to find out. How many mag's do carry and why. How many round's do you trust keeping in the house and what about on your person. At what point do feel that you have enough gun and bullet's to feel that you secure if the unpredictable arrive's. I try to carry atleast two extra mags both 15 and my 15 round mag in the weapon. Is this enough or too much?
How many mag's
- Thread starter pablo45
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modifiedbrowning
Member
I usually carry 1 one extra mag. Currently I carry a Bersa Thunder 9 Ultra Compact which is 13 + 1 and my spare mag is from my Bersa Thunder 9 fullsize which holds 17 + 1, so 32 rnds total. When I carried my P99 it was 33 rnds.
psychophipps
Member
I carry 2 spares and one in the weapon, myself. I've heard and read from many sources that this is about optimal to handle potential non-castastrophic malfunctions and to have enough shot-time to get the job done. I've also heard that it's good to have a 4th magazine to rotate between the others so that any one magazine spring doesn't stay compressed or sprung too long.
So that's 25 shots for my P97DC and 52 for my Glock 17 when I carry each respectively...
Mark(psycho)Phipps( HAHAHA! )
So that's 25 shots for my P97DC and 52 for my Glock 17 when I carry each respectively...
Mark(psycho)Phipps( HAHAHA! )
Ala Dan
Member in memoriam
Well, for armed concealment purposes I like to have two extra magazines
for my Kimber Stainless Ultra Carry II. These are carried on my belt, and
in a double mag pouch as made by Kirkpatrick Leather.
for my Kimber Stainless Ultra Carry II. These are carried on my belt, and
in a double mag pouch as made by Kirkpatrick Leather.
Mad Magyar
Member
There has been a change of attitude among many of the leading firearm instructors concerning the need for tactical reloading for civilians.
The first point concerns how much training time should be devoted to reloading, if any. The second deals with "statistical analysis" for civilian shoot-outs. If you take war out of the equation, there isn't one documented case of a civilian being overrun needing an extra mag or ammo in their particular situation.
Thirdly, when "all hell breaks loose", the "debilitating effects of extreme metabolic stress that are nearly always present after you've fired for real. Under that kind of stress, your hands will be shaking, probably violently, and the potential of dropping one or both magazines or placing the mag correctly is too high".
Personally, with high capacity mags available and being extremely familiar with my pistol, ammo & training; don't feel a need to carry extra mag. If you add the factor of additional concealment, well you see the point...This next point is a little off the subject, but with the trend of going "small" for CCW; you can see the contradiction of carrying one or two extra mags...Anyway, that's my take on the matter....
The first point concerns how much training time should be devoted to reloading, if any. The second deals with "statistical analysis" for civilian shoot-outs. If you take war out of the equation, there isn't one documented case of a civilian being overrun needing an extra mag or ammo in their particular situation.
Thirdly, when "all hell breaks loose", the "debilitating effects of extreme metabolic stress that are nearly always present after you've fired for real. Under that kind of stress, your hands will be shaking, probably violently, and the potential of dropping one or both magazines or placing the mag correctly is too high".
Personally, with high capacity mags available and being extremely familiar with my pistol, ammo & training; don't feel a need to carry extra mag. If you add the factor of additional concealment, well you see the point...This next point is a little off the subject, but with the trend of going "small" for CCW; you can see the contradiction of carrying one or two extra mags...Anyway, that's my take on the matter....
possum
Member
I normally carry only one extra mag with me. I will most likly bump that up to 2 spare mags as soon as I get me a good concealable double magazine pouch.
how many mags is enough? i try to keep 10-15 per gun.
how many do i carry? just the one in the gun.
how many rounds in the house? i keep between 5000-10,000 per handgun, and 300-500 per rifle, except ar-15's, i keep 2500 per ar-15.
i feel i am at the point w/ my guns and ammo to be secure in the case of the unpredictable. handgun ammo is stored in dry-boxes (1000 per box), and each box has about 5 mags in it, and each box is labeled for cartridge and gun, so if i have to grab and go, i have mags and ammo that match the gun. ar-15 ammo/mags are stored the same way. bolt gun ammo is stored in 100-round boxes.
as for what you carry, its more than i carry, but that is an individual call according to your comfort zone.
how many do i carry? just the one in the gun.
how many rounds in the house? i keep between 5000-10,000 per handgun, and 300-500 per rifle, except ar-15's, i keep 2500 per ar-15.
i feel i am at the point w/ my guns and ammo to be secure in the case of the unpredictable. handgun ammo is stored in dry-boxes (1000 per box), and each box has about 5 mags in it, and each box is labeled for cartridge and gun, so if i have to grab and go, i have mags and ammo that match the gun. ar-15 ammo/mags are stored the same way. bolt gun ammo is stored in 100-round boxes.
as for what you carry, its more than i carry, but that is an individual call according to your comfort zone.
rbernie
Contributing Member
Ditto.
Although I'll admit that I do keep an extra loaded pistol magazine in the glove compartment of my car......
Autolycus
Member
I plan to carry at least one spare magazine with me. Probably two. On days when I go to a bad area my primary will be an HK P2000 in .40 caliber. My BUG will be an HK P2000sk so I can use larger magazines.
My rule of thumb is one spare reload per gun.
So with a full loadout (2 guns) I will have 47 rounds of .40 with me. On light days it can be 22-47. I will probably carry one gun so 34 rounds. The P2000sk will probably be my everday gun.
My rule of thumb is one spare reload per gun.
So with a full loadout (2 guns) I will have 47 rounds of .40 with me. On light days it can be 22-47. I will probably carry one gun so 34 rounds. The P2000sk will probably be my everday gun.
Hhrshooter
Member
I have a Glock 23, Sig 228, Sig 220 all with 5 mags. When I carry, it is with just 1 spare mag. At the range it is nice to have all 5. I do have freinds that carry 2 spare mags, but it just seems like it is too much in my opinion. I can't really see carrying 39 to 90 rnds for self defense unless living in a combat zone.
I'm sure others might disagree, afterall it is just an opinion
I'm sure others might disagree, afterall it is just an opinionprogunner1957
member
Depends. When I used to carry my Glock 21, I'd carry 2 exra mags. Now that I carry a 1911 all the time, I carry 3 extra 8 round mags.
Another question to consider is how many magazines should you own for each weapon? Stock up on high capacity magazines NOW - sooner or later, we will see another high capacity magazine ban.
I have a friend that has amassed a collection of 50+ AR-15 30 round mags. I'd be comfortable with about half that number - if I owned one of them evil black child killer rifles.
As far as pistol mags, 15-20 hi cap mags for each handgun seems about right... YMMV.
Another question to consider is how many magazines should you own for each weapon? Stock up on high capacity magazines NOW - sooner or later, we will see another high capacity magazine ban.
I have a friend that has amassed a collection of 50+ AR-15 30 round mags. I'd be comfortable with about half that number - if I owned one of them evil black child killer rifles.
As far as pistol mags, 15-20 hi cap mags for each handgun seems about right... YMMV.
I have four high capacity mags for my Baby Eagle. Three are kept loaded at all times and I rotate them out at the range whenever I go. Concealed carry isn't an option for me and I would probably purchase a seperate gun for that purpose.
However, it might be a good gun for carry in a shoulder holster with a couple mags attatched.
However, it might be a good gun for carry in a shoulder holster with a couple mags attatched.
the naked prophet
Member
I find it's easier to carry a gun if I balance the weight on my right and left sides. Whether shoulder holster or belt holster, two full mags for my Glock 19 balance the weight very well.
As for how many spare mags to own, at least enough that you can practice without unloading or firing all your expensive carry ammo.
As for how many spare mags to own, at least enough that you can practice without unloading or firing all your expensive carry ammo.
The absolute minimum for me for a primary gun would be 5, and 10-15 is better. There's always 1 in the gun, 2 in the duty mag pouches, which serve as spares in the bedroom, 1 for concealed carry, and 1 in my personal vehicle. Then, I like a few unloaded spares for practice or as extras for special occasions like long hikes in the woods. For a secondary gun that serves as a backup or principally for CCW, I can get by with a couple less.
Manedwolf
member
I have to wonder why so many people expect to get into prolonged movie-style gun battles, instead of just a close-range encounter that's over in seconds.
IMO, that's a bit unrealistic and more to do with fantasy than reality.
IMO, that's a bit unrealistic and more to do with fantasy than reality.
Mad Magyar
Member
Manedwolf brings up a point that needs to be explored a little further. Not because I agree or this is a better opinion than the others; but lets look at the data.
Setting aside the civilian aspect (Zero incidents) as mentioned in my earlier response, Mas Ayoob, who has researched probably as many LE gunfights in the past 20 years than most can only remember 2 such incidents where a true tactical reload was necessary. Think about that for a moment....
John Q. or a "Rambo" clone can carry as many extra mags as they want; but those of us that regularly carry a large caliber pistol dealing with the weight & concealibility factors depending on your attire for the day; realistically it doesn't compute for me....IMHO...
Setting aside the civilian aspect (Zero incidents) as mentioned in my earlier response, Mas Ayoob, who has researched probably as many LE gunfights in the past 20 years than most can only remember 2 such incidents where a true tactical reload was necessary. Think about that for a moment....
John Q. or a "Rambo" clone can carry as many extra mags as they want; but those of us that regularly carry a large caliber pistol dealing with the weight & concealibility factors depending on your attire for the day; realistically it doesn't compute for me....IMHO...
Crawlin
Member
When I carry my full size kimber, I have 8 +1 (.45) in the gun and carry a 10 round mag as a spare. For me, if I'm being shot at by more than 2 or 3 people, more rounds probably isn't going to do much for me as this is probably more than the average everyday robbery. However at home, I make sure i have about 4 or 5 mags with my gun if I really need it.
If I have my HK P2000sk then it has 9+1 (.40) in the gun and another 9 round mag as a spare.
So 19 rounds for each gun. If I can't stop the threat or get to cover in 19 rounds of a large caliber, I have major issues with shot placement.
If I have my HK P2000sk then it has 9+1 (.40) in the gun and another 9 round mag as a spare.
So 19 rounds for each gun. If I can't stop the threat or get to cover in 19 rounds of a large caliber, I have major issues with shot placement.
Autolycus
Member
My belief is that you should carry at least one spare mag per gun. This also why I relly enjoy magazine interchangability between guns. An example being Glock 17/19/26 or HK P2000/P2000sk, and some sigs. It is nice to know that I can pack that much ammo and still be comfy.
I know I wont be in any movie style gunfights but if SHTF while I am at work or out I would like to know that I have enough ammo to get home if stuck far from it.
To each their own.
I know I wont be in any movie style gunfights but if SHTF while I am at work or out I would like to know that I have enough ammo to get home if stuck far from it.
To each their own.
MCgunner
Member
I used to just carry one spare in the left pocket, but what with keys and change in there, better on the belt. Then, I decided if I was going to carry a spare in my knife case, I might as well carry two in my nylon 9mm mag pouch. 9s ain't that heavy and the only other thing normally on my belt is a leatherman supertool. Sometimes I carry the cell phone in a pouch on my belt, just have to use the right side for that I guess since I carry the gun in a pocket now days. Sometimes my street cloths resemble one of those swat tactical belts... :banghead:
:banghead:So it seems to be pretty common to have multiple loaded mags in the home. But someone mentioned changing them out to keep the spring fresh. So how long is TOO long to keep a mag loaded without firing or unloading it?
And someone else said they rotate them out by going to the range. Does this mean you keep practice ammo loaded in your mags at home? Or are you shooting self-defence ammo at paper targets? I can't imagine that is the case.
And someone else said they rotate them out by going to the range. Does this mean you keep practice ammo loaded in your mags at home? Or are you shooting self-defence ammo at paper targets? I can't imagine that is the case.
10-Ring
Member
As a minimum, I go w/ 5 tested & proven mags. I have some w/ 10+ each
Just don't break the bank acquiring accessories
Just don't break the bank acquiring accessories
Bazooka Joe71
Member
I know this is off of the subject, but i did not want to start a new thread. I know that you shouldn't chamber a bullet more than a couple of times, but does it matter how many times you load and unload bullets from a mag?
Chupacabra
Member
I usually always carry a spare magazine. Will I need it? Probably not. Eh, just clip it on the belt and forget about it. It helps balance the load on the belt anyway.
Stretching and compressing the springs by loading and unloading the mag causes more wear and tear than leaving a mag in a compressed state.
Personally I rotate carry ammo every six months, and if a particular bullet is showing wear from repeated chambering I throw it in tupperware contatiner that goes to the range as practice ammo. Incidentally, I've never had one of these bullets fail to feed, extract, or eject.
As for a carry load, my primary is a Beretta 92fs in a shoulder holster with two mags carried on the offside to blance the weight of the gun. Total 53 rounds. Granted I've never needed even one round to defend myself on American soil, but I'm from the school that believes the only time one can have too much ammo is if one is drowning or on fire.
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