Single vs. Double Stack

[Getahl]

Hi all,

I'm looking at picking up a 9mm autoloader in the relatively near future, and it looks like there is no shortage of options. I am a shooting newbie, so I have plenty of questions, but thought I'd stick to mags today. Aside from the obvious width difference between the two, what other advantages/disadvantages are offered by a single stack mag and a double stack mag? Is there a difference in feed issue? Significant weight difference? Is there anything glaring that I am missing, or anything basic I should know?

Thank you,

Keith

 

[rellascout]

It is simply an issue of capacity and size. Reliability is about the same in that there are good reliable singles stacks and bad unreliable single stacks and the same it true for double stack mags. Weight of course will be a factor. One will carry say 8 rounds the other will carry 13+. The weight of the round will be greater than the weight of the mag itself.

Most double stack guns will be larger in the frame than their single stack counterparts.

Single Stack Kahr



Double Stack Hi Power.

 

[The_Armed_Therapist]

Reliability is not a factor, except that I have always found larger firearms to be more reliable than smaller firearms, very generally, and whether it is a single or double stack happens to correlate with that--but it has nothing to do with the mags... More to do with smaller guns needing cleaned more often, etc.

Buy as large a pistol as you can conceal (largest frame, longest barrel, highest capacity). If you can do this with a Smith & Wesson M&P, Springfield XDM, or Glock G21, then go that route (all double stacks). If you need to move all the way down to a Kahr CW-series or even CM-series, then go that route.

 

[Pistol Ranch]

Single stack is thinner, thus more easily concealable. Single stacks work better for folks with small hands.
Double stack offers more capacity, thus more opportunity to shoot bad guys or more tagets without changing magazines.
I have personally eperienced more feed failures with double stacked than with single stack pistols. Depending on the weapon, the controls on double stacks are not as easily accessible as the SS.

P.R.

 

[9mmepiphany]

Let's not get too far afield, the OP is asking specifically about the different properties of the two style of magazines...not the guns that use them.

BTW: while Double Stack is a commonly used term, there are very few true double stack magazines for pistols (I can only think of 2) as they really hold the rounds in a staggered column and they taper to a single feed at the lips. This isn't nit-picking, but you might as well learn the correct terms from the start

Along those line, I'll offer a few observations that I've noticed over the years.
1. Single stack magazines put more pressure on the feed lips as the pressure is directly transmitted from the follower straight up the cartridge column. The staggered feed magazine's pressure is spread out at an angle.

2. The Staggered feed magazines are more likely to exhibit a rattle of the cartridge column as there is less contact between the casings and the body sides.

3. With Staggered feed magazines, the alignment with the magazine well. during reloads, is less critical. Besides the magazine well being wider, the top of the magazine tapers...so it is self aligning. That is why the wider magazines are aligned with a rear corner while the narrower magazines are aligned with the back of the magazine for quick reloads

 

[56hawk]

BTW: while Double Stack is a commonly used term, there are very few true double stack magazines for pistols (I can only think of 2) as they really hold the rounds in a staggered column and they taper to a single feed at the lips.

Here are examples of all three designs. By the way, were the two pistols you were thinking of the HK VP70 and the FN FiveseveN?

 

[9mmepiphany]

By the way, were the two pistols you were thinking of the HK VP70 and the FN FiveseveN?

That was an excellent illustration, thanks for posting...you don't see many folks who have the full range of H&K mags

The VP70 was my first thought and then I thought of the Steyr GB (but I wasn't sure)...just as I posted the FiveseveN did come to mind

 

[56hawk]

Yeah, I forgot about the Steyr. I've only shot one once. Guess it might be time to buy a new gun.

 

[NG VI]

PMR-30 is the most true double stack mag available probably. Two enclosed stacks of rounds that integrate at the top of the stack. Neat!

 

[Getahl]

Here are examples of all three designs. By the way, were the two pistols you were thinking of the HK VP70 and the FN FiveseveN?

Thanks for the replies, all.

I am a 6' tall male, with hands on the large side of average, so I don't think width will be much of a factor. But, you never know.

As for models, I'm looking at S&W M&P, Glock 19, Ruger SR9, Sig P226, but always open to suggestions. My ceiling is around $500, so will probably go for a pre-loved unit.

 

[jimbo555]

I think Rellascout has it right,Glock 17,19,26,vs kahr,ruger lc9,s&w shield etc.I would say go to your local gun store and put some in your hand,start there.

 

[hentown]

Since the guy's a newbie, and is considering the purchase of his first handgun, I'll just jump in here and presume that he's not going to just go out and buy some magazines with no pistol. Accordingly, I'd concur with those who have posted that modern pistols from reputable manufacturers, regardless of mag design, will be reliable.

The common nomenclature for most Glock magazines is "doublestack", even though the rounds are fed through one set of feed lips. I'd suggest to the newbie that he rent a G19 and some other popular pistols, both doublestack and singlestack and give 'em a try.

Typically, and logically, OP, pistols with singlestack mags are thinner than pistols with doublestack mags.

 

[Fremmer]

You may find the thicker mags easier to shoot with big hands.

 

[NG VI]

The Browning isn't a fat pistol, but the grips on the one shown are much more swollen than most pistol grips. The slide and frame are thicker than the Kahr, but not by the same huge amount the grips are.

 

[56hawk]

The Browning isn't a fat pistol, but the grips on the one shown are much more swollen than most pistol grips.

If anything the one pictured looks thinner than mine.

 

[rellascout]

Those grips are Spegels and they are slimmer than most BHP grips and much thinner than the factory grips. The only ones I have come across that are thinner are Naviderix.

 

[Warp]

Size vs capacity. That's it. There really isn't anything else for you to worry about.

Of course, size is complicated. It can be too big or be too small, depending on the size of your hands and how (if) you intend to carry.

 

[NG VI]

They're wrapped around the back of the grip area of the frame like a CZ grip aren't they?

 

[PabloJ]

I looked at many guns and S&W99 .45acp seems to have one of the best shaped magazines. It holds 10 rounds and the gun grip is very suitable for shooters with small to medium hands.

 

[el Godfather]

My rule of thumb (with exceptions offcourse) is that double stack for 9mm and single stack for 45.

Since you are picking up 9mm, you should go for double stack or staggered magazine.

 

[Skribs]

Personally, I have small hands, but I prefer the grip of a typical double-stack to single-stack, because I'm a gamer and am used to gripping a very fat device (mouse). Most modern (read: past few decades) pistols with very high magazine capacities are designed with the small-handed shooter in mind, with additional backstraps for large-handed shooters. As others said - try different stuff and see what you like.

Onto the magazines, I'm not sure if this is a function of the bullets being in a single column or simply that there are 6 rounds instead of 11-16, but I've noticed that my LCP magazines (6-round, single stack) are a lot easier to load than my XDm (11 or 16, double-stack), especially when you're putting the last round in. That said, if I need a 7th round, I'll be glad for my XDm.

Another advantage is that with a compact pistol, if it is double-stack then it will feed larger magazines (like with my XDm) no problem. If it is single-stack, then the magazine could go too far into the magazine well and fail to feed.

 

[NG VI]

Best thing is to just get the gun that fits your needs best and don't be overly worried about capacity. If it's ridiculous, like a 2.5# pistol that hold seven or eight rounds, it's probably not great for carry, but for the most part designers strive to match up the best blend of features for a given design.

 

[justice06rr]

My recommendation since you are still new is to go with a Double stack. You will need to practice and go to the range a lot, so a double stack would serve a better purpose. Having to load 6-7 rounds into a mag each time is time consuming. Not until you really are into conceal carrying that you should be looking into a single stack. (with the exception of 1911's of course)

 

[TonyAngel]

If you've ever carried a firearm for 8 to 10 hours a day, every day, you start to appreciate the difference that a little bit can make. Some people have larger frames than others and can comfortably carry a larger handgun than others can.

I now carry a Kahr because it is slim and very comfortable for me. Whether driving or sitting down, I hardly know it's there. I used to carry a Glock and found that I was taking it off when in the office because it was too fat and uncomfortable for me.

If concealed carry is a concern and you are on the small/skinny side, then these might be concerns that you should consider.

If concealed carry is not a concern, then get the largest handgun that will fit your hands in the largest caliber that you can handle and afford to shoot. If it so happens that it is a model with a 17 round capacity, then so be it.

You really can't judge a handgun by its capacity. I'm a pretty small guy and feel equally comfortable shooting a Glock 22 double stack as I do a 1911 single stack.

I'd suggest that you at the least get to a store with a large selection and start checking them out.