How many mags?

[Saudade]

More is better. Even if you don't use them, you can keep them as spares. Who knows what kooky laws will pass in the future.

For my M&Ps, I have a FS and a Compact. I really only have 4 Compact mags (1 flat, 3 pinky), but I've got a bunch of FS mags and 4 Xgrips to use my FS mags in my Compact. I also have a Shield. I do need a few more for it.

Of course, ymmv. Being in CA, we're limited to 10 rounds so I have extras to make up the overall capacity difference for units where the "normal" cap is over 10.

 

[Smiffer]

Wow, I feel so inadequate, after reading these listings. I only have 3 for my FS9. Guess I should get more in case I ever have an issue at an IDPA match.

 

[SidearmSam]

Not sure the point you're trying to make, Sam. Now my 9mm Shield isn't even mine yet, I pick it up next week, but I don't see a need (yet) for a grip extender. They seem awfully expensive to add to each $30 magazine. I agree that the 7 rounder for the 9mm Shield is a bit too short for me, but the 8 rounder fit very well in my hand, which granted is not large. I have no "in use" experience with that "spacer" on the 8 round magazine, but it seems like its movement up the mag would not be too likely...and if it does, there is probably a way to keep it from moving around. Remember, I do not have the pistol yet, so I'm ignorant of how the 8 round mag works........

I'd really like to hear from others about the likelihood of that rubber spacer on the 8 round mags actually causing a problem. I'd also like to hear from those who carry the 9mm Shield concealed on which magazine they carry? The 7 rounder would seem to be slightly more concealable and avoid a potential problem with that rubber spacer, but having one additional round in the pistol gives me warm and comfortable feeling.

Those spacers do move. You'll find out soon enough. And if it's even a smidge outta whack, the magazine won't lock.

The better half and I both carry 40 Shields. We have a dozen or so standard mags between us (all with grip extenders). We use the extended mags that came with the sidearms only at the range. We're re-seating them danged spacer sleeves all the time.

Sam is about safety. Those extended mags ain't safe for defensive carry because of them spacer sleeves. Sorry if the point wasn't clear, but if you find yourself in a shootout where you need to drop and load, you'd better have a spare mag that's ready to go. You won't have a second to fiddle with it. When I find myself in that situation, I'll trade one less round per mag for the confidence I can change mags quickly, without any hiccups.

Go back to my blog post and compare those pictures. My better half was the hand model. See how nicely her hand fits around the grip with the extender? The extender's shape not only gives you all the grip surface of the extended mag, it "cradles" your pinkie. At less than $12 shipped to your door, we see the grip extender not only as a reasonably priced upgrade, but as a "must have" with clear, significant advantages...

 

[dave29]

It really depends on what your usage is. I shoot USPSA Open so I have 5 17 round mags, 5 22 round mags, and 2 29 round mags. I could get by with less, but this lets me preload for the stages because I don't have a lot of time during the stage since I'm usually working as a Range Officer as well. When I shoot IDPA, I just take the 17's and down load them to 10, same thing with steel challenge except I load to capacity and shoot 2 strings before reloading.

Where did you get those high capacity (22,29 round) mags/extensions?

 

[Lycan]

Marie, get rid of them 8-rounders unless you're just using 'em for practice at the range. This'll tell ya why.

The 8 rounder spacers can move a little, but I still prefer them. I've never read about one report that showed them to be the cause of bad things happening in a real self defense situation. What little chance there is of needing to defend ones self is almost always resolved within the first mag worth of ammo or less. Of course, range practice can show all kinds of problems that would never occur in a real life self defense situation. To me, no way is it a big enough problem to "get rid" of them. I guess everyone can decide for themselves though.

 

[S&W Rover]

Three mags minimum; five makes me more comfortable. A couple of them +2 capacity. If I have any problems with a mag -- and this is rare these days -- it is gone.

 

[Protected One]

Those spacers do move. You'll find out soon enough. And if it's even a smidge outta whack, the magazine won't lock.

The better half and I both carry 40 Shields. We have a dozen or so standard mags between us (all with grip extenders). We use the extended mags that came with the sidearms only at the range. We're re-seating them danged spacer sleeves all the time.

Sam is about safety. Those extended mags ain't safe for defensive carry because of them spacer sleeves. Sorry if the point wasn't clear, but if you find yourself in a shootout where you need to drop and load, you'd better have a spare mag that's ready to go. You won't have a second to fiddle with it. When I find myself in that situation, I'll trade one less round per mag for the confidence I can change mags quickly, without any hiccups.

Go back to my blog post and compare those pictures. My better half was the hand model. See how nicely her hand fits around the grip with the extender? The extender's shape not only gives you all the grip surface of the extended mag, it "cradles" your pinkie. At less than $12 shipped to your door, we see the grip extender not only as a reasonably priced upgrade, but as a "must have" with clear, significant advantages...

A drop of superglue under the spacer. Problem solved. No need to spend $12.

 

[1hatchet]

On the Shield eight (8) round magazine spacers, to prevent movement install a Talon extended mag. grip for $1.99 + shipping.

Problem Solved!

TALON Gun Grips for Extended Magazine for Smith & Wesson M&P Shield 9mm/ .40

 

[hoc9sw]

Anyone with those horrible 8 round Shield 9 mags can send them to me. I'll arrange a proper disposition.

 

[hoc9sw]

In general, I would say 6-8 mags for each weapon. 2 for SD ammo, to leave loaded, then at least 4 for the range.

 

[papersniper]

In general, I would say 6-8 mags for each weapon. 2 for SD ammo, to leave loaded, then at least 4 for the range.

I am surprised so many here have so many magazines. Not a criticism, just an observation. I generally have only 2-3 magazines for my carry guns, but 5-6 or more for my competition or duty handguns. When I practice with the carry guns at the range, I kinda like lots of mag changes as that's one thing I think is important so I don't take too many with me. I also rarely load over 3-4 rounds to force me to make mag changes......of course, I first verify that all magazines function flawlessly fully loaded.

I am thinking of carry one spare magazine with the 9mm Shield, but I cannot decide yet if I want to have a 7 or 8 round magazine. I also want to try to find a horizontal pouch/carrier, but they seem to be rare.

 

[papersniper]

A drop of superglue under the spacer. Problem solved. No need to spend $12.

Yes, that was my initial thought also.....have you done that and how is it working out? I can "fix" a lot of those 8 round mags with a couple of bucks worth of glue.....as long as it adheres well.

 

[papersniper]

Anyone with those horrible 8 round Shield 9 mags can send them to me. I'll arrange a proper disposition.

Are you saying the supposed problem with the 8 rounders is not really an issue? I don't know....won't even take possession of my Shield until next week, but I am trying to decide which spare magazines I ought to get for concealed carry. That "spacer" doesn't print more than the 7 round magazines, does it?

 

[Joe Kent]

You should have as many mags per pistol as you may need, for me that is a minimum of 10 to 15 per pistol. Remember, the mag is the cheapest component of your system and the one part that fails, is lost, or becomes inoperable more often than not , leaving you with a single shot {if your pistol doesn't have a mag safety} at best and a real expensive badly designed hammer at worst.

 

[OldLawman]

I usually go 10-12 per gun (so in the case of my 5 1911s, I have a buttload !).

Some are available only from the original company, such as the Shield. Don't even talk to me about my Sig P210 or HK P7 M13 ! In those cases, every one you can find, because it is not like you can turn to Brownells for spares.

 

[toddstang]

I have about 50 AR 15 mags
AK mags 50
HK MP5 mags 10
Pistol mags I average about 6 for each pistol

I keep certain mags marked for range use only, because of misfeeds or malfunctions of one sort of another, even if its one occurrence, it gets marked 'Range Mag Only."

 

[papersniper]

But how many do you actually carry? I agree having a sufficient number of spares at home/in the car/bike/kayak etc, but I cannot imagine carrying more than one outside the pistol. I am talking SD, not duty carry of course.

 

[SidearmSam]

Anyone with those horrible 8 round Shield 9 mags can send them to me. I'll arrange a proper disposition.

Pardner, if you wanna swap straight across extended mags for standard mags, Sam's yer man... gotta be 40 Shield tho. Sam don't mess around with sidearm lead lighter than 158 grains...

 

[SidearmSam]

On the Shield eight (8) round magazine spacers, to prevent movement install a Talon extended mag. grip for $1.99 + shipping.

Problem Solved!

TALON Gun Grips for Extended Magazine for Smith & Wesson M&P Shield 9mm/ .40

Hatchet, Ya got hands on experience with those?

 

[Hamster65]

Title says it all - how many mags should I have for my pistols? How many do you have?

I have an M&P 9 and a 9mm Shield.

Shield - 3 x 7 round & 4 x 8 round

M&P 9 - 4 x 17 round

I hate the 7 round mag for my Shield. If the mags weren't so damn high priced, I'd buy at least 3 more 8 rounders.