Carrying extra Magazine

[Iggy]

Horizontal Mag carrier for 1911 mags.

 

[cjcutter1]

Two backup mags always.

 

[Gripgrabber]

I also carry 2spare, I carry a 19 or 23 glock with full size mags, 17 or 22 mags, gives me a few extra rounds in my reload mags.
Same deal with my sw9&40 compacts!

 

[shooter1911]

Yes I carry a spare mag in my pocket in a Sneaky Peat mag holster weather I'm carrying my Full Size 1911, compact 1911, or M&P 45C. It's not so much a matter of needing more ammo, it's because the magazine in a semi-auto of any flavor is the weakest point in the system and the first to go. I don't want Murphy rearing his ugly head when I need to pull my side arm. With that said I have to admit I also carry a speed strip or speed loader when I carry my 340PD due the low capacity of the JFrame.

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

I guess Smoke was closest to my way of thinking. When the OP asked about carrying an extra magazine, the first thing I thought about was a fourth magazine, an addition to one in the gun and two on the other side. When I carry an autoloader, I sometimes carry an extra magazine loaded with FMJ, in addition to the two on my left side and the one in my gun, those loaded with hollowpoints of one sort or another.

Sometimes an extra magazine seems indicated. Other times I feel comfortable without it.

 

[Don~Z~]

I carry one spare mag for my Shield 40 but I don't like stuff hanging off my belt so I bought a SnagMag mag carrier.

You carry it in your off-hand pant pocket and it looks just like a knife clip. It keeps the magazine up out of the bottom of the pocket and in the proper orientation for drawing and inserting the mag into the pistol's mag well.

I've been using one for my Shield 40 for a couple of years now and like it so well, I just received one for my Full Size mag too.

I use snagmag for both of my carry pistols, they work great


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[BAM-BAM]

EDC in the "burbs of the Burgh" is one extra mag for my 3913 in a Safariland horizontal (model 123) mag pouch....7+1 +8.

My off side pocket carries my money clip a single AAA battery flashlight and 2 quarters.....a carry over from the days of payphones.

My reasons are close to those expressed by Fererali.........

 

[Rastoff]

No one ever left a gun fight wishing they had less ammo.

Even so, I'm with Federali; the extra is mainly for malfunctions.

 

[okiegtrider]

Everyone tends to assume that you need a spare magazine because you might shoot your gun dry and still be in a gun battle.

However, a spare magazine is also needed because you may need it to clear a stoppage involving the original magazine..."

Nailed it. This reflects my own training where pistols are concerned and why I always carry a spare magazine. For me, it's just second nature. YMMV

 

[BirdmanH54]

I generally carry one in a cargo pant pocket. I don't wear 'em on my belt or IWB unless I'm going to the range or expecting trouble.

Don't you always "expect trouble?"


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[blues7]

Don't you always "expect trouble?"

You make a good point but the reason I moved to the outskirts of "Mayberry" (not Mt. Airy) was because I no longer wanted to live in an environment where I "had to" carry and look over my shoulder at all times.

Let me put a quote in here from a post I made on another firearms related forum the other day which puts in perspective how things have changed in my world view since retirement...

Taking the J frame lifestyle to the extreme, (in a way which won't ever be popular on this forum), after I moved up here to God's country from South FL, I got pretty used to leaving my guns locked up and this lasted for several years.

I'd talk on the phone with one of my old partner's down in South FL and he'd ask me if I was carrying up here. I'd tell him no. He'd ask why and I'd say that's why I moved here...I didn't need to.

And in truth I didn't and haven't. But the world gets more unfathomable, unpredictable and perilous on seemingly a daily basis and so now we once again sally forth prepared to meet the untamed world on its own terms.

These days I normally EDC either a G26 or a G19 AIWB...usually with one spare mag. Last night I wore the spare mag IWB as well.

 

[bigggbbruce]

For edc I don't carry extra magazines.

If I can't solve a real life problem with 8 in a 1911, more ammo isn't going to help.

Unless you plan to miss a lot, an extra magazine won't help in a civilian sd situation.

While I agree to some extent, real life is unpredictable.

I guess you haven't seen a car full of thugs pull up and 3 or 4 get out and confront a victim. More than one carry and I sure would like a few extra just in case, instead of standing there with my gun locked open and empty.

And for other situations I actually do a little drill where I reach for my extra mag in my back pocket as if going for my wallet, using the visual distraction to slide up to appendix and draw my primary. Once you see what's in my left hand my right hand is pointing a gun at you. And if I've gone that far the next move is bang.

 

[BirdmanH54]

I too live in Mayberry, but I'm vigilant in my carry practice for that possibly SHTF day, when the need for my tools and extra ammo can't be predicted. I carry a handgun to get away first and get to my rifle second.

You make a good point but the reason I moved to the outskirts of "Mayberry" (not Mt. Airy) was because I no longer wanted to live in an environment where I "had to" carry and look over my shoulder at all times.

Let me put a quote in here from a post I made on another firearms related forum the other day which puts in perspective how things have changed in my world view since retirement...



These days I normally EDC either a G26 or a G19 AIWB...usually with one spare mag. Last night I wore the spare mag IWB as well.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Rastoff]

Don't you always "expect trouble?"

You make a good point but the reason I moved to the outskirts of "Mayberry" (not Mt. Airy) was because I no longer wanted to live in an environment where I "had to" carry and look over my shoulder at all times.

I too moved to a safer town, but that is all the more reason to carry all the time.

Yes, the crime rate is lower, but we still have one. Just because it's safer doesn't mean it's safe. Because we live in a safer environment, we tend to let our guard down a little more. Thus we are less prepared to deal with the bad guy right away.

This is normal. It's how we want to live and that's a good thing. I'm not trying to change anyone here, just making a point. If anyone doesn't want to carry, that's fine. It's a level of risk they are willing to take. Fortunately for us in the US, it's a low level of risk, but there is still risk.

 

[blues7]

I too live in Mayberry, but I'm vigilant in my carry practice for that possibly SHTF day, when the need for my tools and extra ammo can't be predicted. I carry a handgun to get away first and get to my rifle second.

If I'm out and about I won't have a rifle with me but I will have a "happy stick" in my 4Runner.

At home, I have ample stashed surprises including an AR ready as required. (I haven't exactly forgotten where I come from.)

I too moved to a safer town, but that is all the more reason to carry all the time.

Yes, the crime rate is lower, but we still have one. Just because it's safer doesn't mean it's safe. Because we live in a safer environment, we tend to let our guard down a little more. Thus we are less prepared to deal with the bad guy right away.

This is normal. It's how we want to live and that's a good thing. I'm not trying to change anyone here, just making a point. If anyone doesn't want to carry, that's fine. It's a level of risk they are willing to take. Fortunately for us in the US, it's a low level of risk, but there is still risk.

Preaching to the choir, brother. I'm rarely without a firearm on my person and I prepare myself (and my spouse) for the eventuality should they need to be used. (I also carry PLI to provide financial and legal support should it come to that.)

I'm also fortunate to be able to shoot with my neighbors on their property as well as the local sheriff's department to keep my skills honed.

 

[Targets Guy]

When I carry my 1911s my holster has a mag pouch.

 

[Rastoff]

When I carry my 1911s my holster has a mag pouch.

While better than nothing, there is a serious draw back to that setup; the mag is on the shooting side. When it comes time to change the mag, you'll have to switch the gun to the other hand to retrieve the mag. Then, if you're like most of us, you'll switch the gun back to your shooting hand to insert the mag. Lots of extra movement there.

It is good that you have the extra though.

 

[SgtStone]

Thought provoking replies to the original post.

I carry extra mags at the range in cargo pockets, grabbing fresh mags & dropping empties in a simple shoulder bag, a freebie from some conference. I seldom carry spare mags on the street but always practice "combat reloads" to hone my skills. I rotate mags every range visit & clean the mags when I clean the weapon. Lint has not been a problem but I understand some platforms are more sensitive to what the USAF called FOD (foreign object damage).

With that said I almost always carry a spare backup gun (BUG). If I or the weapon malfunction or I can't reach my primary carry, I can draw offside & defend. I don't just practice shooting a few rounds offside (left for me), my backup IS my left hand gun, shot every visit to the pistol range as such. I carry both guns fully loaded. In a true emergency I'd rather draw a loaded gun ready to fire, than attempt a combat reload.

This carry method derives from the days when guns held less rounds & were more prone to failure but makes sense. My loaded BUG weighs less than a full spare mag for my primary but helps balance the weight. Carrying a BUG doesn't preclude carrying extra mags but with keys, wallet, knife, phone & other pocket plunder, I'd need belt & suspenders.

 

[petepeterson]

I usually carry one reload for any handgun I carry- revolver or semi. I can easily see emptying your weapon in almost any stress-filled scenario, regardless of how many aggressors there are.

I don't want to be waiting for the authorities in hostile territory with an empty weapon.

 

[WC145]

I always carry two spare mags if I'm carrying an auto and extras in the vehicle if I'm away from home. I've never been in a gun fight, on or off duty, but I've had to put animals down (one being a skunk with a .380 and missed a couple of times before making the 10yd head shot) and rather than spend the rest of my day short a few rounds I was able to just swap in a fresh mag. I've also had magazine related failures, including having the base plate pop off the mag in my FNP45 Tactical while sitting in my cruiser, had magazine parts and 15rds of .45 all over the place. But, again, I inserted a fresh magazine and I was back in business.

So, there's many reasons to carry spares other than running dry in a gun fight, including reloading at the end of a shoot out, rather than being left with an empty or near empty gun while you make your escape or wait for the cops to show up.