luvsmiths
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When Did It Start? (Carrying an Extra Mag)
- Thread starter Onomea
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I have carried for about 40 years. 1st was a Model 60, 5 shots, speedloader in pocket (later in ashtray). 1994-2021 came 6906, 12 rds on board (k frame with a reload), extra 5906 mags stashed around. CZ P07 holds 15 (a j frame with 2 reloads). I have an extra mag in vehicle and nightstand.
I also try to stay away from trouble/places. Joe
I also try to stay away from trouble/places. Joe
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I went out with friends last Saturday and when we got back to my house for dessert, I went into my bedroom and started taking all the stuff out my pockets and took off my gun belt, holster and spare magazine. One of my friends (we were talking and so he followed me into the room) was in shock and asked, "how to you carry all that stuff around all day"? My answer was that I started 50 years ago and just got used to it. When we go on a cruise, plane, etc. where I can't carry, I actually feel naked - lol.
My EDC gear:
*Sig P365 with 11 rounds on board either in OWB or in front pocket holster
*Spare 10 round mag for above - in belt mag. pouch or other pocket
*Syderco Delica knife
*Tiny keychain sized SAK
*Wallet
*Key fob for whatever vehicle I am driving
*Cheaters
*iPhone
A good pair of Union Bay Cargo shorts with large pockets, a good gun belt and balancing out the weight makes all the difference. I rarely ever wear long pants.
My EDC gear:
*Sig P365 with 11 rounds on board either in OWB or in front pocket holster
*Spare 10 round mag for above - in belt mag. pouch or other pocket
*Syderco Delica knife
*Tiny keychain sized SAK
*Wallet
*Key fob for whatever vehicle I am driving
*Cheaters
*iPhone
A good pair of Union Bay Cargo shorts with large pockets, a good gun belt and balancing out the weight makes all the difference. I rarely ever wear long pants.
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For the average Joe it's probably more to do with marketing than anything else. Playing on the customers fears has always been a great way to garner sales. The "peace of mind" factor at work.
John
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20 years ago I would have agreed. Today, I don't believe that is reality anymore. Too many innocent bystanders who are just minding their own business are getting robbed, pushed onto RR tracks, carjacked, raped, beat up, and murdered! I truly believe what was once just marketing has become a reality!
I live by the 6 P's.......
Previous Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance!
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Even back in WWI, U.S. military personnel carried spare moonclip pouches and spare magazine pouches for their .45 ACP 1917 revolvers and 1911 pistols. Why would you not want extra ammo when traveling in harm's way?
Yup, street experience taught me to always carry an extra mag, or speedstrip when carrying a J Frame. Specifically that experience was running out of ammo after reloading my Colt DS once in the middle of a gunfight in ‘74 w/three armed robbery suspects, and I had to finish the fight w/my blackjack. After that I always had a box of 50 duty rounds in my briefcase, and purchased a few spare mags when we transitioned to the Glock. Since my ‘97 retirement there’s always a spare mag or two, plus speedloaders, in the center console of the car.
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I normally carry 1 mag but if going somewhere that could be less safe i will sometimes carry 2. for my shield plus that mean 14 in the gun and 2 15 rd mags in a mag pouch in my pocket.
I do believe in Murphy's law with one caveat "If you are ready for something to go wrong it won't."
I do believe in Murphy's law with one caveat "If you are ready for something to go wrong it won't."
As pointed out above, a second mag is part of some malfunction-reaction procedures. Many mag-carry pouches are designed for two mags. To me, "extra mag" ordinarily means a fourth mag for FMJ. Sometimes I carry one, often I don't.
I'm sure that a persuasive person could convince me that four are normal, and that it is only a fifth mag that is extra.
I'm sure that a persuasive person could convince me that four are normal, and that it is only a fifth mag that is extra.
In the old days we were taught to always have a spare mag if carrying an autoloader.
It wasn't necessarily because of extra rounds but in case of a mag/cartridge failure, damaged mag or an accidental mag eject.
,
It wasn't necessarily because of extra rounds but in case of a mag/cartridge failure, damaged mag or an accidental mag eject.
,
As far as civilian ccw goes, I feel like it largely came about in the 1990s. LA Riots, the spike in crime, the seemingly increasing prevalence of shootings, etc. it has snowballed ever since IMO.
My M1911 was purchased from a veteran who carried it in France during WWI. It came with a two-magazine pouch that slipped onto the pistol belt. It is unit marked and came with two original two-tone mags.
Pretty much the same load out except no SAK but a AAA flashlight.... and
sometimes sunglasses.
Generally the gun is a 3913,6906 or Beretta Compact 15+1 depending where I'm going, what I'm going to be doing and how long will I be gone!
Spare mag(s) for each in the center console.
Bottom line one needs pockets.... lots of pockkets!!
Piwo
Member
This...
People can do as they see fit. I have said before that magazines sometimes come out of guns at the worst possible time. In my career it happened to my partners. Both were on gun runs, In one case the mag fell out of my partner's S&W 5943 as we bailed out of our car. It hit his foot and went under the low ground clearance "Shamu" Chevy. He seamlessly replaced the mag with one from his belt at a dead run for cover.
I'm aware of many more magazines lost out of guns and pouches during foot chases and other dynamic events. As a firearms instructor it was not uncommon to see folks drop magazines during requal. I have seen multiple times magazine bases pop off and eject contents. This happened most when we got a bad batch of glock magazines. It seemed to occur randomly...it was discovered later that it was due to one magazine form in one magazine mold at glock and they made it right.
The bottom line for me is that an extra mag or speed strip gives me an option that I hope I never need. The crisis/emergency NEVER comes in the way we want it or when. Civilian gunfights are rare. Reloads in civilian gunfights are rarer still. But extra ammo is like an extra umbrella insurance policy. I'm not talking about carrying 6 extra mags. One extra reload is reasonable and convenient. If only for malfunctions.
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I do carry a small, very powerful flashlight as well (actually 3 if you count the second one on my keychain and the third in my cell phone. - I forgot to mention that.
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And let's not forget it "evens us out" so we can walk tall and centered, not at an angle - LOL!! 
Some were, some weren't. But even in the revolver days there were spaces on the gun belt for extra ammunition.
In the Army a handgun, a holster and a double magazine carrier are standard issue. for the 1911 with 21 rounds and the M9 with 45 rounds.
Even when I worked as a security guard the standard issue was the gun, the holster and a double magazine carrier.
I can't speak for anybody else but when I started carrying a handgun I carried it with two reloads because that's the way the Army taught me to do it.
I’ve said many times that *everyone* who doesn’t carry a flashlight should try dropping a 1-AAA light (like a Streamlight Microstream) in their pocket every day for a week. You can’t know how incredibly handy these things are until you’ve experienced it.
(I could say something similar about the humble Victorinox Classic.)
Back on the original topic, I don’t think of carrying a spare magazine as a new thing. With that said, there has been increased belief that doing so is *essential* during the past couple of decades.
"Normal" ? Depends where you live.. Chicago/ big city I'll dress for the threat.
I live in "Mayberry RFD" and get by with a pocket revolver.
But I carry 4 more bullets than Barney!
Mike
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