I live in a pretty safe area, on a farm in the country. I’ve been shooting semi autos since 1971, and, as of today I’ve never had a magazine malfunction. I firmly believe, take care of your weapon and your weapon will take care of you. I maintain my equipment and I do not routinely drop magazines onto a hard surface. Could a malfunction happen? Sure. Am I worried about it? No. That said I do carry a second mag at times where I know the risk is higher than usual (church security team). The rest of the time, usually no. My Reflex has an even dozen on board, I’m not deliberately going into harms way so I can’t imagine being where 12 won’t do the job. When my J frame is one me there is usually a speed loader as well. I sincerely believe in Jordan’s theory on first hit, and I practice, a LOT, from 10-25 yards. I hear lots of folks talk about full size guns and multiple magazines. And if that flips your skirt fine. I’ve personally spoken with individuals who preach “big gun, lots of ammo’, but I’ve only known ONE who actually carried that way. Other’s have been “in the truck’ or “not carrying today”. Frankly that’s false security. The folks I know who actually carry all day everyday inevitable are packing smaller lightweight handguns. My pistol goes on when my pants do in the morning and comes off when they do at night-every morning and every night, and it’s been that way now for 4 decades. I long ago learned that, for ME anyway, carrying a big heavy piece becomes a chore after a few days. If it works for you, cool. Go for it. Remember though that unless it’s on you, right now, always, there’s no guarantee it’ll be there when you need it. Stay safe my friends. It’s a dangerous world.
Do you carry a spare magazine?
- Thread starter Dave Lively
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I’ve worn a setup like this for longer than I can remember. This pistol is a “Glock 17” clone. I’m 69 and, this goes on before 6am and doesn’t come off until after 6pm, every day of the week. I put it on to walk the dog, with my wife, 6 days a week and walk 5+miles most of those days and average 15,000 steps every day (except Sunday! lol) Some of us that carry a larger pistol, can, and not have any issue with doing so. Personally, I think someone should carry what they shoot best…..within reason, of course.
I'm not doubting you. I'm curious where was this?
The Last Standing Knight
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No matter which sidearm I am packing, at least one full reload is carried.
If you live in an area where gang members travel in packs and armed in some cases better than the military you understand why REAL quick.
If you live in an area where gang members travel in packs and armed in some cases better than the military you understand why REAL quick.
Honestly, a lot of great perspectives, but I didn't read them all.
I don't carry an extra magazine when I carry, I carry 2. First, because of where I live, I'm capacity restricted. Second, I can only carry when I am out of state, so many times I don't always know the good places from the bad.
With that out of the way, I have had a magazine base plate separate in a 1911, so I don't want to be stranded should that happen in a self-defense situation. Also, since a good portion of the vermin that would likely pose a threat needencouragement, they probably travel with friends. That vermin would most likely target weak targets, and being disabled, I fear that I would be deemed an easy target.
In the first 2 years of the Adaptive Defensive Shooting Summit, one of our instructors emphasized the 3 shot drill: 2 to the chest, 1 to the head. What if the miscreant that targets me has body armor to ensure their safety? If that becomes my reality, 10 rounds doesn't mean that I can neutralize 10 threats!
Honestly, I don't plan to run a pistol dry, I train to do tactical reloads. Having run the Sig Academy shoot house, I learned a lot! A single threat engagement happens fast, but more than that, you can't consider the engagement over when the first threat goes down.
I'm not a ninja, but I learned one major lesson after I became disabled ... job 1 is to make it home to my family at night. Therefore, carrying an extra magazine or 2 isn't an inconvenience, it's a necessity.
I don't carry an extra magazine when I carry, I carry 2. First, because of where I live, I'm capacity restricted. Second, I can only carry when I am out of state, so many times I don't always know the good places from the bad.
With that out of the way, I have had a magazine base plate separate in a 1911, so I don't want to be stranded should that happen in a self-defense situation. Also, since a good portion of the vermin that would likely pose a threat needencouragement, they probably travel with friends. That vermin would most likely target weak targets, and being disabled, I fear that I would be deemed an easy target.
In the first 2 years of the Adaptive Defensive Shooting Summit, one of our instructors emphasized the 3 shot drill: 2 to the chest, 1 to the head. What if the miscreant that targets me has body armor to ensure their safety? If that becomes my reality, 10 rounds doesn't mean that I can neutralize 10 threats!
Honestly, I don't plan to run a pistol dry, I train to do tactical reloads. Having run the Sig Academy shoot house, I learned a lot! A single threat engagement happens fast, but more than that, you can't consider the engagement over when the first threat goes down.
I'm not a ninja, but I learned one major lesson after I became disabled ... job 1 is to make it home to my family at night. Therefore, carrying an extra magazine or 2 isn't an inconvenience, it's a necessity.
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Northern Indiana.
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Sorry, I had the date wrong. The trial or arrests were recent but the shooting was last year and there were over 200 rounds fired.
4 charged, 3 wanted in South Bend shooting last July that hurt 4
Four people went to the hospital after more than 200 shots were fired in the 1300 block of Bissell Street back on July 28.
Goof for you. It takes a lot of dedication to do what you’re doing. Few folks have it. It appears that you’re a Marine (there are NO “former Marines”), and that likely explains it. The one guy I know who packs full size is Also a Marine (‘nam vet). Thank you for your service!
Look like a bunch of thugs. Does NOT appear to be a self defense issue. Gang banger and druggies doing their thing. It is however a good example as to why a person should be armed, ALL the time. Avoid known sketchy areas, but be ready wherever you are.
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No former, for sure. I just got called “A Crazy Marine” today after walking 5 miles with pack and pistol. lol. Yesterday I had my body armor on….with my pistol! Not too shabby for a nearly 70 year old…….MARINE! Thanks for the appreciation for my service. I served for us….
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Started as a block party so, in the beginning it would have been a defensive shooting. It does matter where you go after dark though. This is about 35 miles from us. We have Hispanic gangs here. One member, two doors away from us was shot across town a couple of years ago. One gangbanger shot his own brother, intentionally, at a local bar. About 30,000 people in our little town.
Yes - it's cheap malfunction insurance. Dump, insert, tap, rack, press.
Depends on time of day, day of week and more importantly, where I am going. I do carry a spare most days because I just have a 32 Seecamp in my back pocket with only 7 rounds so I put an extra 6 round mag in my watch pocket.
My boy gave the Corps 20 years
I've yet to experience a malfunction that could not be cleared by a Tap/Rack/Boom. I run the magazine for awhile before it becomes the one. and using Glock Magazines, there the gold standard for how a magazine should perform. So 16 rds. for me is plenty.
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Make sure to tell him THANKS!My boy gave the Corps 20 years
My dad was a lifer. 1950-1970. Korea & Nam.
I was in for 3 years active duty. 1973-1976
gwpercle
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Yes ... I like to keep a copy of Handloader , Shooting Times or Guns & Ammo with me . Helps pass the time to read them when waiting at the doctor , dentist or auto repair shop ...
the magazines they have in those places usually Suck Rocks , are old and uninteresting ... I always carry spare magazines !
Gary
the magazines they have in those places usually Suck Rocks , are old and uninteresting ... I always carry spare magazines !
Gary 
SGT ROCK 11B
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I saw a video of a store robbery where the bad guy shot the clerk for not complying quick enough. The clerk just kept moving at point blank range behind the counter. Clerk was hit 8 times with a .380 ACP but walk to the ambulance.
Unfortunately the clerk did not have a gun because the bad guy shot his .380 ACP empty.
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Everybody has a “opinion” but the “opinion” of someone who has Professional Training is vetted to a higher standard than the “opinion” of someone who has no training and may be just their whim.
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I posted in the CCW area about my favorite drill to run. Dot Torture. I have a timed variation of it too that makes it kinda spicy using a IPSC target…..be that as it may, when I asked in that thread “What’s your favorite drill?”…….crickets. Not one reply. People go to the range to “plink” and think they’re ready for a defensive situation. Some folks think because they are a veteran they are ready for a handgun battle. And a whole lotta folks think that they are gunslingers because there is a 2nd Amendment in the Constitution. The gun community needs to do better, IMHO.
