The short answer is yes, always a spare mag for my M&P .380 w/two more extra mags in my car and two more in my wife's car. All this is driven by the fact that I ran out of ammo in a gunfight during my LEO career and even though I'm retired almost 20 years, that experience had a profound effect on me.
Do you carry extra mags?
- Thread starter kstud
- Start date
Magload
US Veteran
Not speaking for Scott but for myself a better belt is not the answer. I have 3 wide gun belts that I cinch up till my legs go numb and the belt and pants still slide down. I need a better body with something to hold the belt up a a smaller belly that pushes it down. I wear suspenders in the winter but then need to wear a tee shirt under them and a cover shirt over. To hot here in Florida for that most of the time. I am likeing this BG in the pocket as it and the holster doesn't even pull my gym shorts down. While wearing cargo shorts a 6 round mag goes in each of the lower pockets it gym shorts it is just the rounds in the gun.
dubshooter
Member
I carry a revolver most of the time off duty. But to court or training I will usually carry my Colt Defender. Spare mag fits into a leather leather man pouch on weak side. It's not so much the running out of bullets I'm concerned about. I just know the weakest part of the gun is the magazine. So I carry a spare.
When I carry a revolver, usually just a speed strip, sometimes two. Going on vacation next week and will have a couple speed loaders in the cup holder as well
When I carry a revolver, usually just a speed strip, sometimes two. Going on vacation next week and will have a couple speed loaders in the cup holder as well
Florida J Frame
US Veteran
- Joined
- Jun 27, 2008
- Messages
- 1,051
- Reaction score
- 816
I'm 6'2" and 200lbs and had the same problem until I switched to a BullHide gun belt. It made all the difference. I can pocket carry a G42 or a Shield depending on the pants and everything stays put.
Jim1392
US Veteran
If I'm carrying my Shield I carry the 7 round mag in my weak side pocket. If I'm carrying my 640 Pro it will be with one or two speed strips in my pocket.
66 shooter
Member
Two spare mags when carrying an auto and two Comp 1 speed loaders for the wheelie.
Rowlette
Member
One extra magazine.
Biggfoot44
Member
- Joined
- Apr 18, 2013
- Messages
- 2,060
- Reaction score
- 1,596
Yes.
Without reopening the how many is enough debate, I will observe that even if you feel single hicap mag is enough rounds, dropping and replacing fresh mag are key parts of dealing with a malfunction.
Without reopening the how many is enough debate, I will observe that even if you feel single hicap mag is enough rounds, dropping and replacing fresh mag are key parts of dealing with a malfunction.
Some valid points for carrying extra mags.
I definitely understand that law enforcement personnel (former or current) should carry extra mags or even a back up to a back up firearm due to their occupation or experiences.
As for civilians, I'm not so convinced I need an extra mag although there are many valid points made in this thread.
My main concern is mag failure (going to get rid of the shield and carry 12+ firearm). I usually test the heck out of my pistols with a single mag before I deem it reliable, so chances of mag failure is less.
During a draw against an armed (gun) criminal and if my firearm were to suffer a mag failure, I'd probably be dead or suffer serious injuries due to the return fire. No time to change mag when the BG returns fire.
Against a non-firearm self defense, I'm less concern as I am a fast sprinter...lol.
Again, the chances of drawing a firearm and discharging it is overwhelmingly low and the inconvenience of carrying an extra mag is not worth the hassle for me.
For now, I'll just stick to carrying a well tested high round count firearm with no spare mag, but I do have a spare firearm in my vehicle.
Besides, I have a "duty to retreat" per my state law so letting out 12+1/ 17+1 rounds, reload and repeat will not be viewed favorably by the courts.
Don't quote me but I think the average SD rounds fire is 2-3 rds....
I definitely understand that law enforcement personnel (former or current) should carry extra mags or even a back up to a back up firearm due to their occupation or experiences.
As for civilians, I'm not so convinced I need an extra mag although there are many valid points made in this thread.
My main concern is mag failure (going to get rid of the shield and carry 12+ firearm). I usually test the heck out of my pistols with a single mag before I deem it reliable, so chances of mag failure is less.
During a draw against an armed (gun) criminal and if my firearm were to suffer a mag failure, I'd probably be dead or suffer serious injuries due to the return fire. No time to change mag when the BG returns fire.
Against a non-firearm self defense, I'm less concern as I am a fast sprinter...lol.
Again, the chances of drawing a firearm and discharging it is overwhelmingly low and the inconvenience of carrying an extra mag is not worth the hassle for me.
For now, I'll just stick to carrying a well tested high round count firearm with no spare mag, but I do have a spare firearm in my vehicle.
Besides, I have a "duty to retreat" per my state law so letting out 12+1/ 17+1 rounds, reload and repeat will not be viewed favorably by the courts.
Don't quote me but I think the average SD rounds fire is 2-3 rds....
Last edited:
fiasconva
US Veteran
In this area with the local gangbangers most of the robberies seem to come from more than one assailant. I carry and extra mag just in case. Plus, you just may end up in a situation where you cannot retreat. What's that old adage about " I've never heard someone in a gun fight complain that he had too much ammunition"?
We could go with the.......
Do you carry a spare tire?
Do you carry a fire extinguisher in you car?
Type arguments.......... but ...........
I carry a 3913/14/NL 95% of the time I carry.... which is 95 % of the time.
I have several of the fairly rare 7 round true flush fit 3913 mags.... so I've got 7+1 in the gun.......I've always carried a spare standard 8rd magazine in a Safariland 123 horizontal carrier ($18) that lays flat on my belt (weak side) for a total of 16 rounds.
The extra mag and carrier weight less than my pocket knife or key ring and laying flat on my belt it's unnoticeable.......
Been using this combo since the early 90s.........just because.........
in today's "Strange New World"............... well why not? Odds are 1 in 100,000,000 or so...... but it's always been that way................so why carry at all?????
I'm out and about.........in the "Burbs of the Burgh"...... which is a pretty safe Burb.......but I still carry and ..... that includes an extra magazine, knife and small single AAA 35 lumen flashlight...............................
flashlight gets used daily!!!!!!!
Do you carry a spare tire?
Do you carry a fire extinguisher in you car?
Type arguments.......... but ...........
I carry a 3913/14/NL 95% of the time I carry.... which is 95 % of the time.
I have several of the fairly rare 7 round true flush fit 3913 mags.... so I've got 7+1 in the gun.......I've always carried a spare standard 8rd magazine in a Safariland 123 horizontal carrier ($18) that lays flat on my belt (weak side) for a total of 16 rounds.
The extra mag and carrier weight less than my pocket knife or key ring and laying flat on my belt it's unnoticeable.......
Been using this combo since the early 90s.........just because.........
in today's "Strange New World"............... well why not? Odds are 1 in 100,000,000 or so...... but it's always been that way................so why carry at all?????
I'm out and about.........in the "Burbs of the Burgh"...... which is a pretty safe Burb.......but I still carry and ..... that includes an extra magazine, knife and small single AAA 35 lumen flashlight...............................
flashlight gets used daily!!!!!!!
I would not bother with another mag if you are able to cc a f/s m&p that holds 17 rounds
We or at least me, carry because it provides me a sense of comfort regardless of the odds of being a victim of assault/violent crimes and that to me is worth the price of admission.
What I'm deciding in this thread is whether carrying an extra mag is a necessity in spite of the inconvenience it will inevitably cause me. I'm not saying an extra mag is not worth carrying or swaying extra mags carrier (to each his own, it's still America and we have the freedom to choose). I'm trying to figure out a balance between comfort and the feeling of comfort from having a firearm.
If one feels more comfortable with having 1-4 spare mags on their person, I say go for it. Peace of mind is worth its weight in gold.
My holster for my M&P 9 with CT green laserguard came in and it's incredibly comfortable with very little imprint even in fitted Diesel low rise jeans, shorts, or a decently form fitting T-shirt. Only issue is the barrel length which digs into the base of my private when sitting down. The Full Size is not quite ready for carry as of yet, need another 100 rounds through the pistol and the intended carry mag (tomorrow at the range should do it).
I completely understand carrying a lower round pistol and having spare mags offers a comfort feeling but when carrying high rounds firearm (12+), an extra mag may not be necessity, perhaps only in extreme cases.
Either way, I've decided to carry the MP9 FS without a spare mag as my carry because it's extremely comfortable for me while having the capacity to handle most situation adequately.
Thanks for all the input fellas, it was eye opening.
What I'm deciding in this thread is whether carrying an extra mag is a necessity in spite of the inconvenience it will inevitably cause me. I'm not saying an extra mag is not worth carrying or swaying extra mags carrier (to each his own, it's still America and we have the freedom to choose). I'm trying to figure out a balance between comfort and the feeling of comfort from having a firearm.
If one feels more comfortable with having 1-4 spare mags on their person, I say go for it. Peace of mind is worth its weight in gold.
My holster for my M&P 9 with CT green laserguard came in and it's incredibly comfortable with very little imprint even in fitted Diesel low rise jeans, shorts, or a decently form fitting T-shirt. Only issue is the barrel length which digs into the base of my private when sitting down. The Full Size is not quite ready for carry as of yet, need another 100 rounds through the pistol and the intended carry mag (tomorrow at the range should do it).
I completely understand carrying a lower round pistol and having spare mags offers a comfort feeling but when carrying high rounds firearm (12+), an extra mag may not be necessity, perhaps only in extreme cases.
Either way, I've decided to carry the MP9 FS without a spare mag as my carry because it's extremely comfortable for me while having the capacity to handle most situation adequately.
Thanks for all the input fellas, it was eye opening.
BigBill
Absent Comrade
Back in the 70's near Boston a night fisherman was killed with his own knife. Me being a night fisherman in the rural areas I ccw my 1911 / 8rd mag, with 7 more mags and a box of 50rds in the glove box. Fearing a copycat killer. Nothing ever happened. Today three extra mags is enough but it depends on where I'm going.
Once we commit to ccw carry its like a second wallet. While I hope and pray I never have to use it I know I'm going home to my family.
Once we commit to ccw carry its like a second wallet. While I hope and pray I never have to use it I know I'm going home to my family.
Last edited:
Doug M.
Member
I minimize the other stuff I carry, in part to ensure I carry enough of the things that matter. A spare magazine is not optional for me. It is not uncommon for a dedicated offender to require several rounds to be stopped. (And since most service pistol ammo performs about the same regardless of caliber, as long as it meets the standard, I don't buy the drivel about not needing more because of carrying a whatever caliber.)
I also carry a knife, a Surefire P2X, my cellphone with the earpiece operational and in my ear. Other than that, I carry only a small ID case and my keys. In dress clothes, most of that stuff is in my coat - I have my pockets reinforced when I get new clothes because of that.
Duty to retreat - sounds like NY or MA. It is an obnoxious doctrine, but you need only retreat to the extent possible. A classmate's younger brother was in an incident many years ago in which he backed up until he was trapped against a car, and then he needed all the ammo he had. It is not unforeseeable that you could need more ammo even if you are retreating or have retreated.
I also carry a knife, a Surefire P2X, my cellphone with the earpiece operational and in my ear. Other than that, I carry only a small ID case and my keys. In dress clothes, most of that stuff is in my coat - I have my pockets reinforced when I get new clothes because of that.
Duty to retreat - sounds like NY or MA. It is an obnoxious doctrine, but you need only retreat to the extent possible. A classmate's younger brother was in an incident many years ago in which he backed up until he was trapped against a car, and then he needed all the ammo he had. It is not unforeseeable that you could need more ammo even if you are retreating or have retreated.
Last edited:
Protected One
Member
Yes, I do....for the same reason I carry a firearm - the "unlikely" event that I may need it. 
MassiveOverkill
Member
1 extra on my person, 2 extra in my car along with 50 more rounds.
oldiesradio1560
Member
- Joined
- Dec 8, 2015
- Messages
- 299
- Reaction score
- 272
I have a model 640 revolver and I have 6 speedloaders in a zipper pouch clipped to my belt or in my pants pocket. That gives me 35 rounds total. 30 in the speedloaders and 5 in the 640.
Dvan34
Member
I carry an extra magazine for my Shield .40. I have several items in which to carry. Sometimes a leather magazine pouch in my pocket. Sometimes a cellphone pouch on my belt, or a leather knife or tool pouch on the belt. I may not need the extra magazine but in the event of a misfire or jam it could come in handy. I just consider it like a 'spare tire' or a fire extinguisher. Carry for the possibility not for the probability. I carry IWB, cross draw, an Alien Gear Tuck holster. In the summer I have to tuck inside a shirt. Spring or other times allows carrying IWB but under a vest or jacket, which can make carrying an extra mag or two easier. Hope you find something for your satisfaction and carry safely, never having to use it. Carrying too many might be a defense problem in a potential court case.
Last edited:
It's been my experience that equipment failure is more a question of "when" than "if" and almost everything that can go wrong with a semi-automatic handgun can be corrected by changing the magazine.
I walk around with roughly 30 pounds of **** strapped to me every night so when I'm not at work two extra magazines just really doesn't seem like a whole lot to me.
As a general rule I carry my wallet, my keys,my phone, my gun 2 reloads, a pocket knife multi-tool and flashlight. That was really just doesn't seem like a huge load to me.
I understand the concept that the average self-defense encounter ends up being three shots but I'd much rather carry 51 rounds and need 3 then carry 6 and need 51
I walk around with roughly 30 pounds of **** strapped to me every night so when I'm not at work two extra magazines just really doesn't seem like a whole lot to me.
As a general rule I carry my wallet, my keys,my phone, my gun 2 reloads, a pocket knife multi-tool and flashlight. That was really just doesn't seem like a huge load to me.
I understand the concept that the average self-defense encounter ends up being three shots but I'd much rather carry 51 rounds and need 3 then carry 6 and need 51
Similar threads
