How many magazines do you CARRY?

[JWH321]

The standard answer is "..unfortunately one less than I wish I had, there is no such thing as too much ammo."

But in the real world, close to home, I carry one in the gun and one in a pouch. If I'm out on the bike for any distance, there are usually three mags somewhere close at hand, usually on my belt or in jacket pocket.

 

[CVF]

One in the pistol and a spare in the pocket.

 

[LimaCharlie]

It depends. My routine urban carry is a government size 1911 with one spare magazine OWB. I also carry a pocket BUG with a spare magazine. My pocket BUG is either a Sig P938 9mm or a 3.3" SA XDs-45.

If I am spending time in remote rural areas, I often swap the 1911 for either my Glock G20 SF 10mm or my FNH FNX-45 Tactical with two spare fifteen round magazines plus the pocket BUG. If I am spending time in the woods with potential bear encounters, I swap the 1911 for my 4" S&W 29-2 .44 magnum with two speed loaders plus the pocket BUG.

 

[papersniper]

It depends. My routine urban carry is a government size 1911 with one spare magazine OWB. I also carry a pocket BUG with a spare magazine. My pocket BUG is either a Sig P938 9mm or a 3.3" SA XDs-45.

If I am spending time in remote rural areas, I often swap the 1911 for either my Glock G20 SF 10mm or my FNH FNX-45 Tactical with two spare fifteen round magazines plus the pocket BUG. If I am spending time in the woods with potential bear encounters, I swap the 1911 for my 4" S&W 29-2 .44 magnum with two speed loaders plus the pocket BUG.

You apparently are well arm, sir!

 

[Aahzz]

ONE......

The more rounds that are fired. The more the chances of an innocent person being struck. If i cant get the job done with one mag in a self defense situation. Then i shouldnt be carrying a weapon in the first place.

And if you have a malfunction? I don't carry a spare because I think I'm going to shoot that much, I carry a spare so that if something goes wrong with the first, I'm not out of options.

 

[TNelson1]

M&P 45

One in the gun & one extra.

 

[MikeChandler]

Good point. I think a magazine while-in-the-gun failure would be rare, but stranger things have happened. I have had magazines fail while inserting or ejecting in training with crappy old, worn, dirty (on purpose) magazines. But that was part of the drill........and not unwelcome.

Some guns moreso than others - while some guns nearly never.

The number of 1911 failures I had experienced with numerous guns led me to carry a spare magazine and only use the 7 round variety magazines, which are more dependable.

At a certain point I started looking for the most fail proof semi-auto, high capacity, small footprint, pistol I could find, putting those qualities as higher than good trigger, etc (all of which can be corrected through training anyway).

My P-01 is the only handgun that passed the stringent NATO testing. The proof is in the pudding - in over 3,000 rounds of practice I have had zero pistol failures of any kind whatsoever, from straight out of the box all the way to my most recent range test. If I hit a dud for some reason I have double strike and/or can slingshot clear it, however I only carry top-end defense ammo.

I really don't believe I need a spare magazine.

 

[phred119]

Depends on the gun that I'm carrying. If I'm carrying myG26, it's a 12 round mag in the gun and a 17 round spare. If I'm carrying myG23, it's a13 round mag in the gun, with a 15 round spare. If I'm carrying my shield 9, I have an 8round mag in the fun, with 2 spare 8 rounders on my weak side.

 

[9mmBiscuits]

I carry 3 mags in total for my Shield 9. One eight round mag in the gun and two eight round mags on my weak side at the 7-9 O'clock position.

Sometimes I want to be a little less obvious so I'll leave the double mag holder at home and just go with 2 eight round mags... one in the gun and one in my front weak side pocket.

Here is my EDC setup:

 

[disturbed0013]

2 mags weak side

 

[snowman.45]

Glock: one spare full capacity weak side. Shield: two 8 rnd 9mm spares.
1911: two 8 rnd spares (McCormick or Wilson). As was mentioned above, the extra magazines are not just for the total round count, but as insurance in case of a failure.

 

[Ofc.JL]

Papersniper; I find .40 cal in small single stack pistols distasteful. Too much recoil for my sore thumb knuckles. 9mm, w/ a good load, is just fine and the recoil is minor.
As to a SERPA holster, they are fine, too, if you use them correctly. On the draw stroke, you press the release lever with your finger fully extended and pointing flat down the holster. And upon weapon draw and presentation, your finger should be still extended, flat down the side of your weapon. Especially w/ a trigger propitiatory weapon(Glock, M&P, XD, etc.). I believe where people get into problems w/ the SERPA is they press the holster release with a curled finger and upon draw, the finger finds the trigger and "Boom!", ND! Poor presentation procedure. Of course, each to his own, and YMMV.
Be safe.

 

[papersniper]

Papersniper; I find .40 cal in small single stack pistols distasteful. Too much recoil for my sore thumb knuckles. 9mm, w/ a good load, is just fine and the recoil is minor.
As to a SERPA holster, they are fine, too, if you use them correctly. .............. I believe where people get into problems w/ the SERPA is they press the holster release with a curled finger and upon draw, the finger finds the trigger and "Boom!", ND! .....

Thanks for the info on the 9/40 for carry. I have not shoot a smallish 40 cal, only a full size (duty gun) H&K USP, and it was fine....big and heavy to manage the recoil. My carry guns have been nearly all 9mm, with the 380 and even a little 32 occasionally. I have a number of friends who much prefer to carry a 9 over a 40 in a smallish pistol as you said.

Interesting on the Serpa. I've never even seen one in the flesh....I can see where improper use could cause a problem. For my use, I will avoid the Serpa, just because I carry more than one gun and one holster (all are non-retention). There is always the chance of "screwing up" due to lack of training/familiarity with different equipment. I do plan to carry the 9mm Shield nearly exclusively, and hope that the Blackhawk Compact Askins works well for me. I don't believe I would need retention in that holster as I will only be using it concealed....if I were going to wear it on the street, not concealed, I would choose a different holster with retention.

 

[papersniper]

......

My P-01 is the only handgun that passed the stringent NATO testing. The proof is in the pudding - in over 3,000 rounds of practice I have had zero pistol failures of any kind whatsoever, from straight out of the box all the way to my most recent range test. If I hit a dud for some reason I have double strike and/or can slingshot clear it, however I only carry top-end defense ammo.

I really don't believe I need a spare magazine.

I like everything about that gun other than its weight. I've had CZ pistols in the past, and they were very well designed handguns. Tough as nails.

Wow, do I agree with you on the 1911 magazines! I still remember doing minor modifications on nearly magazine one I've ever owned! But I've only had one 1911 clone, it was an AMT "Hardballer" many years ago. Nice pistol for the price....but never could figure out if it were the magazines or the pistol itself that caused the mag problems. I remember the problems were are failure to feed.

 

[papersniper]

And if you have a malfunction? I don't carry a spare because I think I'm going to shoot that much, I carry a spare so that if something goes wrong with the first, I'm not out of options.

Interesting thought and good point. I've never really thought of a spare magazine that way......but I agree. I think it's smart to have a spare for everything you can! But I would draw the line at carrying two guns concealed as a non-LEO. I used to carry a little Kel-Tec 32 acp on my vest when I was a LEO, but never thought it was necessary when out of uniform.

 

[Muss Muggins]

Only one on me, in the magazine well of the pistol. Now, after I fight my way back to the car or house, it's on . . .

 

[Venenoindy]

At least 3 on me at all times, every down and then I carry my full size M&P9 with a G26 as a backup.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

Well, I see it this way-I'm a middle age overweight white guy who can't run too fast. I tend to run from trouble is at all possible as pain hurts.I carry a M&P380 or a 337. If I feel the need for more than 7 shots with the M&P or 5 shots in the J frame, I am either gonna stay home or bring my shotgun.
Pass the donuts please.

 

[Ofc.JL]

Cool! I want chocolate covered, please! lol!

 

[Smoke]

I read this on another forum by Massad Ayoob and I can't fault his logic.

Two complete reloads was standard equipment for most police officers before any of us here were born. If I was asked in court why I carry spare ammunition, my answer would probably be the same as my answer for why I load with hollow point ammunition:
"Sir, if the police determined it was the best thing to use to protect people such as myself and my family; it seemed obvious that it was the best thing for ME to carry to protect myself and my family."

2 magazines doesn't take up much more room than one so why not carry two?

 

[Retired Smokeybear]

How many magazines do you carry?

For my .40 cal. Shield, 3..one in the gun, two on the belt, all 7 rounders'...
For my Ruger, SR 1911, my other carry gun, total of 4 mags.
Back in the plain clothes days, always had 4-6 loaded mags readily available!!! (sure do miss those days!!!)

 

[jppezz23]

Usually 2 sometimes 3 they are all 16 round magazines.

 

[Grail Knight]

I carry one spare in a horizontal belt holster plus one in the
firearm of course.

I have an additional 6 magazines in my vehicle safe.

 

[Donn]

One in the gun & one extra.

Me too. If that's not enough, it just ain't my day.

 

[Big1]

One mag with one chamber and a mag on my belt and if I'm carrying my G29 it's one in the mag with one chamber one on the belt and a 15 rounds mag in the truck.

The G27 is one flush mag with one chamber in the gun with a 13 rounder on the belt and another 13 rounder mag in the truck.

The Shield 9mm in one flush with one chamber and a 8 rounds mag on the belt. I do need to buy another 8 rounder mag for the Shield those.

 

[papersniper]

...........
The Shield 9mm in one flush with one chamber and a 8 rounds mag on the belt. I do need to buy another 8 rounder mag for the Shield those.

Yeah, I need to order another magazine also....still have just the two that came with it. $30 seems to be the going price.

 

[MikeChandler]

I read this on another forum by Massad Ayoob and I can't fault his logic.

2 magazines doesn't take up much more room than one so why not carry two?

Weight. At a certain point, your weight has crossed the weight of a BUG. People posting three spare magazines could just have a second full size auto, AKA the New York Reload.

You guys expecting a zombie outbreak or something? Unless you are an off-duty LEO, there's no way you could ever fire that much ammo off and NOT end up in prison for a few years.

 

[formernuke]

depends on the holster and gun if I'm carrying in a shoulder holster 1 in the gun and 2 offside, if I'm carrying inside the waistband then 1 in the gun and one spare.

 

[papersniper]

I'm the original poster. Here are the rough statistics summarized for those who care about such things.....remember there are lies, damned lies and statistics....

Magazines carried:
28.5% 1 mag in the pistol only
43.0% 1 mag in addition
24.1% 2 mags in addition
04.4% More than 2 mags in addition

Almost 75% of those responding carry 1 or more additional magazines. Only 25% of us carry with just the one inside the pistol. That's about what I expected to see.

Not a scientific poll, granted, and I failed to say in the original post/poll that I was asking about the M&P Shield, not all self loading pistols. Had I made that clear the results might have been different, especially from those who want to carry additional rounds....not just another magazine(s).

One thing I got from this poll is the carrying of an additional(s) magazines is as much as about magazine failure as it is about needing more rounds. Interesting....never thought about it that way. That's probably something worth considering.

Thanks for participating.

 

[Redlegvzv]

ONE......

The more rounds that are fired. The more the chances of an innocent person being struck. If i cant get the job done with one mag in a self defense situation. Then i shouldnt be carrying a weapon in the first place.

This. CCW is for protection only. Not for stopping crimes against property or engaging in a gunfight.