How many magazines for does one need?

[Jyezahn]

This is a purely subjective thing. Kind of like having 7 rounds versus 8. (Yay, New York) Get yourself into a habit, whether it be just EDC, range time, home practice. Then, once you have a habit, ask yourself what would be convenient to have (i.e. "it would be nice if I didn't have to reload my mags so much at the range", or "I have 3 magazines, but one never sees any kind of action and has been sitting in my bag/safe this whole time"), and go from there.

 

[Smitty357]

In today's environment, get as many as you can because what you have may end up being your "life time supply."

^^What he said.^^

 

[Skunkhome]

I think I said, not a "gun nut"
It was kind of serious question

What possibly would you do with 15?

I understand if you live in the war zone and expect invasion, but even then you will need something better then handgun.

I'm sorry that was tongue in cheek. The point is that is a very subjective question. I would say that most folks just have whatever came with the gun. One they load up and he other they keep as a spare. One of my guns came with one magazine straight from the factory. It is strictly a belly gun and if I need more than the 7 rounds I am in big trouble with or without a spare.

 

[yeti]

IMHO...four. More for primary/competition guns.

 

[MSG Glenn]

I personally had 5 magazines for the Glock 23 I gave my son. This was the days before my state had concealed carry so the only place I initially used the gun was at the range. I had them preloaded so when I got to the range I didn't have to waste valuable range time reloading too often. Then I got a job in armed security & carried two on my duty belt & one in my bag in the office & of course I carried one in the gun. Two of the magazines were for a higher capacity Glock 22.

I plan on getting a couple of spares when I get my M&P 40C. It's coming with 3 mags but I'd like to get a couple of M&P 40 full size mags when & if they become available again. I want to carry at least 2 spares with me because I'll be going from a 14+ round firearm to a 10+1.

Carrying spare mags is not necessarily for the additional firepower but in case of a mag failure, sometime the weakest link. You may only need 2 rounds to stop the threat but what if that second round doesn't feed? I've seen how some treat their mags while coddling their pistol & it's a wonder they work at all.

 

[team sidewinder]

Harry Potterfield of Midway will tell you that you never have enough mags.

 

[CJ_mp40c]

You need "clean" mags and "dirty" mags.
You need to shoot thru every mag to make sure that there are not any issues with a mag. Then keep your clean mags for SD purposes. The dirty mags are the ones you use at the range. You drop, kick, and beat up the dirty mags.

How many is up to you.
The way I see it, 3 clean and 3 dirty for each gun. As you add, rotate them into the clean mags and some clean into dirty.

 

[Smith357]

Need?...
I'm not average.
For me and my M&P45 it was minimum of 50+ rounds ready. I got 60 two 10s and three 14s . But it's not my HD pistol.

The K-38 Masterpiece plays that role.

My best guess is the average Joe citizen who does not watch too much of the Walking Dead, or doomsday preppers, on the idiot box, would be happy with the two factory mags. I'm content that six shots will get me to my rifle.

 

[timn8er]

I think at least four magazines for each semi I own is about right. If they are available at a good price I buy more. Before all the craziness started I picked up a few. I've got six for my 4006, four for my 4516-1, five for my M&P40c, & eight for my 6906. The last time I took a class I used my 6906, & I loaded up all my magazines. The range officer kept asking me if I needed to reload, & I told him I was OK. The last time he asked me I pulled out all my magazines to show him, & he just smiled & said "I'll leave you alone." Unfortunately, because of high prices & not being able to find them, I only have two for my 40 Shield.

 

[MacGuffin]

I remember the time when shooters simply did not feel a need to keep large quantities of spare magazines. I am sure that the politicians who voted for the 1994 Clinton Gun and Magazine Ban are horrified to learn that one of the "unintended consequences" of that legislation is that people who might have kept a couple of spare magazines now have dozens or more.

The problem with trying to answer that question at this time is the possibility of legislation making whatever you have the last you will ever get.

In a world where there was no possibility of a law making magazines illegal, Jeff Cooper once answered a correspondent by saying you should have three magazines per pistol. One in the gun, one spare on your belt and one at rest. Then they would be rotated.

Knowledgeable agencies tend to order six magazines per pistol.

The magazine is the "weak link" in that they are generally not repairable and must be discarded in the event of damage.

In today's environment, get as many as you can because what you have may end up being your "life time supply."

This about sums it up!

 

[ginzo]

I'll go with this answer. I have 3-15 rounders for an M&P40 FS.

I decided for myself that 3 is enough. 1 at home and two for going to range.

 

[Plinker99]

How often do you want to reload? I HATE spending precious time at the range filling up magazines.

 

[laskt9]

As many as I can get really. Not for tactical purposes. The indoor range here charges by the half hour. If I spend 15 min reloading I'm not getting my monies worth. I make sure I have at least 5 for each handgun I have.

Sent from my HTC PH39100 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Jayhawkhuntclub]

I like to have at least 1 magazine for each gun I own. If they come with 2, then that's even better.

 

[Maddmax]

For CCW I have 3-17 round mags. 1 in my handgun and two on the other side of my shoulder holster. So 3 would work. That's 52 bullets with one in the chamber. As for total mags I don't think you can have too many. It's like how many weapons are too many ? I collect and love to shoot.

 

[Denversteve]

As many as you want for range/practice. One for carry. I don't believe there has ever been a concealed carry (civilian especially) shoot situation needing more than one mag. In fact, the average shoot situation, even including police shoots, is 3-4. Thus, your 10, 13, 15...is more than sufficient. You have to account for anything that exits your barrel. If you're missing the mark, you're in a world of hurt. If you're hitting your mark, one should do. Use three just in case.

 

[psquarejr]

I prefer at least 3, when I carry, 1 in the gun and 2 in the mag carrier. But I will try to have 5 per gun if I can afford/availability for taking to the range.

 

[Rastoff]

I had 4 for my M&P .45. Then I found a place that had them for $20 a piece so, I bought 3 more.

That's OK, I have 10 for my 1911. Go to just one training school and you'll see the value of many mags.

 

[Lost Lake]

For the price of ten mags I can buy a gun.

I don't have a lot of mags. I like to have at least three for any gun I own, but like I said, for the price of ten... I'll buy another gun. And it will come with three more mags!

And if it came down to it, I think it would be easier to build a mag than it would be to build a gun.

 

[LimaCharlie]

It is not about need, it is about want. Threads about amount of ammo needed, amount of guns needed, type of guns needed, amount of magazines needed, best caliber of carry guns, and such will get you as many opinions as posters. There is no right or wrong answer, only opinions. Many people have very strong opinions and like to share them.

My opinion is go big or stay home. I like semi-auto handguns for concealed carry in .45 ACP and 10mm. I like having at least four spare magazines for each carry gun. My routine carry is a government size 1911 and a spare magazine or two. I also occasionally carry .357 magnum and .44 magnum revolvers concealed with at least two speed loaders. My plinking guns or range only guns only have what magazines came with them.