Jeppo
Member
I usually want at least 7 to 8 for each pistol. I keep HP's in a few and use the others for FMJ's at my range.
How Many Magazines per Semi-Auto Smith Is Enough
- Thread starter HOUSTON RICK
- Start date
DD357
Member
For a SD gun 5 minimum; for a competition gun - at least double that.
Arik
Member
I have no hard and fast rule. As much as possible! Some I have 20 mags, others 10 others 50. Always buying. Mags wear out, break, and laws are passed against them
Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk
Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk
Just one more . . .
Maybe. A magazine for my H7K P7 M8 is $149.95 from HKParts. They are allegedly in stock, but no longer in production. I own five original equipment magazines for this pistol. The price of those five magazines today is more than I paid for the pistol 30 years ago . . .
Last edited:
Arik
Member
At $90, right at what I paid for the pistol (they have 27 in stock. I suspect that's all they'll ever get) . . .
I never really thought of a hard and fast rule for this, but I'm probably wrong. I have a very nice Bersa Thunder 380CC that I use for pocket carry. It came with two magazines and I bought another one so I had three.
I think that's a hold over from my days as a part time police officer. When always had enough rounds to fire and reload three times. For revolvers that was 18, and when we went to semi autos it became three magazines, plus one in the chamber.
I don't carry three magazines, but I could if I needed to.
So, I guess my rule is three magazines minimum. For most of my 3rd Gens it's more since I try to keep range mags separate from carry mags.
I think that's a hold over from my days as a part time police officer. When always had enough rounds to fire and reload three times. For revolvers that was 18, and when we went to semi autos it became three magazines, plus one in the chamber.
I don't carry three magazines, but I could if I needed to.
So, I guess my rule is three magazines minimum. For most of my 3rd Gens it's more since I try to keep range mags separate from carry mags.
Ray1970
Member
Well as a "Accumulator" of 3 Gen S&Ws, Beretta 92s , Sig P series .45s , Walthers and a couple of Browning HPs....I have "a lot" of magazines that will work in multiple guns.
The issue has been compounded by Mec-Gar introducing 17 ,18 and 20 round magazines for many of of the guns in my Accumulation....... that's has added to the total number..................... and I'm always on the lookout for deals; new or used.
If I only had one gun........say a 6906 or 915 ....... I'd want 6 to 10..
"one in the gun..... two on the belt". X2 with a couple of spares.
I think Colt_saa has a very good post on this question above!!!!!!
The issue has been compounded by Mec-Gar introducing 17 ,18 and 20 round magazines for many of of the guns in my Accumulation....... that's has added to the total number..................... and I'm always on the lookout for deals; new or used.
If I only had one gun........say a 6906 or 915 ....... I'd want 6 to 10..
"one in the gun..... two on the belt". X2 with a couple of spares.
I think Colt_saa has a very good post on this question above!!!!!!
Last edited:
For a gun I intend to use, that's what I consider bare minimum. I'm more comfortable if I have 6 or 8. I use all of my magazines. They get numbered 1 (odd) or 2 (even), and they get used (i.e., are kept loaded) accordingly in odd and even numbered years. I don't keep track of how old the springs are, but if a mag spring starts feeling a little too mushy I replace it.
I've had very little trouble with good quality magazines and learned a long time ago not to buy anything else. S&W magazines are generally very good. Over the years, the only problems with their magazines that I have had have been with Shield 9mm magazines.
Having enough extra magazines is only part of the question for me. The other and maybe most important part is organizing and storing them where I can find them when I want to go shooting.
I like to use these nylon storage pouches from MidwayUSA. The have six individual pouches that will hold either 6 double stack or twelve single stack (1911) magazines. As they come in different colors so I use a different color for each different type of pistol. Best of all is they are inexpensive at only $9.99 each on sale. So for my full-size pistols I have at least two pouches each which means 12 magazines.
I like to use these nylon storage pouches from MidwayUSA. The have six individual pouches that will hold either 6 double stack or twelve single stack (1911) magazines. As they come in different colors so I use a different color for each different type of pistol. Best of all is they are inexpensive at only $9.99 each on sale. So for my full-size pistols I have at least two pouches each which means 12 magazines.
Did someone mention Beretta 92?
Yes I did.............LOL.....IMHO leftovers and storing mags is the best use for "Tupperware".
Beretta 92 magazines are tough; with two versions of the 13round compact magazines then 15,17,18,20 and now 30 round factory and Mec-gar magazines ................ then there's the 92 Compact Type-M single stack w/8 round mags.
Rpg
Member
I have 70+ magazines for my Colt 1911's. I test each new magazine to be sure it functions in ALL my Colts: not all will. Those that won't, I discard.
As for other autos: two or three is enough although I have more for a few ( e.g. Colt Woodsman).
As for other autos: two or three is enough although I have more for a few ( e.g. Colt Woodsman).
85V65Sabre
Member
- Joined
- Dec 6, 2014
- Messages
- 654
- Reaction score
- 649
Like others have said, it depends on the intended use of the firearm.
Along with other factors like....
How much ammo do you keep on hand, 50, 500 or 5000 rounds? The more ammo on hand the more mags you should have on hand IMHO.
I like to have at least 4 mags for each pistol but generally 10, but since I have 5 pistols that use the same mags I have a butt load of mags for them in various sizes 15,17 & 20rd.
No matter how many I have if I find a deal I WILL buy more.[emoji4]
Along with other factors like....
How much ammo do you keep on hand, 50, 500 or 5000 rounds? The more ammo on hand the more mags you should have on hand IMHO.
I like to have at least 4 mags for each pistol but generally 10, but since I have 5 pistols that use the same mags I have a butt load of mags for them in various sizes 15,17 & 20rd.
No matter how many I have if I find a deal I WILL buy more.[emoji4]
Badger1313
Member
- Joined
- Mar 16, 2017
- Messages
- 24
- Reaction score
- 28
If the pistol is a double stack for concealed carry, you may want too have one spare mag. If single stack, at least two. If a revolver, two or more speed loaders. These also have to be concealed somewhere on your body, so you bulk up quickly. Remember, the typical gunfight will be at close range and over on seconds. Reloading may be the least of your worries. Practice drawing the weapon and accurate shooting under pressure.
If the weapon is for sporting use, get as many mags/speed loaders as you need for the activity.
Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
If the weapon is for sporting use, get as many mags/speed loaders as you need for the activity.
Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
I hoard my pennies until I can have at least three - but no more. More than that is a waste for me since I really only fire a few of my autos. And, I waited until too late for my SIG P230 and P232 - I only have three mags for the two pistols (mine only came with one each). And, I hate to spend too much for mags when I can watch, locally, and pick up a reasonably priced auto. I picked up a Beretta 21a in .25 last year for $250 - I'd rather have another (albeit scratched, a little) auto than 8 to 10 mags for something else ...
Last edited:
