How many mags for an AR?

[Lost Lake]

I'm completely comfortable with three mags for most any gun I own. But with the AR, I can see how mags may not be all that available when I want to buy some. Also in a SHTF situation, I'll be carrying lots of mags full of ammo.

So how many would a reasonable person expect to own?

I have 6 now, nearly as many mags as I have in .223 ammo.
Definitely am weary of looking for ammo.

I am thinking I should get more mags, but is 12 enough? 20?

And then are pmags going to be alright for the long haul? Back when I was in all the mags were aluminum (yes plastic had been invented ).

Should I buy the rest in aluminum, stainless, or pmags?

 

[BadKarmaZeroSix]

My personal preference is 10 mags minimum, but if i get a second AR, i think 15 total would be more than enough...i prefer the pmags...it all comes down to personal style tho, for both the QUANTITY and STYLE/BRAND...go with whatever ur comfortable with that fits your needs and budget...

 

[Lost Lake]

Once the dust settles a guy should be able to get AR mags for around $10 - $15 each, that's when I'll buy my fill. 10 isn't so bad.

 

[Smitty357]

10, omg maybe i should have stopped a long time ago. I've always felt that too many could never be enough. Its kinda like all my guns, of course I have about 30 or so. And I would never be able to shoot all of them at one time. But just knowing I have a few on backup, is really all that matters. There when or if i need them, and thats about it.

I still have a complete box of gen2 Pmags unopened. Does that give away about how many mags I feel i need. lol

 

[JaPes]

I have 13 mags, two are 20 rounders the rest are standard capacity. I still don't feel like I have enough. One of my friends completed his AR build at the beginning of the panic, and he didn't think about mags. I loaned him a 20 rounder.

Pistols, I like to have at minimum 4. Three to keep in rotation, one as a spare.

Of course, the more mags the merrier.

 

[Arik]

I'm starting to see them come up at LGSs more and more. I tend to stick with MagPull, Troy, HK and stay away from used Colts o any used surplus AR mags. But that's just me.

As for the amount.....as many as you can. The way I see it is sometimes mags break, even the good ones, and as you can see sometimes they are currency

 

[BadKarmaZeroSix]

Lol, i far exceeded my minimum, but 10 would be my ABSOLUTE min for a rifle...i like 4-5 for each handgun...most of my AR mags are 20rds, not even sure how many mags i currently have, mite check when i get home...

 

[don5]

It is my understanding that a standard combat load is 7 mags. A medium load would be 10 and a heavy load 12 to 14 mags. I like the pmags but understand, the metal mags have been used for years. If you go metal, look for D&H mags and C Products both with magpul anti-tilt followers. These are really nice mags.

 

[TheMaineEvent]

If you can get them for a good price, I'm of the frame of mind that stocking up on them is a good idea.
I like to have 10 for each AR that are rotated for use with with around 20 or so in packaging as backups/insurance against future legislation/price gouging.

 

[don5]

If you can get them for a good price, I'm of the frame of mind that stocking up on them is a good idea.
I like to have 10 for each AR that are rotated for use with with around 20 or so in packaging as backups/insurance against future legislation/price gouging.

That is a good idea! Lets see, since I have 5, I will need.... Man, That is a lot of mags! I hope the price comes down! Yes- I have been buying and do have some put back. Well, I could use a few more....

 

[gdnagle]

For just our two ar's we only have 13 - 30 rounder's and one 100 rounder with several different loaders including quite a few rounds on stripper clips. I look at it this way if SHTF and I had to defend, that should be enough for any standoff where I live (out in the sticks) along with my other firearms, and if I survive I will take what's laying on the ground along with ammo food drugs etc. if I loss then they hit a gun and ammo bonanza. Got to remember if they come after you and you are in fear for your life and have to shoot, and they take fire if unarmed they should run if they want to fight then they have weapons or are stupid, either way the winner cleans up I know there will be a loser just hope it's not me, I have a good field of fire all around me be foolish for them to pick on me with so many easier targets. And with mags starting to show up now the prices should go back down then you can stock up on more as I may. I didn't wait for anything like this to get my supply of mags or ammo like others have said whenever I got to a store and they had some at regular price I bought some, mostly ammo and for close range 00 buck is plentiful here at my house. Then again as stated above if you bug in get as many as you want to spend money on, if you are going to bug out you can only carry so much and leave the rest for someone else to pick through. Everyone has there own option about material, yep metal have been around since the AR was an infant proven although they have gone through follower upgrades, I have all P-mag except the plastic 100 round and have no doubt in my mine that they will work. If you need them now buy what you can find, Palmetto State Armory has metal one now starting at $16.99 still high but available. Nope I'm not a survivalist just a prepared hoarder.

 

[TheMaineEvent]

That is a good idea! Lets see, since I have 5, I will need.... Man, That is a lot of mags! I hope the price comes down! Yes- I have been buying and do have some put back. Well, I could use a few more....

I guess the answer also depends on how many sporting rifles a person has. Since I have two rifles, I'm comfortable with having 30-40 mags to satisfy my need for usable mags now and insurance mags for later.

If I owned more SR's I don't know as I'd add too many more mags to the mix. Perhaps a few more, but that's about it.

 

[Dezfan]

I only have 7 mags at the moment, all polymere. 3 Magpul and 4 IMI 30 rounders. by the end of the month, I should have 15.

I'm comfortable with that number...for now.

But the first time I find Pmags for $10-12 a piece, I'm going to buy as many as I can afford and just store them for future use.

 

[musky1011]

I have
two 20 rnd mags loaded with DRT .223 for defense and hunting purposes.
two 30 rnd mags with 5.56X45 fullmetal jacket for the range

 

[don5]

But the first time I find Pmags for $10-12 a piece, I'm going to buy as many as I can afford and just store them for future use.

Brother, you are going to have plenty of company! This is my game plan as well. BTW- I have over 50 mags and enough ammo to fill each one. I guess I am prepared as well.

 

[Argonnakid]

The craziness is starting to let up here alittle, one place has p-mags for under $13 around here. It's just the factory ammo that is sky high.

 

[Argonnakid]

OH, mag counts, I have around 10ish for the AR. Min. of 6 for all the rest of my stuff.

 

[rcpaul]

I have 13 standard capacity pmags and one low capacity 20 rnd pmag

 

[BillyJack2012]

23 for 2 and a half AR 15s. 3 PMAGs and 20 Aluminum DSG Mags with Tan Magpul Followers. I really only use my DSG mags and they haven't failed me yet. Come on, $90 for a 10 pack? You simply can't beat the value.

 

[Aerosfire]

I have 10 pmags for 1 AR. Happy with that quantity. For now