How many mags?

[Arik]

As many as possible. I don't keep count.

The only mags I'm low on are HK USP 9 & 40S&W. Have about 4 of each. Everything else is 10 or more

 

[BAM-BAM]

I like to have 6 per gun one in the gun w/ two reloads and a "spare set" ........ that said;

if I see a new or used one for one of my platforms; at a good price, I'll pick it up......... so after 35 years........ I have no idea....... but I know it's more than the minimum 6......LOL

 

[k80clay]

I like 6 for each gun minimum.

 

[MSG Glenn]

I carry only for SD. I have 3 - 10 rounders & 2 - 15 rounders with X-Grips for my 40C & 5 - 15 round mags for my full size M&P40. All are tried & true for dependability. I normally carry my 40C with either a 10+1 round or a 15+1 round mag in the pistol depending on what I'm wearing & a spare 15 rounder on my belt. The 15 round mags can be used for either the compact or FS of course if I take the X-Grips off. I'm planning to obtain a few more mags of each capacity.

 

[Protected One]

Title says it all - how many mags should I have for my pistols? How many do you have?

I have an M&P 9 and a 9mm Shield.

Shield - 3 x 7 round & 4 x 8 round

M&P 9 - 4 x 17 round

You don't say what your guns are used for so I will assume self-defense. Based on that I'd say you're good right now, although if you see a mag on sale for one of your guns it wouldn't hurt to have an extra or two, as they do fail.

I keep one in the gun, another in the car, another where the gun is kept in the house - all tested and loaded with jhp. Then, my range bag has mags for practice, and since I don't like spending time reloading (and SOME instructors don't want time wasted in their class with reloading) I have a goal to keep 10 mags for my CC gun.

 

[Bozz10mm]

2, 3, 4, or 5 mags

 

[BAM-BAM]

Something to watch for are "Ban" magazines. 10 rounder's from the 94-04 ban.....after the Ban expired I picked up a number real cheap for range use.

 

[BigWaylon]

I hate loading mags at the range. takes up shooting time. I have enough for my different autos to load at least 100rds. per gun without stopping to load mags.

That's kind of my plan. Not S&W, but this is what I usually load for the range:

I've added some addition mags after picking up 9mm conversion barrels, including several 33rd mags. The three pictured are all .40 cal.

I think I have 8 for my M&P22, and maybe 6 for my GSG 1911-22. Waiting for. Better deal before I add to 2 that came with my M&P22 Compact.

 

[Marie13]

Even though my pistols are for self-defense, I also enjoy shooting for fun, so not having to spend a lot of time reloading mags is nice. I'm at the range 2-4 times a month.

 

[JLM]

I've settled on 10 for each gun that uses a magazine. I take some time to work up to that number, watching for sales etc.

 

[uechikid]

For each of our pistols we have six mags with the Shields being the exception. For those we only have four each. One seven and three eights.
Right now M&P mags are plentiful and can be purchased at very reasonable prices so you might think about stocking up. Look at Quantico Tactical. Their prices are reasonable and sometimes they have deals on three packs.
Here's a link,
http://quanticotactical.com/asp/ite...nd Wesson&CMNum=142&CMSNum=679&CMSN=Magazines

 

[Engine 21]

I keep 4 to 6 mags per autoloader. I figure if I'm using that many mags in a firefight I'm in way to deep. On the other hand, I wish I had more for use at the range.

 

[Fastbolt]

No real hard & fast "rules" for this subject.

For pistols which I shoot & use fairly frequently, I like to have 5-8 magazines. 1 primary & 1-2 "spares" (carry); 1-2 for range/training use and 1-3 repair/replacement mags.

For pistols which see less heavy training & practice, I like to have 3 mags. 1 primary, 1 carry spare and 1 repair/replacement mag. (I'm talking about my LCP in this instance.)

Those are working "minimum" numbers, and I've certainly accumulated more than that for a number of my pistols.

Magazines are "assemblies" made up of parts. Sometimes one or more of those parts may require attention in the way of replacement. Typically, this may be the mag spring, as it becomes too weak for reliable functioning, but sometimes it might also be a follower, butt-catch or butt plate (sometimes also called inserts, floorplates, etc, depending on the gun company).

Once the mag body itself is damaged or becomes worn, then the whole mag needs to be tossed and replaced. Damaged, deformed mag lips are an example of what would usually result in a mag being discarded and replaced.

I've had some mags last for many years, except for periodic spring replacements (and an occasional follower), and then some which became suspect and were simply discarded and replaced. Dropping mags on hard surfaces, like concrete, can damage them, especially if it damages the lips.

 

[poru_desu]

... you can never have to many mags ...

 

[Nakanokalronin]

As many as you can. Take a lesson from the shortage of 17rd. mags for the M&P9 not too long ago during the ban scare. I see those mags available all over the place now and I'd be buying all I could if I still had my M&P FS9.

 

[geddylee10002000]

Title says it all - how many mags should I have for my pistols? How many do you have?

I have an M&P 9 and a 9mm Shield.

Shield - 3 x 7 round & 4 x 8 round

M&P 9 - 4 x 17 round

What kind of shooting do you do? If you are shooting casually I think you are set. Don't have any 9mm that you have. I do have a CZ 75B. I have 8 mags for it.

 

[SidearmSam]

Marie, get rid of them 8-rounders unless you're just using 'em for practice at the range. This'll tell ya why.

 

[papersniper]

Marie, get rid of them 8-rounders unless you're just using 'em for practice at the range. This'll tell ya why.

Not sure the point you're trying to make, Sam. Now my 9mm Shield isn't even mine yet, I pick it up next week, but I don't see a need (yet) for a grip extender. They seem awfully expensive to add to each $30 magazine. I agree that the 7 rounder for the 9mm Shield is a bit too short for me, but the 8 rounder fit very well in my hand, which granted is not large. I have no "in use" experience with that "spacer" on the 8 round magazine, but it seems like its movement up the mag would not be too likely...and if it does, there is probably a way to keep it from moving around. Remember, I do not have the pistol yet, so I'm ignorant of how the 8 round mag works........

I'd really like to hear from others about the likelihood of that rubber spacer on the 8 round mags actually causing a problem. I'd also like to hear from those who carry the 9mm Shield concealed on which magazine they carry? The 7 rounder would seem to be slightly more concealable and avoid a potential problem with that rubber spacer, but having one additional round in the pistol gives me warm and comfortable feeling.

 

[kannonvaggon]

I EDC with the shorty mags on the shield 9mm for a couple reasons....

Firstly the short mag obviously conceals just a slight bit better, not a bad
thing.

Secondly I, like many on this forum, find that the Shield is pretty much just as accurate or slightly MORE so when using the short mag length. It seems to FEEL nicer in the hand with the longer grip, but the proof on the
paper says otherwise. Probably due to a tendency to over grip the bottom of the pistol grip with your pinky which won't happen with the shorty mag.
No real difference in recoil control on rapid firing in my somewhat sketchy
experience....

There was a pretty good recent thread in this forum on just this finding.
Just a thought, YMMV ..... So far I'm happy with the short mag and a spare mag. I never had any problem with the rubber spacer on the long mag by the way. Just check that it's ON there on the bottom when ya load the mag.... Some folks have glued the spacer to the butt plate.

 

[robertrwalsh]

A minimum of six each. More is not a bad thing.