Spare Magazines
I have touched in previous articles about having spare magazines, but I never went into much detail about the subject. Having spare magazines is very important. Both with you and at home.
Carrying Magazines
I did not used to carry a spare magazine on my persons. I have a bag with a couple in my car, but none on my self. When I attended Front Sight they emphasized always carrying a spare magazine. After going home and thinking on it for a few weeks, watching some news, I now agree that at least one spare magazine should be carried on person at all times.
In a situation where you have a malfunction with your firearm, a magazine change is one of the easiest solutions. If you would need to go up against multiple assailants, you may want to do a tactical reload to ensure you do not run out of ammo at the wrong time. I am now carrying a spare magazine with my firearm.
Stored Magazines
I like to keep several magazines in reserve. I prefer brand new, in package, but I do keep some used magazines too. Magazines get lost, misplaced, and warn out. If a situation would ever come up where magazines are hard or impossible to get, having several stored magazines would be wonderful. I keep magazines in several locations, car, bags, with firearms, and on my persons. I have 5-7 Glock magazines loaded and being used. I also have several in storage. You can never have enough magazines.
In current times magazines are very hard to find. I spent some time while writing this article looking for some magazines at one of our affiliates to link to, I could not find any available. Other outlets are also out of stock, or very expensive. If you need magazines best of luck finding them at a good price.
How many magazines do you have? How many do you use regularly? How many do you keep in storage, if any? Let’s talk about it in the comments below.
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Having extra magazines is a real advantage in time of need. If you are looking to buy extra Magazines and are in the Charleston WV area, Gander Mountain Sporting Goods had several different Magazines in stock, The Prices are somewhat inflated. as of 02/26/13.
I’m a CCW holder and have a shoulder Holster that hold two extra magazines. also carry one extra in my ole truck. Redundancy, is a good back-up. I enjoy reading and responding to your articles in GunPreparedness.com. I hope my info was Helpful.
Thanks for sharing the info. I am considering carrying two spares myself. I am getting ready to order a magazine pouch and can not decide between a single and a double. I may go with two singles so I have the option of either. What’s your thoughts?
2 is better if you can conceal them, and can handle the extra weight. I prefer the shoulder Holster in the fall and winter, nicely concealed beneath my Jacket.
I wrestle with this often. I carry a gun that is slightly too big to conceal easily and adding another mag makes it even more difficult – especially in the summertime.
Of course I can’t argue with your logic. Heck, carry 2 extras if you can – you never know. But I generally feel pretty safe with 15 + 1 in the chamber.
I know what you mean about concealing the extra magazine. I am rather small and my Glock 23 isn’t the easiest thing to conceal. Going with appendix carry makes concealing a magazine in the front easier.
I’m 6’2″ 230lbs so I wear a bit larger clothes. I also carry a bulky .45acp. so when summertime gets here i’m need to find a better way to carry concealed. or get a slimmer sidearm. on that note; I am in the market for a Colt 1911A in .45 if you know of a FFL dealer that can get one New or Used let me know.
I wear a 30″ waistband with a holster inside, but that means I’m barely wide enough to actually prevent my Glock 23 from sticking out on my side. I have tried multiple methods of carry and I really like appendix carry. It’s about time to do another article on it actually lol.
I can’t carry inside the waistband. I don’t know how guys do it. For one, my pants are too tight to do it, plus even in loose clothing I always feel like I am getting pinched.
I always carry a spare. I’m either carrying a G19 or G17, so my backup is always a G17 magazine with a plus 2 extender, for 19 rounds. The G17 magazines get a workout a couple of times a month at USPSA matches so they are reliable. Springs get replaced every five years.
All my spare magazines are loaded and kept somewhere strategic. Otherwise they are just pieces of plastic.
Do you keep spare springs on hand?