HOW MANY MAGS ? (Page 2 of 3)
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Originally Posted By NachoDip: 10-12 is ideal. I think another consideration isn’t just “spares”, but maximizing training time. I’ve taken a few local classes and they always recommend a single “spare” magazine. Mostly for FTF or reload drills. A lot of wasted time in a paid-for class spent reloading magazines when running 4-6 round mag drills. Spare magazines cost money, but time is also money. I can shorten my training time significantly when I get started with 10-12 loaded magazines. Additionally, training with that many allows you to rotate through your “spares” to make sure they’re function and not just “new in wrapper, but untested”. I try not to abuse mags and while doing speed reload drills isn’t a guarantee that they won’t land hard on concrete or rocks, but if doing drills on such ground environments, I’ll try and used padded base-plate mags. I several hundreds of spare magazines and over 35+years of active shooting, I’ve only had a couple of bad AR mags, on Commander sized 1911 mag that got some deformed feed lips I could never quite fix, and a few “chipped” polymer mag feed lips. I have replaced springs and followers in heavily used magazines, but their failure was usually not locking the firearm back on an empty mag. Yes, mags are expendable, but I still see them as an investment and a significant part of your training supplies. You do enough training, it’s not just about damaging a magazine, I think I’ve lost more mags than I’ve had damaged to the point of tossing. Which is why 10-12 being recommended is kind of ideal. For firearms that don't have a long history, consider that aspect of magazine availability. I have an inexpensive Astra A75L 9mm (single stack 9mm), and when Astra went tits up, I picked up several spare mags (I think I have a dozen or so). Same goes for my Sig P225/P6 and S&W 3913. I love those guns, but mags dried and I have 8-9 per gun and feel okay. they're not commonly carried guns, but I feel much better with spares. ROCK6 |
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Originally Posted By 3ACR_Scout: The real ARFCOM question is, how many mags do you have for pistols you don't even own yet? I started buying VP9 17 and 20rd mags about a year before buying my VP9. Anytime I saw them on sale for under $35/40 I grabbed some. I have a USP9c that I could have used them in if I never bought the VP9. |
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Originally Posted By smullen: Why not buy 5 mags twice a year. I have done that over the last 30 years, I would round robin purchase (Glock this time, AR, .22, Scorpion, etc.) mostly during off panic buys too... Now Unless something stupid happens, like I lose a case full or that get taken, I'll likely never run out of mags. That’s a great idea actually. Keeps them rotating as the age and wear. |
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Depends on what it’s for. Range guns I might have five. My EDC / defense guns rotate between a Glock and a Beretta 92, for those I have at least 20 each. |
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Originally Posted By ROCK6: I think another consideration isn’t just “spares”, but maximizing training time. I’ve taken a few local classes and they always recommend a single “spare” magazine. Mostly for FTF or reload drills. A lot of wasted time in a paid-for class spent reloading magazines when running 4-6 round mag drills. Spare magazines cost money, but time is also money. I can shorten my training time significantly when I get started with 10-12 loaded magazines. Additionally, training with that many allows you to rotate through your “spares” to make sure they’re function and not just “new in wrapper, but untested”. I try not to abuse mags and while doing speed reload drills isn’t a guarantee that they won’t land hard on concrete or rocks, but if doing drills on such ground environments, I’ll try and used padded base-plate mags. I several hundreds of spare magazines and over 35+years of active shooting, I’ve only had a couple of bad AR mags, on Commander sized 1911 mag that got some deformed feed lips I could never quite fix, and a few “chipped” polymer mag feed lips. I have replaced springs and followers in heavily used magazines, but their failure was usually not locking the firearm back on an empty mag. Yes, mags are expendable, but I still see them as an investment and a significant part of your training supplies. You do enough training, it’s not just about damaging a magazine, I think I’ve lost more mags than I’ve had damaged to the point of tossing. Which is why 10-12 being recommended is kind of ideal. For firearms that don't have a long history, consider that aspect of magazine availability. I have an inexpensive Astra A75L 9mm (single stack 9mm), and when Astra went tits up, I picked up several spare mags (I think I have a dozen or so). Same goes for my Sig P225/P6 and S&W 3913. I love those guns, but mags dried and I have 8-9 per gun and feel okay. they're not commonly carried guns, but I feel much better with spares. ROCK6 Originally Posted By ROCK6: Originally Posted By NachoDip: 10-12 is ideal. I think another consideration isn’t just “spares”, but maximizing training time. I’ve taken a few local classes and they always recommend a single “spare” magazine. Mostly for FTF or reload drills. A lot of wasted time in a paid-for class spent reloading magazines when running 4-6 round mag drills. Spare magazines cost money, but time is also money. I can shorten my training time significantly when I get started with 10-12 loaded magazines. Additionally, training with that many allows you to rotate through your “spares” to make sure they’re function and not just “new in wrapper, but untested”. I try not to abuse mags and while doing speed reload drills isn’t a guarantee that they won’t land hard on concrete or rocks, but if doing drills on such ground environments, I’ll try and used padded base-plate mags. I several hundreds of spare magazines and over 35+years of active shooting, I’ve only had a couple of bad AR mags, on Commander sized 1911 mag that got some deformed feed lips I could never quite fix, and a few “chipped” polymer mag feed lips. I have replaced springs and followers in heavily used magazines, but their failure was usually not locking the firearm back on an empty mag. Yes, mags are expendable, but I still see them as an investment and a significant part of your training supplies. You do enough training, it’s not just about damaging a magazine, I think I’ve lost more mags than I’ve had damaged to the point of tossing. Which is why 10-12 being recommended is kind of ideal. For firearms that don't have a long history, consider that aspect of magazine availability. I have an inexpensive Astra A75L 9mm (single stack 9mm), and when Astra went tits up, I picked up several spare mags (I think I have a dozen or so). Same goes for my Sig P225/P6 and S&W 3913. I love those guns, but mags dried and I have 8-9 per gun and feel okay. they're not commonly carried guns, but I feel much better with spares. ROCK6 Exactly why I like to have at least 20 training mags. I hate wasting time at the range loading mags when I could have been doing it sitting in front of the TV at my leisure. |
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Originally Posted By Sputnik556: Depends on what it’s for. Range guns I might have five. My EDC / defense guns rotate between a Glock and a Beretta 92, for those I have at least 20 each. For, say, my G19 or Sig 228, I’ve got about 8 training mags for each and about 10 dedicated EDC mags (typically carrying 1 or 2 spares besides the one in the gun). Both range and EDC mags are numbered in case of a malf-issue, so that mag can be easily segregated for later diagnosis. As someone already noted, mags and their components can crack, break, go wonky, sometimes be lost, or worse become outlawed (if ‘standard’ capacity). Thus, there’s zero downside to having more mags than less especially for your primary carry pistol(s) or pistols you shoot the most, like a high-volume competition gun. One exception might be for a gun that’s strictly a collector/Safe Queen type, like a documented CMP 1911. A couple of original mags would be sufficient. |
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My minimum is 10 with the goal of 25. For guns that have a high chance of going out of production, then 25+. Look at S&W 4506 & 1006 mags. I used to buy them for $15-$25 but now they are $75 for 4506 mags & $100+ for 1006 mags. I've seen guys buy guns just for the extra mags & then turn around & resell the gun w/out any or only 1 mag. |
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| When I no longer know how many mags I have for a particular platform, it’s most likely enough. I’m there with everything I own with the exception of my LAR Grizzly in .45 WinMag |
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Originally Posted By Morton_Co: I remember paying $75 for a Sig P228 magazine in 1994 after the AWB kicked in. I'll hope to not be in that position again. 10 magazines minimum per weapon. 20 is better. This right here. I was looking over my spreadsheet the other night and realized there are a few holes in my mag stores I need to full but I guess those tariffs have really driven the price up on some especially CZ’s not made by Mecgar. Going to pick up a few Mecgar metal Glock mags too just for the heck of it. Bought one for my G19 G5 just to try and and it works great. |
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I got into guns during the AWB. I remember Glock mags going for around $100. Sometimes you could find them around $75. After the ban lifted in 2004, I remember prices fell drastically. I had a Glock 23 and 26 then. So I bought a ton of Glock 17, 22, and 23 mags, which were around $15-$20. I told myself I’d be stocked up in the event another ban happens, so as money permitted and as deals popped up, I stocked up on mags for anything that takes “hi-cap” (standard cap mags). I’d recommend a minimum of 10, but if you’ve got the money and space to store them, get more. Same with rifle mags. AR mags were stupid expensive during the ban. So for my AR’s, AK’s, M14’s, etc., I’ve stocked up on those as well. |
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Originally Posted By mylifemygun: I just bought a new Walther PPS M2. I have a feeling Walther will stop production of this pistol soon. How many magazines should I buy for it now ? I had to look that gun up... Why is it so ugly? For that gun, which you will probably trade off in the next year or two, 6 mags total. Realize you will rarely to just about never get your $ back for spare mags. It's a single stack 9mm. I don't see an impending ban on single stack mags. 2 mags kept loaded with SD ammo, 2 mags used from practice, and 2 mags kept unused for long term ownership. With my carry guns, I always carry a backup mag. I also like keeping a couple loaded backup mags in my vehicle. |
| Having lived through the 94-04 ban… my answer is buy as many as you can afford and store. As someone said earlier, they will never be cheaper or more plentiful than they are right now. Buy em cheap and stack em deep. You can always sell or trade them further down the road if so inclined. |
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for guns that get shot regularly, around 10 or so feel right. for novelties and stuff that may get pulled out of the safe a couple times a year, 2 or 3 will do. i have 4 range mags that i use for my 2011 and have 10 or so sitting in a storage bin still in the wrap, ill keep those going until the bodies crack and then toss them. |
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Originally Posted By Rescue43: Having lived through the 94-04 ban… my answer is buy as many as you can afford and store. As someone said earlier, they will never be cheaper or more plentiful than they are right now. Buy em cheap and stack em deep. You can always sell or trade them further down the road if so inclined. Agreed. I was overseas on my first active duty tour when the 94 ban hit. It sucked, and I recalled paying painful premiums "standard capacity" magaizines for the few guns I owned. 1994 was a like the Great Depression for gun enthusiasts. It left many of us with scar tissue when it came to magazines. Simply buy a magazine or two a month for those guns you have or can use for defensive/fighting purposes. ROCK6 |
"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants" - Thomas Jefferson
"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants" - Thomas Jefferson
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Originally Posted By AK-12: The answer is "more" https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/509384/4321-3786334.jpg 15 mags per handgun? Yeah, that would make me feel a little more comfortable  ROCK6 |
"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants" - Thomas Jefferson
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Originally Posted By AK-12: The answer is "more" https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/509384/4321-3786334.jpg And they all appear to be empty… 
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I have over 120 mags for my Berettas, but that's because I acquired a box of magazines from a connex that an old command was literally going to throw in the garbage lol. I try to keep at least 10 mags per gun. |
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This is why we buy guns that use magazines that fit other guns, and avoid guns that use proprietary magazines. In the 87 standard calibers, there are multiple magazines that already exist, and a multitude of guns that use magazines that fit other guns already, there is little need to reinvent the wheel. |
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Originally Posted By NachoDip: A bit disappointing. But better than zero. I do the same. It helps to also rotate mags to check for and test functionality. I don't really want them all loaded, but that is a technique to have them set aside for the next training or range drill day. Whatever technique, I do think it's important to run all your mags and make sure there are no issues. It's best to find their issues now and fix them rather than need them and then find out their out of spec or not functional. ROCK6 |
"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants" - Thomas Jefferson
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Originally Posted By ROCK6: I do the same. It helps to also rotate mags to check for and test functionality. I don't really want them all loaded, but that is a technique to have them set aside for the next training or range drill day. Whatever technique, I do think it's important to run all your mags and make sure there are no issues. It's best to find their issues now and fix them rather than need them and then find out their out of spec or not functional. ROCK6 Yeah, this is important. I had an XD mag I put thousands of rounds through-- basically my dedicated training mag-- and I actually wore the spring out to the point where it won't lock back, but will still feed. |
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Originally Posted By dogrobber13: 10mag minimum on any mag fed firearm, rifle or pistol. Good rule to live by. |
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Originally Posted By RacingOrange: The other side of that coin is your range bag is now heavy as F sometimes. Originally Posted By RacingOrange: Originally Posted By Vague: Do you like wasting range time loading mags? I hate having to load mags when I'm supposed to be shooting. The other side of that coin is your range bag is now heavy as F sometimes. How so? Same weight whether ammo is in mags or boxes. OP, the answer for a "working gun" is how ever many you can afford & store. Several that always stay loaded, some BNIB set aside for the future, and a few set aside as dedicated training mags. And number them too, silver or black sharpie, whatever. My training mags all wear blue tape w/ numbers, as blue = training gear, and makes them easier to spot on the ground and in grass. 10 each is a good rule of thumb, but it depends on that weapon's role in your life, and what you can afford. |
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10 mag minimum for hand guns. (1911 and glock) I have 20 but that's just me, also this is something i have wrestled with for some time, If the hurricane/ flood, natural disaster in on the way and you have to leave in the next 3 minutes, what's it gonna be, also remember you will need something to carry extra mag or two with you. I have owned many glocks, now just two, a 17, and 26. I have a nylon belt that hold 6 mags and a holster for the 17. when i close the door behind me that's what I have. Oh, I really don't like glocks I don't like the way they look, feel, BUT they work every time all the time over and out so that just me. have a good day mac |
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Originally Posted By ROCK6: I do the same. It helps to also rotate mags to check for and test functionality. I don't really want them all loaded, but that is a technique to have them set aside for the next training or range drill day. Whatever technique, I do think it's important to run all your mags and make sure there are no issues. It's best to find their issues now and fix them rather than need them and then find out their out of spec or not functional. ROCK6 For AR mags. It’s so fast to load them it’s comical. Nearly all my ammo is in stripper clips. With a speed loader they get slammed home lightning fast. 5-6 seconds to reload a magazine if everything is in a decently organized pile. Pistols are another story. Even with a Lula they take more time. |
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