How many magazines are enough

**Iron mike** · 11-26-2011, 04:59 AM

I get them as I can if I can find a deal I normally jump on it as for everyday carry I keep 1 in the M9 and 3 in my back pocket for a total of 61 rounds with 1 in the pipe any more than that I would be better served working on my interpersonal skills

**TheLastMountainMan** · 11-28-2011, 03:27 PM

1 14 rnd mag in gun, 2 extra on me, 6 more in my edc mag with extra box of ammo. 20 more at home.

**traprmike** · 02-26-2012, 09:12 PM

Originally Posted by TacSKS

If 50 make you happy great, it's your money. If 1 makes you happy......get a few more

Personally, I have 8 for my main pistol. A lot less than some people here, but way more than most shooters that only have the 1 or 2 that came with their gun. I'm satisfied with 8, if I was ever using my pistol enough to really need that many, then I've got a serious problem. Probably get shot and die if I was in that many gunfights anyway.

Note: I do like having additional dedicated range mags for practice. And stocking extra springs might be a cheap way to extend the life of your heavy use mags.

I reflect this also. while many have 70-100 mags for each asorted guns. I have about a dozen or so mags for my .45, another dozen for the AR. and 6 for my EDC 9mm.

I also have a couple range mags that i use to not to damage my good mags.

if bugging out, i do not plan on carrying 50 mags for every gun i plan on carry.

I do have rifle rounds on stripper clips in storage also.

**Legion489** · 02-27-2012, 12:52 PM

I write a number of articles for various magazines and have written an article on this subject as well. Magazines are a "consumable", that is they wear out, get lost, get stolen, disappear for no known reason, get dented, get rusty, get left behind, get.... well, you get the idea. If you are using your guns to practice with like you should, you will be wearing out the practice mag(s) in about a year. Aluminum AR mags wear out faster, good quality pistol mags a bit slower, but if you are shooting, plan on a mag a year needing replacement.

There is no such thing as "enough..." ammo, mags, spare parts, reloading supplies, etc. If you don't want it, it is a sure bet someone else does. Much like the "minimum of 1,000 rounds of ammo per gun" (a laughably small amount), I recommend at least 13 to 15 magazines for each gun that needs magazines as a minimum. That is one in the gun and 12 to 14 in mag pouches ready to go. No it does NOT harm magazines to be loaded for long periods of time, years and years is fine. It is the compression and then decompression (loading and unloading) that kills springs. Good springs last a long time, cheap springs, well, don't.

Hope this helps.

**KSDeputy** · 03-06-2012, 11:36 AM

I carry a CS45, it holds 8 rounds, including loaded chamber. I carry two extra loaded magazines.

**KSDeputy** · 03-06-2012, 11:39 AM

Rounds with my .45 carry gun, 22 rounds. Over 500 rounds for every other gun I own.

**belair56** · 03-18-2012, 07:12 PM

I have 5 each for my sr9, and p95, my sig misquito is another story there $40 a piece, you only get one with a purchase.

**Bisquitlips** · 03-20-2012, 08:24 PM

Originally Posted by Echo2

Buy as you can afford.....If I find a deal.....I buy more....it can never hurt.

I have at last count around 40+ for my Glock 17....that is inclusive of some Glock 18 mags.

I keep about 50 loaded for my ARs.

Absolutely X10!

Having not enough is as bad as having none IMO.

Also the mags you have need to be at the ready. For my Rock River AR I have twelve 45 round Thermold mags with it at all times in 2 shoulder mag bags. Grab and go is easy and accessible.

50 is more loaded than I have at this time, but I like it and the fact that springs are not an issue. Keep them loaded forever.

Good post Echo!

**ColoradoMike** · 03-20-2012, 08:48 PM

Looks like a lot of folks have a lot of mags.....to me balance is vital especially if you are on foot. If you are in a defensive position....you neer have enough. However, in all the days I spent carrying weapons all over the world....I rarely had more than 6 of anything.

**lalakai** · 03-20-2012, 10:00 PM

an added thought is to have a dedicated ammo bag always ready. Keep 4-6 rifle mags and 2-4 pistol mags in it. In an active shooter situation you don't want to be shoving extra mags in your pockets as you leave the house or car. If you keep a long gun with you, then you should have the ammo bag also. As someone in another thread noted, they color code their rifle mags, so they know which type of ammo is in it. We watched an interview where a LEO was returning from the range and ended up assisting in an active shooter situation. He had been practicing with FMJ ammo and in the confusion that's what he ended up using. Now he always carries 2 mags of TAP rounds whenever he's shooting his rifle.