Extra mag when carrying?

RooftopKorean · Apr 13, 2024

When I am driving up to PA, I carry an extra 10 rounder. Once I'm at my place, I replace my two 10 rounders for two 17 rounders.

In states i can carry where I am not limited to 10 rounders and I'm leaving from my second home in PA my usual load out is HK VP9 7 o'clock IWB with two 17 rounders and Ruger LCR 9mm ankle holstered with two extra moon clips.

I'm of the thought that if you cant get it done with ten, you're in trouble but I also follow the rule of rather have and not need it than not have it and need it.

49 rounds in total, 34 for my VP9 and 15 for my LCR.

Once I get my NYC I'll be carrying two extra mags for my VP9 since you can only carry one concealed at a time. If I carry my LCR, I'll be carrying three extra moon clips.

dsdmmat · Dec 7, 2024

Vapor said:
Do you all bother with an extra mag when you carry? I've just been carrying 17+1. I can't imagine needing more than that, but then in the back of my mind I worry about a worse case situation. What do you all do?

The extra mag is not only about round count. It is about having an extra feeding device should something happen to the one in the gun. I normally carry between 2 to 6 spares depending on where I am going and what I am carrying.

That_FNG · Dec 7, 2024

I always carry extra mags. In 1 pocket I can fit 4 mags for my CR920 or 3 mags for my HK P2K at a minimum. 10+1 in the gun and 40-50 rounds of 9mm as backup. When the holster I ordered for my G33 comes in then it will be 9+1 in the gun and 36 rounds of 357 sig as backup. I’ve never heard anybody that was in a situation facing dangerous animals, violent criminals, violent mob or WROL situation say they wished they had less ammo.

Saltwater60 · Dec 7, 2024

That_FNG said:
I always carry extra mags. In 1 pocket I can fit 4 mags for my CR920 or 3 mags for my HK P2K at a minimum. 10+1 in the gun and 40-50 rounds of 9mm as backup. When the holster I ordered for my G33 comes in then it will be 9+1 in the gun and 36 rounds of 357 sig as backup. I’ve never heard anybody that was in a situation facing dangerous animals, violent criminals, violent mob or WROL situation say they wished they had less ammo.

I do similar. I can fit three mags in one pocket then I have another mag in another pocket with one in the gun. All 10-rounders. The single one in my front pocket has a different baseplate and is barrier penetration rounds if I need to try to shoot through something.

That_FNG · Dec 7, 2024

Saltwater60 said:
I do similar. I can fit three mags in one pocket then I have another mag in another pocket with one in the gun. All 10-rounders. The single one in my front pocket has a different baseplate and is barrier penetration rounds if I need to try to shoot through something.

You don’t know what if any situation one might face. During covid I found myself an hour from home with a violent antifa mob 2 streets over and no law enforcement available. Nothing happened thankfully but it taught me to carry based upon the assumption one might have to face a large mob or not be able to get to home base and resupply.

Saltwater60 · Dec 7, 2024

That_FNG said:
You don’t know what if any situation one might face. During covid I found myself an hour from home with a violent antifa mob 2 streets over and no law enforcement available. Nothing happened thankfully but it taught me to carry based upon the assumption one might have to face a large mob or not be able to get to home base and resupply.

Absolutely. My thoughts for carrying this much is an active shooter with body armor and needing to lay a lot of rounds in his chest or buying time until the cops make it there since sometimes they come right in and other times they sit outside for an hour. You just never know.

Parzival · Dec 7, 2024

I usually carry 1 extra, for the G43x that gives me 31 total and for the G45 that gives me 35 total.

The statistics are you’ll never need to change a mag in a civilian self defense situation but I like to carry one anyway because I can.

JaguarJaguarGolf · Dec 7, 2024

A worker from Gander Mountain in Middletown, (many moons ago) , told me that he had found a few magazines on the floor at different times that he assumed came out of shoppers' handguns. He didn't specify a brand, we both commented on extended magazine buttons.

Saltwater60 · Dec 7, 2024

JaguarJaguarGolf said:
A worker from Gander Mountain in Middletown, (many moons ago) , told me that he had found a few magazines on the floor at different times that he assumed came out of shoppers' handguns. He didn't specify a brand, we both commented on extended magazine buttons.

I added an extended mag release to my sig 365 and I live it. I’ve never had an issue but I did once with a cheap eBay holster. My friend recommended it to me as I plopped my gun init and almost immediately after sitting down the nag release button was hit. I returned the holster and haven’t had an issue since in a few years. It was before Covid so I think I’m good

Bustedknees · Dec 7, 2024

I don't carry on a regular basis. I guess I feel comfortable staying in my normal rural surroundings. If I get dragged to big city I absolutely feel better having a gun or knife. But even then it's just a 38 special with a full 6 in the cylinder. After 6 rounds I'd prefer to be headed South of any gun fight.

spat · Dec 8, 2024

That_FNG said:
You don’t know what if any situation one might face. During covid I found myself an hour from home with a violent antifa mob 2 streets over and no law enforcement available. Nothing happened thankfully but it taught me to carry based upon the assumption one might have to face a large mob or not be able to get to home base and resupply.

I keep spares in the glove box of the car.

I don't need to get all the way home to resupply, but I also don't need to carry that much ammo on me.

If the world deteriorates to where I think I really need to carry more than one spare mag, then I'm carrying the PS90 and a couple mags.

I'm also not leaving the homestead unless it's absolutely necessary. We could hunker down here for a few weeks and not be short anything but fresh milk (and that depends on what the neighbors cows are doing....).

If you need more than 2 spares for the PS90, well, I don't (yet) own anything belt fed.

I haven't *tried* to CC the PS90, but I think I could probably pull it off without looking goofy enough to raise any suspicion.

spat · Dec 8, 2024

Saltwater60 said:
Absolutely. My thoughts for carrying this much is an active shooter with body armor and needing to lay a lot of rounds in his chest or buying time until the cops make it there since sometimes they come right in and other times they sit outside for an hour. You just never know.

If a couple shots COM don't work, I'm not going to dump more there hoping to bruise him enough to stop him. I'm switching to head shots. May have more misses, but a miss isn't much worse than an ineffective hit anyway, and if you do land a hit, even it it's not in the lights out "T" zone, it's certainly going to slow them down more than a hit to the armor.

togmaster · Dec 8, 2024

Extra mag? FAFO.

VietnamEraVet · Dec 8, 2024

My daily loadout is a Shield, 2 spare mags, and a knife. For longer car trips, it’s a Triple K twin shoulder rig with twin Shields (Rosie & Louise from my Ubering days), 2 spare mags, and a knife.

Also available is a Triple K twin shoulder rig for Glock 17 / 19 / P80’s with Glock 31 round mags.

Robin · Dec 8, 2024

If I'm in the doctors office I always carry one with lots of hard crosswords.
Robin

Robin · Dec 11, 2024

Nah.

Robin

pshift · Dec 11, 2024

X-2 for the mags.

Podmonkey · May 8, 2025

Thought I'd update with a mag carry method that has been working well for me.

Horizontal OWB carrier I got off Amazon from some rando brand. I'll loom them up though to give a name because it has worked quite well for me. It conceals well being online with tge belt which also means it is very comfortable as well. Comfort has always been a big drawback for me when carrying a spare mag, oriented vertically the mag starts to dig into my side particularly in IWB fashion where tge discomfort will rise to the level of being painful after a few hours.
The retention is adjustable via an Allen screw which presses a polymer finger aginst the mag body. I have been carrying like this for some months now.

Podmonkey · May 8, 2025

Brand is "Rounded"

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09FN3NZBF?ref_=icdp_ba_mweb_mb_pd_bap_m_grid_rp_0_25_pr_gf&clientRefMarker=pd_bap_m_grid_rp_0_25_pr_gf&heartsTeamIdentifier=buyagain&psc=1&heartDisabled=false

dean3690 · May 8, 2025

Podmonkey said:
Brand is "Rounded"

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09FN3NZBF?ref_=icdp_ba_mweb_mb_pd_bap_m_grid_rp_0_25_pr_gf&clientRefMarker=pd_bap_m_grid_rp_0_25_pr_gf&heartsTeamIdentifier=buyagain&psc=1&heartDisabled=false

Podmonkey if you don't mind me asking, why do you favor a horizontal magazine rather than a vertical? I'm curious. I assume that means you only carry 1 extra magazine.

I carry 2 verticals on my off hand/weak/support side for 9mm or 380 using holders or in a pinch for the 380 I sometimes do 2 verticals in left rear pocket. My carry gun sits at 6 o'clock as I can't stand having Kydex jammed in my guts, groin or love handles and I can draw from sitting and seat belted in if necessary. Vertical mags don't stick into the love handles, so no problem there.

Podmonkey · May 8, 2025

dean3690 said:
Podmonkey if you don't mind me asking, why do you favor a horizontal magazine rather than a vertical? I'm curious. I assume that means you only carry 1 extra magazine.

I carry 2 verticals on my off hand/weak/support side for 9mm or 380 using holders or in a pinch for the 380 I sometimes do 2 verticals in left rear pocket. My carry gun sits at 6 o'clock as I can't stand having Kydex jammed in my guts, groin or love handles and I can draw from sitting and seat belted in if necessary. Vertical mags don't stick into the love handles, so no problem there.

IWB mag carries/pouches become painfully uncomfortable for me after a few hours, vertical OWB punches also poke and prod me uncomfortably as well when sitting and are less concealable as well. The horizontal method is for more comfortable and is less likely to be exposed when stretching and reaching.
The chance of needing more than 15 rounds in a defensive engagement is vanishingly slim, I carry an extra mag more as a backup for a malfunctioning or damaged magazine so 1 spare is plenty adequate. I find tge draw from a horizontal carrier is faster and smoother as well.

Far king · May 8, 2025

Colonal Jeff Cooper always said the purpose of carrying a reload is not for the gunfight you are in , but rather to be ready for the next gunfight.

Brawny71 · May 8, 2025

Fanny packs for CC are making a real comeback as well. You can carry both the gun and mags or mags, knife, light, tourniquet in them. Even room for an iphone and wallet. Waste carry or cross body.

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Podmonkey · May 8, 2025

Brawny71 said:
Fanny packs for CC are making a real comeback as well. You can carry both the gun and mags or mags, knife, light, tourniquet in them. Even room for an iphone and wallet. Waste carry or cross body.

LA Police Gear Frunk Pack w/ Removable Holster - Closeout

The LA Police Gear Frunk Pack with Removable Holster is a great alternative to waistband holsters and is capable of holding all your essential gear. This waist pack can also be worn as a cross-body shoulder bag and comes with a universal pistol holster.

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Sheepdog Response Low Viz Waist Pack

SHEEPDOG RESPONSE LOW VIZ WAIST PACK The Sheepdog Response Low Viz Waist Pack is your carry all, do all pack designed with comfort, concealability, accessibility and and protection all in one very unsuspecting package. Dozens of iterations, prototypes and months of testing led to what we believe...

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I suppose that could work in urban environments. In rural environments carrying a pack of that type and in that fashion would look odd and out of place.

RedBreast21 · May 8, 2025

I'm not looking to stay engaged with any threat. One extra mag is fine. Depending on location and back drop, two the chest one to the head is what I practice for time and with movement. If I suspect body armor, my target is the hip and the large femoral artery. Active shooter situation not involving family members........not sure I have the legal funds for that. What an unfortunate statement I know, but its the reality in my area. :beer:

dean3690 · May 8, 2025

Podmonkey said:
IWB mag carries/pouches become painfully uncomfortable for me after a few hours, vertical OWB punches also poke and prod me uncomfortably as well when sitting and are less concealable as well. The horizontal method is for more comfortable and is less likely to be exposed when stretching and reaching.
The chance of needing more than 15 rounds in a defensive engagement is vanishingly slim, I carry an extra mag more as a backup for a malfunctioning or damaged magazine so 1 spare is plenty adequate. I find tge draw from a horizontal carrier is faster and smoother as well.

Oh, that's right, you live in a free state where you have standard capacity mags. That's at least 1/2 the equation and comfort is the other 1/2.

Podmonkey · May 9, 2025

dean3690 said:
Oh, that's right, you live in a free state where you have standard capacity mags. That's at least 1/2 the equation and comfort is the other 1/2.

Well, I am a 2A absolutist and thus find any and all firearms restrictions abominable. That said the likelihood of needing more than 10 rounds in a defensive shooting is also vanishingly thin. Actually I belive that 10 rounds is the breakpoint. For many years, until recently, my CCW was an M&P Shield, at first the 7 round 1.0 and then the 10 round Plus model. Especially with the latter I never felt underarmed and in fact my current CCW, an M&P 2.0 Compact, has been adopted not due to magazine capacity but due to the fact it has a powerful light and a red dot attached which is a massive plus during my nighttime shift. My Shield Plus is not cut for an optic and options for lights are limited and of low output.
If I were still a betrodden denizen of NYS my EDC would be a Glock 48 equipped similarly to the M&P: a TRL7 HL-X Sub and a Holosun EPS Carry optic. Same holster, same mag carrier. Such a setup would do me just fine.
In fact I still occasionally carry my 7 shot 586 Carry Comp with 1 speedloader in reserve. I have to imagine while offering less margin of error than 15 shots of 9mm gives me 7 shots of .357 Magnum still offers a decisive quantity of firepower. In fact I favor the .357 when walking the local nature trails. We have bears around here, placid though they seem to be.

Extra mag when carrying?

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