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General Categories => Carry Issues => Topic started by: grumpy old man on September 17, 2014, 07:23:12 PM

Title: When you Carry do you carry an extra magazine?
Post by: grumpy old man on September 17, 2014, 07:23:12 PM: my carry weapon holds 13 rounds so I don't carry an extra magazine. Should I carry an extra magazine? How many rounds do you carry?
Title: Re: When you Carry do you carry an extra magazine?
Post by: GreyGeek on September 17, 2014, 07:44:12 PM: I usually have 60 rounds on me.
Title: Re: When you Carry do you carry an extra magazine?
Post by: abbafandr on September 17, 2014, 07:52:12 PM: I always carry a spare.
Title: Re: When you Carry do you carry an extra magazine?
Post by: Dave1215 on September 17, 2014, 07:56:09 PM: Carry a spare
Title: Re: When you Carry do you carry an extra magazine?
Post by: deputygunner on September 17, 2014, 07:59:46 PM: I always carry a spare magazine. Not only for the extra rounds, but if there is a problem and you need to clear your pistol, you have a spare magazine.
Title: Re: When you Carry do you carry an extra magazine?
Post by: shooter on September 17, 2014, 08:05:21 PM: I carry a 1911 with a 8 round mag, also carry 2 extra 8 round mags
Title: Re: When you Carry do you carry an extra magazine?
Post by: bullit on September 17, 2014, 08:42:24 PM: "An adult lifetime of studying gunfights has taught me that with round count, 'it is better to have and not need, than to need and not have.'" -Massad Ayoob, GUNS Magazine Nov 2014 Pg 19
Title: Re: When you Carry do you carry an extra magazine?
Post by: wallace11bravo on September 17, 2014, 08:47:54 PM: I just walk around with this.

(http://www.designfax.net/cms/dfx/opens/enews/20120522DFX/ArmyPack1.jpg)
Title: Re: When you Carry do you carry an extra magazine?
Post by: Greybeard on September 17, 2014, 08:49:49 PM: I carry a spare.
Title: Re: When you Carry do you carry an extra magazine?
Post by: greg58 on September 17, 2014, 08:59:10 PM: Sometimes I carry a couple of speedloaders, but yes a spare mag or 2 is good practice.

Greg58
Title: Re: When you Carry do you carry an extra magazine?
Post by: Gunscribe on September 17, 2014, 09:12:13 PM: Always carry at least one. Two if in uniform. Four more in go bag.
Title: Re: When you Carry do you carry an extra magazine?
Post by: farmerbob on September 17, 2014, 09:36:32 PM: I'm sure you've heard the saying "one is none, two is one."

I try to always have an extra magazine, plus the magazine in the gun that brings us back to one, or something like that.
Title: Re: When you Carry do you carry an extra magazine?
Post by: Mali on September 17, 2014, 10:11:40 PM: How do you guys carry the spares? Do you have an additional holder on your belt, stash it in your pocket? Curious because I am would like to carry a spare (mine regular carry is 7+1 so there isn't much to work with if something goes south) but not sure how to carry it.
Title: Re: When you Carry do you carry an extra magazine?
Post by: jFader on September 17, 2014, 11:25:20 PM: Quote from: farmerbob on September 17, 2014, 09:36:32 PM
I'm sure you've heard the saying "one is none, two is one."

I try to always have an extra magazine, plus the magazine in the gun that brings us back to one, or something like that.

Two is one, one is none, & three is for me! TSP
Title: Re: When you Carry do you carry an extra magazine?
Post by: rbrooks on September 17, 2014, 11:53:00 PM: I carry two extra on my belt.
Title: Re: When you Carry do you carry an extra magazine?
Post by: Gary on September 18, 2014, 12:09:11 AM: The ideal place to carry two spare mags, is in two spare guns. I also carry two more mags on a suspender. Mind you, that was before all my guns and ammo were lost in a boating accident at sea.
Title: Re: When you Carry do you carry an extra magazine?
Post by: OnTheFly on September 18, 2014, 12:44:17 AM: Do I carry a spare magazine? That's like asking me if I'm wearing leather briefs...YES. I carry the spare in a Dale Frick Joab horizontal mag pouch. LOVE IT!

Fly
Title: Re: When you Carry do you carry an extra magazine?
Post by: JTH on September 18, 2014, 06:52:07 AM: Quote from: wallace11bravo on September 17, 2014, 08:47:54 PM
I just walk around with this.
(http://www.designfax.net/cms/dfx/opens/enews/20120522DFX/ArmyPack1.jpg)

Doesn't it look cooler when it is twisted around your body?
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/67/Afghan_National_Army_Soldier_with_Bandolier_Clips.png)

And if you wear a good vest over the top, like in IDPA, no one can even SEE the extra ammo!

...no?

That's okay, I find that I don't NEED to reload when I carry....

(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A4Jm1OvfisE/Tjf8idLOBEI/AAAAAAAAMyo/io7HRdwSkvg/s1600/gun.jpg)

Just kidding. I carry plenty of reloads. Of course, when you use a shotgun for self-defense, often just the sound of racking the slide is enough to scare them off...

(http://i2.guns.ru/forums/icons/forum_pictures/000114/114270.jpg)

But in all seriousness, here's how I really carry:

(http://www.tactical-life.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/006-tuf.jpg)

...well, maybe not. (I'm not really sure why he is pulling a glock mag when he is holding an AR, but hey, glad he's got that flashlight where he can get to it.)

One of the best ammo carriers out there on the market:

(http://geekologie.com/assets_c/2010/08/beer-bandolier-thumb-450x340-10014.jpg)

....but it works better when carried by someone who can be trusted to do the right thing:

(http://www.after5catalog.com/images/products/01A5BANDP5.jpg)(http://www.homewetbar.com/images/prod/tequila-holster.jpg)

(This post has been brought to you by the idea of carrying three guns and two extra magazines, all in 10mm, all with chamber empty, and all with a Saf-T-Blok installed. In your pocket.)
Title: Re: When you Carry do you carry an extra magazine?
Post by: abbafandr on September 18, 2014, 07:01:43 AM: Quote from: Mali on September 17, 2014, 10:11:40 PM
How do you guys carry the spares? Do you have an additional holder on your belt, stash it in your pocket? Curious because I am would like to carry a spare (mine regular carry is 7+1 so there isn't much to work with if something goes south) but not sure how to carry it.

I use a nylon knife/magazine pouch. Doesn't draw attention.

This:http://www.amazon.com/BLACKHAWK-Traditional-CORDURA-Universal-Single/dp/B001AQ4F54/ref=sr_sp-atf_image_1_2?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=undefined&sr=1-2&keywords=blackhawk+pouch+knife (http://www.amazon.com/BLACKHAWK-Traditional-CORDURA-Universal-Single/dp/B001AQ4F54/ref=sr_sp-atf_image_1_2?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=undefined&sr=1-2&keywords=blackhawk+pouch+knife)
Title: Re: When you Carry do you carry an extra magazine?
Post by: bkoenig on September 18, 2014, 08:28:05 AM: I carry a cap & ball revolver, so my reloads consist of a powder flask, a tin of percussion caps, some lead balls, and a tub of bear grease to seal the chambers. It's a lot to carry so I usually just leave it on my pack mule. Most of the time I figure my steely eyed stare perfected by years of watching Clint Eastwood spaghetti westerns is a sufficient deterrent.
Title: Re: When you Carry do you carry an extra magazine?
Post by: Mudinyeri on September 18, 2014, 08:42:44 AM: One of the most common types of malfunctions with semi-automatic firearms is a magazine failure. I carry a spare.
Title: Re: When you Carry do you carry an extra magazine?
Post by: mott555 on September 18, 2014, 09:20:14 AM: I don't carry anymore because I haven't got my permit since moving to Nebraska, but in my old state I always carried a spare magazine if I had room. I normally wear carpenter pants so it fit perfectly in one of the little pockets on my right leg. It was also an interesting experiment in human perception because it really wasn't very hidden, but nobody ever saw it or if they did they didn't know what it was.
Title: Re: When you Carry do you carry an extra magazine?
Post by: JTH on September 18, 2014, 09:39:43 AM: Quote from: bkoenig on September 18, 2014, 08:28:05 AM
I carry a cap & ball revolver, so my reloads consist of a powder flask, a tin of percussion caps, some lead balls, and a tub of bear grease to seal the chambers. It's a lot to carry so I usually just leave it on my pack mule. Most of the time I figure my steely eyed stare perfected by years of watching Clint Eastwood spaghetti westerns is a sufficient deterrent.

(http://crossfitnoboundaries.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Punk.jpg)

(Yes, I know that quote doesn't go with that set of movies. And yet....)

And just because we don't want people thinking that it is the gun that makes the man....

http://youtu.be/eyjrUAimzZg (http://youtu.be/eyjrUAimzZg)
Title: Re: When you Carry do you carry an extra magazine?
Post by: wallace11bravo on September 18, 2014, 10:21:26 AM: Quote from: bkoenig on September 18, 2014, 08:28:05 AM
I carry a cap & ball revolver, so my reloads consist of a powder flask, a tin of percussion caps, some lead balls, and a tub of bear grease to seal the chambers. It's a lot to carry so I usually just leave it on my pack mule. Most of the time I figure my steely eyed stare perfected by years of watching Clint Eastwood spaghetti westerns is a sufficient deterrent.

You sir, win the internet.

On a serious note, I carry a 26 with a +2 floorplate, appendix, and the vast majority of the time I do not carry a spare magazine. Is more better? Is redundancy better? Is redundancy better? Is redundancy better? Sure, but you have to draw the line somewhere, and I choose to draw it where I draw it. Nothing against those who choose to carry a spare (especially for caps below 10) or two, or even a backup gun, or two, that's fine if it works for you.

Other than carrying more ammo and more guns, here are some additional things to think about:
-Redundancy is better, but so is regular maintenance and testing of the gear you do carry
-Actually practice, regularly, more than once a month, and you might, just might, make the one magazine you carry worth more than the three you could be carrying

Again, just food for thought.

(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e8/ISF_member_armed_with_RPG-7.jpg)

(This post has ALSO been brought to you by the idea of carrying three guns and two extra magazines, all in 10mm, all with chamber empty, and all with a Saf-T-Blok installed. In your pocket. OR disassembled on the dashboard whilst being pulled over and)
Title: Re: When you Carry do you carry an extra magazine?
Post by: H2O_King89 on September 18, 2014, 10:27:06 AM: Yes I Cary two extra.
Title: Re: When you Carry do you carry an extra magazine?
Post by: Greybeard on September 18, 2014, 10:27:11 AM: My EDC is a Glock 27 in a Sneaky Pete holster. My spare mag is in my left pocket in a Sneaky Pete mag holder. It all works fine for me.
Title: Re: When you Carry do you carry an extra magazine?
Post by: bkoenig on September 18, 2014, 11:40:39 AM: Honestly, I rarely carry a spare mag. My carry gun holds 14+1, and I've shot it enough to trust that the mags are reliable. A spare mag is better than not having one, but it's also extra stuff to carry.
Title: Re: When you Carry do you carry an extra magazine?
Post by: JTH on September 18, 2014, 01:40:43 PM: Quote from: bkoenig on September 18, 2014, 11:40:39 AM
Honestly, I rarely carry a spare mag. My carry gun holds 14+1, and I've shot it enough to trust that the mags are reliable. A spare mag is better than not having one, but it's also extra stuff to carry.

Kinda how I do it. If it is summer, my gun (which gets shot rather often so I know how it acts and I know whether or not my magazines are reliable) carries 17+1, and I don't carry an extra mag because it is harder to conceal and I've hit my personal annoyance limit on stuff in my pockets etc when I'm wearing shorts and a polo.

If it is winter, I probably have an extra mag weak-side OWB (matter of fact, in the mag pouches I use for IDPA---yay, using actual carry equipment in a match!) since I'm wearing a fleece or something over pants and a polo. Easy to hide, no annoyance factor, I've got 34 rounds on-board, and with that setup I can easily go from empty/locked back to reloaded and firing a shot in less than 2 seconds. (If I've already fired 18 rounds, please come help me because I'm in serious trouble.)

Would I do it differently if the firearm I was carrying held less ammo? Maybe....I dunno. There have been times with a PF9 in dress clothes with no extra mag....I wasn't happy, but that was what I had to work with. If I happen to have a G26 in deep concealment I'm at 10+1 with no extra mag just because deep concealment needs tends to also mean I've got no place to put a mag where I could actually get at it in any reasonable amount of time.

The whole things really depends on your comfort level, how much you trust your equipment, how much practice you have with your equipment, your lifestyle and the need to lots of rounds... (How fast is your reload? After all, if you need it, you need it Right Now as someone else is trying to kill you...)

I know a number of people who pocket-carry a j-frame with 5 rounds, and call it good. I'm not going to tell them they are wrong. After all, stats say a majority of altercations are stopped with 1 round or less (hits or not). If the gun goes bang, that's significantly better than yelling loudly.

I do tend to think there is an outer ridiculous-level limit on gear, based on a realistic appreciate of your lifestyle. People can go beyond that, of course---load yourself up, and have fun! No issues. That, however, is different from saying it is necessary or needed.
Title: Re: When you Carry do you carry an extra magazine?
Post by: bkoenig on September 18, 2014, 02:02:08 PM: Good point, in the winter I'm a lot more likely to carry a spare mag, or even a full sized gun instead of a compact.

I do carry a J Frame when I'm running, biking, etc. since it's super lightweight and easy to conceal. And yes, I'm able to conceal a J Frame under biking gear. Just let the thought of me in spandex sink in for a while.....
Title: Re: When you Carry do you carry an extra magazine?
Post by: farmerbob on September 18, 2014, 02:07:52 PM: I've come to the realization that to pack everything on your person ( G23, extra mags, pepper spray, flashlight, pocket knife, cell phone, wallet, keys, etc...etc.) you have to give in and start dressing like a slob.
Title: Re: When you Carry do you carry an extra magazine?
Post by: Kodiak on September 18, 2014, 03:06:30 PM: I almost always have my spare mag. I carry a g30 with the ten round mag and carry a13 round mag in my pocket. Trying to find a mag holder for it if anyone wants to throw out suggestions. Double stack .45 is proving to be a little more elusive
Title: Re: When you Carry do you carry an extra magazine?
Post by: JTH on September 18, 2014, 03:20:31 PM: Quote from: farmerbob on September 18, 2014, 02:07:52 PM
I've come to the realization that to pack everything on your person ( G23, extra mags, pepper spray, flashlight, pocket knife, cell phone, wallet, keys, etc...etc.) you have to give in and start dressing like a slob.

http://www.opticsplanet.com/spec-ops-combat-suspenders-100650101.html (http://www.opticsplanet.com/spec-ops-combat-suspenders-100650101.html)

There you go. Support!

(No kidding, a normally-respected national-level firearms trainer who I won't name actually talked about the fact that it helped him carry three guns {two full-size, one compact}, three knives, and a reload for each gun along with his OC, baton, and flashlight. No, he wasn't an on-duty police officer, this was his CCW rig. He talked about this in his weekly newsletter. :o )
Title: Re: When you Carry do you carry an extra magazine?
Post by: JTH on September 18, 2014, 03:24:46 PM: Quote from: BlackheartPaladin on September 18, 2014, 03:06:30 PM
I almost always have my spare mag. I carry a g30 with the ten round mag and carry a13 round mag in my pocket. Trying to find a mag holder for it if anyone wants to throw out suggestions. Double stack .45 is proving to be a little more elusive

Some people really like these, if you are able to go with OWB vertical carry...

http://www.kytexgear.com/products-page/pistol-mag-carriers/?items_per_page=all (http://www.kytexgear.com/products-page/pistol-mag-carriers/?items_per_page=all)

(They ride pretty low, and that helps.)

Some people (Fly?) really like the Dale Fricke Joab horizontal mag pouches. I run out of waist space with the sideways carry, and in my case, they actually print more than vertical carry, however it significantly varies by body type and mode of dress.
Title: Re: When you Carry do you carry an extra magazine?
Post by: JTH on September 18, 2014, 03:26:28 PM: [deletion of double post]

....no idea why that happened. :/
Title: Re: When you Carry do you carry an extra magazine?
Post by: abbafandr on September 18, 2014, 08:05:51 PM: Quote from: bkoenig on September 18, 2014, 02:02:08 PM
Just let the thought of me in spandex sink in for a while.....

OMG, do I have to? :o
Title: Re: When you Carry do you carry an extra magazine?
Post by: abbafandr on September 18, 2014, 08:12:10 PM: With the PF9 I always carry a spare. With the 17, don't worry about quite so much.
Title: Re: When you Carry do you carry an extra magazine?
Post by: greg58 on September 19, 2014, 10:45:27 AM: Quote from: mott555 on September 18, 2014, 09:20:14 AM
I don't carry anymore because I haven't got my permit since moving to Nebraska, but in my old state I always carried a spare magazine if I had room. I normally wear carpenter pants so it fit perfectly in one of the little pockets on my right leg. It was also an interesting experiment in human perception because it really wasn't very hidden, but nobody ever saw it or if they did they didn't know what it was.

It is true what you say about human perception. I used to worry about printing and felt that everyone around probably knew I was armed. But I have come to realize that most people are in their own little world, and are not noticing what others around them are doing. I think I notice others more than they notice me. I see things like Sneaky Pete holsters, vests, man bags, packpacks etc and I wonder what is being carried.
I too wear carpenter jeans a lot and sometimes slip a spare mag down the long tool pockets above the knee.
Greg58
Title: Re: When you Carry do you carry an extra magazine?
Post by: OnTheFly on September 19, 2014, 12:22:49 PM: I have had days where I realized, after I got home and looked in the mirror, that I was printing...BAD! Never got a funny look or question. People are just not that aware.

Fly
Title: Re: When you Carry do you carry an extra magazine?
Post by: bkoenig on September 19, 2014, 01:39:11 PM: Only time anyone ever noticed on me was someone I know, who knows I carry and also is a CHP holder. And I was wearing a fairly snug fitting tshirt.
Title: Re: When you Carry do you carry an extra magazine?
Post by: Kodiak on September 19, 2014, 02:29:34 PM: Quote from: jthhapkido on September 18, 2014, 03:24:46 PM
Some people really like these, if you are able to go with OWB vertical carry...

http://www.kytexgear.com/products-page/pistol-mag-carriers/?items_per_page=all (http://www.kytexgear.com/products-page/pistol-mag-carriers/?items_per_page=all)

(They ride pretty low, and that helps.)

Some people (Fly?) really like the Dale Fricke Joab horizontal mag pouches. I run out of waist space with the sideways carry, and in my case, they actually print more than vertical carry, however it significantly varies by body type and mode of dress.

I find the orientation wording a little alien. Which one do I want to carry on my left side and access with my left hand?
Title: Re: When you Carry do you carry an extra magazine?
Post by: JTH on September 19, 2014, 02:47:34 PM: Quote from: BlackheartPaladin on September 19, 2014, 02:29:34 PM
I find the orientation wording a little alien. Which one do I want to carry on my left side and access with my left hand?

From the website:
"Choosing Carrier Orientation: Choose Strong Side Shooting Hand (carriers will be opposite side) Example: Right-Handed Shooters, choose Right Hand Strong Side Carriers. They are worn on the weak, or left hip."

Basic idea is that they assume you'll carry on your weak side AND access with your weak hand. (As opposed to cross-drawing your mags.) When ordering, list what your strong side is, and they'll make the choice accordingly.

For you, if you meant that the mag would be placed on your left side and grabbed with your left hand, choose Right Hand Strong Side Carriers.
Title: Re: When you Carry do you carry an extra magazine?
Post by: Kodiak on September 20, 2014, 02:11:32 PM: Thanks. That's what I expected, just never seen it phrased as such
Title: Re: When you Carry do you carry an extra magazine?
Post by: Lorimor on September 21, 2014, 09:26:30 AM: (http://frontiernet.net/~netim/magsdosequis.jpg)
Title: Re: When you Carry do you carry an extra magazine?
Post by: DenmanShooter on September 22, 2014, 07:35:13 AM: Quote from: jthhapkido on September 19, 2014, 02:47:34 PM

From the website:
"Choosing Carrier Orientation: Choose Strong Side Shooting Hand (carriers will be opposite side) Example: Right-Handed Shooters, choose Right Hand Strong Side Carriers. They are worn on the weak, or left hip."

Basic idea is that they assume you'll carry on your weak side AND access with your weak hand. (As opposed to cross-drawing your mags.) When ordering, list what your strong side is, and they'll make the choice accordingly.

For you, if you meant that the mag would be placed on your left side and grabbed with your left hand, choose Right Hand Strong Side Carriers.

That sounds like something a government lawyer wrote.

What ever happened to "For wear on the left." ?
Title: Re: When you Carry do you carry an extra magazine?
Post by: Ronvandyn on October 15, 2014, 09:32:29 PM: Quote from: brandonhein on September 17, 2014, 07:23:12 PM
my carry weapon holds 13 rounds so I don't carry an extra magazine. Should I carry an extra magazine? How many rounds do you carry?

Always. 22 for my 40 and 13 for my 9.
Title: Re: When you Carry do you carry an extra magazine?
Post by: mott555 on October 29, 2014, 02:53:33 PM: I see Ruger's now making a 9-round magazine for the LC9, I need to pick one up and use it for my backup magazine. No need to keep the pistol small and easily concealable if something happens and I've already burned through my main 7-round magazine.