Magazines per defensive handgun: Somebody hold me back! =D

[2AOK]

Assume a defensive handgun with a 15+1 round capacity (an average specimen).

How many magazines per pistol feels right for you?

My primary interest is in how many you own. Whether you have one such pistol, a few, or many might influence your perspective on this. How many you carry CCW is interesting too, if you care to say.

I'm trying to hold back from buying too many magazines. Mags I won't actually need (maybe) but make sense to own if you're apprehensive about the current state of affairs and/or are a prepper at heart.

I'm hoping The Voice of Reason will show up and keep me out of trouble.

 

[Peacekeeper3073]

I always carry one extra. I carry double stack pistols.

 

[Expat]

If you are talking about carrying, then i carry one extra for most. 1911s, i might have 2 or 3 extras.

If you are talking extra mags for the gun, for my regular range guns I will have at least 8-10 spares because I don't reload at the range. What I consider my SHTF guns, I have more than that.

AR and Ak mags are a whole different thing.

 

[cedartop]

If you are talking about carrying, then i carry one extra for most. 1911s, i might have 2 or 3 extras.

If you are talking extra mags for the gun, for my regular range guns I will have at least 8-10 spares because I don't reload at the range. What I consider my SHTF guns, I have more than that.

AR and Ak mags are a whole different thing.

What he said. There is no such thing as too many unless it is some obscure little pistol you never intend to use. 10 minimum. I have literally (the proper use of the word), dozens and dozens for Glocks, AR's and AK's.

 

[MCgrease08]

Minimum for me is at least four mags per each gun I own. If it's a gun I carry or train with, the minimum is eight.

Obviously more is mo' better.

 

[bobzilla]

I have 12 spares for my 1911’s that fit both and 3 more that only fit the compact. I will be buying more. AR mags, well if I had any that weren’t in a lake I’d have 20+.

 

[2AOK]

I always carry one extra. I carry double stack pistols.

You sound like a good shot.

Extra magazines?
We don't need no steenkeen extra magazines! =D

 

[2AOK]

...my regular range guns have at least 8-10 spares because I don't reload at the range. What I consider my SHTF guns, I have more than that.

AR and Ak mags are a whole different thing.

Good man! =D
Sounds like my natural instincts are par for the course. Ah, but my budget won't take the strain. Ha!

 

[2AOK]

There is no such thing as too many unless it is some obscure little pistol you never intend to use. 10 minimum.

I learned recently that magazines for those obscure pistols can be really expensive. If a good price turns up, I would stock up on those especially.

I have literally (the proper use of the word), dozens and dozens for Glocks, AR's and AK's.

I've been there. Joined a 12-step program and got clean...but now I seem to be falling off the wagon a bit... =O

 

[2AOK]

I have 12 spares for my 1911’s that fit both and 3 more that only fit the compact. I will be buying more. AR mags, well if I had any that weren’t in a lake I’d have 20+.

Yeah, those boating accidents take their toll.

 

[Mij]

Spare mags? Guess I don’t know. My EDC is a j frame smith. Figure those five will get me to the truck.

 

[mcapo]

I like to have a minimum of least 100 rounds of magazine capability per gun - mostly because I hate reloading at the range.

EDC is plus 1 mag but that mag isn't on me so little point to it...

 

[2AOK]

Spare mags? Guess I don’t know. My EDC is a j frame smith. Figure those five will get me to the truck.

I hear ya. Makes us all wonder what's in the truck... =]

 

[Gingerbeardman]

5

 

[Mij]

I hear ya. Makes us all wonder what's in the truck... =]

My first carry gun (in a state where there was no CCW) was an S&W Chief's Special given to me by my Dad. 'Put a Pachmyer Decellerator grip on it and man, what a fine, accurate little piece. I used to carry a 5rnd speedloader (or two) in a pocket.

My spare mag.

12 ga. ext. mag. 8 rnds. #4 buck. Currently a mossy 500.

 

[Bigtanker]

10 is a good start. But I'd consider 20 enough. Mags are a consumable item. Yes they can be "rebuilt" with springs but eventually they can wear out.

Mags rarely go down in value either. So in a pinch, you could sell them for some cash.

 

[Peacekeeper3073]

You sound like a good shot.

Extra magazines?
We don't need no steenkeen extra magazines! =D

I misread the OP thought he meant for carry. I may have a couple of extras laying around

 

[BigRed]

"I have too many magazines", said no one ever.

 

[sparkyfender]

I have five or six for my carry guns. I'm getting older, so I don't feel the need for many more lying around.

I usually carry one extra mag when out and about. At home, I most likely have a j frame in my pocket.

 

[VERT]

Pistols don’t work very well without magazines. As somebody already said, magazines are a consumable.

Having to many magazines is sort of like having to much sex. Of course both cost money and eventually that becomes a limiting factor.