Magazines - How many do you really need?

If you shoot competitions, you will soon realize that you need more mags, especially if you prefer not to spend your time between stages wearing out your fingers loading magazines and/or dropping rounds and mags while loading.

I've taken up to 32 loaded magazines to a single match.
 
Gee, John - that's gun bag to carry. I usually have 12 for an IDPA match.

You know, though - even though I have enough mags, I feel compelled to reload them all anyway.
 
My S&W 4006 came with three 11 round magazines and I havent bought any more. 3 is enough for the kind of leisure back yard range shooting I do.
 
I like Romeo 33 Delta's response.

For me?

2 loaded - HD
2 empty - plinking at the range
4 empty - SHTF

I keep my mags seperate for their intended use. Obviously if SHTF i'll use all of them, but I have some that I won't ever wear out just in case.
 
I like to have 10 per gun, rifle or pistol. That said, I don't have 10 for each of my guns. Some are older collectables and the mags are very expensive. I also have several 9mm Glocks and do have 10 mags but that is spread over 3 pistols.
Like was mentioned before, it's a cost/benifit calculation.
 
Lifespan of a magazine

Does anyone know how long magazines last before the "wear out"?
Click to expand...

That will largely depend on the use of the magazine and its initial quality.

Quality magazines like Pmag's, Glock mags, or steel AK mags should have a good lifespan of many years, maybe decades if properly maintained. Other cheaper mags may not last as long.

The frequency and type of use will also matter i.e. occasionaly range use vs serious competition or duty use.
 
KO3422 said:
A dozen per gun minimum. I wish I had more though.
Click to expand...

To be fair, younger folks who are on a budget should be reasonable. Never buy a magazine if your kid needs braces for her teeth first. But if you have enough in the budget then by all means buy them.

Fat old men like me? Well, we need magazines spilling out from under the bed, just in case. Our *JOB* is to have too many magazines on hand. That way if there's ever any trouble the fat old men will have some spares for the youngsters.
 
Buy one a month after the first 10 or 15. I always budget for six pistol mags or speed loaders when I buy the gun. After that, I do the one-a-month program.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top