Opinion on carrying backup mags for your EDC

Ampatriot

Ampatriot

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I had a nice lady at the grocery store I shop at ask me a question when checking out and I was wondering what everyone else thinks about this question and if they do the same thing I do and if they do what is their reason?

She saw that I carry a gun which she was fine with and didn't freak out or anything but she saw that I also have 2 18rd capacity backup mags for my 9mm and she asked me why I had to have so many bullets for my gun and if I can hit my target with one or two rounds why have the extra mags?

I replied that I can hit my target with no problem but if I have more than one attacker I might need extra ammo, but also that any gun or mag, or bullet can malfunction and if it happens in a gun fight it's faster to drop the mag and replace it with a backup mag and stay in the fight rather than try to fix the malfunction with the mag or ammo. I also asked her if she ever saw a real shootout that was not on a Hollywood movie and she said no. I explained that people that are on PCP or meth can usually take multiple rounds in vital areas before going down and that most of them don't even know that they are shot until after it's over because of the combination of drugs and adrenaline so I want to make sure I can stop the threat if I have too.

So I was wondering if anyone else carries backup mags and for their reason for doing so? Thanks and I look forward to hearing everyone's response.
 
Jerzsubbie said:
Carrying a spare mag is simply a good practice. You never know what you’ll encounter; number of attackers or equipment issues.

Bigger question is why she was able to see your gun and mags? Open carry?
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I open carry most of the time. I think it can be a deterrent if someone knows you are armed. But also can put a target on me first if they don't care and are going to do something anyway, so I might be the first one popped if I don't see it coming. But I guess it depends on the situation and person because I'm always watching my surroundings and alert everywhere I go and most people don't do that.
 
I think everyone has their own comfort level, and statistics won't change too many minds. Some people are comfortable with 50+ rounds while going to the corner store in a low-crime area, while others are comfortable with a 5-shot .38 and no extra rounds in high crime areas - or even a .25 in their front pocket. I suppose arguments can be made for or against what most choose to do.
 
Dan0311 said:
I think everyone has their own comfort level, and statistics won't change too many minds. Some people are comfortable with 50+ rounds while going to the corner store in a low-crime area, while others are comfortable with a 5-shot .38 and no extra rounds in high crime areas - or even a .25 in their front pocket. I suppose arguments can be made for or against what most choose to do.
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You are correct there and everyone has their own preference which is fine. I was just curious about what everyone else thinks about it and if they carry backup mags too.

But any caliber bullet will kill with proper shot placement so I don't knock anyone on what they carry and people that talk down about smaller caliber guns still wouldn't stand in front of that caliber gun and take a round to prove their point. My mother in law asked me what caliber gun she should carry and my answer was something you can control and hit your target with and be able to comfortably make followup shots with accuracy and speed. I told her that a 22lr that you can hit the target with is better than a 45acp that you can't hit anything with. But that's just my opinion.
 
I personally do not. For me 13 is enough.
If I was to do so I think having a backup mag in the event of a malfunction would be the primary reason.
If weight is a consideration then I think there are other things one could carry that would be of more benefit such as a flashlight, seatbelt cutter or tourniquet.
 
Yes an extra reload.
If if is a comfort issue , I have been looking at mag carrier that holds the mag horizontally on the belt instead of vertical
Brand is “Mag Holder”
 
For me it depends. If I am in an area or situation where the probability or potential is higher or if the distance between me and another source of ammo (the truck) is increased , I will carry an extra mag on me. Think going into a mall versus walking into a convenience store.
Otherwise I am 15+1.
 
Live in south area of Charlotte, down towards Waverley. EDC is a P239 40SW with an extended mag (8+1). 99% of the time I don’t carry a back up mag. The other 1% is when I travel outside the Waverley “bubble”. I realize SHTF can occur anywhere but in my simple mind, the risk of confrontation inside the “bubble” is low.
 
I always carry at least 2 reloads, whether it's speed strips, speedloaders, or extra mags. And that goes for the BUG as well, if I'm carrying it.
 
I don't typically carry an extra mag because of the incredible unlikelihood of needing even one spare, never mind two. John Correia from Active Self Protection always says that in the tens of thousands of self-defense firearm uses he's reviewed, he has never once seen a reload performed. Massad Ayoob has said similar, and their opinions seem well inline with all the other stats that are out there. So to me it just doesn't seem necessary.

That said, you can of course make an argument for it, as you can for almost anything. I do carry extra mags in my truck and if for some reason I *had* to enter a situation where the probability of armed conflict seemed much higher than normal then I'd slide them into my belt, if not have one of my PDW's in a sling bag with other kit.
 
I carry two 6rd spares for my G43. I’d like to get a couple of +1 extenders for them but keep putting it off.

I normally carry one spare for my G19 on my person with more in my vehicle
 
Ampatriot said:
So I was wondering if anyone else carries backup mags and their reason for doing so?
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Yes, and Clint Smith. (Actually, I always have, but he makes some solid arguments in favor of doing so.)
 
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Carlos Danger said:
I don't typically carry an extra mag because of the incredible unlikelihood of needing even one spare, never mind two. John Correia from Active Self Protection always says that in the tens of thousands of self-defense firearm uses he's reviewed, he has never once seen a reload performed. Massad Ayoob has said similar, and their opinions seem well inline with all the other stats that are out there. So to me it just doesn't seem necessary.

That said, you can of course make an argument for it, as you can for almost anything. I do carry extra mags in my truck and if for some reason I *had* to enter a situation where the probability of armed conflict seemed much higher than normal then I'd slide them into my belt, if not have one of my PDW's in a sling bag with other kit.
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This is true. People have all the grandiose ideas about the number of attackers. Fighting off hoards. Whatever. If I carry a spare mag it's for a failure of the mag in the gun. This is for typical CC day-to-day.
 
Double stack carry, generally one spare, single stack carry, depending on how I'm dressed, could be up to three spares..
 
13+1 in the G23 with a 22rd spare when I’m not cleaning streets.

13+1 in the G21 with a 13rd spare when I am.

If I opt to carry a BUG on my ankle, it’s 10+1 rounds in a G27 or 13+1 rounds in a G23…with two 15rd spares on the other ankle. But that would require me not being in shorts, which happens on Sunday mornings but rarely any other time.

Spares are mainly because the #1 malfunction with a semi-auto handgun is with the mag.
 
Call it unnecessary or delusional, but my wife and I just got back from Fayetteville, where we were equipped with my edc+spare & BUG+spare on body, x3 edc mags and x2 BUG mags in the truck. while my wife had her 43x+15rd on body with 10rd in purse with x1 15rd and x1 10rd in the glove box of the truck.

Note also, I don't find a BUG sufficient in place of a spare mag. I don't train for or believe in New York reloads.
 
Only if carrying my full size or PDP in cooler weather. Normally just the 15 rds on my person plus whatever may be in the car.
 
I carry an extra G17 magazine at all times so my total round count is 35. The main reason I was taught to carry 2nd magazine is less about capacity and more about ability to replace a failed magazine. before my wife started carrying I had a G26 on my ankle at all times so I could arm her in a pinch, but thankfully that’s no longer necessary as she has the G48 on her 99% of time.

i have never opened carried although I kinda wish we had something like national open-carry day just to let the world know how many of us are armed.
 
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