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Old February 3, 2013, 11:04 PM   #51
SVO
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It's pretty easy to damage or loose a magazine. I usually have 5 mags that function per gun plus usually have additional spares. For trips to the range, usually only 2 mags per gun make the trip, with the extras being safely stored away. When the '94 magazine ban was enacted, I went to 10 rounders for the range use and reserved the hi-cap mags for self defense use. At the time, saw no use in using up something that I might not be able to replace.
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Old February 3, 2013, 11:38 PM   #52
ronl
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Eight per long gun and three per pistol minimum.
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Old February 3, 2013, 11:49 PM   #53
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For me, cost has a lot to do with it. I guess thats why I have Uzi and Bren mags, but neither of those guns.
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Old February 4, 2013, 04:27 PM   #54
Terry A
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I have 12 for the Stag 2T and 12 for the Ak-47 (Chinese Norinco)

Funny about the pistols though....I only have one for the RIA .45 and 1 for the S&W Bodyguard, but have 9 for the Beretta 92FS, 5 for the Springfield XD-45, 4 for the Glock 21SF, 7 for the S&W 4506 and 4 for the Glock 23.

I didn't realize there was such a discrepancy in my pistol mags.....1, 1, 4, 4,
5, 7 and 9.

I need to get a few more for the XD and Glock 21SF. What a dummy.....
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Old February 4, 2013, 05:11 PM   #55
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How many mags?

Because magazines can be lost, stolen, damaged, or just plain old wear-out...

Rifle or pistol, if it takes a magazine, no less than 12 per. More if they're cheap.
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Old February 4, 2013, 09:54 PM   #56
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Quote:
For example, if I purchase an EAA Witness Match 9mm with a couple of 19 round magazines, how many more will I really need for the life of the gun? Do magazines really tend to wear out faster than say: firing pin, recoil spring, slide stop etc?

What about for competition - how many magazines do you typically use in one handgun competition? Rifle competition?
It will depend on how you use your firearms and what you use them for.

It is highly recommended that you have at least one spare mag per gun; the more the merrier of course.

If you shoot on the range a lot (say thousands of rounds a month), you may need a few magazines on hand. I won't say how many because that is up to you, but some say at least 5 to 10 mags per gun. Magazines wear out from use, (not from storage) so it is smart to have a few spares on hand when they malfunction or need to be serviced.

For competition-type use, you will need a minimum of at least 5 mags per firearm; I would say have a least 10mags or more if you are serious with IDPA/USPSA or 2-gun/3-gun matches etc.

For example, for 3-gun I have 5 mags for my Glock, and 10mags for each AR15. No mags for the pump shotgun of course.
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Old February 4, 2013, 10:12 PM   #57
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Magazines are expendable items that wear out over time.
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Old February 4, 2013, 11:16 PM   #58
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What is the lifespan of a magazine?

That would have some bearing on what you would need. I have 5 for my 9mm Cougar, 5-30 rd mags and 1-10 rd mag for my AR-15 and 4-25 rd magazines for my S&W 15-22. In my mind that would probably be enough for a long long time, decades probably unless they wear out. If they are only good for 1 or 2 thousand rounds apiece then I would need more.
Does anyone know how long magazines last before the "wear out"?
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Old February 5, 2013, 12:15 AM   #59
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I don't own any guns, *sigh*. But I've heard and seen six as pretty standard for pistols.
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Old February 5, 2013, 01:23 AM   #60
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For my CZ75, I have 3 1/2 mags (2 16rd, 1 15rd, and a 10 rd). I normally keep the 16 and 15 rd mags loaded with SD ammo, and save the 10 rd for the range (or in case we see a hi-cap mag ban).

I used to have 2 speedloaders for my S&W model 19, and 2 speed strips for my S&W 642, but since I got rid of the 642, I guess I have 4 reloads for the revolver.

I only have 2 mags (1 6rd and 1 7rd)for my Kahr CM9, but have 2 7rd mags on order from my LGS.

On my other, small caliber weapons (32 ACP Tomcat/ CZ 70) I have 2 mags, and prob won't be getting any more.
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Old February 5, 2013, 01:28 AM   #61
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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.
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Old February 5, 2013, 11:20 AM   #62
Glenn E. Meyer
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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.
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Old February 5, 2013, 11:45 AM   #63
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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.
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Old February 5, 2013, 01:50 PM   #64
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One more than is required to get the "job" done ... whatever that "job" happens to be.
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Old February 6, 2013, 12:50 AM   #65
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Quote:
Gee, John - that's gun bag to carry. I usually have 12 for an IDPA match.
It was a pretty large bag. It was for two shooters. My wife and I were both entered.
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Old February 6, 2013, 02:20 AM   #66
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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.
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Old February 6, 2013, 10:04 AM   #67
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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.
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Old February 7, 2013, 12:35 AM   #68
KO3422
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A dozen per gun minimum. I wish I had more though.
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Old February 8, 2013, 10:24 PM   #69
Justice06RR
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Lifespan of a magazine

Quote:
Does anyone know how long magazines last before the "wear out"?
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.
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Old February 9, 2013, 02:25 AM   #70
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KO3422 View Post
A dozen per gun minimum. I wish I had more though.
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.
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Old February 9, 2013, 09:58 AM   #71
tomrkba
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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.
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