Magazines - How many do you really need? - Page 2

SauerGrapes · January 8, 2013, 08:17 PM

I have at least 6 for every gun. I have 3 1911s but only 12 mags. All though I only have 2 for my sub compact carry piece.

So I guess I really don't have 6 for each gun.

**44 AMP** · January 8, 2013, 11:57 PM

I would say the minimum number is 2. Magazines can, and do fail. Without a spare, you are done, if the one goes bad (for any reason).

Common defensive arms, and those used for games need multiple mags, both for the above reason, and often just to be able to compete in a match.

Note how virtually all quality semi autos (other than .22s) usually come with a spare magazine. Without a spare, you lose one of the major advantages to a semi auto, the rapid reload.

But magazines can be lost, or damaged, and they do wear out faster than the rest of the gun. Thin metal, holes that can become worn, springs that can wear out, mag lips that can become bent or deformed. Sometimes just dropping a mag on a hard surface can be enough to screw it up.

And, lets say you can't easily or cheaply get replacements? How many would be enough to ensure a lifetime of reliable use?

**Aguila Blanca** · January 9, 2013, 12:01 AM

Quote:

Magazines - How many do you really need?

Two, maybe three times as many as I've got.

Xfire68 · January 9, 2013, 12:06 AM

I say 17 for your AR's and 6 for your pistol's. Why that many? Because that is what I have and if it's good enough for me it's good enough for anyone! LOL ®™©

jasmith85 · January 9, 2013, 12:10 AM

I prefer to have 4 or 5 magazines per gun but a few of my guns haven't made it that far yet.

Barnaby · January 9, 2013, 12:15 AM

Have 3 mags (couple 10's and one 17). Normally don't carry extra mag, unless going into "certain situations" for a length of time. But extra mags come in handy at range and for training classes.

kozak6 · January 9, 2013, 07:43 AM

I think probably 5-6 is a good start. If you rarely shoot, a couple less would be ok.

If I did shooting sports, maybe more would be reasonable.

Rifleman1776 · January 9, 2013, 08:52 AM

The "need" issue is an anti-gunners red herring.
Need has nothing to do with anything.
This is still America. You have a right to want something and acquire it with money earned from hard work.
Why do you "need" a fancy sofa or dining room set? You don't. But you want them and that is your right.
Drop the word "need" from the gun ban discussions. It is not a pertinent issue and if you get caught up in using it with the anti's, there is no defense.

Double Naught Spy · January 9, 2013, 09:10 AM

10 per platform type. This allows for problems, losses, carry mags, range mags, etc. without ever being short for any of my typical needs.

Fargazer · January 9, 2013, 09:41 AM

I tend to go for 5 per gun, then as opportunity presents itself I purchase a couple three more as a reserve. I stop buying when I hit 10.

Magazines are consumables - long term consumables perhaps, but still they wear out, and without the mag the gun isn't much good.

Moby · January 9, 2013, 09:44 AM

I don't want anyone telling me how many I need.
If I want 50 per gun it's my business.

I purchased an AR10 and 10 mags.

I have four for each pistol and want more.

Woody55 · January 9, 2013, 09:47 AM

@Rifleman1776:

Quote:

The "need" issue is an anti-gunners red herring.
Need has nothing to do with anything.
This is still America. You have a right to want something and acquire it with money earned from hard work.
Why do you "need" a fancy sofa or dining room set? You don't. But you want them and that is your right.
Drop the word "need" from the gun ban discussions. It is not a pertinent issue and if you get caught up in using it with the anti's, there is no defense.

While that may be true, this isn't a gun ban discussion.

This is a what to do with limited resources discussion.

tlm225 · January 9, 2013, 11:16 AM

I want a minimum of three mags per gun so I still have two to use if one gets misplaced or broken . I do have nine for my Glock 23 but only because I came across a deal to good to pass on a few years ago.

spanishjames · January 9, 2013, 05:49 PM

Quote:

But magazines can be lost, or damaged, and they do wear out faster than the rest of the gun. Thin metal, holes that can become worn, springs that can wear out, mag lips that can become bent or deformed. Sometimes just dropping a mag on a hard surface can be enough to screw it up.

And, lets say you can't easily or cheaply get replacements? How many would be enough to ensure a lifetime of reliable use?

Great, now I need ten of each. Thanks a lot.

Xaak · January 9, 2013, 06:33 PM

Probably one or two... more than I already have. With cleaning, maintenance, potential failure and anti-gun lobbyists driving up the costs because of their rhetoric about banning them making them very limited in availability, I guess one or two more wouldn't hurt.

Kind of like asking, do you need a really really good scope, a top line red dot sight, a better trigger upgrade, a stock or a bi-pod. I don't think that what or how many should ever be restricted to a law abiding citizen that wants to own these items in the amount they can afford.

How much money do you need? Seems relevant.

Doublea A · January 9, 2013, 07:13 PM

I have a minimum of 5-7 per gun. I have separated them into range magazines and self defense mags. But with the current climate, I have increased my total to 6 30rds AR Mags, 2-20rd AR Mags. I have two Glock 19 with 11 magazines of 15rds and one 1911 with 3 8rd mag and 2 7rds mag. My minimum rule is 5 and maximum being 10 per gun.

D.W. Drang · January 9, 2013, 07:15 PM

Aguila Blanca said

Quote:

Two, maybe three times as many as I've got.

This.

Hopefully, you only need one. But what if you're at the range and don't want to be stuffing rounds into the mag when you could (should?) be shooting?
What if you're attacked by a gang of zombie ninja bikers?

armoredman · January 9, 2013, 09:06 PM

I need as many as I want and can afford. That number fluctuates.

Strafer Gott · January 9, 2013, 09:36 PM

I'm in the situation were the G.I. mag works across several weapons. The Mossberg bolt, my Sig 556, the Colt's all use the same magazines. So I guess maybe five 20 rnd and one 30 rnd for giggles. 5 for the P239, 6 for the m1carbine, 4 for the 6906, and so on ad nauseum. I'm really starting to appreciate the tube feed pumps and lever guns.

medalguy · January 10, 2013, 01:34 AM

Depends on the gun. I have several AR platforms and about 20- 20 rounders, and I think about 30 -30 rounders. For my FAL I have about 15, for the 1911 models about 15, and for the 92FS which I like to shoot, about 25. But I need more when the prices get cheap again.

thallub · January 10, 2013, 03:21 AM

i need every one of those 20 round Colt magazines in their original Army packing.

Ignition Override · January 10, 2013, 03:53 AM

My Enfields only need one each, and they never come out.
The SKS has a fixed magazine which is reliable.
The Garand only needs one loaded clip.

With no Hezbollah or Taliban swine in west TN, which could require rifles with their designed ranges and power, these magazines or clips are enough.

MLeake · January 10, 2013, 10:34 AM

If you don't compete, one en bloc clip may be fine, but it never hurts to have spares in case of breakage.

RamItOne · February 3, 2013, 05:15 PM

don't need any at this price
http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/product/MAG-074
100 green backs for a PMAG

jason_iowa · February 3, 2013, 05:20 PM

I buy a min of 10 with each weapon that uses magazines. I figure that should last me my lifetime and my nephews lifetime even with damaged ones. For AK's I probably have 2-300, no plastic ones though. I don't need that many but when I find em cheap, 6-8$ before all this crap, I buy em.

January 8, 2013, 08:17 PM	#26
SauerGrapes Senior Member Join Date: March 22, 2009 Location: S.E.PA. Posts: 920	I have at least 6 for every gun. I have 3 1911s but only 12 mags. All though I only have 2 for my sub compact carry piece. So I guess I really don't have 6 for each gun. __________________ NRA member, DCF&S member, PAFOA member, USPSA member, NSCA member R.I.P.____Murphy

January 8, 2013, 11:57 PM	#27
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 28,803	I would say the minimum number is 2. Magazines can, and do fail. Without a spare, you are done, if the one goes bad (for any reason). Common defensive arms, and those used for games need multiple mags, both for the above reason, and often just to be able to compete in a match. Note how virtually all quality semi autos (other than .22s) usually come with a spare magazine. Without a spare, you lose one of the major advantages to a semi auto, the rapid reload. But magazines can be lost, or damaged, and they do wear out faster than the rest of the gun. Thin metal, holes that can become worn, springs that can wear out, mag lips that can become bent or deformed. Sometimes just dropping a mag on a hard surface can be enough to screw it up. And, lets say you can't easily or cheaply get replacements? How many would be enough to ensure a lifetime of reliable use? __________________ All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.

January 9, 2013, 12:06 AM	#29
Xfire68 Senior Member Join Date: March 31, 2010 Location: Communist State of IL. Posts: 1,562	I say 17 for your AR's and 6 for your pistol's. Why that many? Because that is what I have and if it's good enough for me it's good enough for anyone! LOL ®™© __________________ NRA Life Member, SAF Member

January 9, 2013, 09:10 AM	#34
Double Naught Spy Senior Member Join Date: January 8, 2001 Location: Forestburg, Montague Cnty, TX Posts: 12,717	10 per platform type. This allows for problems, losses, carry mags, range mags, etc. without ever being short for any of my typical needs. __________________ "If you look through your scope and see your shoe, aim higher." -- said to me by my 11 year old daughter before going out for hogs 8/13/2011 My Hunting Videos https://www.youtube.com/user/HornHillRange

January 9, 2013, 09:41 AM	#35
Fargazer Senior Member Join Date: October 4, 2010 Location: Chattanooga, TN Posts: 466	I tend to go for 5 per gun, then as opportunity presents itself I purchase a couple three more as a reserve. I stop buying when I hit 10. Magazines are consumables - long term consumables perhaps, but still they wear out, and without the mag the gun isn't much good. __________________ NRA Life Member

January 9, 2013, 12:10 AM	#30
jasmith85 Senior Member Join Date: April 6, 2012 Location: Tennessee Posts: 631	I prefer to have 4 or 5 magazines per gun but a few of my guns haven't made it that far yet.

January 9, 2013, 12:15 AM	#31
Barnaby Junior Member Join Date: January 6, 2013 Posts: 2	Have 3 mags (couple 10's and one 17). Normally don't carry extra mag, unless going into "certain situations" for a length of time. But extra mags come in handy at range and for training classes.

January 9, 2013, 07:43 AM	#32
kozak6 Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2005 Location: AZ Posts: 3,113	I think probably 5-6 is a good start. If you rarely shoot, a couple less would be ok. If I did shooting sports, maybe more would be reasonable.

January 9, 2013, 08:52 AM	#33
Rifleman1776 Senior Member Join Date: April 25, 2010 Location: Arkansas Posts: 3,309	The "need" issue is an anti-gunners red herring. Need has nothing to do with anything. This is still America. You have a right to want something and acquire it with money earned from hard work. Why do you "need" a fancy sofa or dining room set? You don't. But you want them and that is your right. Drop the word "need" from the gun ban discussions. It is not a pertinent issue and if you get caught up in using it with the anti's, there is no defense.

January 9, 2013, 09:44 AM	#36
Moby Member Join Date: November 11, 2012 Posts: 91	I don't want anyone telling me how many I need. If I want 50 per gun it's my business. I purchased an AR10 and 10 mags. I have four for each pistol and want more. __________________ “A free people ought not only to be armed and disciplined, but they should have sufficient arms and ammunition to maintain a status of independence from any who might attempt to abuse them, which would include their own government.” ~George Washington US Coast Guard 76-86 Semper Paratus

January 9, 2013, 11:16 AM	#38
tlm225 Senior Member Join Date: December 21, 2004 Location: Arkansas Posts: 962	I want a minimum of three mags per gun so I still have two to use if one gets misplaced or broken . I do have nine for my Glock 23 but only because I came across a deal to good to pass on a few years ago. __________________ All that is neccessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing. Edmund Burke

January 9, 2013, 06:33 PM	#40
Xaak Member Join Date: January 2, 2013 Location: NYC, L.A. and Va Posts: 62	How many magazines do I need? Probably one or two... more than I already have. With cleaning, maintenance, potential failure and anti-gun lobbyists driving up the costs because of their rhetoric about banning them making them very limited in availability, I guess one or two more wouldn't hurt. Kind of like asking, do you need a really really good scope, a top line red dot sight, a better trigger upgrade, a stock or a bi-pod. I don't think that what or how many should ever be restricted to a law abiding citizen that wants to own these items in the amount they can afford. How much money do you need? Seems relevant. __________________ The liberties of our country, the freedoms of our civil Constitution are worth defending at all hazards; it is our duty to defend them against all attacks. ~ Samuel Adams ~

January 9, 2013, 07:13 PM	#41
Doublea A Senior Member Join Date: February 14, 2011 Location: Land of 10,000 Lakes. Posts: 132	I have a minimum of 5-7 per gun. I have separated them into range magazines and self defense mags. But with the current climate, I have increased my total to 6 30rds AR Mags, 2-20rd AR Mags. I have two Glock 19 with 11 magazines of 15rds and one 1911 with 3 8rd mag and 2 7rds mag. My minimum rule is 5 and maximum being 10 per gun. __________________ [B]Future additions: Barret MRAD .338 Lapua.[B] Acquisition 2 Gen 3 Glock 19, 1 Gen 4 Glock 19, Daniel Defense V3 LW M4, Ruger SR1911, a Mossberg 500 and Remington 700 SPS AAC-SD. A fear of weapons is a sign of sexual retardation and emotional inmaturity.” Sigmund Freud

January 9, 2013, 09:06 PM	#43
armoredman Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2007 Location: Arizona Posts: 5,297	I need as many as I want and can afford. That number fluctuates.

January 9, 2013, 09:36 PM	#44
Strafer Gott Senior Member Join Date: May 12, 2011 Location: New Mexico Posts: 1,315	I'm in the situation were the G.I. mag works across several weapons. The Mossberg bolt, my Sig 556, the Colt's all use the same magazines. So I guess maybe five 20 rnd and one 30 rnd for giggles. 5 for the P239, 6 for the m1carbine, 4 for the 6906, and so on ad nauseum. I'm really starting to appreciate the tube feed pumps and lever guns.

January 10, 2013, 01:34 AM	#45
medalguy Senior Member Join Date: August 31, 2009 Location: New Mexico Posts: 1,033	Depends on the gun. I have several AR platforms and about 20- 20 rounders, and I think about 30 -30 rounders. For my FAL I have about 15, for the 1911 models about 15, and for the 92FS which I like to shoot, about 25. But I need more when the prices get cheap again.

January 10, 2013, 03:21 AM	#46
thallub Senior Member Join Date: November 20, 2007 Location: South Western OK Posts: 3,112	i need every one of those 20 round Colt magazines in their original Army packing.

January 10, 2013, 03:53 AM	#47
Ignition Override Senior Member Join Date: February 18, 2008 Location: About 20 nm from the Big Muddy Posts: 2,884	My Enfields only need one each, and they never come out. The SKS has a fixed magazine which is reliable. The Garand only needs one loaded clip. With no Hezbollah or Taliban swine in west TN, which could require rifles with their designed ranges and power, these magazines or clips are enough.

January 10, 2013, 10:34 AM	#48
MLeake Senior Member Join Date: November 15, 2007 Location: Outside KC, MO Posts: 10,128	If you don't compete, one en bloc clip may be fine, but it never hurts to have spares in case of breakage.

February 3, 2013, 05:15 PM	#49
RamItOne Senior Member Join Date: May 24, 2011 Posts: 990	don't need any at this price http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/product/MAG-074 100 green backs for a PMAG __________________ M&P- the other dark meat https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/pet...rtant/DJyvnHz0

February 3, 2013, 05:20 PM	#50
jason_iowa Senior Member Join Date: July 30, 2011 Posts: 686	I buy a min of 10 with each weapon that uses magazines. I figure that should last me my lifetime and my nephews lifetime even with damaged ones. For AK's I probably have 2-300, no plastic ones though. I don't need that many but when I find em cheap, 6-8$ before all this crap, I buy em.

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