Do you carry a spare magazine?

[1radman]

I usually carry a spare. If I had a little BUG I'd likely carry that too.

[Sap]

Hmmmm...interesting points of view here. I didn't read every post but it seems like the consensus among those that don't carry extra is that it would be a 1 in a million chance that you would need that spare mag. It's also unlikely that you will need your gun period, so why carry at all? Don't answer that, just playing devils advocate. I'm all about carrying an extra mag at the very least. Although, I'm a cop and not that I go looking for trouble off duty but I feel I have more responsibility to get involved if trouble finds me. A spare mag has always been a must for me as long as I've been on the job. Interesting points of view though.

[jocko]

I don't carry because I am scared!! I carry because I am not scared!!! There is a difference. I have carried for over 48 years and never one time have I had to ever draw in anger or even being close to drawing in anger. IMO nothing wrong in carrying a spare magazine. One decided his own method of carry, Main this is TO CARRY.

[tmf21]

Much depends on where you live and the environment you live in. No one simple hard and fast answer and you have to be prepare to adapt to your surroundings and environment.

Living in a urban environment is going to present a far different set of conditions and challenges than a country or suburban one.

You also have the social and political norms to deal with. Some places give you the right to carry and the right to self defense. Other areas are more restrictive and if you're a law abiding citizen, that is in the back of your mind.

Criminal don't care....

I would not hold it against a cop or some other trained individual with combat experience if they too did what my co-worker did when a bunch of guys on a month long rampage did armed with shotguns and pistols and busted into the restaurant did-hide under the bar.

[wyntrout]

How could there be anything WRONG with carrying a spare magazine? It's like having a spare tire in your car... only more apt to SAVE YOUR LIFE. It's not about being bloodthirsty or planning on spraying and praying... it's about being prepared for malfunctions and loss of fine motor skills in stressful situations. You could accidentally release the magazine or lose it in a scuffle with help from the bad guy, or you might have to use "covering or diversionary fire"... shooting in the general direction of the bad guys, to throw off their aim while you seek cover. This can be a good tactic... while standing there like a target at the range will get you dead quickly. That's why I don't practice trying to get tiny groups at long ranges... greater than 7 yards. I want to be confident that I can point and shoot reliably and hit a sheet of paper... Center of Mass at about 7 yards without taking my time and controlling my breathing, etc. I shoot rapidly and point after the first few shots. I'm happy with fist-sized groups at 7 yards... and getting on a sheet of paper at 15 yards... the max range at the range I use. The paper targets don't shoot back, nor move, the bad guys do.

I carry one reload... the highest capacity for the Kahr I'm carrying... 8 for 9mm, and 7 for .380, .40, and .45. Maybe I won't need the extra rounds, but there are no prizes for coming in second in a fight for your life. NO one has ever complained of having TOO MUCH ammo in a gunfight!

Wynn

[Kiehtan]

Always a good idea to carry a spare. Even if you don't need the firepower, it could be a lifesaver in the unlikley event of a jam. Murph's Law and all.

[tmf21]

No I didn't intend to say a spare mag is useless. I agree the more the better.

[LaP]

Although, I'm a cop and not that I go looking for trouble off duty but I feel I have more responsibility to get involved if trouble finds me. A spare mag has always been a must for me as long as I've been on the job. Interesting points of view though.

As a civilian, I have the responsibility to withdraw as soon as possible. That's my plan... shoot & scoot.

Yes, I know every plan goes out the window after the first shot. But, a plan, any plan, is better than just being armed with only a bad attitude and harsh language.

[pitbull1022]

Carry spairs for whatever I am carring.

[muggsy]

If I'm not carrying a back-up gun, I carry a spare mag. I carry a spare mag on those occasions when I'm not carrying a back-up for the same reason that I carry a gun. I'd rather carry a spare mag and not need it, than to need a spare mag and not have it. I think that the chances of me needing a gun at all are astronomical. I carry a gun to protect me from that one in a million chance. Before I began shaving someone once told me to "be prepared". I've always hung on to the scout motto and it has served me well.

[Old Salt]

I not only carry a spare magazine for my CW9 on my hip but I also carry a PM9 in my pocket. The spare magazine is an 8 rounder that works just fine in both my CW89 or my PM9.

[Planedude]

Wheather I'm carrying the CW40 or the P380 I've always got the spare.
Hey, the mag is easier to hide out than the gun, so why not.

[HenryinFlorida]

I carry a spare magazine in an old cell phone holder that clips horizonally on my belt. Hardly know it's there, and doesn't look out of place.

[r2dhart]

I carry one but not for the extra round count. I carry it because the most likely points of failure in a properly maintained semi-auto are either the ammo or the magazine. I think of it more as easily changed spare parts than extra rounds to take on an al Queda cell.

[Mudcat]

Yes I always carry one at least.