N00B question: how many pistol magazines do I need?

[OccasionallyOnTarget]

I have 3 each for my two handguns, is that enough? Obviously the only thing I will be doing with these is shooting them at the range; I don't have any plans to enter any competitions or anything. How many do you find you need? If cost was irrelevant I could see getting a couple more, but the ones for my guns are close to $40 each, so it adds up.

 

[Hitzy]

6-8 per pistol.....just in case

 

[Trinimon]

3 is prob the minimum I'd like to start with, 5 to 6 is ideal but that's just me and of course, the more the merrier. Just buy a mag every so often when you happen to be buying accessories and in no time, you'll have a bunch. Can never have too many mags. The only drawback to having so many mags is that either your range time goes down or you shoot 2x as much ammo since you spend less time reloading mags! lol

 

[notsorichguy]

IMHO you can never have too many mags......

Personally I like a nice round number, like 10.

You really only NEED 1. For most gammers 5 or 6 is lots. Most of the guys I know who game want triple that many.

Cheers!

 

[v-king]

The more mags you have the faster you'll go through your ammo....

 

[Greenhorse six]

3-5,should be good,after awhile you'll get tired of hauling to many to the range and just take 3-5 with you to reload any ways.

 

[vagrant]

it depend what you want to do, if you think of doing some ipsc, minimum 4, but 5-6 is better

 

[condomboy]

It's personal preference.

10 rounders I usually only have 2-3, the larger calibers that hold 7 to 8 rounds I usually have 3-4.

Buy a UpLuLa loader and filling those mags isn't an issue.

 

[Silveragent]

Shooting pistol just at the range can get tired.

So get 5-6 mags and join IPSC or one of the other sports.

 

[shawn]

The more mags you have the faster you'll go through your ammo....

Your right.

Because you spend less time standing around the range loading mags when you could be shooting.

Shawn

 

[graydog]

I guess that all depends if you get caught in a Zombie attack or not. It really depends on how many you want or think you should have and not what other people think.

Graydog

 

[trebor2880]

You don't need more clips, you need more handguns, IMO.

 

[DILLIGAF]

10








































.

 

[Stephen1546]

5 works well because you can fit an entire box of ammo into them, assuming you are shooting 10 rounders.

 

[blaxsun]

4-6, but it really depends. It's not like reloading is a huge chore... Personally I like to keep it to a number where I have available slots for them in my range bag.

 

[BCRider]

For simply standing and punching paper you really only need one. So your three mags is more than enough.

If you eventually tire of perforating paper and get into one of the more sporty sides of the handgun scene then the amout more than you want to get will vary from event to event. IDPA can make do with 3 but 4 to 5 is optimum. IPSC is best to have 5 minimum, 6 is better and 7 or even 8 will give you enough that a mag which falls badly and bends one of the mag lips so it doesn't work anymore can be set aside to repair later on instead of having to panic and repair it during a match.

One of my clubs shoots a Speed Steel event where 3 would be a rock bottom minimum and 5 or 6 is optimum.

So it all really depends......

 

[Kevin M.]

I own from 5-20 per handgun, depending on the gun. Some that come out only a few times a year like the FN FiveseveN only have 5, as they are expensive and hard to find, while others like my 1911 mags, I take out every time I go to the range.

That said, I rarely bring more then 6-8 to the range at a time unless I am bringing guests, shooting drills, etc.

That said, most shooters will be fine with 4-6, and some with even less then that.

I am somewhat of a "high volume" shooter though.

 

[illumined]

10 is a good number...to start!

 

[DMenshaw]

I have 6 for my 9mm. My gun holds 1 and I keep 2 in the mag holder. The other 3 usually don't come out of the bag. I enjoy the down time of reloading them if needed.

 

[Hot Balls Johnson]

I really depends on what type of shooting you're going to be doing, and how often you want to reload your mags. I have 4 for my 9mm, which is enough for target practice. I don't mind reloading them when they're empty.