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feat_Galco WK3 SIG SAUER P365 (2)
The necessity of carrying a spare magazine while off-duty is often debated. Statistically, the likelihood of needing one is quite low. Most gunfights occur at close range, with law enforcement data showing an average distance of 3 yards or less. Typically, around 3.5 rounds are fired in these close-quarters encounters. However, if we were to rely solely on probabilities, why carry a gun at all? It’s crucial to consider both possibilities and probabilities when making an informed decision.
Personally, I make it a habit to carry at least one spare magazine and an additional one if the situation warrants it.
Real-world situations are diverse and influenced by factors such as location, environment, and the specific threat. Each situation is unique, and preparedness should consider a broader range of possibilities. Personal proficiency with firearms, situational awareness, and training significantly impact the outcome.
In a deadly force situation, having extra ammunition can make all the difference. Having a spare magazine provides a lifeline, ensuring you can continue to defend yourself and protect others if or when your primary magazine runs dry or malfunctions.
Sufficient Reserve Ammunition
How many rounds do you need? The truth is, you won’t know until you’re in a situation where you must defend yourself or others in a deadly force encounter. As the saying goes, you can never have too many rounds in a gunfight.
Magazines are a vital component of firearm reliability. Quality magazines, such as the Magpul AMAG for the SIG SAUER P320 shown, are essential. Photo by Magpul.
Having sufficient reserve ammunition allows you to engage threats effectively. More rounds mean you can respond to multiple assailants or extended engagements. In high-stress situations, you may miss shots due to adrenaline, movement, or cover. Extra rounds provide a margin of safety. If the initial rounds don’t stop the threat, additional shots can be crucial.
Whatever way you choose to carry, practice is essential. ASP’s new Enhanced Red Gun collection with drop-free magazines allows for safe and realistic training scenarios that include emergency and tactical reloads. Although certain firearm manipulations, such as racking the slide or pulling the trigger, cannot be practiced realistically, they can be simulated. Photo by author.
Encounters with multiple adversaries are increasingly common. Extra magazines ensure you can address each threat without running out of ammunition. Some situations require prolonged engagement, and you need sufficient ammunition to sustain your defense. An additional magazine ensures continuity of firepower.
Reloads should be strategic. If cover is available, use it during a lull to reload safely. Prioritize reloading when you have cover or when your firearm is empty or malfunctioning. Train to perform efficient reloads under stress.
Malfunctions
Carrying a spare magazine isn’t just about having more rounds. Magazines are a vital component of firearm reliability, feeding ammunition into the chamber to ensure proper function. Well-designed magazines facilitate smooth feeding, reducing the likelihood of jams or misfeeds. However, magazines can also be a weak link. Dirt, debris, worn springs, or damaged feed lips can cause malfunctions. Regular maintenance and quality magazines are essential. Additionally, malfunctions can arise from using low-quality or inexpensive ammunition.
Sidecar holsters integrate a spare magazine pouch alongside the holster, They provide convenience by simplifying the process of donning and doffing your rig but may not be as concealable or comfortable as other options. Galco Walkabout 3.0 is designed to address these issues. Photo by Galco.
Immediate action and remedial action techniques are crucial for handling firearm malfunctions. Immediate action, often referred to as “tap, rack, bang” or “tap, rack, reassess,” is a quick response to a malfunction. This technique clears simple stoppages like failures to fire or feed. The steps involve tapping the bottom of the magazine to ensure it is properly seated, racking the slide back to eject any misfed rounds and chamber a new one, and then attempting to fire the weapon again. This method is designed to be fast and efficient, allowing you to quickly return to operational status.
Remedial Action
On the other hand, remedial action is used for more complex malfunctions that immediate action cannot resolve. This involves a more detailed process:
- Locking the slide to the rear.
- Removing the magazine.
- Racking the slide multiple times to clear any obstructions.
- Inserting a new magazine.
- Racking the slide again to chamber a round.
Although this technique is more time-consuming, it is necessary for clearing severe stoppages like double feeds.
You have numerous options for IWB and OWB magazine carry. The Galco Universal Fit Cloud, ammo and accessory carrier, is crafted to hold spare ammunition or everyday securely carry items IWB. Photo by Galco.
A malfunctioning magazine can be disastrous during a gunfight. Having an additional magazine allows you to swiftly switch to a functional one. If your primary magazine fails, a quick reload is critical. Seconds matter in life-threatening situations. Carrying a spare magazine is much like having a spare tire for your vehicle.
Carrying a Spare Magazine
Carrying a spare magazine takes up little space and adds little weight. You have a variety of options. Popular choices for everyday carry magazines include belt-mounted OWB or IWB magazine pouches and pocket magazine carriers. Sidecar holsters are also an option, although concealability and comfort can be an issue with some. Ankle carry is another option, but it may be less comfortable for long wear and harder to access quickly. Whatever your choice, it’s crucial to ensure that your spare magazine is secure and consistently placed in the same location each time you carry concealed.
Ankle carry is another option for carrying spare magazines. However, it may be less comfortable for long wear and harder to access quickly. Galco Ankle Safe 3.0 has multiple pockets to carry accessories on the ankle, including a smaller pocket that can accommodate a magazine. Photo by Galco.
A spare magazine can often be hidden in locations that don’t print. Vertical positioning of the spare magazine will make it easier to conceal and access during a reload. It will also allow you to carry a spare magazine with a higher capacity than your primary magazine (the one in your pistol). Comfort, of course, is also important to consider when choosing a mode of transport.
The author typically opts for the pocket carry of a spare magazine in a Galco Pocket Magazine Carrier (PMC). Simply tossing a magazine in your pocket without a carrier or holder isn’t a good idea.
I generally carry a spare magazine in a Galco Pocket Magazine Carrier (PMC) on my own time. However, pocket carry isn’t optimal at all times, so I opt for other methods, typically IWB. Simply tossing a magazine in your pocket, while convenient, isn’t a good idea. It can easily snag and dump rounds and doesn’t maintain proper orientation, making it hard to access quickly. A pocket magazine holder is designed to securely hold an extra magazine properly oriented in your pocket.
Final Thoughts
The best way to survive a gunfight is to avoid one altogether. However, despite our best efforts, we may find ourselves in unavoidable situations. In these troubled times, with numerous threats around us, staying vigilant and prepared is essential.
A student at SIG SAUER Academy doing a timed reload with a spare magazine under the watchful eye of an instructor. Photo by SIG SAUER Academy.
Carrying a spare magazine is about preparedness. While the likelihood of needing a spare magazine is small, it’s better to have one and not need it than to need one and not have it. Imagine finding yourself in a critical moment when your primary magazine runs dry or malfunctions. Having that spare magazine readily accessible can mean the difference between life and death. Whether you’re facing an armed adversary, an active shooter, or an extended engagement, those extra rounds provide a crucial safety net.
