How many back up Mags?

[Glock Shooter]

remember you can always use a Glock 17 magazine as your 2nd with the new sleeve for your 19 or 26.

[275RLTW]

A spare full size mag on the hip should serve you well enough for any mag related problems in addition having more ammo, regardless of initial capacity. I also have 1 or 2 more loaded in my vehicle in the door pocket for bad days and the go bag behind the seat for worse days. I don't think that 5 mags on the hip will do you any good because its difficult to conceal and why would you go somewhwere that requires 5 mags (unless it's your job/range/match/etc...)?

[glock56534]

remember you can always use a Glock 17 magazine as your 2nd with the new sleeve for your 19 or 26.

ADawg38, carrying a spare G17 mag with a +2 base is your best bet. Toss it in your back pocket or on your pistol belt and you're good to go with 19 extra rounds.

Just make sure you do yourself at least one favor: stick with factory Glock mags. DO NOT get the Korean (KCI) mags, as they are known for having feeding and reliability issues.

[Irving]

I just carry the gun and try to stay out of trouble. I don't carry with the hopes that I'll stop a bunch of pros from a bank heist.

[Tim K]

I carry one spare, mostly to cover a possible malfunction. It seems to me from an informal survey of armed encounters that the likelihood of needing to reload is pretty low, and reloading more than once even lower.

[BigBear]

I just carry the gun and try to stay out of trouble. I don't carry with the hopes that I'll stop a bunch of pros from a bank heist.

Big +1

I carry one spare, mostly to cover a possible malfunction. It seems to me from an informal survey of armed encounters that the likelihood of needing to reload is pretty low, and reloading more than once even lower.

Always needs repeating. The chances that a non-mil firefight lasts more than say 10 seconds is neglible. One mag should do you. One for backup if you need it.

[glock56534]

I just carry the gun and try to stay out of trouble. I don't carry with the hopes that I'll stop a bunch of pros from a bank heist.

Avoiding conflict is always #1 priority. However, you can't control the minds of others who wish to do harm.

Running out of ammo in your primary magazine is only one factor to consider. What will you do if you have a malfunction? Also, you don't need to run out of ammo in your primary mag to warrant a mag change. A full mag is always better than a half-full mag.

There are MANY benefits of carrying an extra mag (of whatever size), with little to no drawbacks.

[Irving]

I don't have anywhere to adequately carry a second mag is the #1 reason I don't carry a second one.

[glock56534]

I don't have anywhere to adequately carry a second mag is the #1 reason I don't carry a second one.

I don't know your exact circumstances, so my response may not be practical as it applies to you. But, it isn't very burdensome or difficult to carry one in a mag pouch on your belt or slide it in your back pocket (as I said before) or any pocket you choose.

No offense, but I don't think your #1 reason for not carrying a second mag is because you don't have anywhere to adequately carry it. There are TONS of adequate places you can carry a second mag; to name a few: on the belt, IWB, in any pocket, ankle holster, or inside a bag. Maybe you are sacrificing some comfort, bulk, or convenience, but location isn't the issue. But, I don't know your particular situation, so who knows.

[BigBear]

I don't have anywhere to adequately carry a second mag is the #1 reason I don't carry a second one.

Cheese/sarcasm factor: Is that a "clip" in your pocket or are you happy to see me?!