How many compact magazines?

[richiecotite]

I've seen threads where guys say they have 50+ g19 magazines. I get it if you only have g19s.

Assuming one has compact and full size models of the same pistol (g19 and17, m&p fs and c, etc), seems to me there's no advantage to stocking a lot of the compact mags since the smaller gun will accept the larger pistols mags. I don't see a reason for more than 3 or 4 compact mags. Am I missing something?

[TXBK]

Nope, you are not missing anything especially at the same price point. G19 owner here, and I have substantially more 17 mags than I do 19 mags. For concealment purposes, I carry with a 19 mag inserted and 17 mags for a spare(s). You should also down-load one round, so the 17 mags really have a 16 rd. capacity and 19 mags only 14 rd. capacity. This can be mitigated with +2 base plates if you are in to that sort of deal.

[Chameleox]

You should also down-load one round, so the 17 mags really have a 16 rd. capacity and 19 mags only 14 rd. capacity.

Where are you getting this information? If your Glock magazines are in good shape, it should not be a problem to load to capacity.

On topic, I have a G17 and a 19. I have many magazines for the 17, which I carry on duty. I have 5 or so for the 19. While I won't pass up a new G19 mag for a good price, I'm not breaking my neck to buy them, since the 17 mags will also work.

[fourXfour]

Where are you getting this information? If your Glock magazines are in good shape, it should not be a problem to load to capacity.

On topic, I have a G17 and a 19. I have many magazines for the 17, which I carry on duty. I have 5 or so for the 19. While I won't pass up a new G19 mag for a good price, I'm not breaking my neck to buy them, since the 17 mags will also work.

The downloading of one round is to ease "in battery reloading" when the slide is forward during a tactical reload.

LAV has a good explanation on one of his Glock episodes on TAC TV.

[TXBK]

^ Yes, this is why.

Despite the knowledge and experience of LAV, I was a bit skeptical of it causing a problem at first. That is until I someone's mag hit the ground during a class, on several occasions.

FYI: AR mags should be down-loaded as well.

[Chameleox]

While I respect LAV's advice and experience, I have only seen this with handgun shooters who either:
A) "softball" their in battery load, or
B) are trying to burn through their reload without fully inserting the mag, or not checking or tugging after loading.

Taken outside of the class context, if I have to shoot, and then reload, I'd prefer to reload to full capacity, versus 1 or 2 down. Having had such an experience, I did not have an issue with doing an in-battery reload with a full G17 mag.

I think we get the AR mag thing. While I do load those to 28, the validity of the practice is still debated.

Sample of 1. Please see my sig line.

[Saginaw79]

one g19 mag for concealed carry, carry g17 mags for spares, if you are in a fight the 17s mag sticking out wont be an issue

[Trajan]

Yep, I only own 4 G19 mags. Only one (the one in the gun) gets used.

I see no purpose in buying extra G19 mags, even if you only own G19s.

[ST911]

I have 17s, 19s, and 26s and all have spare mags for their specific type. I do share the longer mags between guns from time to time, but more as an exception than a rule.

All of my 9mm mags seat easily on a closed slide when loaded to full capacity, and I've found no compelling reason to download them. .40s can be tougher, and are affected by which mag body and spring is in use. (I think this is particularly true with the G23s.) Those with a need for in-battery mag replacement may benefit from downloading with the .40.

[Dead Man]

You should also down-load one round, so the 17 mags really have a 16 rd. capacity and 19 mags only 14 rd. capacity. This can be mitigated with +2 base plates if you are in to that sort of deal.

The downloading of one round is to ease "in battery reloading" when the slide is forward during a tactical reload.

LAV has a good explanation on one of his Glock episodes on TAC TV.

With all due respect to Mr. Vickers, whom I've never met, but am sure is a thoughtful guy; there are no blanket "shoulds" in defensive tactics. I've trained on full capacity magazines for 15 years, and haven't lost a mag on a tactical reload since around year one. You train, you develop automations, you make sure the mag is fully seated without ever giving it any thought.

I personally wouldn't convince anyone to do it my way. Full capacity, download... both will get you there. I think "my way" is better, naturally, but training trumps opinions. Vickers didn't invent the magazine download, that's been around for a very long time. Some people do it, some don't. Whatever you do, make sure it's fully integrated into your training regimen. There's no "shoulds."

As to magazines; I sold my pile of G17 magazines along with my G17 when I went to the G19. I kept a couple, "just because," but I didn't carry them. I bought a heaping pile of 19 magazines and trained with and carried them. That is until I went to the M&P..... now I have NO Glock magazines.