DefensiveCarry Concealed Carry Forum - View Single Post

Mark Garrity · April 15th, 2007, 12:09 AM

I have made them both ways, (mag in front and mag in back) though I recommend mag in front as pictured on my web-site.
Reason being, as a firearms instructor myself, all training schools will teach you to index the front of the spare mag with your index-finger as you draw in, using the index finger up the front of the mag as a guide to insert the magazine into the magazine well; thus turning a fine motor skill (putting the mag in the hole) into a gross motor skill (hands will find hands, fingers will find fingers - in the dark, under stres, without looking). It is difficult to get a good index on the spare mag if it is in the back of the pouch.
Many of the better training schools even recommend only reloading with the front mag with a double mag-pouch, keeping the back mag as a secondary spare, and cycling thru your mags so the front one in the pouch is always fully loaded and ready to go.
If you truely need a spare mag to reload, it will almost always be a SHTF situation; a true emergency. You do not want anything hampering instant and fumble-free acess to a spare mag. Usually when you need a flashlight you will have prior warning, or have it in your hand, a situation you can be prepared and set-up for. In 18 years of police-work, (most of it working graveyard shift) I can't recall a single time where I had to rapidly draw a flashlight. rarely is one thrust into sudden darkness without some prior knowledge of what they are getting into.
Even if your are in a situation where the lights suddenly go out, it may be best to remain silent and motionless, using darkness as cover and to your advantage; rather than instantly flicking on a flashlight and giving away your position without assessing.
You are correct that you will use your flashlight more than a spare mag, but when you need a spare mag you REALLY need it and will be under stress.

April 15th, 2007, 12:09 AM	#7
Mark Garrity Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Phoenix,AZ Posts: 313	I have made them both ways, (mag in front and mag in back) though I recommend mag in front as pictured on my web-site. Reason being, as a firearms instructor myself, all training schools will teach you to index the front of the spare mag with your index-finger as you draw in, using the index finger up the front of the mag as a guide to insert the magazine into the magazine well; thus turning a fine motor skill (putting the mag in the hole) into a gross motor skill (hands will find hands, fingers will find fingers - in the dark, under stres, without looking). It is difficult to get a good index on the spare mag if it is in the back of the pouch. Many of the better training schools even recommend only reloading with the front mag with a double mag-pouch, keeping the back mag as a secondary spare, and cycling thru your mags so the front one in the pouch is always fully loaded and ready to go. If you truely need a spare mag to reload, it will almost always be a SHTF situation; a true emergency. You do not want anything hampering instant and fumble-free acess to a spare mag. Usually when you need a flashlight you will have prior warning, or have it in your hand, a situation you can be prepared and set-up for. In 18 years of police-work, (most of it working graveyard shift) I can't recall a single time where I had to rapidly draw a flashlight. rarely is one thrust into sudden darkness without some prior knowledge of what they are getting into. Even if your are in a situation where the lights suddenly go out, it may be best to remain silent and motionless, using darkness as cover and to your advantage; rather than instantly flicking on a flashlight and giving away your position without assessing. You are correct that you will use your flashlight more than a spare mag, but when you need a spare mag you REALLY need it and will be under stress. __________________ "He who makes things with his hands is a laborer, he who makes things with his hands and his head is a craftsman, he who makes things with his hands, his head, and his heart is an artist." www.garritysgunleather.com Last edited by Mark Garrity; April 15th, 2007 at 12:16 AM..