How To Carry Spare Magazines

Best Ways To Carry Extra Mags

In today's market, there are myriad options for comfortably concealing a spare magazine while staging the mag for a smooth, rapid reload. Below are some of the qualities you should look for when selecting a mag carrier for your EDC setup.

  • Adjustable retention to hold your magazines securely in place
  • Vertical orientation for proper indexing during reloads
  • Enough flexibility to achieve optimal concealment in standard dress
  • Made of a rigid material that will not warp from rain, sweat, etc.
  • Ease of access (because speed matters in an emergency situation)

Rounds Forward Vs. Rearward - Does It Matter?

Many firearms trainers advocate for rounds-forward carry at the 9-12 o'clock position (12-3 o'clock for left-handed shooters) because it allows most new shooters to easily index the magazine with their thumb and pointer finger. This technique makes it easier to insert a fresh magazine without looking it into the mag well. 

However, carrying spare mags with rounds facing to the rear is perfectly acceptable and may even work better for those who stage reloads at the 6-9 o'clock position (3-6 o'clock position for left-handed shooters). The important thing is that you practice the correct grip when starting a reload so you mitigate the need to awkwardly readjust when loading the magazine into your pistol.

Classic Firearms Gear Recommendations

Many team members at Classic Firearms carry spare magazines as part of their EDC setup. To help get you started, we've curated the following products based on our experience and what works best for us.

Pitbull Tactical Universal Mag Carrier 

Simple and cost effective, this versatile carrier from Pitbull Tactical is perfect for concealed carry as it accepts practically any handgun magazine on the market. It can be worn inside or outside the waistband, so you can keep extra ammo close at hand around the year.

Pitbull Tactical Universal Mag Carrier - PITUMC001
Pitbull Tactical Universal Mag Carrier - PITUMC001
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High Speed Gear Polymer Pistol Taco 

The Polymer Pistol Taco is another great option if you're looking for a single mag pouch that will work with a variety of magazines in different sizes and calibers. Constructed from durable polymer and bungee cord, the Pistol Taco can withstand the rigors of daily use - plus, it is also MOLLE compatible.

HSGI:16PT00CB Poly Pistol Taco U-MOUNT Coyote BRWN
HSGI:16PT00CB Poly Pistol Taco U-MOUNT Coyote BRWN
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Blackhawk Stache IWB Mag Carrier

Designed for specifically for IWB, the Blackhawk Stache mag carrier is a low-profile option for staging spare ammunition for a speedy reload. Each carrier ships with an optional wing attachment so the carrier can be mounted to an existing Stache AIWB rig if desired.

Blackhawk 416A02BK Stache IWB Mag Carrier Double Stack
Blackhawk 416A02BK Stache IWB Mag Carrier Double Stack
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Galco Single Mag Carrier

Galco's single mag carrier is molded from kydex for your exact pistol magazine and includes a quick on-off belt clip for easy everyday carry. It is incredibly slim for an OWB model, so it can still be concealed under a shirt or light jacket.

Comp-Tac Twin Mag Pouch

Unlike most double mag pouches on the market, Comp-Tac's Twin mag pouch is relatively compact and comfortable to wear. It is available for many different handguns and features two belt clips for added stability when carrying two loaded magazines.

Comp-Tac Twin Mag Pouch Fits 1911 Kahr Spring XD-SSig P220 9mm Luger/45 ACP Kydex Black
Comp-Tac Twin Mag Pouch Fits 1911 Kahr Spring XD-SSig P220 9mm Luger/45 ACP Kydex Black
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See How We Conceal Carry

Want to see what gear the Classic Firearms team uses for our EDC pistols and spare mags? Check out our video with three different perspectives on concealed carry from Clint, Kaya, and Sara.

Shop all concealed carry pistols!