Clips/Magazines

[dkl1986]

Couple questions about magazines...

1- if you're a uniform, is there a regulation on how your magazine pouch sits on your duty belt (horizontal/vetical)? What about when you're in the academy?

2- i've often seen cops carry three magazines (one in the gun, two in the pouches). however, i once saw an officer that crammed two magazines in each pouch, having a total of five (including one in the pistol). i also saw an officer with a magazine pouch on each side of his belt buckle (five total counting the one in the gun). does your dept have a policy on how many mags you carry? do you carry more than two extras (in the car)?

3- for plainclothes, i've only seen plainclothes carry extra magazines on their belts a handful of times. do you usually carry extras on you? if not, do you keep them close by (in the car)?

i hope that's not requesting too much info.

[Sierra]

Couple questions about magazines...

1- if you're a uniform, is there a regulation on how your magazine pouch sits on your duty belt (horizontal/vetical)? What about when you're in the academy?

2- i've often seen cops carry three magazines (one in the gun, two in the pouches). however, i once saw an officer that crammed two magazines in each pouch, having a total of five (including one in the pistol). i also saw an officer with a magazine pouch on each side of his belt buckle (five total counting the one in the gun). does your dept have a policy on how many mags you carry? do you carry more than two extras (in the car)?

3- for plainclothes, i've only seen plainclothes carry extra magazines on their belts a handful of times. do you usually carry extras on you? if not, do you keep them close by (in the car)?

i hope that's not requesting too much info.

1. ICE is by personal preference. Most of us carry straight up. Most of the ones carrying sideways in my office are former BP Agents.

2. Standard academy issue for your belt are the two additional magazines. We are issued a total of 4 magazines, however. I carry my fourth in either my briefcase or warbag, depending on what I take with me that day. (Warbag has my larger flashlight, my Big Red immigration law book, windbreaker, traffic vest, etc)

3. When plainclothed for escorts I wear just my weapon and have a spare magazine in the briefcase.

4. Requested too much information. Systems overloaded. This unit will self destruct in 3....2....1....

[Legoate]

My department doesn't dictate which way the magazine holster is positioned, but i'd say most either point up, or sideways. Personally I have mine sideways because I found it easier to get the magazines out with both hands and while laying prone. Also they tend to poke my fat and push up my vest less in this position.

Most people in my department carry a .40 Sig 226 so most carry 2 mags with one in the gun. However, people who carry guns with lower capacity magazines (either the 220's or 239's) tend to carry double to the number of magazines to have the same total number of rounds. We can carry as many mags as we want, but most people underestimate the weight of carrying a lot of ammunition.

In plainclothes I normally wear one on my belt, or I wear a raid vest and carry the same number of mags.

My theory is that 37 handguns rounds is sufficient for me to carry...If I get to a point where I'm running out of ammo, I probably need to be running back to my car for my AR15 and the 120 rounds of ammo I carry for that (or running away while screaming "armageddon" into my radio like a little school girl).

[TX-LEO]

My mag holders are to the side, I may have to move it verticle to add room for another item at some point though. :(

Theres no restriction on number of holders however it's too heavy and real bad for your back to carry any more than two mags on your belt.

[furetto7]

Department policy requires us to carry a minimum of two spare magazines, mine are carried horizontally on the strong side of the buckle. I carry several more in the car, but if I can't end the matter with the 40 rounds of .45ACP on my person I'm going for the rifle.

[North Patrol]

USBP trains to have the mag pouch on your gunside with the opening facing your off side, horizontal. That way you can draw a fresh mag with your off hand in one smooth sweeping motion.

Example: For reload, you hold weapon on target take support hand to pouch actually going slightly past it. Think cross draw or as I like to call it "the one armed belly hug". As you pull you hand back across your body you use the meaty part of the palm of your hand, just above the wrist, to open the pouch flap while grabbing the mag at the same time. As the mag exits the pouch you rotate it so it is pointing up and slide it inside the mag well.

Too much info?

After the academy you can change it however you like and no one will say anything. As long as it doesn't slow you down that is. And we have several Agents that carry 2 mag pouches. I personally only carry 3 mags on me and another 3 in my vehicle. If I know I'm going to be away from my vehicle like on an extended track or checking a remote area I'll put my extra mags in my pack and throw it on my back.

Once I get to my vehicle I have a much wider option of weapons.

[Johninaustin]

Two mags, vertical in an open-top carrier. Mags facing the same so they present to face front when drawn.

I can't carry more than two mags, there isn't room until I get fatter. ;)