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Can't find a comfortable way to carry a spare magazine
Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2012 6:49 pm
by olafpfj
I certainly don't want to stop carrying a spare magazine but I'm getting increasingly frustrated trying to find a comfortable way to carry it. I'm not of "tactical girth" so my belt has to become a squashed oval which is also why stiff gun belts don't really work for me. I carry my pistol at 3:30-4:00 which is the only comfortable spot on me. If I use my comptac mag carrier on my left side the resulting IWB bulge means that the entire weight of my pistol, magazine, phone, keys in pocket, leatherman etc. rests on just 2 small contact points at my hips with the magazine and holster holding everything up. That gets uncomfortable fast. I've moved the mag carrier all around and the only place it kinda works is at 2:00 just in front of the pistol. This causes other issues but it is the least discomfort. I don't think I can pull off anything OWB.
Pocket carry results in the magazine falling from vertical to horizontal and then I have this hunk of metal trying to bend over my thigh all day which is uncomfortable but not as bad as my IWB options. It also prints something severe and there is no missing that there is something large and heavy in my pocket. I've talked to my wife about the problem with the pocket situation and she is game for trying to sew a keeper loop in my pocket to hold it vertical and in the correct orientation ie. upside down with bullets facing forward.
Any suggestions? Its really starting to drive me nuts. I've been carrying for over a year with this rig so its as broken in as its going to get on me.
I'm wondering if perhaps a thick double stack 45 was not the best choice for me to carry but too late now. I don't have the cash to try out anything else so I'm pretty commited to making this work. Maybe I should rethink my OWB stance and give it a whirl. Would need a new holster (the oddysey begins) of course.
The rig...M&P45c, spare 8rd magazine, comptac MTAC holster
Re: Can't find a comfortable way to carry a spare magazine
Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2012 7:19 pm
by TLE2
I use a leather DeSantes 2 mag holder. It's OWB. It's very comfortable for me.
I wear it upright, but it can also be worn with the mags parallel to the belt.
Re: Can't find a comfortable way to carry a spare magazine
Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2012 8:41 pm
by Vandelay Ind.
http://www.thewilderness.com/storepinna ... _str=&pg=2" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Take a look at these. I carry IWB at 3:30 with one of these (horizontal) on the other side
Re: Can't find a comfortable way to carry a spare magazine
Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2012 8:50 pm
by Excaliber
Have you considered
ankle carry?
It's comfortable, unobtrusive, and you can carry more ammo very easily.
Re: Can't find a comfortable way to carry a spare magazine
Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2012 8:52 pm
by speedsix
...thank you!!! learned sumpin' today!!!
Re: Can't find a comfortable way to carry a spare magazine
Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2012 8:56 pm
by Excaliber
speedsix wrote:...thank you!!! learned sumpin' today!!!
That's always a good thing - glad I could help.
Re: Can't find a comfortable way to carry a spare magazine
Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2012 10:19 pm
by terryg
I carry mine OWB in plain sight using a Gerber Tool pouch much like this one:
I have been a little scared that one day someone is going to ask to see/use my multi-tool but to date it hasn't happened.
Re: Can't find a comfortable way to carry a spare magazine
Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2012 12:38 pm
by olafpfj
terryg wrote:I carry mine OWB in plain sight using a Gerber Tool pouch much like this one:
I have been a little scared that one day someone is going to ask to see/use my multi-tool but to date it hasn't happened.
Popped my magazine in my leatherman case and voila...problem solved.
I can't believe I never thought of that. I'm sure I've read it somewhere and it just didn't register.
Re: Can't find a comfortable way to carry a spare magazine
Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2012 12:48 pm
by terryg
olafpfj wrote:terryg wrote:I carry mine OWB in plain sight using a Gerber Tool pouch much like this one:
I have been a little scared that one day someone is going to ask to see/use my multi-tool but to date it hasn't happened.
Popped my magazine in my leatherman case and voila...problem solved.
I can't believe I never thought of that. I'm sure I've read it somewhere and it just didn't register.
Awesome! I glad it works for you too. Let me know if you come up with some pre-canned answer for "Hey, let me see your leatherman for a sec ..." It hasn't happened to me yet, but I still don't know what I will say when it does.
Re: Can't find a comfortable way to carry a spare magazine
Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2012 1:24 pm
by MasterOfNone
terryg wrote:olafpfj wrote:terryg wrote:I carry mine OWB in plain sight using a Gerber Tool pouch much like this one:
I have been a little scared that one day someone is going to ask to see/use my multi-tool but to date it hasn't happened.
Popped my magazine in my leatherman case and voila...problem solved.
I can't believe I never thought of that. I'm sure I've read it somewhere and it just didn't register.
Awesome! I glad it works for you too. Let me know if you come up with some pre-canned answer for "Hey, let me see your leatherman for a sec ..." It hasn't happened to me yet, but I still don't know what I will say when it does.
"Sorry, but I left it sitting on the (desk/table) when I used it at (work/home) earlier."
Re: Can't find a comfortable way to carry a spare magazine
Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2012 1:45 pm
by olafpfj
MasterOfNone wrote:terryg wrote:olafpfj wrote:terryg wrote:I carry mine OWB in plain sight using a Gerber Tool pouch much like this one:
I have been a little scared that one day someone is going to ask to see/use my multi-tool but to date it hasn't happened.
Popped my magazine in my leatherman case and voila...problem solved.
I can't believe I never thought of that. I'm sure I've read it somewhere and it just didn't register.
Awesome! I glad it works for you too. Let me know if you come up with some pre-canned answer for "Hey, let me see your leatherman for a sec ..." It hasn't happened to me yet, but I still don't know what I will say when it does.
"Sorry, but I left it sitting on the (desk/table) when I used it at (work/home) earlier."
LOL...which is actually why my case was vacant for me to try the magazine in it. My leatherman is out in the garage sitting in my workbox after I used it for a project is actually the truth right now
The case stays on my belt whether the tool is in it or not.
Re: Can't find a comfortable way to carry a spare magazine
Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2012 2:15 pm
by terryg
MasterOfNone wrote:
"Sorry, but I left it sitting on the (desk/table) when I used it at (work/home) earlier."
Yeah, except that it will be obviously full of something ...
Re: Can't find a comfortable way to carry a spare magazine
Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2012 5:06 pm
by olafpfj
terryg wrote:MasterOfNone wrote:
"Sorry, but I left it sitting on the (desk/table) when I used it at (work/home) earlier."
Yeah, except that it will be obviously full of something ...
Possible responses then...
Its my emergency granola bar?
What hump?
<icy stare of stop asking>
Thats not my Gerber.
I could only ever see my co workers, wife or relatives ever asking to borrow my multi tool. I've been carrying one on my belt pretty much 24/7 for close to 15 years and no one I didn't know well has ever asked, and at that, very rarely. I figure it has far less risk of being made than if they started inquiring about an actual mag carrier that flashed. If its a stranger they would've had to see the case and you just say no or they would be someone who knew you well enough to know you always have a multi tool.
Anyway...I'm sold. New mag carrier for me.

Re: Can't find a comfortable way to carry a spare magazine
Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2012 5:12 pm
by redlin67
I carry my spare in what was a knife holder also, not a leatherman, but similar. I also carry OWB for my handgun.
Re: Can't find a comfortable way to carry a spare magazine
Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2012 7:02 pm
by WildBill
terryg wrote:I carry mine OWB in plain sight using a Gerber Tool pouch much like this one:
I have been a little scared that one day someone is going to ask to see/use my multi-tool but to date it hasn't happened.
Me too. Nobody has said a word about mine.
