Carrying spare magazines

One drawback to carrying a rifle in public is the weight. One way to keep the weight down is to limit the number of magazines you carry for your rifle.

In general, I keep a smaller, lower capacity mag inserted into the rifle. This makes it easier to remove the rifle from my bag. I also carry a larger, higher capacity magazine inside the bag.

I keep a 20-round magazine in my AK (chambered in 7.62x39mm), with a 30 round US Palm mag in the backpack’s main compartment. The AK weight 8 pounds, 6 ounces loaded with the 20-rounder, and the US Palm mag is 1 pound, 10 ounces.

This 30-round US Palm magazine is in the water bladder pouch in my bag’s main compartment.

When I carry my lunch, a thermos of coffee, two tablets and sometimes my laptop, every ounce starts to count.

I have thought about carrying 2 20-rounders instead of a 30, but juggling an extra magazine doesn’t seem to be worth it.

If you are shooting something with lighter ammunition, such as 5.56, 9mm or 5.45 then you might be able to get away with another magazine. It’s all up to you, the bag you carry, and the environment you’re in.

About the Author: Short Barrel Shepherd

Short Barrel Shepherd is a regular guy and works to make Web sites and mobile apps easier for people to use. He spends his free time attending fight-focused firearm, knife, and combatives training, motorcycling, writing, and playing games. His daily carry is a Glock 19 pistol and an AR15 .300 Blackout pistol in a backpack.