When choosing to carry a concealed firearm, gun owners are often faced with a number of decisions…How best to carry? What type of holster makes the most sense for everyday carry (EDC)? One question that is frequently asked at gun stores and during firearms training classes is “Why should I carry more than one magazine?” The answer isn’t as simple as it may seem.

Contrary to what we see in movies or on television, the need for more than one magazine is rarely due to simply running out of ammunition. In fact, according to FBI statistics, on average, in most defensive situations, gun owners only discharge three rounds over three seconds from a distance of three yards. This is known as the “rule of threes.”

The real reason it’s important to carry an extra magazine is because of potential gun stoppages related to a magazine malfunction. No matter what gun you own, pistol magazines have a lifespan and wear out over time. Feed lips and followers can become worn, springs lose their strength, and the magazine itself can get dented or dinged from training. Part of the responsibility of gun ownership involves the regular inspection of your firearm before use. However, unlike a car for example, there’s no check engine light on a magazine to let you know it’s time for maintenance. It will simply stop functioning and in a defensive scenario, there’s no sound worse than the click of the trigger with no bang. Simple checks on your magazine like pushing the follower up and down to ensure it functions, or even checking to see that it’s clear of dirt or carbon build up, will go a long way towards ensuring your pistol functions properly every time.

The primary magazine is the one loaded in your pistol. Primary magazines are typically smaller in size to make concealment easier and to prevent printing. What’s printing? That’s when the outline of your gun visibly displays on your clothing when concealed. A backup magazine can usually be concealed in locations that will not print. Popular EDC gear choices include a belt-mounted magazine pouch or a pocket magazine carrier. It is important to ensure that your backup magazine is secure and located in the same place each time you carry concealed. This will also allow you to carry a magazine with a higher capacity because of the vertical position of the backup magazine, making it easier to conceal and access in a reload situation.

Gun stoppages aren’t necessarily caused by magazines, either. If your pistol isn’t regularly cleaned or maintained, you could have issues such as double feeds or stove pipes. Regularly lubricating your gun and replacing the recoil spring every 3,000 rounds are two key preventative measures that responsible gun owners employ to maintain their firearms.

At SIG SAUER Academy, our instructors teach “Immediate Action” and “Remedial Action.” The “tap, rack, reassess” method is the immediate action used to fix an issue or understand the situation to decide the next course of action. This process involves tapping the magazine to ensure it is seated properly, rolling the gun over to the ejection port side and then racking the slide to clear a potentially faulty round. If that doesn’t solve the issue, students are then instructed to clear the gun and replace the magazine. In this scenario, if you don’t have a spare magazine, you’ll be unable to proceed in the drill. This process has proven to be the most efficient way to get your gun running again.

If it’s a more complicated malfunction (failure to extract) students are taught to move into the remedial action process which consists of unloading, then reloading the firearm, while retaining that magazine as opposed to replacing the pistol with a new one. Malfunctions can also occur due to inexpensive or poor quality ammunition as well as third-party magazines. Using premier ammunition and factory-fresh magazines will dramatically decrease your likelihood of an issue.

All things considered, having a second magazine comes down to personal preference. If you are carrying a quality firearm with a magazine capacity of at least 10 rounds, the likelihood of needing a backup magazine should be minimal. However, being prepared for as many outcomes as possible can provide you with some much-needed peace of mind.

For more information on magazine maintenance, be sure to check with your local firearms dealer. Additionally, registering for pistol safety courses will help not only enhance your knowledge of firearms safety but also your overall experience as a responsible gun owner.