Carrying a backup magazine is not just about having more rounds. Magazines are mechanical devices that can fail. A damaged or malfunctioning magazine can lead to feed failures, jams or other issues that might render your firearm inoperable at a critical moment. In the heat of a defensive situation, the fastest way to address a malfunction caused by a magazine issue is often to eject the problematic magazine and insert a spare one. This quick swap can make all the difference in a life-threatening scenario.
Action vs. Remedial Action
Immediate action and remedial action techniques are crucial for handling malfunctions. Immediate action, often referred to as “tap, rack, bang,” or “tap, rack, reassess,” is a quick response to a malfunction. This technique is used to clear simple stoppages like failures to fire or feed. The steps involve tapping the bottom of the magazine to ensure it is properly seated, racking the slide back to eject any misfed rounds and chamber a new one, and then attempting to fire the weapon again. This method is designed to be fast and efficient, allowing you to quickly return to operational status.
Remedial action, on the other hand, is used for more complex malfunctions that immediate action cannot resolve. This involves a more detailed process: locking the slide to the rear, removing the magazine, racking the slide multiple times to clear any obstructions, inserting a new magazine and racking the slide again to chamber a round. Although this technique is more time-consuming, it is necessary for clearing severe stoppages like double feeds. Without a backup magazine, the remedial action process cannot proceed.
Both techniques highlight the importance of carrying a spare magazine — and carrying it securely, such as in a pocket mag pouch.
Benefits of Pocket Magazine Holders
Pocket carry is a popular option for carrying a backup magazine. However, simply tossing a magazine in your pocket, while convenient, isn’t a good idea. It can easily snag, dump rounds and lose proper orientation, making it difficult to access quickly in a crisis. That’s where a pocket magazine holster or pouch comes in.
A pocket magazine holder is a specialized accessory designed to securely hold an extra magazine in your pocket, ensuring additional ammunition is accessible and ready when needed.
One of the primary benefits of a pocket magazine holder is the quick and easy access it provides. Located in your pocket, a pocket holster for magazine allows for fast and intuitive retrieval in an emergency, reducing reload time. Retrieving a magazine from a pocket holder can be done with minimal training. A pocket magazine holster also keeps the magazine positioned correctly for a snag-free draw, ensuring smooth handling.
Pocket magazine holders are designed to be discreet. They minimize printing (the outline of the magazine showing through clothing), making it easier to carry a spare magazine without drawing attention. The compact and slim design of pocket holders ensures they don’t add significant bulk, maintaining the principle of concealed carry.
Due to their size and the way they sit in the pocket, these holders are generally more comfortable for all-day wear compared to other options that might be bulky or uncomfortable in certain positions. By distributing the weight of the magazine in a pocket, these holders can reduce the strain on the waistband, which is particularly beneficial for those who carry multiple items on their belt.
The magazine holder should cover the magazine feed lips and top/exposed cartridge. This prevents rounds from being inadvertently stripped out of the magazine, which can otherwise be an issue, particularly with some magazines. It also helps to protect the magazine from pocket debris, which can induce malfunctions.
Some pocket magazine holders rely on magnets to retain the magazine. Although popular, they will not work with non-magnetic magazines, such those made of stainless steel and Magpul or ETS magazines, for example.
Features to Look for in a Pocket Mag Pouch
Since you’ll be wearing it for extended periods, the holder should not chafe or pinch. Comfort often ties into the design and material. The holder should not print excessively on your clothing. Slim and low-profile designs are preferable for better concealment. In a critical situation, you should be able to access the magazine effortlessly. Test how easily you can draw the magazine from the holder. Secure retention is crucial.
Pocket carry isn’t optimal for everyone or at all times. For example, if you are wearing tight pants and don’t have a jacket pocket as an alternative, there may be an issue easily accessing the magazine with any pocket carrier. In this situation, an outside-the-waistband (OWB) or inside-the-waistband (IWB) carrier/pouch might be a better alternative for you.
You have a lot of options for pocket carry. Although what works best for you will invariably come down to personal preference, I have found that the Galco Pocket Magazine Carrier (PMC) works well for me. It may work well for you too.
The PMC is designed for pocket carry in pants or jackets. It’s constructed of Premium Center Cut Steerhide. It features vertical magazine orientation, adjustable magazine retention tension and rough-out texture with twin fore-and-aft “hooks” to retain the unit in the pocket as the magazine is withdrawn. The design provides better fit, access, indexing and draw. It protects the feed lips and last round. And unlike some pocket magazine holders, it’s totally discreet, with no clip to draw attention. It’s also a great way to discreetly carry a folding knife in those situations where pocket clip carry isn’t desirable.
Source
Galco Holsters: GalcoHolsters.com
