Magazine Carrier Sizes

For our Magazine Carriers, we offer a few different sizes.  There can be a lot of confusion on what size to order based on the specific pistol and state magazine restrictions.  This article covers the differences between Single Stack, Double Stack, Stack and a Half as well as some special considerations based on specific firearms and magazine restrictions.

We offer the following sizes in our Mag Carriers:

The difference between the magazines can be researched online or in the instruction booklet; but you can also take one of the rounds that your gun fires and begin loading a magazine & watch as the bullets stack up. If they stay in one straight line, you have a single-stack mag. If they load in staggered, your pistol uses a double stack magazine. 

Single stack mags typically have ammo loaded in a single line which has a thinner grip, making it easier to grip for shooters with smaller hands. Examples of popular single stack pistols are the Glock 48, Smith and Wesson M&P Shield and the classic 1911.

A double stack magazine has its ammunition stacked in a staggered layout, forming two vertical lines inside the mag tightly packed in a zigzag two-line pattern.  The most common double stack pistols on the market today are the Glock 19, Walther PDP, and the Sig Sauer P320.

A "stack and a half" magazine is a thinner magazine that can hold a few more rounds than a true single stack.  Popular firearms such as the Sig P365 and Springfield Hellcat use "stack and a half" magazines.  These magazines fit best in Double Stack mag carriers.

Magazine Limits

If your state has magazine limitations, you will still need to order based on what the firearm's standard stack size is.  For example, Glock 19 magazines for 10 rounds still use a double stack magazine carrier due to the thickness of the magazine.

Special Considerations

As much as we would like to say we have a pretty universal system when it comes to carrying extra mags, there are some exceptions based on specific firearms.  Some of the more common questions we get will be listed below, so if you don't see your instance covered, you can reach out to us and we'll be glad to help.

S&W Shield EZ model magazines use a load assist that sticks out a little further than most magazines. This means that the .380 or 9mm Single Stack Mag Carriers will fit so long as it is a loaded magazine.  Empty mags will not fit in the carrier.

Glock 42, Ruger LCP Max and Sig P365-380 are .380 but we recommend using our 9mm/.40 caliber Single Stack Mag Carriers for those firearms.

Again, if in doubt, let us know and we'll be happy to assist.