Sticking with Factory magazines for all of my handguns!
I started out with 1911s and they are probable the only magazines I would not buy factory magazines for. As a matter of fact, I don’t even know who I would say made factory magazines for the 1911? Colt ? Maybe but I don’t find Colt magazines to be as sturdy and Chip McCormick mags or Wilson Combat. The strength of gun magazine springs and “you get what you pay for” really comes into play with this type of firearm. I have a Beretta 92FS that I had a lot of fun with back in the 1990’s when the assault weapon ban was going on and this was just about the only firearm I could get magazines for at a reasonable price. Back then some Glock magazines were going for $90 a magazine and after buying 3 or 4 of them you basically purchased a new firearm.
I have learned to maintain my firearms properly and magazine and spring replacement is as important as cleaning your firearms, you just don’t have to do it as much. I have heard stories of guys in the military that still had to clean out the magazines on their guns, something like the Glock 26 magazines in stock that are smaller and I’d probable say is a compact firearm, need to be cleaned probable every 5000rds or so because after that much usage, you really don’t know what else might have flown into your magazine. There is a reason magpul makes dust covers for their guns and in harsh environments I don’t think people realize that dirty magazines cause as much malfunctioning as dirty guns.
Every time I get asked a question about which firearm or accessory someone needs I follow up with the question “For what?” I have seen plenty of well trained concealed carry owners walk around with a 5 shot j-frame and none of them feel under gunned. The reality is that in some nightmare situation, you’ll never be full prepared, and sometimes we just have to be practical when we are CCW every day. For most practical purposes, I’d recommend keeping a spare magazine in your gun safe in your home, or keep one in your car if you don’t think you can comfortable carry a backup. When most of us are out and about, the ammunition you have on you is all you’re going to be able to fight with, but keeping something near your car and easily accessible in your home is a good idea.