Boom, the world is going to hell in a handbasket and the zombie apocalypse is happening right now. What do you do? One of the steps you’ll likely take is getting a means of protection. With that in mind, how much time do you want to take to get your means of self-defense ready? You likely have a mag or two loaded, but how many total are ready to rock and roll should you need to bug out due to zombies, aliens, or ChatGPT becoming sentient?
Okay, I’m being dramatic, but in reality, it’s not at all a bad idea to load and store your magazines. My main reason is for the purpose of saving space. As I moved into a new home, I realized I had a lot of ammo and a lot of mags. Having them separate nearly doubled the space required to store and move both. Modern magazines can be safely left loaded, and PMAGs even come with that handy dust cover to keep things nice and clean for long-term storage.
Having those mags loaded and on hand can be quite convenient, not only to fight the AI chatbots but for heading to the range, to a competition shoot, or for self-defense purposes. Today we are going to talk about a few handy pieces of gear to help get your magazines ready for quick deployment.
Mag Storage Solutions Magazine Holder
Get used to seeing the name Mag Storage Solutions. They seem hellbent on providing a wide variety of options to conveniently store your mags ready for deployment. The first is the Magazine Holders. Holders, with an S, because we know magazines are not universal. Mag Storage Solutions makes one for ARs, AR10s/AKs, and handguns. Each is a little different, but all do the same thing.
They mount to your wall and store your magazines in a fairly handy and easily accessible way. These made-in-America devices are constructed from ABS plastic and have reinforced mounting holes. They are simple and rugged and allow magazines to snap in and out of place as you see fit.
This is a super convenient way to mount magazines along your wall and saves you a little floor space. Stack them up vertically or horizontally and keep your mags loaded, easily accessible, and ready for deployment. I should also mention if you prefer to mount these to your gun safe, Mag Storage Solutions does make a magnet system that makes this possible.
GPS Outdoors AR and Pistol Magazine Tote
Grab and go seems to be the defining feature of the GPSD Outdoor’s magazine totes. These cute little totes hold a variety of magazines in secured pouches that allow you to just grab the tote and hit the road if necessary. The minimalist size makes it easy to dump inside a range bag or bug-out bag and hit the road with plenty of loaded magazines.
The AR variant holds eight thirty-round magazines, and the pistol version allows you to pack ten double or single-stack magazines. It’s a simple idea that’s quite convenient. The tote makes it easy to have loaded magazines on hand, organized, and easy to travel with. While the pockets are primarily made for holding magazines, I’ve found them to be quite handy for carrying everything from elastic shotgun side saddles to tourniquets.
Mag Storage Solutions AR-15 Magazine Dispenser
In my version of America, every gun range would have a loaded AR-15 magazine dispenser on call and loaded and ready. The Mag Storage Solutions AR-15 Magazine Dispenser is basically a vertical hopper that holds up to 17 AR-15 magazines. Load them through the top, and at the bottom, they sit ready to be plucked and used as needed. When you draw one, the gravity-fed hopper lowers the next one to a ready position.
The design is very simple and very easy to use. The device is made from 16-gauge powder-coated steel, and it’s rugged for years of use. If you mount this to your wall, make sure you use good anchors. Seventeen fully loaded magazines are no joke, and the 16 gauge steel construction isn’t holding back either.
Bulldog Cases Pistol Mag Pouch
The Bulldog Cases Pistol Mag Pouch operates on the same idea as the GPS Outdoors tote. Drop your loaded magazines in the pouch and boom. You are ready to rock and roll. So what makes the Bulldog worthy and different enough to make the list? There are two main differences between the Bulldog and GPS Outdoors options.
The Bulldog offers a total enclosure to prevent dirt, water, and debris from getting to your magazines. A big flap secures the top, and the bag is made from water-resistant nylon. The Bulldog case is also MOLLE compatible, so you can directly attach it to a bag or even a belt and have your mags on standby. Admittedly this isn’t a rig designed for rapid reloads.
The Bulldog case holds five double-stack magazines or ten single-stack magazines in five separate pouches. It’s handy for USPSA, Steel Challenge, etc., to keep your magazines loaded and ready for easy access without slowing down the match.
MTM Mag Cans
Finally, if you want all-weather protection in the form of a stackable ammo can-style device, then MTM has you covered. These ammo-can-looking boxes are made from polymer and are completely waterproof. Inside they have custom-cut foam that holds your magazines in an upright position. They make these cans for AR magazines, handgun magazines, .308 mags, AK mags, and more. There are different combos that combine rifle and pistol mags as well.
They are super handy and stackable, so you can store your magazines with ease and in a convenient, easy-to-stack, and manageable manner.
Stack Em Deep
Storing your mags for quick deployment and use makes sense on so many levels. If you’re like me and struggling to find room and organizational options, it’s one way to decrease a headache. If you just like to be ready for anything, then you save a lot of time with preloaded magazines. There are a number of ways to successfully and easily organize and store your loaded mags, and hopefully, we’ve shined a light on a few. Personally, I’m ordering a Mag Dispenser because it’s oh-so-cool. What about you? Let us know below!
