Auto Retention Mag Carrier FAQ
The Dara Auto Retention Mag Carrier is a versatile OWB pistol magazine carrier designed to automatically accommodate a wide range of pistol magazine sizes without requiring a different carrier for every handgun. Dara's patented Automatic Retention System allows the carrier to expand and contract around the magazine while maintaining secure retention and a consistent draw.
This FAQ covers magazine compatibility, caliber compatibility, automatic retention, magazine height, belt attachments, mounting options, competition use, range use and common questions about the Dara Auto Retention Mag Carrier.
What is an Auto Retention Mag Carrier?
The Dara Auto Retention Mag Carrier is an outside-the-waistband pistol magazine carrier that uses a patented Automatic Rubber Retention System to accommodate magazines of different widths and sizes.
Instead of requiring a carrier molded for one specific magazine, the retention system automatically adjusts around a wide range of pistol magazines.
How does the Dara Automatic Retention System work?
The Automatic Retention System allows the sides of the magazine carrier to move as different magazines are inserted. The system applies tention to the magazine rather than relying on a traditional molded Kydex shell.
This allows one carrier to securely hold magazines ranging from slim single-stack magazines to larger double-stack pistol magazines.
Is the Dara Auto Retention Mag Carrier universal?
Essentially, yes. It is designed to fit a very wide range of pistol magazines.
The Dara Automatic Retention System accommodates magazines ranging from single-stack 1911 magazines through modern double-stack micro-compact magazines, 2011 magazines and large double-stack .45 magazines.
What magazines fit the Dara Auto Retention Mag Carrier?
The Auto Retention Mag Carrier fits virtually every common pistol magazine size, from narrow single-stack magazines to wide double-stack magazines.
Compatibility is determined primarily by the external dimensions of the magazine rather than simply by firearm manufacturer or caliber.
- single stack 1911 magazines
- double stack 9mm micro compact magazines (P365, hellcat, Shield plus, etc.)
- double stack 380 magazines
- double stack 9mm magazines
- double stack .40 magazines
- double stack 10mm magazines
- double stack .45 magazines
- MP5 magazines
- PCC magazines
NoT ideal for:
- single stack 380 (fits but is loose)
- single stack 22 (fits but it loose)
- 5.7x28mm (will not fit)
Do I need to select my firearm or magazine when ordering?
No firearm-specific magazine selection is required for the Auto Retention Mag Carrier. Unlike a traditional molded magazine carrier, the Automatic Retention System is designed to accommodate different magazine widths.
This makes it especially useful for shooters who use multiple pistol platforms and do not want a completely different magazine carrier for every handgun.
Can I use the same mag carrier with different pistols?
Yes. One of the primary advantages of the Automatic Retention System is the ability to use the same carrier with many different pistol magazines.
For example, a shooter who trains with several handgun platforms may be able to move between compatible magazine sizes without replacing or readjusting the entire magazine carrier setup.
How can one mag carrier fit both single-stack and double-stack magazines?
Traditional molded magazine carriers generally use a fixed shell shaped around a specific magazine. Dara's Automatic Retention System instead allows the carrier to expand or contract around magazines of different widths.
This gives the carrier the ability to retain both narrow single-stack magazines and considerably wider double-stack magazines.
What is the difference between automatic retention and adjustable retention?
Traditional adjustable retention generally requires the user to tighten or loosen hardware to change the amount of pressure applied to the magazine.
The Dara Automatic Retention System automatically accommodates changes in magazine width. This allows different compatible magazines to be used without manually adjusting retention every time the magazine size changes.
Do I have to adjust the retention when switching magazines?
No. The Automatic Retention System is designed to automatically compensate for different magazine widths, eliminating the need to manually adjust retention each time you switch between compatible magazines.
Is the magazine height adjustable?
Yes. The Auto Retention Mag Carrier includes a three-position adjustable internal depth plate.
The depth plate changes how deeply the magazine sits inside the carrier, allowing the carrier to better accommodate magazines of different lengths.
Why would I adjust the internal depth plate?
Magazine lengths vary considerably. A short compact magazine may sit too deeply in a carrier configured for a much longer magazine.
The three-position internal depth plate allows the user to change the resting depth of the magazine so that an appropriate amount of the magazine remains exposed and accessible.
Will extended magazines fit?
Longer magazines can generally be accommodated because the Auto Retention Mag Carrier uses an open-top design and an adjustable internal depth plate.
Fit can still depend on the dimensions of the magazine body and any extension installed on the magazine.
Will aftermarket magazine extensions or base pads fit?
Many magazine extensions and base pads will not interfere with the carrier because retention occurs around the magazine body. However, aftermarket components vary significantly in size and shape.
Large extensions or unusually shaped base pads should be evaluated individually rather than assuming compatibility.
Is the Auto Retention Mag Carrier an OWB magazine carrier?
Yes. The Dara Auto Retention Mag Carrier is an Outside the Waistband, or OWB, pistol magazine carrier designed to attach to a belt or compatible mounting system.
Can I use the Auto Retention Mag Carrier for competition?
Yes. The Auto Retention Mag Carrier is well suited for competition and action shooting because it provides secure magazine retention while allowing a clean, repeatable draw.
Its ability to accommodate different magazines is also useful for shooters who compete with more than one handgun platform.
The auto retention mag carrier is ideal for tactical style competitions where the shooter may go prone, as the mag carrier stays open and is always ready for magazine re-insertion.
Can I use it for range training?
Yes. The Auto Retention Mag Carrier is designed for range use and training as well as competition and professional applications.
A single carrier that accommodates several magazine types can be particularly useful for shooters who regularly train with different pistols.
Can I use the Auto Retention Mag Carrier on a duty belt?
Yes. The Auto Retention Mag Carrier can be configured with compatible Dara OWB attachment options for use on supported belt setups. Always select an attachment appropriate for the belt width and intended application.
You can also get the mag carrier without the DARA logo for duty use.
Can the Auto Retention Mag Carrier mount to MOLLE?
Yes. Compatible Dara mounting options can be used to integrate pistol magazine carriers into supported MOLLE setups. Check the current attachment options on the product page to select the appropriate mounting system for your equipment.
What belt attachments are available for the Auto Retention Mag Carrier?
Quick Loop, Double Loop, DBL1, DM2 (Molle), and Paddle attachments are available.
Can I mount multiple Auto Retention Mag Carriers together?
Yes. Dara also offers a Double Mag Carrier configuration, and a conversion kit is available to convert a compatible Single Auto Retention Magazine Carrier into a Double Magazine Carrier.
Does Dara make a double Auto Retention Mag Carrier?
Yes. The Auto Retention Double Mag Carrier uses the same automatic-retention concept while carrying two pistol magazines.
Can I convert a single Auto Retention Mag Carrier into a double?
Yes. Dara offers a Double Mag Carrier Conversion Kit designed to convert a compatible Single Auto Retention Magazine Carrier into a Double Magazine Carrier.
Can the Auto Retention Mag Carrier be combined with a rifle mag carrier?
Yes. Dara offers modular configurations that allow an Auto Retention Pistol Mag Carrier to be combined with an AR magazine carrier to conserve space on a belt or equipment setup.
Is the Auto Retention Mag Carrier good for someone who owns several pistols?
Yes. This is one of the biggest advantages of the design. A traditional firearm-specific magazine carrier may require a different carrier for each significantly different magazine size.
The Dara Automatic Retention System allows one carrier to accommodate a wide range of compatible pistol magazines, making it especially useful for shooters who train, compete or work with several handgun platforms.
Is this a Glock magazine carrier?
It can carry many Glock pistol magazines, but it is not limited to Glock magazines. The Auto Retention Mag Carrier is designed to accommodate a much broader range of pistol magazine dimensions.
Is this a 1911 magazine carrier?
It can carry single-stack 1911 magazines, but it is not limited to 1911 magazines. The same carrier can accommodate much wider compatible magazines through the Automatic Retention System.
Is this a 2011 magazine carrier?
It can accommodate many 2011-style magazines, but the carrier is not designed exclusively for the 2011 platform. Its retention system allows it to work with magazine sizes ranging from narrow single-stack pistol magazines through larger double-stack designs.
What makes the Dara Auto Retention Mag Carrier different from a traditional Kydex magazine carrier?
A traditional molded magazine carrier is generally formed around a particular magazine shape and uses the dimensions of that shell to establish fit and retention.
The Dara Auto Retention Mag Carrier uses a patented mechanical retention system that automatically accommodates a much wider range of magazine widths. It also includes an adjustable internal depth plate to compensate for different magazine lengths.
Do I need a different mag carrier if I change handguns?
Not necessarily. If the new handgun's magazine falls within the dimensional range supported by the Automatic Retention System, the same carrier can be used.
This is one of the main reasons the Auto Retention Mag Carrier is useful for shooters who regularly change between pistol platforms.
Does magazine capacity determine whether it will fit?
No. Magazine capacity by itself does not determine compatibility.
The physical width, thickness, shape and length of the magazine are more important than the number of rounds it holds. Two magazines with the same capacity may have very different external dimensions.
Does caliber determine magazine carrier fit?
Not by itself. Caliber is a convenient way to describe common groups of pistol magazines, but magazine dimensions determine actual fit.
For example, .45 ACP magazines can range from narrow single-stack 1911 magazines to much wider double-stack .45 magazines. The Dara Automatic Retention System was designed to accommodate that large variation in magazine width.
Why choose an automatic retention magazine carrier?
An automatic retention magazine carrier reduces the need to maintain separate magazine carriers for different handgun platforms. It also eliminates repeated manual retention adjustments when moving between compatible magazine widths.
For shooters who own multiple handguns, train with different platforms or frequently change equipment, this can simplify the magazine carrier portion of a belt setup.
Where is the Dara Auto Retention Mag Carrier made?
Dara Holsters manufactures its gear in Wendell, North Carolina, USA.
Does the Auto Retention Mag Carrier have a warranty?
Yes. Dara-manufactured and branded products are backed by the Dara Lifetime Guarantee. If a qualifying product becomes damaged or defective, Dara will repair or replace it according to the current warranty policy.
Where can I buy the Dara Auto Retention Mag Carrier?
The Dara Auto Retention Mag Carrier is available directly from Dara Holsters.
A Double Auto Retention Mag Carrier is also available for users who want to carry two pistol magazines.