Firearms Stack Exchange Archive

What does the term “single stack” mean?

• posted by: DForck42 on 2012-01-26
• tagged: pistols, terminology, magazine
• score: 5

I don’t know a lot about guns. I’ve seen the term single stack used a lot, but I haven’t been able to find out what that means. What does it mean when someone says a gun is single stack, or double stack, etc.?

Answer 980

• posted by: dgm on 2012-01-26
• score: 9

Single stack refers to a style of magazine (ammunition feeding device) where the cartridges are arranged in one stack. An alternative is “double stack” where the cartridges are stacked side-by-side in the magazine.

Answer 986

• posted by: Karl Bielefeldt on 2012-01-30
• score: 8

It is referring to the type of magazine, which is the removable container that holds the ammunition. Single stack magazines have the rounds lined up in a single column inside the magazine. Double stack magazines have two columns. Guns with single stack magazines are therefore usually thinner, and often preferred for concealment purposes or by people with smaller hands, but don't hold as many rounds as double stacks.

---

All content is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.