Self defense everyday carry minimum capacity acceptable with one spare mag

[dben002]

6 rounds
8 rounds
10 rounds
12 rounds
15 rounds
17 rounds

 

[Derek.J.]

My EDC holds 12. And I don't carry a 2nd magazine.

Sent from my 2PS64 using Tapatalk

 

[murphydog]

It's an interesting question. Does anyone have a documented non law enforcement self-defense incident in which a reload was needed? Not doubting it has happened or carrying a reload is a good idea, just asking the question.

 

[dben002]

It's an interesting question. Does anyone have a documented non law enforcement self-defense incident in which a reload was needed? Not doubting it has happened or carrying a reload is a good idea, just asking the question.

Indeed a good question....in a non LEO situation not sure there was ever a reload needed ..... but as they always say, rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it...

 

[BAM-BAM]

Posted in Concealed Carry & Self Defense Forum................so

Where is "5"....... lots of folks here carry J-frames and no reloads...... must be hundreds of threads!!!

Me, carrying a auto today it's "16" rounds 7(flush fit mag)+1 in my S&W 3913 plus a spare 8rd mag.

Back in the day it was "13" in a Walther PPK

 

[dben002]

Posted in Concealed Carry & Self Defense Forum................so

Where is "5"....... lots of folks here carry J-frames and no reloads...... must be hundreds of threads!!!

Me, carrying a auto today it's "16" rounds 7(flush fit mag)+1 in my S&W 3913 plus a spare 8rd mag.

Back in the day it was "13" in a Walther PPK

Noted.....my bad....don't even think of wheel guns....don't care for them, they are not part of my consciousness.....
I will see if I can edit and add 5......

Sorry but I don't see a method to edit the poll and add anything....

 

[keith44spl]

My primary 7+1.....My bug, 7+1.

Got it covered.


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[BAM-BAM]

My primary 7+1.....My bug, 7+1.

Got it covered.


.

Let me take a WAG........ .45??????

 

[petepeterson]

5 in a J-frame.
7 in an auto, or I might as well carry a j-frame.

I carry a reload so I don't have an empty gun while waiting for the "first responders" (an ironic term, since I've already responded). It's hard to imagine reloading during a situation that I'm actively trying to remove myself from, but I suppose anything could happen.

 

[keith44spl]

Let me take a WAG........ .45??????

Yup, you bet..........

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[ContinentalOp]

It's an interesting question. Does anyone have a documented non law enforcement self-defense incident in which a reload was needed? Not doubting it has happened or carrying a reload is a good idea, just asking the question.

There have been, but generally very rare. The story of the jewelry dealer in L.A. who was involved in multiple gunfights and had to use multiple guns in each one, IIRC, comes to mind. I think his name was Lance Thomas. Ayoob has written about him. It should be noted that Thomas was working in a relatively high-risk occupation/location, so that may be a factor in determining how prevalent reloads are in self defense shootings in general.

However, Claude Werner has done a couple of analyses, one involving nearly 500 non-LE self defense shootings, and none of them involved a reload.

Ayoob has also said that reloads are rare, and when they did happen they almost never affected the outcome, though I can't remember if he was talking about all defensive shootings, including LE, or just non-LE.

 

[ContinentalOp]

I carry a reload so I don't have an empty gun while waiting for the "first responders" (an ironic term, since I've already responded). It's hard to imagine reloading during a situation that I'm actively trying to remove myself from, but I suppose anything could happen.

Same here. The average 911 response time in my town is around 9 minutes last time I checked.

Plus, with semi-autos, malfunctions are often linked to mags so being able to replace the in-gun magazine can get the gun working again.

 

[petepeterson]

Same here. The average 911 response time in my town is around 9 minutes last time I checked.

Plus, with semi-autos, malfunctions are often linked to mags so being able to replace the in-gun magazine can get the gun working again.

I absolutely agree on the malfunction point, but in reality, it's hard to see a situation where you would swap mags to get it running again, when you could use that time to get away. Again, I'm not saying it's not worth it to bring a reload (because I do, and it's not much of an inconvenience), but I do think we overestimate the value.

 

[ContinentalOp]

I absolutely agree on the malfunction point, but in reality, it's hard to see a situation where you would swap mags to get it running again, when you could use that time to get away. Again, I'm not saying it's not worth it to bring a reload (because I do, and it's not much of an inconvenience), but I do think we overestimate the value.

Agreed. If one's gun stops working in the middle of a gunfight, whether due to running out of ammo or a malfunction, I think switching to Plan B, whether it's running away if possible or switching to another tool (muzzle punch, knife, hands, feet, dirty looks ( ), etc.), would likely be more prudent than trying to reload or clear a malfunction. Of course, this all depends on the specific circumstances.

 

[vipermd]

Depending on day, time of year, weather, 911 could be 45 min, ( One that I can document, on a sunny, June day). We are Covered by Sheriff & MSP ( State police ) but if you are on e place in the county and they are another 45 min is not out of the ordinary. Not the Deputies/ Troops fault, can only be so many places at once. That being said I was driving to a show downstate, I had gone 300+ miles when my Sigma mag started "raining" bullets!! The base plate cracked and came loose and dumped the cartridges. First and only time. But I had two backup mags. So I guess it would be as many as you need- I have not run out. Be Safe,

 

[snowman.45]

I always carry a reload, whether with a revolver or semi-auto. All mechanical things can fail, so with an auto, I prepare for a magazine malfunction. With a revolver, the only thing that will overcome a malfunction that disables the gun is a BUG, but the same can be true of a malfunctioning auto. Regardless, it is better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it.

 

[keith44spl]

Depending on day, time of year, weather, 911 could be 45 min, ( One that I can document, on a sunny, June day). We are Covered by Sheriff & MSP ( State police ) but if you are on e place in the county and they are another 45 min is not out of the ordinary. Not the Deputies/ Troops fault, can only be so many places at once. That being said I was driving to a show downstate, I had gone 300+ miles when my Sigma mag started "raining" bullets!! The base plate cracked and came loose and dumped the cartridges. First and only time. But I had two backup mags. So I guess it would be as many as you need- I have not run out. Be Safe,

That's the way it is around my neck of the woods.

One is kinda on their own....The Sheriff or State may be 30 min to an hour out.

I intervening in a slight domestic in a grocery store parking lot one time (I was in plain clothes) one of the players sed she was gonna call the Law (common phrase for the police)....

I identified myself and ask, jest what did she want to call me.

Anyway all ended well......No gun fight ensued.


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[Piwo]

People can do what they feel comfortable with, but I always carry an extra mag if I an carrying an autoloader. If only for a malfunction. Twice in my career my partner at the time had their magazine come out of their service weapon. Both occurred on gun runs. Both times they instantly replaced the magazines and carried on. Two different partners 2 years apart. Both while bailing from the cruiser. While I was a firearms instructor for the same agency I witnessed many a time magazine failures from falling out of the gun, improper re-assembly or factory defect. An extra magazine gives me an option, however unlikely i may need it. Just my .02$

 

[RGVshooter]

My EDC is a 5 shot 642 38 special +P

Let's be real guys. For civilian self defense IMHO carrying any more than your pistols capacity is unnecessary weight. We are not LEO's nor do engage in tactical situations. I carry as a last resort in saving my life, run away if I have to...

 

[BAM-BAM]

Bottom line...there is no "RIGHT" answer...... to each their own..... what you feel comfortable with is what you should carry..........