Self defense everyday carry minimum capacity acceptable with one spare mag

[GaryS]

The reason I carry a spare magazine is far less due to the need for a reload than for a need to replace a magazine due to a malfunction of some sort.

I carry a spare 5 rounds when I carry my 642, just because.

 

[TomkinsSP]

JMO, world would be a safer place if everyone had a two shot derringer in thier pocket, so 5 or more is just gravy.

 

[SuperMan]

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.

I've looked for over 20 years...and found one I think... Have asked a number of gun writers and big name self defense trainers and they have none...

If someone has a documented case where someone either ran out of ammo and was shot or did reload and shots were fired after the reload I would love the information on it...

Last stats I saw LEOs reloaded 7% of the gunfights they were involved in...

Bob

 

[Rustyt1953]

7 rounds, no spare mag.

 

[bigwheelzip]

The number of rounds has absolutely no impact on my EDC choice. I carry a PCR because the no safety/decocker action makes me feel safer, and because it works so well for me that it makes me a better shooter.
If it came in a single stack, I might prefer that, and sacrifice rounds.
The PCR is 14+1, and I bring a spare mag for all semis I carry, or two speed loaders for revolvers.

 

[Donn]

Said it here many times. If you have to reload, it's no longer self defense, it's a fire fight. If that's the case, you're in deep excrement no matter what you're carrying. My 9c's 12+1, If that's not enough, it just ain't my day.

 

[RGVshooter]

The reason I carry a spare magazine is far less due to the need for a reload than for a need to replace a magazine due to a malfunction of some sort.

And THIS my friends is why I carry and advocate the use of revolvers for self defense. I can go on for days why but here are a few of my top reasons.

#1. Most modern semi auto's are incredibly reliable.

However, and I've seen experienced shooters do this at the range when they're not even under any pressure. Is they'll get a light strike or dud and they'll have that "knee jerk reaction" of pulling the trigger again, and nothing happens. You'll have to manually rack the slide, chamber a new round. Not so with a revolver. If in the event you get a malfunction with a revolver, you pull the trigger, nothing happens, it just goes "click", You pull the trigger again as a knee jerk reaction what happens? The cylinder rotates, cocks the hammer & the gun fires the next round. Unless tap & rack is a part of your daily/weekly training, it makes better sense to seriously consider a revolver.

#2. Semi auto's can jam on clothing if fired from undercover such as a coat pocket, revolvers with concealed hammers will not, such as my 642.

#3. And finally, raise your hand if you've seen guys at the range with their semi auto's rapid firing. I know more times than not, I've seen guys at the range blazing away. With revolvers, generally you shoot at a slower pace, theoretically ( ) becoming a better shot as you gain experience.

My thoughts & opinions. We all differ, but no one here is more right or wrong, it's really up to you to decide what's best for your needs.

 

[TomkinsSP]

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,

Just sayin' in 40 years of handling revolvers I have never had a piece of plastic break rendering the firearm inoperable.

 

[WR Moore]

Having been issued both revolvers and semi's I have a slightly different take on the reliability issue.

Most modern semi's are, as noted above, incredibly reliable if feed decent ammo through good magazines. Most malfunctions are ammo/magazine related in some manner and can be readily cleared. OK, the immediate action drill has to be a conditioned reflex, it's still part of training.

On the other hand, many revolver malfunctions can tie the gun up so that if you don't have a backup, you're SOL. Let's look at a short list: ejector/extractor rod unscrews, high primer/debris under the extractor, cratered primer (if you've got a hammer spur a manly yank on the hammer may take care of the problem on those last two-but that requires training too).

So the revolver isn't as magical as one might think. Yes, I have had the cylinder lock up so that the trigger won't rotate the cylinder. I've also see folks put in a stupendous amount of effort trying instead of yanking the hammer back. I've also seen hammer noses break.

 

[SMSgt]

I've never had a mag fail, in fact, I've never had a gun fail. What am I doing wrong?

 

[snubbyfan]

I feel discriminated against because I carry a 5 round snubby and a coupla quick strips.

 

[Backlighting]

No need for extra mags. lol

 

[TomkinsSP]

Modern semi-autos just about always function as designed. Modern parachutes just about always function as designed. That said, I never ever see anyone jump out of a perfectly good airplane wearing only one parachute.

Seriously, any malfunction that will put a revolver out of action, squib, piece breaks/ falls off will likewise put the semi out of action. But, in addition magazine issues and under/ overpowered or wrong shaped amminition play havoc with semi-autos.

In 40 years I have seen, oh, 100 times as many stoppages with semis than with wheel guns. Not saying that all of those put the semi out permanently, but momentarily can be real, real bad if it's the wrong moment. And yes, experts can clear jams 10 times as fast a a neophyte, but zero jams is probably the ideal.

Funniest stoppage I ever saw was a 1911 clone, the owner turned the gun 90 degrees counter clockwise and the takedown pin fell out. It took three people five minutes to find it in tall grass.

 

[cmort666]

Right now, I don't even carry a semi-auto.

I carry a Smith 36 and a speedloader.

When I worked days, I carried a 3 1/2" M1911 and an eight round magazine for a reload. I was concerned about Sudden Jihad Syndrome.

Now, I'm lucky if I see anybody at all on the way home. Even the gas stations are closed.

 

[rperillo05]

10+1 I don't always carry a spare mag. I am working on that though I want to carry my spare mag more frequently.

 

[Eddie Southgate]

7+1 and a J frame with 1 speed loader and 1 speed strip .

 

[RGVshooter]

I've never had a mag fail, in fact, I've never had a gun fail. What am I doing wrong?

You're not shooting enough

 

[fdw]

If I'm carrying iwb then 7, if back pocket I usually carry 13 in my recluse. Gun plus one mag.

 

[American1776]

A 1911 or an 8+1 9mm is fine for me as an edc (go anywhere) gun.

I do like the 17+1 or 20+1 option on my Beretta 92fs, but double stacks do get bulky.

 

[Kanewpadle]

I always carry a reload or two.

It's a personal choice we each must make. No right or wrong here. And there are no reliable statistics to read on the subject. Anything can happen anytime, anywhere. Especially these days.

I can't run or retreat as fast. My wife is usually with me. Due to her rheumatoid arthritis, she can't either. No way in hell am I going to explain to her why I didn't bring enough ammo.

I would rather be over prepared and carrying spare ammo is not in any way an inconvenience. And as I've said before, I'll be dipped if I empty my gun in a self defense situation and have to wait for the cops holding an empty gun.

"Chance prepares the favored mind"