Those that Carry a J...Ever Worry that 5 Isn't Enough?

[Nalapombu]

Hey all,

I'm just a bit curious about this and thought I'd ask.

For those of you that almost exclusively carry a J-Frame, have you ever had the thought or feeling that 5 rounds might not be enough?

I know that the overwhelming majority of encounters where guns are used the number of rounds fired isn't very many, probably not higher than 5. I've got some reading to do on that subject though so I might get a better handle on it soon.

These days these criminals run in packs. You know what I mean? My friend that runs a convenience store that I go in all the time was robbed by 3 and all had pistols. The lead guy held him on the floor with the barrel to his head behind his ear. Kicked him around a few times too while he had him down there.

Thoughts.

Thanks

Nalajr

 

[odman888]

no, but I do carrry 2 speed strips

 

[629shooter]

I don't think anyone can predict how many rounds they might need. I don't think any "encounter" is the same. Life in general is unpredictable enough. All you can do is have confidence in what you are carrying. The S&W 442, and 642 are still selling well for S&W. So there must be a lot of people that believe "five is enough." But, who knows.....

 

[petepeterson]

This is discussed quite frequently on here. 5 is better than none. Is 8 enough for three attackers? Do you want to change your wardrobe to conceal a full-size M&P, or Glock 17?

I mostly carry a 9mm with 9 rounds on board, and a spare 8-rd mag. Sometimes a j-frame fits the bill better. When trouble starts, I'll be trying to run from, not toward the trouble.

 

[markeb]

I carry a J snubby in my left pocket, I'm a lefty, and a speed strip in the little watch pocket on the right. I am comfortable with this combination. Fortunately, I have only had to expose the butt end of the snubby one time during a threatening encounter.

 

[SPEEDGUNNER]

5 is better than 0...

 

[Decker]

I believe the FBI statistics that show that the large percentage of encounters end well under 5 rounds fired, and I believe the unposted statistics that MOST defensive situations end without even one shot fired, just pulling a weapon puts the attacker on the run.

That said, I am very comfortable with 5 rounds when I carry a J-frame, and I don't even carry extra ammo.

On the other hand... I don't "intentionally" limit myself to just 5 rounds, I only do that when where I'm going "shouldn't" merit carrying more than that.
However, when I am dressed to where I can conceal heavier, then I go heavier, and when I go to a venue that has a little more flavor of potential group attack, then I go heavier as well.
In those situations, I have several options that I will take with a minimum of 10+1 and up to 19 rounds.

Maybe some day as things degrade in my city and in the country, I will start carrying spare ammo or magazines, but right now, I never do. After all, I have chosen to carry only "defensively", and if I ever have to draw and/or fire my carry weapon, it will only be to get me and my loved ones the hell out of that situation, not to be "in it to win it".
I'll be happy to get "out of it to survive it".

Now after all those words, I have to admit one exception to the above, and that is in a large crowd that has a slightly better chance of being in danger, and that is at church.
On Sunday, wearing a sport coat allows me to carry a 9mm 1911 (big gun that's good for longer range accurate shots) in 10+1 configuration, and two more 10-round mags further along on my belt.
Other than that one situation, I generally consider 5 rounds more than enough.
And one more thing... where I live, if you look at a number of people in a public area, you are bound to figure that 20% of them are carrying just like you are.
No, I don't count on any help, but statistically, help "could" be carrying their own defensive weapon that could conceivably add to my own defensive scenario. That actually happened at a small take-out restaurant near my home.
Two thugs came in the back door to rob the place and it turned out that not just one of the two people waiting up front for take-out were armed, but BOTH of them (and no, neither armed customer knew each other nor knew the other was armed until weapons were drawn).
One thug was shot and held for police while the other one ran out the back and was caught later. Funny story no matter how you look at it.

 

[Macinaw]

Just carry two for a New York reload.

 

[K-framer]

I either carry a 442 or a 6-rnd, single stack 9mm semi, every day. Honestly, I never worry about 5 (or 6) not being enough. I occasionally carry one reload, but probably less than 50 % of the time.

I strongly believe in the concept that, if one can't do the job with 5 (or 6) rounds (in an SD situation)....then 15 or 20 ain't gonna do it, either. There is no such thing as an "average SD situation", so I am not counting on any particular scenario. I think people on the internet go way too far in postulating every possible scenario, in order to make the case for their particular choices.

I will only say that I do what works for me. That includes, as my PRIMARY SD strategy, situation awareness and careful avoidance of (potential) threat situations. Add to that lots of PRACTICE with my chosen carry/ SD weapons....including specific combat practice. Finally, my carry/ SD weapon is my LAST line of defense, but one with which I am ALWAYS ready. ALWAYS. (Except perhaps, when I am asleep.) Added together, that all makes for, I think, a solid SD. As such, 5 or 6 rounds is enough for me.

If confronted with an armed "gang", especially if more than about two of them were armed with firearms......and if they are determined.... one guy with his carry gun has already lost. You aren't going to "Rambo" your way out of something like that. Fortunately, that sort of scenario is rare - regardless of what many of the "internet cowboys" say. (NO offense to anyone specific - that term is only intended as a basic generalization.)

The absolute PRIMARY, first and most important thing is to stay OUT of potential SD situations. I train for that every day, everywhere I go - by sizing up the overall from a distance, then acting accordingly. My head is always on a swivel and I NEVER hesitate to change course, or leave altogether, if I don't like the potential SD ramifications. Train yourself enough for this and it simply becomes second nature.

 

[chief38]

If I were a LEO (active) then yes I would feel totally outgunned carrying a 5 shot J Frame as a primary SD weapon. As a civilian who does not fight crime as a job I feel it is something I can always carry comfortably and concealed and it won't be left home because it's too heavy or too bulky. 5 with you sure beats 13 at home in your safe. It's always a compromise and one must weigh all the options and considerations. A 5 shot J is also extremely reliable and packs one of the best size/weight/effectiveness ratios I can think of.

If one could stick a 13 round .45 or 9mm in the same size & weight package and make it just as reliable then I suppose it would be a better choice but to date that just hasn't happened.

There are fellas here that will "dress around the gun" which is not for me. I don't want to have to wear inappropriate clothing to conceal a big heavy gun in 95º temperatures and sweat all day. With the 2" J I can wear anything I want and still have it on me. While 5 shots is certainly not the optimum, according to stats most gun fights end in well under 5 shots so I feel reasonably prepared.

 

[kenv1950]

Five is enough for me. Chances of getting into a multi round shoot out are as good as winning the lotto twice in a row, I carry my M60 and an old S&W drop pouch on my belt out of habit.

 

[SAFireman]

I carry a 5 shot J frame just about everywhere these days. If for some reason I can not solve my problem with strong language, bad breath, assertive posture, and downright curmudgeonly attitude, and it comes down to smokeless powder, then we may have an entirely different situation.

Nobody knows that I carry, and I sure don't use that as a threat towards anyone. The rapid presentation and shots would be a BIG surprise to anyone trying to do myself or my family harm.

Now, to your five rounds question....I am more likely to become involved in a one-on-one confrontation than to insert myself into a situation with multiple adversaries.....both of my feet and legs still work and I know how to use them. If there is no retreat or escape then my standard theory of escalation of force shall apply (assuming that we have passed into the stage where deadly force is justified, needed/warranted ect) The J frame comes out - 5 shots are expended in a judicious and accurate manner, the very sharp and somewhat dirty knife comes out directed for major arterial pathways and/or eyes, failing that - I have the one weapon that has accounted for more deaths than all of the wars fought in recorded history - fossil fueled, combustion engine powered, motor vehicle - engage the four wheel drive and accelerate to ramming speed - repeat as needed.

Now, most of that was just for fun....I do have a shotgun and another handgun in every vehicle that I own. I make every effort to avoid bad places and bad people (been there, done that - not going back). If the J frame won't cover the bases, then my ticket might get punched, but I can look St Peter in the eyes and tell him that it was one heck of a ride up to this point

 

[Shooter6br]

5 shot

"Don't insult 6 men when you are carrying a 5 shooter"

 

[SAWBONES]

5 is better than 0...

That's what I say, too.

I don't "usually" carry just a J- frame, but when the temperature is over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, the combination of effective and comfortable concealment plus ready access becomes a genuine problem, since "cover garments" of any sort are glaringly out of place in dress casual clothing, and sometimes an Airweight, AirLite or LCR in a pocket holster or groin holster are the best options.

A gun, any gun, is better than no gun, and the .38 Special "snubby" is at least adequate armament.

 

[OLDSTER]

"J"

Nope

 

[Double-O-Dave]

Like Macinaw, above, I am a big fan of the New York Reload. My usual carry is a Model 638-1 and a Model 38-0 carried in DeSantis Nemesis holsters. I almost exclusively pocket carry, and I also carry an 8 round speed strip in a small pouch on my belt. About the only time I'll carry just a 5-shot J-frame is when I'm carrying a long gun - as in hunting.

Regards,

Dave

 

[Kid44]

no, but I do carrry 2 speed strips

Then obviously you think 5 is not enough.

 

[Geronimo Jim]

Don't pull the trigger unless you know for
certain that it is an A hit. J frame good for 5
bad guys.

 

[Riccur]

If 5 won't solve the problem, I doubt 6 will.

 

[Arik]

If 5 won't solve the problem, I doubt 6 will.

Same can be said for 1 or 2. Carry a Derringer