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Old November 12, 2013, 11:25 PM   #51
Ambishot
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Usually 6+1 and a reload of 7. Sometimes more. Truth is that you can't predict what evil lurks around the corner. I think mindset is more important for self defense than the magazine capacity of a CCW. If I can get away using the gray matter between my ears and my running shoes...I'll take that option first.
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Old November 13, 2013, 06:14 AM   #52
Bart Noir
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Statistically, isn't the average gunfight something like 1.7 rounds?
Well, OK, but statistically, you won't ever need to shoot......

So if you find yourself needing to defend with a firearm, you need to accept that "statistics" now hate you and are working against you. Do not rely on them, for they are fickle and will turn and bite without warning.

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If I can get away using the gray matter between my ears and my running shoes....
My gray matter has been forced to accept that my ability to run in fact ran away years ago. So I have to use my gray matter to formulate a different Plan A. And for the original question, I will sometimes carry only a 5-shooter and a reload, but that has to be in .44 Special. Mostly it is 8 + 1 of 9mm plus reload, or 5 +1 of .45 ACP plus reload (or will be again when my XD(s) gets the safety recall upgrade on it).

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Old November 13, 2013, 06:24 AM   #53
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Suppose you are a woman and walking alone at night going to your car in the public garage and say 6 men surround you with bad intentions - how many cartridges you think you would need?
As mentioned above, this very much depends on the reactions of those attackers.

If the lady opens up with a semi-auto, they have no idea if it contains 7 shots or 17. And that is without reloading. After BG 1 is hit and screams, and BG 2 is hit and goes down silently, with maybe several close misses in between, will all the rest stick around to get shot at? I don't think so.

But it is really up to them. A Jamaican ninja assassination squad will finish the attack no matter how many dreadlocked foreheads get shot through and through. So there can be some very bad results even for the very well-armed citizen.

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Who remembers Ayoob's phrase: "A gun without a reload is only a temporary gun."
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Old November 13, 2013, 08:51 AM   #54
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In my job I wear 9 month in the year only shirt and pants, so I can't carry a bigger gun than a derringer, because I can't and I won't carry it open. I don't know what kind of jobs the most of you have, that they can carry a full size pistol like a glock 17 , but for me is the derringer the only way to carry a powerfull gun, sure could I carry .22 like a astra cub or a beretta 950 but that guns have no stopping power.
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Old November 13, 2013, 10:27 PM   #55
Deaf Smith
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Who remembers Ayoob's phrase: "A gun without a reload is only a temporary gun."
Yea, but then all guns are temporary guns. Sooner or later you will be out of BBs.

A good knife, on the other hand, never needs reloading (but it may need re-sharpening!)

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Old November 13, 2013, 10:47 PM   #56
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I shoot very well. I carry a Glock, depending on season it is a fullsize 40 or a compact 40. I carry 2 reloads most of the time and 1 reload in the heat of summer. Then I add a Bug and one reload.

How many rounds are enough? whatever it takes. I am not limiting myself by using statistics based on gunfights that the good guys lost. Statistics mean nothing to the individual, what happens when you are the ONE?
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Old November 13, 2013, 11:29 PM   #57
Super Sneaky Steve
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5 for carry.

5,000 for home defense.
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Old November 14, 2013, 01:26 AM   #58
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There is no magic number. Train realistically, shoot a lot of practice rounds and train some more. You have to have that kick in automatically orbit won't matter. And even then you can end up dead.
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Old November 14, 2013, 12:23 PM   #59
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And now we know that Deaf is a descendant of one James Bowie.

But there are places in USA where carrying a defensive knife is less legal than carrying a defensive handgun.

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Old November 14, 2013, 12:41 PM   #60
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Hi Blacktimberwolf. Nice to have another international forum member, especially one from a land of fine handguns. I'm the happy owner of a few used German police guns and would not mind another, that being a used German-made SIG P228. Not much chance of finding one, I know.

I am taking no chances with losing my job so don't carry to work, not even to leave the gun in the parked car in the company "car park". The rest of the time, well, you know the answer to that.

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Old November 14, 2013, 01:05 PM   #61
Tactical Jackalope
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I'm the one on this forum who gets verbally abused in these waters.

CCW: Glock 19

My lowest that I'll carry is 33 rounds. Usually it's 97 rounds if I'm going out or at my second job. Sometimes even more at my second job.

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Old November 14, 2013, 04:33 PM   #62
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"Usually it's 97 rounds..."

Thats more than my local gun shop has on the shelf right now.

Pilgrim, you must be escorting a real bad dude onto the 3:10 to Yuma.
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Old November 14, 2013, 05:03 PM   #63
Tactical Jackalope
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How many shots is enough

Ahoy Seaman!! lol I just live in Miami. The sunny place for shady people! Dealt with scum before.
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Old November 14, 2013, 05:27 PM   #64
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In my job I wear 9 month in the year only shirt and pants, so I can't carry a bigger gun than a derringer, because I can't and I won't carry it open. I don't know what kind of jobs the most of you have, that they can carry a full size pistol like a glock 17 , but for me is the derringer the only way to carry a powerfull gun, sure could I carry .22 like a astra cub or a beretta 950 but that guns have no stopping power.
IWB like Crossbreed and Comp-Tac are excellent in this situation. You can stuff a M&Pc or similar moderate sized CC without difficult.
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Old November 14, 2013, 05:30 PM   #65
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"Usually it's 97 rounds..."

Thats more than my local gun shop has on the shelf right now.

Pilgrim, you must be escorting a real bad dude onto the 3:10 to Yuma.
I'm guessing law enforcement or military, no?
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Old November 14, 2013, 05:44 PM   #66
Tactical Jackalope
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How many shots is enough

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Originally Posted by zincwarrior View Post
I'm guessing law enforcement or military, no?
Not anymore. I dropped that genetic "I want to be a hero" cape a while ago. It's not worth it in this city. My eyes are opened so wide right now they can probably never shut.
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Old November 14, 2013, 05:57 PM   #67
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For CC, somewhere between 5 and 22 rounds. After that, I run out of mag pouches.
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Old November 14, 2013, 06:18 PM   #68
Tactical Jackalope
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How many shots is enough

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Originally Posted by Spats McGee View Post
For CC, somewhere between 5 and 22 rounds. After that, I run out of mag pouches.
Ahem! ......
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Old November 14, 2013, 06:48 PM   #69
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Currently for winter time I carry 45 rounds of 9mm.

Quote:
For CC, somewhere between 5 and 22 rounds. After that, I run out of mag pouches.
Mr. McGee I hope you don't end up spending more time reloading than shooting!

Quote:
Statistically, isn't the average gunfight something like 1.7 rounds?
Sounds more like a shooting than a gunfight!
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Old November 14, 2013, 07:30 PM   #70
Knightsofnee
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I believe it was Col. Cooper who said the purpose of a handgun is to allow you to fight your way to a rifle or shotgun, so I guess the answer depends on how far away you are from your big hardware.
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Old November 14, 2013, 07:38 PM   #71
Tactical Jackalope
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How many shots is enough

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Originally Posted by Knightsofnee View Post
I believe it was Col. Cooper who said the purpose of a handgun is to allow you to fight your way to a rifle or shotgun, so I guess the answer depends on how far away you are from your big hardware.
In war. Yes. Normal citizen CCW, no. Not likely. Your secondary becomes your primary when that's all you have.
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Old November 14, 2013, 09:57 PM   #72
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@ Constantine....I hear you!!!
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Old November 14, 2013, 11:02 PM   #73
Andy Blozinski
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As has already been mentioned, you're VERY unlikely to need to reload. That being said, part of carrying is also what makes one feel safe and comfortable in life. If packing an extra mag, just in case, makes you feel more confident...you should. When the stuff hits the fan, you'll probably shoot better with that extra confidence. In my opinion, if you truly do need more than one extra mag, you're screwed because obviously you're in a situation that requires something more serious than a pistol.
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Old November 15, 2013, 12:04 AM   #74
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im a reformed 45 auto fan now a 9mm advocate. least for concealed carry. I think there are allot of assumptions about stopping power of the larger bullets that has not been supported by long term studies. My feeling is that someone should carry as large a capacity weapon as they can manage. 19 in my xdm compact is fine capacity wise but the long grip detracts from me wanting to carry the piece unless it can be covered under a coat or jacket, though with the 13 rounders its hidded well and lighter and I feel more likely ill carry that or my lc9 depending on concealment needs, no way would I sacrifice several rounds in the mag to bump up to the 40 or 45 or carry a full size pistol with fewer rounds on the belief that theres some huge difference in stopping power with the larger bullets. that's a myth not born out in fact. there might be some truth in stopping power when moving to magnum revolver calibers like the 357 or 44mag but at a huge sacrifice imo of capacity. wont even get into controllability for quick repeat shots where large calibers and magnums really are more difficult to control. Studies have shown the chances for hollow point bullet expansion are so low that your depending on sheer luck not science to one shot a bg because your packing a 45 with super-duper flying ashtray hollowpoints. again a myth that's been promoted over years that doesn't prove out in recent long term actual shooting data. The 40s&w, the bren 10 light ill call it. lets face it the 40 was the fbi`s answer to a problem that didn't exist. I don't know why I guess marketing, can sell more guns if there offered in many calibers, to us to police to military. Then of course you have the fans who tout the larger calibers, I used too, so I am familiar with that aspect. wasn't until I researched it when getting into concealed carry that ive come across this caliber conspirasy for lack of a good word. you can look at it like this, you have a size gun you can live with, you can opt for a 45 40 or 9mm, or 11,10, 9 mm bullet size, throw out expansion of the bullet. data supports that all three will get around the same amount of penetration in the target. holes in the target will cause said target(bg) to bleed out. well we all know how many shot you loose stepping up a millimeter, now ask if that extra millimeter is more likely to boost your odds that the bg will bleed out before he gets you or would you prefer a few extra rounds to convince him the error of his ways? anyway, I opt for the extra rounds the cheaper practice and faster shot to shot times of the 9mm.

I will say that those who like the magnum revolvers might have more likelyhood of bullet expansion due to much higher velocities. shock value would be more though stats ive seen don't bear out shock value of being struck by pistol rounds. were not talking about shooting steel plates and a hole threw the bad guy where there was no central nervous system involvement is not going to be significantly different from one round to any other. again, my opinion based on the data and analisys ive read :sourced fbi studies. and I can see where some could point to that same information and justify a larger caliber because of the actual low percentage of hits made on bad guys by even trained leo`s. But imo id rather up my odds for more hits by starting with more rounds on tap to begin with..
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Old November 15, 2013, 05:20 PM   #75
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Studies have shown the chances for hollow point bullet expansion are so low that your depending on sheer luck . . .
I would like to see a link to the studies you are referring to in that. I agree with your overall point that no one should count on a one shot stop with a handgun, but I am interested in knowing how infrequently and under what conditions modern hollow points fail to expand in the major calibers.
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