How many rounds are enough to carry....for YOU?

Bachá · June 6, 2016, 08:36 PM

So, we all know the statistics and all of this...

But for YOU... how many rounds are enough to carry in your gun? how many extra magazines/moon clips? why?

How this influenced the gun you carry?

(many people feel they are carrying less than they need but either for conceivability or other thing what carry what they carry)

ritepath · June 6, 2016, 08:55 PM

5-13 rounds depending on what I'm carrying.

90% of the time I don't carry extra mags or a speed loader.

Sharkbite · June 6, 2016, 09:03 PM

My EDC is a G19 with 1 spare mag on me. Mags are downloaded 1 round, so...
14x2+1 (in the chamber) = 29 rounds on my person.

RoughDivider · June 6, 2016, 09:09 PM

My bodyguard I'll have loaded full plus an extra mag. My compact I'll have one loaded and an extra full size mag. If I need anywhere near all of my rounds I'll probably have wished I had my rifle.

K_Mac · June 6, 2016, 09:21 PM

6+1 or 10+1 depending on what I'm up to. I carry a reload depending on the situation. I am much more likely to carry a reload if I'm carrying the LCP (6+1).

Mike38 · June 6, 2016, 09:28 PM

If I'm carrying my revolver, only 5 rounds. But normally I carry a semi, 9 in the pistol with an extra mag of 8.

Bachá · June 6, 2016, 09:30 PM

Quote:

If I need anywhere near all of my rounds I'll probably have wished I had my rifle.

Statistically I seems to me that if you have to reload is because things have gone really, really bad...

But then there are no warranties... look at this poor guy:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjTNFYbDLJQ

Overkill777 · June 6, 2016, 09:33 PM

My policy is I always carry a reload. It's less about the total round count and more about the fact that if I'm putting forth the effort to carry a firearm I might as well put a reload on my hip as well. It's so easy and if I need to use my weapon it will be very comforting to have the extra rounds.

My primary carry is a glock 19 at 15+1+17 glock 17 mag for a total of 33.

My deep concealment carry is an lcp at 6+1+7 round mag for a total of 14.

My woods carry gun is a 357 magnum revolver with either 1 or 2 speedloaders for 12 or 18 rounds.

I feel pretty confident in all those numbers for the situations they are used in.

KenL · June 6, 2016, 09:44 PM

Kahr CW40

6+1 in the gun and one 7 round magazine for a reload.

Brian48 · June 6, 2016, 10:24 PM

Unless I'm traveling on a trip, I'm comfortable with just the 5 shots out of my jframe, 7+1 shots out of my sub-compact 1911, or 10+1 shots out of my SR9C for in and around the house and neighborhood.

I don't intend on getting into any long protracted fire fights, especially with the jframe. 2 or 3 fast shots at point blank range at my assailant(s) and I'm headed in the other direction (either for help or for a bigger gun). He'd be a fool to try and follow me.

XDforever · June 6, 2016, 10:31 PM

I still carry a J frame 5 shot revolver some. However, I also now have an XD Mod 2 subcompact in 9mm that holds 13+1. I also carry a 16 round extended mag in my front pocket. 30 rounds should get the job done.

Joe

t45 · June 7, 2016, 12:00 AM

7+1 (9mm) or 5+1 (45acp) depending on what I'm carrying. No extra mags...

Mozella · June 7, 2016, 01:34 AM

Outside the house I'm a 7+1 kind of guy and I don't plan to be a heroic gun fighter. If two thugs are beating the crap out of you and your wife in a Walmart parking lot, the best you're going to get out of me is a telephone call, probably made from the opposite end of the parking lot.

The firearms instructor at my local range told me there is no documented case of an American civilian involved in a gun fight who reloaded and continued shooting. I have no idea if that's true or not. Anyone have statistics on this?

CajunBass · June 7, 2016, 03:54 AM

When I bought my LC9S, there was an extra magazine in the box. I figure I might as well carry it too.

So that's what? 7+1+ another seven?

Geezer Squid · June 7, 2016, 06:00 AM

EDC is Tristar C100 so that gets me 15 + 1. I do carry a spare mag for that gun. I carry the spare mag due to my concern about a jam, not so TV/Movie style shootout needing reloads. My EDC has NEVER jammed, but it's just so easy to carry a spare mag. Occasionally I will carry my Sig P938 on my ankle. I do that when my life motto gets the best of me; "Anything worth doing is worth over doing".

45_auto · June 7, 2016, 06:02 AM

I'm comfortable with zero the vast majority of the time.

CDW4ME · June 7, 2016, 06:36 AM

Minimum 10 + 1`in the pistol, plus a 10 round spare magazine.
Examples: Glock 26, 29, 30
Its better to have ammo and not need it than need it and not have it.
Lacking a crystal ball or psychic ability, I'd rather try to be prepared than not.
Sometimes stuff happens unexpectedly: San Bernandino, Chattanooga, Sandy Hook, Aroura, Columbine, Heath, Lubys

osbornk · June 7, 2016, 06:56 AM

I figure if 6 doesn't do it, more will not help.

mavracer · June 7, 2016, 07:07 AM

I'm not quitting my job so zero has to be enough at times and my comfort level goes up from there 5>0 and 10>5 and such. I don't get too hung up on capacity I know the averages but that's why I shoot/train so that I'm a lot better than average

pilpens · June 7, 2016, 08:24 AM

9mm 7+1. Sometimes, in less familiar places, I carry an extra 8 round mag.
Will I need more? I hope not.

Adizzle19 · June 7, 2016, 09:48 AM

I usually carry a G19, 15+1, and a spare G17 17 round magazine. When I have to dress around the gun a bit more I carry a 9mm shield, 8+1 and a spare 7 rounder. So either 33 rounds or 16. I carry a spare not only for the extra ammo but also to deal with malfunctions.

But remember, the only times you can have too much ammo are if you're on fire or drowning.

9x45 · June 7, 2016, 10:32 AM

And how often do any of you practice live fire close engagement from concealment with your actual carry gun,full house ammo, with reloads, strong hand only while moving, under a shot timer, and scored? You will be surprised how much harder it is to make good hits and reload a Kahr CW9 than a Glock 17. My answer is I only carry full size Glocks (G17/G31), and one magazine in a Safariland horizontal pouch, so more is always better.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5C1sPmsrtxc

WC145 · June 7, 2016, 10:48 AM

Today is a good example of how I usually carry - I'm wearing a full size 1911 loaded with a flush fit 8rd mag (+1) and two spare 8rd mags.

If I can't carry a 1911 then it's a 5 shot S&W J frame in my pocket plus an 8rd speed strip.

mavracer · June 7, 2016, 11:23 AM

Quote:

You will be surprised how much harder it is to make good hits and reload a Kahr CW9 than a Glock 17.

You'd be suprised how much easier it gets when you don't write it off as being that much harder and actually practice with a smaller gun.

BigJimP · June 7, 2016, 11:23 AM

Statistics are interesting...but often they can be manipulated any number of ways...to suppport whatever decision you want in the end.

Lifestyle, location, time of day, vocation, habits....are all risk factors - some low, some high.../ overall mine are pretty low ...
------------
When I carry, I'm comfortable with a single stack 1911, full sized, in 9mm....so its 10 + 1...and I will always carry an extra mag ( 10 rds ) ...because the mag is the weak link in any semi-auto for failure / not because I need 21 rounds. Different guns - I can or will carry sometimes ...would be a 4" 1911 in 9mm ( 9 +1 ) and a spare mag / a Sig 239 8+1 and a spare mag ( or 7 + 1 in .40 S&W ) / K frame revolver in .357 mag 6 rds and a speed strip with 6 rds in it.

But 90% of the time I will carry the full sized Wilson Combat 1911 in 9mm...its the gun I train with twice a week - and the gun I shoot the best day in and day out.
------------
In my opinion, the most likely confrontation ( is one in a gazillion anyway ) but if it happens, it will all be over in 4 or 5 sec...and probably less than 5 rounds fired so capacity is not the primary issue in my opinion / but mags fail too often in semi-autos ( even though mine don't even in weekly training ) so I carry an extra mag - and I practice my speed and tactical reloads often.

How many rounds are enough ...full capacity in whatever you choose to carry ...5, 6, 7. 8, 9 or 10 or 11...is enough.

June 6, 2016, 08:36 PM	#1
Bachá Senior Member Join Date: December 17, 2015 Posts: 197	How many rounds are enough to carry....for YOU? So, we all know the statistics and all of this... But for YOU... how many rounds are enough to carry in your gun? how many extra magazines/moon clips? why? How this influenced the gun you carry? (many people feel they are carrying less than they need but either for conceivability or other thing what carry what they carry)

June 6, 2016, 08:55 PM	#2
ritepath Senior Member Join Date: February 22, 2009 Location: Virginia Posts: 1,419	5-13 rounds depending on what I'm carrying. 90% of the time I don't carry extra mags or a speed loader. __________________ There's only one...

June 6, 2016, 09:21 PM	#5
K_Mac Senior Member Join Date: September 15, 2010 Posts: 1,850	6+1 or 10+1 depending on what I'm up to. I carry a reload depending on the situation. I am much more likely to carry a reload if I'm carrying the LCP (6+1). __________________ "Any fool can criticize, condemn and complain and most fools do." Benjamin Franklin

June 6, 2016, 10:24 PM	#10
Brian48 Senior Member Join Date: December 21, 2001 Location: Boston, People's Republic of MA Posts: 1,616	Unless I'm traveling on a trip, I'm comfortable with just the 5 shots out of my jframe, 7+1 shots out of my sub-compact 1911, or 10+1 shots out of my SR9C for in and around the house and neighborhood. I don't intend on getting into any long protracted fire fights, especially with the jframe. 2 or 3 fast shots at point blank range at my assailant(s) and I'm headed in the other direction (either for help or for a bigger gun). He'd be a fool to try and follow me. __________________ Proud to have served.

June 7, 2016, 03:54 AM	#14
CajunBass Senior Member Join Date: May 6, 2005 Location: North Chesterfield, Virginia Posts: 4,767	When I bought my LC9S, there was an extra magazine in the box. I figure I might as well carry it too. So that's what? 7+1+ another seven? __________________ For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16 (NKJV)

June 6, 2016, 09:03 PM	#3
Sharkbite Senior Member Join Date: November 4, 2013 Location: Western slope of Colorado Posts: 3,679	My EDC is a G19 with 1 spare mag on me. Mags are downloaded 1 round, so... 14x2+1 (in the chamber) = 29 rounds on my person.

June 6, 2016, 09:09 PM	#4
RoughDivider Senior Member Join Date: August 11, 2014 Location: Collierville, TN Posts: 152	My bodyguard I'll have loaded full plus an extra mag. My compact I'll have one loaded and an extra full size mag. If I need anywhere near all of my rounds I'll probably have wished I had my rifle.

June 6, 2016, 09:28 PM	#6
Mike38 Senior Member Join Date: December 28, 2009 Location: North Central Illinois Posts: 2,710	If I'm carrying my revolver, only 5 rounds. But normally I carry a semi, 9 in the pistol with an extra mag of 8.

June 6, 2016, 09:33 PM	#8
Overkill777 Senior Member Join Date: January 4, 2015 Posts: 267	My policy is I always carry a reload. It's less about the total round count and more about the fact that if I'm putting forth the effort to carry a firearm I might as well put a reload on my hip as well. It's so easy and if I need to use my weapon it will be very comforting to have the extra rounds. My primary carry is a glock 19 at 15+1+17 glock 17 mag for a total of 33. My deep concealment carry is an lcp at 6+1+7 round mag for a total of 14. My woods carry gun is a 357 magnum revolver with either 1 or 2 speedloaders for 12 or 18 rounds. I feel pretty confident in all those numbers for the situations they are used in.

June 6, 2016, 09:44 PM	#9
KenL Senior Member Join Date: May 11, 2011 Location: Colorado Posts: 218	Kahr CW40 6+1 in the gun and one 7 round magazine for a reload.

June 6, 2016, 10:31 PM	#11
XDforever Senior Member Join Date: September 10, 2006 Location: North Texas Posts: 171	I still carry a J frame 5 shot revolver some. However, I also now have an XD Mod 2 subcompact in 9mm that holds 13+1. I also carry a 16 round extended mag in my front pocket. 30 rounds should get the job done. Joe

June 7, 2016, 12:00 AM	#12
t45 Senior Member Join Date: January 29, 2010 Location: Foothills, NC Posts: 782	7+1 (9mm) or 5+1 (45acp) depending on what I'm carrying. No extra mags...

June 7, 2016, 01:34 AM	#13
Mozella Member Join Date: April 17, 2015 Posts: 83	Outside the house I'm a 7+1 kind of guy and I don't plan to be a heroic gun fighter. If two thugs are beating the crap out of you and your wife in a Walmart parking lot, the best you're going to get out of me is a telephone call, probably made from the opposite end of the parking lot. The firearms instructor at my local range told me there is no documented case of an American civilian involved in a gun fight who reloaded and continued shooting. I have no idea if that's true or not. Anyone have statistics on this?

June 7, 2016, 06:00 AM	#15
Geezer Squid Junior Member Join Date: April 8, 2011 Location: Baton Rouge, LA Posts: 8	EDC is Tristar C100 so that gets me 15 + 1. I do carry a spare mag for that gun. I carry the spare mag due to my concern about a jam, not so TV/Movie style shootout needing reloads. My EDC has NEVER jammed, but it's just so easy to carry a spare mag. Occasionally I will carry my Sig P938 on my ankle. I do that when my life motto gets the best of me; "Anything worth doing is worth over doing".

June 7, 2016, 06:02 AM	#16
45_auto Senior Member Join Date: November 21, 2011 Location: Southern Louisiana Posts: 1,399	I'm comfortable with zero the vast majority of the time.

June 7, 2016, 06:36 AM	#17
CDW4ME Senior Member Join Date: March 18, 2009 Posts: 1,321	Minimum 10 + 1`in the pistol, plus a 10 round spare magazine. Examples: Glock 26, 29, 30 Its better to have ammo and not need it than need it and not have it. Lacking a crystal ball or psychic ability, I'd rather try to be prepared than not. Sometimes stuff happens unexpectedly: San Bernandino, Chattanooga, Sandy Hook, Aroura, Columbine, Heath, Lubys __________________ Strive to carry the handgun you would want anywhere, everywhere; forget that good area bullcrap. "Wouldn't want to / Nobody volunteer to" get shot by _____ is not indicative of quickly incapacitating.

June 7, 2016, 06:56 AM	#18
osbornk Senior Member Join Date: August 11, 2012 Location: Mountains of Appalachia Posts: 1,598	I figure if 6 doesn't do it, more will not help.

June 7, 2016, 08:24 AM	#20
pilpens Senior Member Join Date: April 24, 2008 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,696	9mm 7+1. Sometimes, in less familiar places, I carry an extra 8 round mag. Will I need more? I hope not.

June 7, 2016, 09:48 AM	#21
Adizzle19 Member Join Date: September 6, 2014 Posts: 75	I usually carry a G19, 15+1, and a spare G17 17 round magazine. When I have to dress around the gun a bit more I carry a 9mm shield, 8+1 and a spare 7 rounder. So either 33 rounds or 16. I carry a spare not only for the extra ammo but also to deal with malfunctions. But remember, the only times you can have too much ammo are if you're on fire or drowning.

June 7, 2016, 10:32 AM	#22
9x45 Senior Member Join Date: January 14, 2000 Location: Southern California Posts: 1,089	And how often do any of you practice live fire close engagement from concealment with your actual carry gun,full house ammo, with reloads, strong hand only while moving, under a shot timer, and scored? You will be surprised how much harder it is to make good hits and reload a Kahr CW9 than a Glock 17. My answer is I only carry full size Glocks (G17/G31), and one magazine in a Safariland horizontal pouch, so more is always better. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5C1sPmsrtxc __________________ Sometimes my Glock forgets where to look.....

June 7, 2016, 10:48 AM	#23
WC145 Senior Member Join Date: October 18, 2008 Location: Downeast Maine Posts: 1,836	Today is a good example of how I usually carry - I'm wearing a full size 1911 loaded with a flush fit 8rd mag (+1) and two spare 8rd mags. If I can't carry a 1911 then it's a 5 shot S&W J frame in my pocket plus an 8rd speed strip. __________________ "If violent crime is to be curbed, it is only the intended victim who can do it. The felon does not fear the police, and he fears neither judge or jury. Therefore what he must be taught to fear is his victim." - LtCol Jeff Cooper

June 7, 2016, 11:23 AM	#25
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	Statistics are interesting...but often they can be manipulated any number of ways...to suppport whatever decision you want in the end. Lifestyle, location, time of day, vocation, habits....are all risk factors - some low, some high.../ overall mine are pretty low ... ------------ When I carry, I'm comfortable with a single stack 1911, full sized, in 9mm....so its 10 + 1...and I will always carry an extra mag ( 10 rds ) ...because the mag is the weak link in any semi-auto for failure / not because I need 21 rounds. Different guns - I can or will carry sometimes ...would be a 4" 1911 in 9mm ( 9 +1 ) and a spare mag / a Sig 239 8+1 and a spare mag ( or 7 + 1 in .40 S&W ) / K frame revolver in .357 mag 6 rds and a speed strip with 6 rds in it. But 90% of the time I will carry the full sized Wilson Combat 1911 in 9mm...its the gun I train with twice a week - and the gun I shoot the best day in and day out. ------------ In my opinion, the most likely confrontation ( is one in a gazillion anyway ) but if it happens, it will all be over in 4 or 5 sec...and probably less than 5 rounds fired so capacity is not the primary issue in my opinion / but mags fail too often in semi-autos ( even though mine don't even in weekly training ) so I carry an extra mag - and I practice my speed and tactical reloads often. How many rounds are enough ...full capacity in whatever you choose to carry ...5, 6, 7. 8, 9 or 10 or 11...is enough.