How many rounds is enough?

[jmreagan]

The thread "Why not a 1911 or a revolver over a 15 round semi-auto?", has got me rethinking my choice for ccw. To the author of that thread.... thank you, it is a very valid question. To you experienced handgun carriers, how many rounds in a handgun do you consider, is enough? Is it 18, 15, 13, 12, 10......? That thread has me thinking that my Springfield 1911 with 8+1 capacity might just be an outdated choice. Don't get me wrong, my favorite handgun is this semi-custom Loaded model that I am almost surgical with at 10 yards and under: but I have M&P's in .40 caliber with 15+1 capacity. They have the Apex trigger and Ram and I'm almost as good with them as the 1911. I'm at the crossroads where the "Law of Diminishing Returns", is a must travel. Your comments and experience are welcomed, thanks.

[TOrrock]

More is always better if you can get away with it.

I'd say minimum in my area is 10. It's honestly not uncommon for goblins to run in packs of 5 or more.

I say that as a guy who's carried revolvers and 1911's and love them both.

I can't imagine someone being in a situation and ever saying "boy, I sure am glad I only had 7 rounds instead of 14.

Personally I carry a Gen. 3 Glock 19 with one spare mag, mags loaded to 14. Currently rides in a Kramer #3 IWB, which I can wear and conceal comfortably in shorts with a button up short sleeve shirt in the summer.

I have a very nice Wilson CQB sitting in the safe with a Milt Sparks Summer Special II sitting next to it.

If you are going to carry a good 1911 and are proficient with it, two spare mags at the minimum.

[polydeuces]

A while back I read about an incident that occurred locally, where a group of 6 men (gang?), 2 of which were armed, randomly beat up, then shot and killed one man who happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time.
Do the math - if it were you and it became a "firefight" - how many rounds you think would be enough?
If rule #1 is to bring a gun, #2 should be to bring plenty of ammo.

[Reagans Rascals]

to be honest, its completely impossible to say, unless there were some divine way to peak behind the horizon that is the future and distinguish just exactly what formidable foe or foe's we will encounter.

Looking back at prior research at how many rounds are fired on average in a gun fight wont do any good. The odds are the same no matter what. Its like playing the powerball and looking back overtime and using the most picked numbers, in the end it wont matter. The odds are still 1 in 120 mil for each and every draw.

Essentially what I am trying to say is, there is really no way to be certain just how many will get the job done, because there's no way to ever be certain just what you will run into. It could be 1 small man with a knife, or it could be a mentally ill 6'6 280 pound assailant all coked up on PCP....

I say its better to play it safe and go with as much as you can carry and employ safely and still be "legally" concealed.

I carry a Glock 30 13+1 .45 ACP with M3X, and 1 additional 13 round magazine.

[drsal]

A simple glock 19 is more than adequate for every day carry...spare mags and ammo in the car if one decides to stop at the local range on the way home from work is good to have too!

[jmreagan]

Thanks for the replies guys. I guess I was asking how many rounds do you feel comfortable carrying? Each of you have displayed that by stating what you carry. I used to feel comfortable carrying 8+1 in the pistol and 1 or 2 reloads but not anymore. We're moving offices to a shittier side of town, I hate it and I'm working on GTFO but for right now I'm having to deal with it. The M&P with 15+1 with 1 reload makes much more sense. I'm 90% as good as with the 1911. Thanks for helping me make my decision.

[Magic_Salad0892]

15 is my minimum in a double stack pistol.

****ers run in packs, have standard capacity magazines, and shoot back.

I want to be prepared.

[sgtjosh]

Carry what you shoot best. If it is concealable and you are proficient with the reload, you are on the right track. If it is "low-capacity," carry more magazines. Single column magazines are no burden to carry. You can never miss enough times to win a gunfight. Carry what you shoot best.

[Omega Man]

15 is my minimum in a double stack pistol.

****ers run in packs, have standard capacity magazines, and shoot back.

I want to be prepared.

This. And of course there is no way to know how much ammo is "enough". If your lucky, you might know after the fact.

[Magic_Salad0892]

Carry what you shoot best.

It's tempting to agree with this, but I can't. I just can't agree with it.

Why?...

Well... what if you shoot the best with a Jennings .380?... or a Beretta .25 ACP?

How about a Hi-Point C9?

Not suitable. I say pick the gun that fits your needs and train around/to it.

Don't pick the gun you ''shoot best'', ''or fits your hand the best'' and build it around your mission, that's retarded.