[Old Grumpy]

I've carried for quite a few years, and I started off with a S&W Model 64 or my Security Six. As I got more accustomed to CCW and expanded my inventory I moved on to a 1911, then a Sig P232, or a Sig P226. I currently rotate my CCW every few months. I train and practice with all of them regularly. I have also read and "discussed" carry capacity on different sites and with fellow shooters. Honestly it can be a hot topic. I was taught to hit what I was shooting at and to make every shot count. I wish to cast this out for responses from my fellow forum members.

Do you carry a semi-automatic or carry a revolver?
Do you carry reloads for you CCW on you?

If you carry a semi-automatic, is it high capacity (15+)?
If you carry a revolver, do you carry reloads?

Grumpy

 

[89bruin]

Always semi-automatic. Highest capacity is 12 rounds. I usually have around 30 rounds in extra magazines. If I need more than that I brought the wrong gun to the fight to begin with.

 

[surveyor1995]

I carry a P938 7+1 cocked and locked at 4 o'clock outside with two 7 round mags on my left side...I feel ok with that! All factory ammo.

 

[Jack Ruger]

Semi 9mm, 10 to 13 rds, no additional mags, factory ammo.

Local lawyer and CCW Safe.

 

[Joenaper]

90+% of time .380 6+1 no spare mag. When/if I’m going to be in what I consider an unavoidable riskier environment or traveling out of town generally 10+1 9mm with 17 round spare mag.

 

[yavapaisam]

This is a question almost no one asks their attorney, but everyone should.

Everyone here does have a lawyer, don't they? 🙄

As you cannot control where you might find yourself in front of your favorite judge and prosecutor, the difference between walking around MY town with a 7-8 shot weapon and a 17 shot pistol plus an extra mag or two, may just have bearing on the rest of your life. JMHO.

Armchair commandos flame on!

 

[brnwlms]

I have been carrying a CCO 1911 in .45 ACP for the last couple years so I carry with 7 rounds. I don’t do the +1. I have carried everything from the high cap 9mm’s to 5 shot revolvers. For me and the way I carry, the slim 1911 works great. I don’t worry about capacity. I personally think too much is made of it. I do carry an extra loaded magazine, not because I think I will need it in an extended gunfight, but in the case of some unforeseen event that might require another magazine. One example I think of is Jeff Cooper tells a story of how he got out of a car one time and the floor plate of his magazine caught on something and he ripped it off, turning his gun into a single shot.

And yes, @yavapaisam, I do have an attorney and carry insurance.

 

[yavapaisam]

+1. 🤠👍

 

[Corndog]

Glock G26. Plus 2 magazine. Thirteen rounds of HST. No extra mag. Same ammo as our local PD carries. Compact version of same gun that our PD carries.

Should the worst ever happen, I want to say I am carrying what a LEO carries.

Call me conservative.

 

[Old Grumpy]

90+% of time .380 6+1 no spare mag. When/if I’m going to be in what I consider an unavoidable riskier environment or traveling out of town generally 10+1 9mm with 17 round spare mag.

Before I retired, I occasionally would be assigned a job in some extremely rough areas. One I remember having a Police escort (he carried is sidearm, a riot gun, a M16, and wore tactical body armor. He never looked my way, just up and down the street. The shotgun and M16 were in his trunk, which he kept open. On that occasion I had my carry weapon, a backup pistol, and a couple spare magazines. Normally I carry what's in my weapon of the day with a spare magazine or speed-loader close to hand.

Grumpy

 

[Wildtoad]

I carry either my LCPII .380 (6+1) or my LCPII .22 (10+1). Statistically neither pistol will be shot in anger or under duress. Just having some protection just incase is all I need.

 

[Angry Hippo]

Your gun probably isn't going to need a reload and even if it does you probably won't have time to use it.
You gun probably should be a revolver... many examples where generally reliable (IE Glock, Sig, S&W) semi-autos are turned into single shots from malfunctions. Sometimes user induced, sometimes induced by the attacker. Sometimes bad luck. Revolvers aren't perfect, either, but I don't see nearly as many instances of them jamming up when they're needed most.

Regarding lawyers:

Your lawyer's advice when asked what gun you should carry should go something like this:
You: What gun should I carry?
Lawyer: A legal one. Try not to shoot anyone with it. That sort of thing is both expensive and difficult to defend.

If he gives you more advice than that you should probably seek out new counsel.

Lawful self defense is lawful self defense. If your choice of weapon/ammo/capacity is being questioned to suggest your use of force wasn't lawful YOU ALREADY SCREWED UP.

 

[GJeffB]

Direct replies, plus a comment:

Q: Do you carry a semi-automatic or carry a revolver?
Semiauto 95%, revolver 5%
Q: Do you carry reloads for you CCW on you?
One spare magazine for the Shield, occasionally one 5 shot speed loader for the S&W 442

Q: If you carry a semi-automatic, is it high capacity (15+)?
as above not high capacity. Shield is 8+1, spare is 7
Q: If you carry a revolver, do you carry reloads?
as above, 1 speed loader now and again

Comment: the spare magazine for the semiauto is NOT for the express purpose of a reload under fire/protracted gunfight. The primary reason is for use in the event of a jam/malfunction/stoppage. If I truly believed there's more than a 1 in bazillion chance of running out of ammo in a gunfight (I know, IF it were to happen I'd change my mind) I'd be walking around town with the AR and 5 magazines (<--- obviously hyperbole). What I can conceivably envision is any manner of shooter induced malfunction while shielding (no pun intended) the family or operating the "Emergency Exit Alarm Will Sound" door.

Having said all that, I sometimes carry the speed loader for the additional capacity, directly contravening the above, though never expecting it to ever get into play.

-jb, ammo conservationist unless I and/or family under immanent direct attack

 

[brnwlms]

I have said it before and I will say it again, if you carry, get carry insurance like USCCA or Law Shield. Even if, god forbid, you find yourself in the situation, it sends a message to the prosecutor. Look at the news lately and how emotion and politics make their way into cases instead of law. So insurance is protection against an overzealous prosecutor. It sends the message that you are prepared to fight for your life, whereas there have been cases of good shootings from a self defense POV that have led to a prosecutor overcharging in order to get a win. They know the case is a loser from the law standpoint, but they also know it will be a long and expensive process for the defendant so the goal is to pressure the defendant into a plea deal with financial ruin being the alternative, even with a favorable verdict.

 

[Super Trucker]

I carry a NORMAL capacity semi auto (17+1), then a j-frame as a BUG.
I carry at least two spare mags and an IFAK also.

Depending on where I'm going there may or may not be a rifle caliber option with normal capacity mags in the truck.

I live 20 miles from the 46th most dangerous city in the world, so excuse me laughing at those that think a revolver or mouse gun is plenty. This isn't the only dangerous area of the country and in 2022 criminals can drive to a city near you if they do desire, why be easy prey?

I know multiple people that have been in SD situations with 4 to 6 thugs, not having enough rounds would mean automatic death.

Home invasions with multiple people are very common and most aren't even news anymore it happens so often.
There was one in TX a couple years ago that had over 70 rounds fired by all parties involved.

To me a 6 shot revolver or little .380 is just asking for problems.

 

[LimaCharlie]

It depends on where I am and what I am doing. I usually carry a government model 1911 in .45 ACP (7+1) or 10 mm (8+1) plus one or two spare magazines in the local area. I often pocket carry a Sig P938 9mm with a spare magazine as a secondary handgun.

If I feel the need for more capacity, I switch to my FNH FNX-45 Tactical with (15+1) capacity and two spare magazines. If I feel the need for more power, I switch to a revolver in .44 magnum or .454 Cashull with two speed loaders.

 

[50 State]

Armchair commandos flame on!

I'd rather be tried by 12 than carried out by 6.

Nevertheless, I agree that people have been fooled by the old platitudes about courts being about the search for the truth, yada yada yada.

When you're falsely accused, it may not be like the Rittenhouse case of being acquitted after an 18-month ordeal.

The Rittenhouse case was unusual in having an older judge who followed traditional constitutional law. Younger judges would have seen to it that the jury act on the basis of prejudice and convict him of something, anything as a matter of principle.

They prosecuted Rittenhouse because with another judge they would have had a high probability of obtaining a wrongful conviction.

 

[Gsokk]

Depends on the weather. 1 sw 340pd with one speed strip. 2 two sw 340pds with one speed strip 3 hkp30 with one spare mag and sw340pd in pocket

 

[baltimoreed]

I currently carry a Jframe with 2 bianchi 6 rd strips= 17. That’s 8.5 bad guys [double taps] assuming they give me time to reload.

 

[89bruin]

I took an operators course several years ago taught by several ex-FBI hostage rescue team members and one of their chief points of emphasis was that one fires on the target until the assailant is driven to the ground. They had lots of examples where relying on double-taps got officers killed. In my mind that necessitates more than a single magazine.