Minimum Acceptable Capacity For CCW

5 rounds in a J frame is my min. I perfer 8 of 45 acp .

have to go with 5 rounds also in a sp101 or 340pd

Well, for me personally, I want at least 10 rounds. Enough to fight off 2 or 3 attackers before I need to reload.

My carry gun is a G26 with a +1 extension. So 11+1 there. Also carry a spare mag of 11 rounds, and sometimes an extra G19 mag with 15 rounds.

Since my preference runs towards autoloaders, I prefer 8 (7+1) as an absolute minimum capacity, but more is always better.

Since my Glock 17 fully loaded (17+1) weighs less than an unloaded 1911 (which carries 7+1), I get more "problem solver" rounds in a dimensionally smaller package (read: easier to conceal) than the 1911. I view it as a "free lunch" since today's premium 9mm SD ammunition offers performance on par with premium .45 A.C.P. SD ammunition while providing me more than twice the available ammunition of the 1911 without necessitating a reload.

Of course, I still enjoy my Stainless Gov't. Model .45, but I carry the Glock 17 as my CCW/SD weapon because it increases my "comfort level".

I'm fine with the 5 shots in my 642 or the 7+1 in my 1911 govt model. I shoot both reasonably well, and both have proven to be reliable and trustworthy ... features that count far more than capacity for me.

I wanted to vote 30, with six spare mags. Unfortunately that wasn't a choice.

Mo' is better in the bigger, better, faster mindset but 5 would give you a solid defense particularly it is .357 or larger.

10+1 for me. My Taurus Mil-Pro 40 holds 10+1, its a great balance of size and weight in my opinion.

I actually think 9 is fine, that's the size of my Glock 27 flush magazines, if I had a little revolver or pocket auto I would definitely carry it though, and not worry either.

I tend to think in terms of semi-auto calibers, so I voted 8. On the other hand, I should think that 5 of .357 would be sufficient. Nothing against them (I quite enjoy my .357 Blackhawk), wheelguns just tend to be an afterthought for me.

I'd like at least 10+1 but I wouldn't mind carrying a revolver.

In Winter, my options are pretty much unlimited, the usual CCW gun holds 8, but sometimes my 40 gets carried, 12+1 rounds and often a 2nd magazine. In hot weather it's a Bersa .380 with 8, or a J-frame 38. Sure beats not being able to carry anything but a chip on your shoulder!

PJ

I'd be perfectly willing to carry a Ruger SP-101 with some 158 grain magnums, that would be nasty on the recieving end.

I have a couple 5 shot j frames and my G19 w/ std cap mags.

Well....I vote for five rounds as a minimum. I'll often carry a single-action as a sidearm and I don't feel a bit under-gunned as armed. I shoot it well, it is of major caliber, and it is reliable. Five honest rounds and five probable hits should work just fine.

When I carry an auto-loader, it's a 1911. Seven rounds of .45acp is just as comforting. I do carry a spare magazine in the event of a failure.

I'm not in law enforcement or the military, and I don't have grand visions of becoming involved in a gangland firefight. I carry a weapon for self protection against man and beast. Most, if not all encounters can be resolved with a couple of shots. Remember, YOU are the one responsible for EVERY ROUND THAT IS FIRED. The "spray and pray" mentality might be good for the streets of Fallujah, but not here in America.


Hank

Ther still seems to be a trend toward believing that equipment is the answer, rather than midset and skill.

Many years ago, before Big Brother decided to give us permission to carry, I knew a guy who carried a pair of .38 Special American Derringers...which was about as small as you gould get in an O/U two-shooter and still have a viable caliber...one in each front pocket.

He practiced...a lot. He could snag both, and wing off a pair and hit you in the chest at 15 feet with both rounds...drop one and do a border shift...and hit with the other two in less time than it takes to
tell it. A lot less.

4 rounds of .38 Special in two single-action pistols. I've seen him shoot'em. I wouldn't wanna corner him...

Wow, I am really surprised at the number of people who voted for 5. I guess I just assumed that more people would pick higher numbers.

Click to expand...

Well..Given that most people who carry don't really have an actual need to carry, but do so on that one in a million chance...

Most of'em opt for something small and easy to carry.

And given that in the biggest majority of situations that call for a gun to be used...it will take place at a distance of 10 feet or less and it will be decided within 5 seconds and with 3-5 rounds fired from both sides of the argument.

Or, another way...If you can't solve your immediate problem with five or six rounds...you probably can't do it with ten or fifteen.

My current carry weapons are:

6+1 in a .380ACP pocket rocket
5 rounds in a .357 snubby
8+1 rounds in a .45ACP

I have confidence in all of them and my abilities with them.

My ParaOrd Slimhawg (6 rounds)
XD 45 (I only carry 5 rounds)
SP 101 (5 wheel)

I carry full load with the Slimhawg,5 rounds in the XD...loaded 5 rounds 357mag's in the revolver.

I gotta ask, why only 5 in a 13 round mag?? Weight??

My answer is "as many as the gun I am carrying holds", along with spare ammunition to boot. There is no such thing as too much ammo in a gun fight. This is a catch 22 question and it seems to justify the full capacity magazine ban issue. I don't like this question at all, because your answers to five seem to justify the magazine ban of nutered ten round magazines or less.

5 rounds should be more than enough for one, maybe two assailants. If you run into a whole gang of drug crazed former NFL linebackers, you're going to need heavier firepower than any handgun. There aren't many instances where a person needed more than 5 rounds, and those who vote 5 rounds are probably thinking J frame. A .38spl round is plenty competent. Sure, I prefer more than that, but if a J frame is all I can easily hide (wardrobe), I don't feel poorly armed.

I carried a SP101 for a little while, so while 5 sounds low to me now, I wouldn't hesitate to carry that gun again.