Civilian gunfights involving a reload.

[armoredman]

If someones asks, how many "bullets" do you need, I'll ask them, why can't I have the whole cartridge?

Here is a dramatic example of how accuracy in a real gunfight goes south.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6W8cHwNuqH4

Admittedly, those police are hampered by the horrible New York Trigger, but two trained police officers shooting at a distance of a few yards in 2012 managed to hit 9 innocent bystanders, with a target that was not running, dodging, or even partially hidden.

Practice, train, get trigger time. Slow is smooth, smooth is fast, or, as one famous gun writer put it, "You can't miss fast enough to win."

BTW, a retired police officer once mentioned that his first gunfight was with the Black panthers in the 60s. He was armed with a 38 revolver and 18 rounds. After the battle was over, he was asked how many rounds he fired - he said three. Turned out, he had three LEFT - he'd reloaded twice and couldn't remember it.

 

[Fiv3r]

I would imagine it would be rare simply because if we look at the data, almost all "presented but not fired" scenarios are not recorded meaning that there are a lot of 0's out there that would bring down the average.

I think the irony is that the guns that might require a reload are the ones where we don't have the time to do it and are more problematic to carry. For me, I carry my revolver reload in a dump pouch or belt slider. I don't like speed loaders as they are bulky and tend to open up when I don't want them to. I also never really liked speed strips. I can thumb in loose rounds quicker. That said, I don't usually worry about carrying a revolver reload religiously. Like a lot of people, I play the odds. Odds are that if I go walking around the neighborhood I live in, I won't need my revolver at all let alone a reload.

If I am going anywhere populated, I will usually carry a semi-auto. Usually a 9mm or .40 sporting 17 or 14 rounds respectively. Because it's so easy, I stuff a spare mag in my watch or coat pocket doubling my load out. Statistics say that I'm probably not going to run the first magazine dry before the threat is stopped, but the reload is easier to pack than that of the revolver.

I would say that the 7-8 round 1911 is a prime example of a firearm where a reload MAY be needed and is both easily packed and administered. While I might not pack another magazine for my 9/40 or my .357, I always bring another 8 rounder when I carry my 1911. Same goes when I carry my LCP. I'm carrying weaker ammo with a lower capacity.

I would say that ambush crime is more of a probability than a direct confrontation. Most of my training is accurate rapid fire CQC distances. I feel that I am way more likely to be jumped from behind than confronted by a gang.

I'm NOT going to try to make a headshot at any distance either, especially if it one those fabled hostage situations. No matter my skill level, I cannot practice enough to factor in stress and other extraneous variables.

My training revolves around defense and retreat. Dump 5-17 center mass and turn the other way in order to get my family out of the hot zone. I'll reload if I have one when I get them to safety. I don't want prolonged engagement. I want escape. If I've done my due diligence of situation awareness, then hopefully evasion keeps me from having to employ something as serious as my weapon in the first place.

A reload is never a bad thing, though.