Comfort level on ammo configuration

[BreechFace]

15+1 with a 15 round reload. But more often than not I don't carry a spare magazine

 

[Zendude]

I would go with the double stack. My reasoning is that the odds of pulling off a successful reload against an attacker at close range is less than the chances of a magazine malfunction of the double stack (assuming you’ve tested the gun for reliability with the SD ammo). Anything can happen, so my logic would dictate preparing best for the most likely situation. When gambling, take the best odds.

 

[Buzznrose]

Honestly, it's a toss up. The main reason to carry a reload is in case of magazine failure. Needing more bullets is also a thing.

However, if no mag failure, reloading can cause issues too like dropped or mis-seated magazines.

Bigger mags are always better in theory...as long as they don't fail.

Buy quality magazines, make sure they work well, and take care of them.

 

[aaronu]

I voted single stack +1 mag.

A single stack is going to be easier to deal with. Conceals with a wider selection of clothing, less printing etc. Mostly because I could choose a much smaller and more concealable firearm. Not talking about a 1911 here. My carry choices have included Sig P230 in 380, Kel-Tec P3AT, NAA Guardian and on some occasions just an NAA mini in 22 LR. Both the P365 and Hellcat are appealing, but still bulkier than everything except the P230.

Given the choices offered, the single stack + mag also allows for leaving the spare mag behind if I deem appropriate. Many times I have done so.

It is all playing the odds. Caliber wars included, carry method included, etc. If we all knew we had to head into a gunfight we would head the other way... and if that were not an option we'd be carrying the meanest option available to us be that a 911 call, battle rifle, shotgun etc. But we don't so we make trade-offs; comfort/concealability vs. perceived risk.

 

[Good Ol' Boy]

My carry gun is a 12+1 and I carry a spare 12rd mag.

If I had to choose in your poll it would be the higher capacity kit.

 

[bassjam]

If I had to choose between those I'd go with the 8+1 gun and leave the spare mag at home.

 

[psyopspec]

In practice I always carry a spare regardless of the gun's capacity.

That said, I have yet to find a single instance where a reload by a civilian carrier was necessary to finish the fight. If anyone is aware of one, at-mention me please, would love to see it. With that in mind, for the purposes of OP's thought exercise I'd rather have the gun with more ammo on deck.

 

[Mauser lover]

Ah! Part of me says that two single stack magazines are better, but my habits show that I don’t take an extra magazine. On my belt now is a CZ 75 compact, with 14+1. I used to take an extra magazine, but they are so obvious on the belt and so inconvenient in the pocket. They sink to the bottom, make that pocket useless for anything else, and get packed full of lint. Plus, as already said by others, I have too much junk to carry as it is. I had to answer the poll favoring the single magazine with no reload.

I also figure that if I have the time to fix a stoppage with a reload, I am probably under some sort of cover and have the time to fix the stoppage and reload with the original magazine.

 

[Old Dog]

Eh, I'd go with option 1, only because I've never carried an auto-pistol without a spare mag, for the valid reasons already noted.

Even when I'm carrying a double-stack with 17 plus 1 or 18 plus 1, I've got at least one spare mag (often a 20 or 21 round mag).

and fail in such a way that a fresh magazine would fix the issue; and in such scenario that I would have the time to fix the problem by switching the magazine during the fight.....just seems really really freaking unlikely.

As an old academy instructor I knew used to say, "It's not the odds; it's the stakes."

And I have seen so many malfunctions over the years (granted, mostly on the range or in competition, but a couple in the military during crunch-time) to know that Murphy's Law is immutable.

 

[WrongHanded]

As an old academy instructor I knew used to say, "It's not the odds; it's the stakes."

That's certainly a fair statement. But most of us don't carry 4 different guns with spare mags for each, even though it's technically possible we could suffer 3 separate firearms failing one after another in a self defense shooting. Gotta draw the line somewhere. Everyone gets to choose where for themselves.

 

[JTHunter]

Would it not be faster for most people to do a "rack & tap" than a mag change in the event of a jam? Sure, an accidental ejection of the magazine w/o a spare would not be good but isn't some kind of feed jam be more likely than a dropped magazine?

 

[herrwalther]

Would it not be faster for most people to do a "rack & tap" than a mag change in the event of a jam? Sure, an accidental ejection of the magazine w/o a spare would not be good but isn't some kind of feed jam be more likely than a dropped magazine?

There are multiple of different types of failures. For most ammo related failures, ejecting the problem round for a fresh one will solve most issues. Carrying a spare magazine and using that will solve complex ammo or magazine related issues.

 

[WrongHanded]

Seems like the number of malfunctions that could be solved with a new magazine vs the one in the firearms are pretty limited. Even if the one in the gun needs yanking out, then it's in the hand. Perhaps not everyone can manipulate a slide with a magazine in their hand? But I'd certainly rather deal with the one in my mitt right then than drop it and have to go scrabbling under a cover garment for a spare.

 

[Howland937]

I can't help but feel like the 8+1+8=17 vs 16+1 comes down to preferred caliber of carry as much as anything else. I carry an officer sized Sig 1911 in .45 because it's small and light enough to be easily concealable but I shoot it better than I have other carry sized guns. I carry a spare mag (or 2) because it lacks capacity. I could opt for higher capacity, but sacrifice shootability....or concealability. Might be making up words now...

Anyway, I choose what functions best for me. I sometimes carry a back up and spare mag for it. Usually only if I know I'm going to be far from home or far from my vehicle.

I voted option 1.
I do wonder how many people pack an extra box of ammo when they take off on a trip. I've done it specifically to avoid having additional loaded mags, for fear that the optics of having 6 loaded mags vs 3+ a box of ammo would somehow be worse.

 

[Phaedrus/69]

I do wonder how many people pack an extra box of ammo when they take off on a trip. I've done it specifically to avoid having additional loaded mags, for fear that the optics of having 6 loaded mags vs 3+ a box of ammo would somehow be worse.

I've done this, taken a box or two of ammo along. But usually not so much to save mag springs or anything; it's out of laziness of not wanting to load all the mags or sometimes a lack of mags. If I don't have a lot of mags I'll take what I have and ammo to top them off. However my gun collection is not vast, so at the moment I have a good supply of mags for the guns I use/carry a lot. The one gun I don't have much of any spares for is my Ruger Mk I/Standard Model. Supposedly newer MkIII mags should work but they do not, not sure if there's been a dimensional change over the years or what. None of the spare mags I've found to purchase really work with the gun so I have two good working mags.

 

[herrwalther]

Seems like the number of malfunctions that could be solved with a new magazine vs the one in the firearms are pretty limited. Even if the one in the gun needs yanking out, then it's in the hand. Perhaps not everyone can manipulate a slide with a magazine in their hand? But I'd certainly rather deal with the one in my mitt right then than drop it and have to go scrabbling under a cover garment for a spare.

I see three distinct reasons for carrying a spare magazine. Listed in order of importance and likelihood: it helps balance out my belt, just in case for a magazine failure, and need more rounds in the event I need my firearm and I run out. My chance of being involved in a defensive firearm encounter are low and needing more ammo is even lower. But never zero.

I do wonder how many people pack an extra box of ammo when they take off on a trip. I've done it specifically to avoid having additional loaded mags, for fear that the optics of having 6 loaded mags vs 3+ a box of ammo would somehow be worse.

The only time I pack extra is when I travel a few hundred miles to visit my mother in law, in another state. I pack an extra magazine. Between the three mags, I have a whole box of ammo with me. With the completion of my AR pistol, I may bring that along as well.

 

[Phaedrus/69]

There's another reason I'd want a spare mag if I didn't carry an HK- to replace the mag that falls out onto the ground when I stand up! Back in the day I carried a Colt Commander that had a slightly oversized mag release button. It was hell-and-Jesus at the range but about 1/4 of the time I carried the gun the mag button would be bumped and the mag would hit the the ground when I got up from a chair or out of a car. This happened occasionally with a few guns but it was worst with that Colt.

 

[SnowBlaZeR2]

I generally carry a single stack 15+1 with an extra magazine, but I'm not worried if my activities make it more comfortable and convenient to leave the spare behind.

 

[wcwhitey]

I carry in many states for business under HR218. Under HR218 you must obey the ammunition and magazine capacity limits of the state you are in. On the east coast there is a hodgepodge of rules, no hollow points, 10 round max capacity, etc. When I travel I carry a single stack 9mm with multiple magazines, one with just ball for those states where HP’s are verboten. Put that Mag in change it out as soon as I leave. Pain in the behind but it’s important to stay in compliance.

 

[shafter]

I'd take the 16+1. If someone crashes through my door or some drug crazed lunatic is charging at me with a knife or shooting at me and I don't get the job done with the first 8 rounds I surely don't want to have to take a break to reload.

However, since since this is concealed carry compromises need to be made. It's a lot more feasible to carry a S&W Shield with a spare magazine than it is to carry a full size Glock.

 

[magyars4]

Two mags for me... but that's more of my CC piece..whatever I carry, I don't want to end up with an expensive rock.

 

[Mike J]

I didn't vote. If carrying I always have a spare magazine. FWIW I carry 13 + 1 of .40 with a 15 round spare mag. I have never considered a magazine blocky or obvious.

 

[Llew Taranau]

.45 ACP: 7 rnds + 7 rnd mag
9 mm: 11 rnds + 11 rnd mag

 

[Howland937]

.45 ACP: 7 rnds + 7 rnd mag
9 mm: 11 rnds + 11 rnd mag

No chambered round? Or are your mags different capacity? Not asking to judge, just asking. I used to carry a flush fit in, and back ups with bumpers because I thought the flush fit mag concealed better. I quit worrying about it, but all my carry mags in .45 are 7 rounders.

 

[Howland937]

Two mags for me... but that's more of my CC piece..whatever I carry, I don't want to end up with an expensive rock.

Most handguns aren't very aerodynamic rocks either.