Feanaro,
Well, I guess why not carry two spares? Four? Why not carry a spare fuel can in the car? How about four spare tires? Your logic, while sound, works both ways. At some point you draw the line. We all choose based on what we feel is reasonable. We make our decisions (whatever they may be) and move on. Some of us are comfortable with less (or more) than others. I've usually got no more than 6-7 rounds on me. On some days I have 10 (or 13), but usually not.
My opinion, based on my experience and the experience of my LEO father (and grandfather) is that if you live to see the bottom of your magazine you're very, very fortunate. Surviving an engagement where you fire 6-8 (directed) rounds (or more) is far more telling of your luck than skill. That many rounds insinuates either a very, very determined attacker or multiple opponents. In the former case, you'd best be ready with a head shot. You won't get the opportunity to fire more than one or two (if that) directed rounds at such a small target before it closes (or shoots you). The only alternative is to fire blindly at the head; we all know how well that works out. Now, people live through these situations all the time, but then people also win the lottery. Personally, I don't count on that kind of luck being there for me.
Engaging multiple armed opponents outside an IDPA match results in death. The probability of surviving such an encounter long enough to need a reload is infintesimal. A blindingly fast grandmaster level IPSC shooter could, in full gaming gear, do an El Presidente in 4.75 seconds. Factor in a street holster and stress. How fast can you turn around and neutralize three opponents. Even at the grandmaster level, you'd be shot before you can hit the third one.
Mixing the two scenarios results in your chances for survival approaching zero. I agree it's best to be prepared, but we all have to make a reasoned decision how far to go. Of course, I'm one of the guys who doesn't own a black rifle and doesn't have a rehearsed SHTF plan. I guess you could rightly call me unprepared for the most extreme scenarios. I run a mile daily, My concealment holster to shot on target times stay below the one second mark (I can only hope I don't get into a showdown with a GM shooter...), I keep my head on my shoulders and I practice various forms of hand-to-hand somewhat reguarly. My speedloading times aren't bad, either.
I will, however, be the first to admit that if mutant zombie spiders attacked earth tomorrow, I reckon I'd probably be right with the rest of the world thinkg "***?!" as opposed to the prepared few heading out with their BOBs to do battle with said invaders.
Well, I guess why not carry two spares? Four? Why not carry a spare fuel can in the car? How about four spare tires? Your logic, while sound, works both ways. At some point you draw the line. We all choose based on what we feel is reasonable. We make our decisions (whatever they may be) and move on. Some of us are comfortable with less (or more) than others. I've usually got no more than 6-7 rounds on me. On some days I have 10 (or 13), but usually not.
My opinion, based on my experience and the experience of my LEO father (and grandfather) is that if you live to see the bottom of your magazine you're very, very fortunate. Surviving an engagement where you fire 6-8 (directed) rounds (or more) is far more telling of your luck than skill. That many rounds insinuates either a very, very determined attacker or multiple opponents. In the former case, you'd best be ready with a head shot. You won't get the opportunity to fire more than one or two (if that) directed rounds at such a small target before it closes (or shoots you). The only alternative is to fire blindly at the head; we all know how well that works out. Now, people live through these situations all the time, but then people also win the lottery. Personally, I don't count on that kind of luck being there for me.
Engaging multiple armed opponents outside an IDPA match results in death. The probability of surviving such an encounter long enough to need a reload is infintesimal. A blindingly fast grandmaster level IPSC shooter could, in full gaming gear, do an El Presidente in 4.75 seconds. Factor in a street holster and stress. How fast can you turn around and neutralize three opponents. Even at the grandmaster level, you'd be shot before you can hit the third one.
Mixing the two scenarios results in your chances for survival approaching zero. I agree it's best to be prepared, but we all have to make a reasoned decision how far to go. Of course, I'm one of the guys who doesn't own a black rifle and doesn't have a rehearsed SHTF plan. I guess you could rightly call me unprepared for the most extreme scenarios. I run a mile daily, My concealment holster to shot on target times stay below the one second mark (I can only hope I don't get into a showdown with a GM shooter...), I keep my head on my shoulders and I practice various forms of hand-to-hand somewhat reguarly. My speedloading times aren't bad, either.
I will, however, be the first to admit that if mutant zombie spiders attacked earth tomorrow, I reckon I'd probably be right with the rest of the world thinkg "***?!" as opposed to the prepared few heading out with their BOBs to do battle with said invaders. 
