The rational some people have of such a discussion can be quite interesting. If not, down right funny. I figured i'd ask a few people I work with how much they believe they should carry. Mind you, the vast majority of people where I live have a much different opinion of guns. However, as with ALL discussions, I knew it would evolve into something else. And here's the evolution.
Positions:
1. Carry whatever the gun has in it. e.g. revolver 5-6 and semi whatever.
2. Carry whatever the gun has, plus 1 additional speed load or magazine.
3. One group saying; well, if you're going to have that revolver, 1911 with 7 rounds, or other <10 round pistol, plus an additional magazine; why not just have a 15+ round type of pistol, and not worry about the 2nd magazine.
4. Response is: Why then not just have a 15+ round pistol with another magazine as backup; now you have 30 rounds.
When the dust settled in the discussion, the consensus was. (And this is among about 7 people who have also lived in large cities, military service, etc...). In other words, not just some rural hicks with no understanding of the "REAL WORLD" that some people think most of wyoming, montana, idaho, etc... are.
1. Whatever the gun comes with, is more than enough. (Because the gun is the LAST means of defense).
2. A 2nd magazine is totally legitimate in case there is a mechanical problem with the first magazine. HOWEVER: Everyone agreed that if you got the 1st round off, which chances are you would, and had a jam, feed, etc... issue; A) Bad guy probably left running or is dead from the 1st shot or B) You'd probably try automatically racking the slide to clear the stovepipe, jam, etc... before dropping the mag and reaching for another magazine. and C) If you DID have to reach for a 2nd magazine, because of all the problems with the first one; then you're probably in a lot of trouble, because the bad guy is going to be on your a$$. You're not going to have that kind of time.
So basically, the only reason we could think of a 2nd magazine was if the 1st one had issues. But if the 1st one had issues, then you're screwed with trying to re-rack and fix the original one, or deciding to drop it and reach for another mag. So, a revolver is the better choice. Chances of not being able to shoot most/all round in the cylinder is slim to none. But everyone agreed, not that our opinion matters, that an additional magazine isn't needed for the extra rounds. Just for mechanical backup. Additional rounds, meaning more than the original gun capacity, is for the zombie killers, paranoid, and those who don't know reality. So it's not a matter of how many rounds. That's whatever is in the gun you carry. If you like the gun that feels and shoots good, and it happens to have 15+ rounds, that's good. And if you want a backup magazine because the first might fail; that's understandable. But I and many others really doubt that you're going to every get to use that 2nd one if there's a malfunction. You're first instinct after having a malfunction with a magazine fed pistol is not to drop the magazine. It's to try and clear the malfunction by racking it again. I doubt you'll ever get to the 2nd magazine. But apparently, there are some that think they could actually have a need for more than the amount of bullets that the gun original holds. No response for them. They think they could get into a gang shootout or a gun fight, or that hollywood movies is real life. No changing their understanding of reality.
