Is mag capacity your #1 priority?

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I read a lot of post where folks say they wouldn't buy this or that becasue it will only hold 7-8 rounds. Personally, mag capacity is pretty incidental to me as I look at many other factors first. Is it comfortable in my hand and to shoot. Are the controls positioned well and operate smoothly. Do the sights work for the intended mission. Does it meet the need I have such as carry gun, truck gun, range gun, etc.

I have 2 high capacity double stacks but it's because they met all the other criteria first. My latest buy was a Sig 225 (P6) which is a single stack 8 rounder - it may end up as my carry gun as slim & compact is the highest priority for that. Just interested in any and all opinions...
 
Mag capacity is the last thing I look at.( stuck at a max of 10 anyways in CA.) I'm much more worried about things like, will it go bang every time, does it point well, can I shoot it fast and accuratly... etc
 
No.

Since it seems you are talking about a carry/defensive handgun, here are my priorities, roughly in order. Others may have a different opinion and that's OK.

1. Reliability
2. Portability or Concealability
3. Speed of deployment
4. Stopping power
5. Accuracy and/or Shootability
6. Durability
7. Capacity
8. Ease of maintenance and availability of parts

As you can see, capacity is pretty far down there. I don't forsee myself fighting off hordes of airborne triggerfish so I figure a tool to assist me in my exit from Dodge is an adequate one. If my exit is hampered, tactics, spare mags or a BUG make up the difference.
 
I wasn't really focusing on carry/defense pistols, just bottom feeders in general. What brought me to do this thread is I see a lot of folks say things like "it's a great gun but I wouldn't buy one because it only holds 8", etc...
 
The guys who have fantasies of having to stand off the Crips single-handed will go on about needing 15-round mags and only carrying 4 spares at the beach, etc...I guess I'm dangerously undergunned, but I normally carry 8 rounds in my PF-9, and though I'll get one sooner or later, I currently don't even carry a reload. The shame...
 
I carry a 3032 Tomcat made by Beretta. Yes, it's .32acp, but I'm accurate with it, it runs 100%, and it's small enough to carry fairly much 24/7 under just a t-shirt while still remaining quick to draw.

Forgot to add that it carries 7+1.
 
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For a defensive pistol, I am first and foremost concerned with:

1) reliability
2) accuracy
3) stopping power**
4) durability

I look to **"total firepower". It is reasonable to assert that 10 rounds of .45 ACP possess as-much total firepower-as a 15 rounds 9mm, perhaps even more.
 
Reliability is #1

Mag capacity is near the end of the list. I prefer thin handguns.

That said, I do have some factory 25 round mags for my CZ-75. They're just a cool novelty(AFAIK the Berretta 92 and CZ75 are unique to have such large OEM mags) and 9mm isn't as expensive as other centerfire ammo. My '75 is mostly a range toy though. I don't carry it and definately would not with those huge mags.

I wasn't really focusing on carry/defense pistols, just bottom feeders in general. What brought me to do this thread is I see a lot of folks say things like "it's a great gun but I wouldn't buy one because it only holds 8", etc...
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In a 22LR range toy I might rank capacity a little higher than in an SD gun. I hate loading those little mags. But reliability is still the #1 priority. I can't stand a gun that jams at all.
 
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Not really...Not crazy about the added weight when in CCW. Similar to XavierB, but on parts: I enjoy hunting for parts, if you are a Spanish owner; you'll understand....:)
 
No. I prefer a slim package and many of my carry guns are single stack semis including the HK P7, Beretta M85 and Makarov.
 
Is mag capacity your #1 priority?

I read a lot of post where folks say they wouldn't buy this or that becasue it will only hold 7-8 rounds.
Click to expand...

I think you have confused a disqualification trait with being a priority. There is a difference. Mag capacity is not my number one priority for making a purchase but it may be a reason, one of many, for me not to make a purchase.
 
Pretty much the same as what the others have written, with a few alterations:
1-Reliability
2-Concealability
3-Caliber or Stopping Power
4-Accuracy
5-Durability
6-Ergonomics
7-Mag capacity
If mag capacity were an issue, that is if I could get the same model with more rounds per mag; and it didn't negatively affect any of the other factors, then I would consider it. But if there was a problem with any of the top 5 factors, or if it just didn't perform as well as it's single stack counterpart, then I would opt for the single stack model.
 
I do not see myself getting into a prolonged gun battle. 8 rounds of .45 acp should deter anyone trying to rob my house.
 
Hi caps don't really do anything for me and are not a consideration when purchasing a weapon, even a rifle. Except in CC, I rarely, if ever load them up all the way anyway. My P226 rarely gets more than 10, my HK Tactical more than 5, My most used mags on my M1a and HK93 are the 5 rounders...
 
I wasn't really focusing on carry/defense pistols, just bottom feeders in general. What brought me to do this thread is I see a lot of folks say things like "it's a great gun but I wouldn't buy one because it only holds 8", etc...
Click to expand...
Aw well heck, I have a couple of single shot pistols that are a lot of fun at the range.

The only reason for having a handgun that brings up another round at all, whether a revolver or a semi-auto, is so you can get off another shot before the other fellow kills you.

If the handgun is not going to be used for self defense, then the issue of capacity is really an issue of whether the shooter is to lazy to stick another round in the chamber. Some of the highest quality, most accurate target pistols are single shot.
 
The importance of capacity depends on the gun's purpose. For CCW, capacity isn't as important as size, weight, reliability, etc. I usually carry a 7, 8 or 9 shot pistol with a 7 shot BUG. For home defense, extra capacity might be more important, but is still less important than reliability. My current primary home defense pistol is a 9 shot .45.
 
ok, i gotta admit that i'm a sucker for guns that hold more than they seem like they should. for instance i can never get over how small the grip on my S&W 9VE is, and it's short too, but it holds a 16 rounder!

but sometimes when firing i can't wait for it to be empty...
 
1: reliability
2: point and feel
3: caliber
4: Design. id take metal over polymer, single action over DA or "safe action"
5: features ( mag size, mag prices, availability, parts etc)

my P14 satisfys 1-4 and hase large mag size, and fairly available parts, how ever mag prices and availability in MA are killers. that said. the 14 round didnt make the deal. it just made it sweeter
 
Magazine capacity is directly related to "stopping power" of the firearm.

All of my 45 ACP's hold seven or more

All of my 40 S&W's hold thirteen or more (had some ten round magazines because they were cheap and felt okay with that but got rid of them)

All of my 9mm's hold thirteen or more

Of course people take magazine capacity into consideration wheather they admit it or not. No way would someone take a super slick, accurate, ergonomically perfect, 100% reliable, three or four shot semi-auto for self defense when they could have a full capacity Glock 17 or Wilson Combat 1911. For a backup gun of some kind to supplement your primary gun you can get away with lower capacity, but not for your primary gun.

I've got a CZ-75 SP-01 that holds 20 rounds fully loaded, ergonomics are nearly perfect (for me), it's super reliable, accurate, etc. I've also got a Glock 17, I like some things about it a lot, but prefer the SP-01 and other CZ-75 variants with 16+1 capacity based on ergonomics and DA/SA operation. With just a couple of rounds difference in capacity it makes little differance, but as I noted in the beginning there are lower limits to what I'll even consider based on caliber.
 
Obviously, mag capacity is not the primary consideration, for what does it matter how many rounds are in the magazine if the gun won't shoot reliably and with some measure of accuracy.

BUT. I will be the first to admit that the closer we get to the presidential election, the more anxious I am to have as many hi-cap guns and hi-cap mags in my possession....

I do not care to be caught short if the entire country goes "california."

Boarhunter
 
I agree with you Boar. But really since I like in California, just having any firearm will be a win in my book. This is why I've gone with C&R stuff.

As far as capacity, its all a balancing act. An accurate pistol doesn't need as many rounds, a powerful pistol only needs one shot to connect. Getting the weapon to fire at all is the very first step. That being said, you must do your part. But having backup doesn't hurt.
-bix
 
Reliability is number one for me. After that what purpose the gun will fill decides what is next. Small, slim, and light for carrying. Power, control, and capacity for home defense. And for the range, I think the coolness factor comes into play.
 
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