Minimum capacity for SD (not HD) in your opinion?

[el Godfather]

Dear THR,
What is the minimum capacity handgun would you consider for self defense when you are out of the house and not in your vehicle?

Consider and discuss your circumstances and need for concealing. Do share with us the handgun that you actually carry for the said purpose.

Thank you

 

[45_auto]

Can't see how the minimum capacity anyone would consider could be anything but one.

Given a choice between nothing and a single shot derringer, who would choose nothing?

 

[needmorecowbell]

My 5 shot SW 642.

 

[The M]

I feel more than prepared with my 7+1 .45acp.

 

[R.W.Dale]

I alternate carry between a five shot 2" 9mm revolver and a 5 shot 5" 357 magnum. Depending on if I'm going to be doing rural or urban stuff.

I have carried a 17+1 rd 9mm and honestly didn't feel any better armed. In fact I'm more confident in the low cap revolvers because my first shot draw times are so much better.

 

[rcmodel]

I carried a single-shot .22 derringer years ago when that was all I had or could afford.

A 7 shot 1911 .45 ACP made me feel all warm & fuzzy for many years no matter what came along.

I don't feel unarmed with 5 shots of .45 Colt in a Colt SAA either.

Today, I feel perfectly comfortable with a 5-shot S&W .38 revolver, or 7 shot SIG P232 .380.

Unless I was going to the big inner-city, to see the elephant, late at night.
But I ain't about to do that.

rc

 

[firesky101]

There are plenty of decent options out there that carry 5 rounds, and are extremely concealable. If you really had to conceal, or it was all you had, I could still feel safe with a derringer.

 

[thefamcnaj]

For me my 6+1 Kahr cm9 for summer carry would be the minimum, I'd want to carry.

 

[foghornl]

Since my only DA revolver is an RG-38Spl, my EDC is a 1911-A1

 

[skoro]

What is the minimum capacity handgun would you consider for self defense when you are out of the house and not in your vehicle?

I feel well protected when carrying my 5 shot S&W j-frame.

 

[Serenity]

I don't carry (yet) but I did take the k-frame 38 special with me on a road trip and felt just fine about the capacity UNTIL I saw three really sketchy guys at a gas station who gave me serious creeps. I wasted time inside until they drove off and they headed South, thank goodness.

 

[Doug S]

I'd rather have more rounds, but when it comes down to it, it's pretty easy to carry a 5 shot snub about anywhere. I wouldn't want to go any lower than that, if given the choice.

 

[coolluke01]

I really like the idea of a higher round count. I carry the Glock 26 with a mag extension to make 12+1. I want enough rounds to be able to be effective and deal with multiple assailants. I also think that if a situation were to draw out time could really be a factor. A assailant who is behind cover and me behind cover could be a situation where round count could win out. I haven't always carried an extra mag because of the difficulty. But i'm rethinking the value of that extra mag, and I've been trying to carry one when I can.

 

[beatledog7]

5 rounds, every time I can.

 

[mavracer]

Zero, I quite often leave my house without a gun.

 

[X-Rap]

I like 15 and a reload if there is room. I have and will continue to carry 5&7 shot guns but I don't have any illusions about what may become a deficiency of ammo.

 

[Agsalaska]

I too often carry nothing. But for the purpose of this thread I would say my taurus snubnose 38. I am quick and very accurate with it. There will always be situations where you dont have enough ammo or gun no matter what you carry. But i live in the desert, its hot, and I like being comfortable. The chances of me actually needing a weapon are extremely low and needing more than 5 shots are far lower than that. So I am willing to risk that .0001% chance that I would need more than five for comfort.

Now If I am going to WalMart at 2am or something like that I carry my Glock or a Kahr K40 with an extra magazine. So that is what 13-15 rounds? But thats not too often. In fact I dont think I have carried either this year.

 

[Usertag]

I would say a Minimum of 5 rounds.

 

[Devonai]

I always carry a spare mag, regardless of pistol choice, so that would be at least 17 rounds (S&W 4566 or Makarov), and as many as 37 rounds (Beretta 92FS with Mec-Gars).

I have had too many magazine related mishaps in training to not carry a spare mag. They are rare, but if you drop your primary magazine clearing a jam, do you really want to be rooting around in the dirt or mud trying to find it?

A spare magazine takes up so little space on the belt, and they're usually so easily concealed, that I have never felt the need to go without one. Exceptions to this rule include situations where carrying on the body is impossible anyway, such as the beach.

 

[orionengnr]

I carry a single stack 1911 in .45 acp every day--8 + 1.
In the past, I have carried a single stack 9mm (6 + 1), and on occasion, a six-shot revolver in a caliber such as .45 LC or .41 Mag.

 

[MachIVshooter]

Five. And anything that holds fewer than 8 rounds, I carry a spare mag/speedloader.

 

[shiftyer1]

Lowest capacity for me is five.......even my lowly derringer carries 5.

 

[gigemlaw]

Depends on where you mean by "out of the house not in your vehicle". I like having one carry for low threat and another for increased threat.

For the office or local restaurant I carry p238. If I am going downtown at night or if I know I'm going to a questionable neighborhood I carry XD Subcompact 9mm.

Generally, I wouldn't have a problem carrying a 5 shot snubbie for low threat situations. Anything lower capacity than that I can't think of much you would carry outside of a derringer-type weapon, and I would not feel comfortable with one of those.

 

[1858remington]

2 rounds here... Bond arms derringer in 44special

 

[Shoobee]

5 rounds in a large bore compact revolver would be the minimum, with a spare speedloader or two in your pockets elsewhere. The speedloaders on one side balance-out the revolver on the other side.