fastbolt
Member
Pop quiz: What is the average hit rate of lawful carriers and LEO's when using handguns defensively or in OIS?
Bonus question: How many rounds from a handgun firing a service cartridge might it take to stop one attacker?
Trying to determine a probable answer that's applicable on an individual basis, using a broad average statistic, may not provide the specificity and applicability desired.
I can think of a number of local area shootings of which I've learned, and actually knew the cops in some of them, which might make someone think that a 100% shot/hit ratio wasn't an unrealistic occurrence ... until a shooting comes along and some cop misses several shots. That has an effect when it comes to calculating statistics.
I usually don't use broadly based statistics about hit/miss "ratios" when making a determination regarding the ammunition capacity of the handgun I may choose to use.
I have, however, sometimes chosen a 10+1 pistol over a 6+1 pistol, but because I felt it might give me an opportunity to make 11 accurate hits without reloading versus only making 7 accurate hits.
In other words, while I may taken into consideration the total capacity available between having to load, I don't consider it from the perspective of "allowing" for some statistical number of misses.
Sometimes I just may prefer being able to make more hits before having to load again.
Dies that mean all shots fired in actual conditions will be guaranteed to hit their intended threat target? Of course not. No guarantees or promises in real life.
I just don't plan my training and drills around anticipating a certain percentage of misses.
All of that said, the difference between a pistol with 6, 8, 10, 15 or 17-rd magazines may be an equipment choice predicated upon the owner/user ability to carry a "comfortable" round count (for whatever reason is deemed practical), or "comfort" with some particular caliber ... or it might just be what someone happens to be using, or has been required to use.
In the case of the OP's actual question ...
Sometimes I've opted for carrying my 6+1 CS45 over my 7+1 CS9 or 8+1 3913 (because I wanted to carry a .45 ACP) ... and sometimes I've chosen the 9's with 1 or 2 more rounds (but a bit lighter and thinner on the hip).
Either/Or. Both. Sure.
Unless I decide to go with total comfort (especially riding my motorcycle), and simply slip one of my 5-shot J-frames into a leather jacket or vest pocket. I use pocket holsters even though my main riding jacket and a couple of my leather vests have been modified to have leather "holster pockets".