EDC/CCW: how many rounds do YOU carry?

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DeadEye9

DeadEye9

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I'm so thrilled with all the responses to my IMT ammo post, so I decided to start another. These responses and discussions are the entire reason I decided to get into this forum so thank you all in advance.
Anyway, another common topic that is always discussed at my local action pistol shoots is everyday carry and how much is enough. Some people are totally fine with a 5-6shot .38 snub or a 6-7shot single stack pocket auto, with no reloads, as their daily defense. Some will bark that practice is going to get you killed and you must carry a double stack, plus extra Mags, plus a backup with extra rounds for your backup. Before I got injured and went back to school for my current career I was involved in law enforcement. Being so I got into the practice of routinely carrying a primary and auxiliary/back up pistol. Now that I'm a civilian though I tend to not carry an auxiliary firearm majority of the time. Depending on the season, my EDC carry is either a Glock 19 or a 32. Typically I will carry a standard compact Glock mag in the weapon and carry one extra "duty size" mag in a pocket or mag holder. When I do decide to carry my auxiliary weapon, these days it is my M&P Shield 9mm, non external safety model and rides IWB appendix style, with my Glock riding on my side or slightly toward my back. I don't ever feel particularly out gunned when not wearing a back up, and lately I've even been considering moving to carrying something like my Shield (7+1 or 8-10rd extended) or my KelTec P11(10+1 or 15rd extended) as my sole EDC. I've gone this far in my life without getting in a massive shootout, and I'm also very proficient with my carry choices even under duress with my heart rate up and adrenaline pumping. Also, 90% of the time I have another firearm in my vehicle and 100% of the time I have reloads for whatever I am carrying in my vehicle as well. Still though, there is a part of me that thinks as soon as I down grade my round count for comfort, I will regret it in some way. What are everyone else's thoughts on this matter? What types of round count do most of you guys/gals in the civilian realm work with on a everyday basis? All input is appreciated as this is a real dilemma for me haha.
 
I would like to add to this that in addition to my firearm(s) my everyday carry load out holds the following:

Wallet, IPhone, tactical folder of some sort, pen light, a multi tool, keys, a lighter and typically a water bottle or other beverage container. Point being I don't exactly "pack lightly" so if I can save some weight and add comfort to my daily routine it would be nice, I just don't want to regret it down the road.
 
I'm at work right now, my clothing limits me to a 5 shot snubby and a couple of 6rd speed strips. I do have a "go bag" in my vehicle with a 9mm Hi Power (13+1) and several spare mags. When I'm not here, my usual carry is a 1911 in .45ACP (8+1) with two spare 8rd mags when working around my home/property. If I am out and about it's most often a 1911 in 9x23 Winchester (10+1) with two spare 10rd mags.
 
The first CCW class I took was taught by an active-duty sheriff's deputy. He said that 99% of civilian gun encounters are ended with 0-3 shots. That said, I would think that for a normal day a single gun on you with your reloads in your vehicle will be good. If you do get into an encounter, it will probably be with one to three persons. And the idea is to defend yourself and get away from the threat. However, I can't help thinking about that poor truck driver who stumbled into that riot, got pulled out of his truck, and was beat to death. Therefore, when going to a different city (or even on a long day trip) I have a backup on me, with a couple reloads in the vehicle.
 
As pictured in avatar: 1911 + spare magazine + pocket pistol option*
15 -17 rounds 45 acp (depending on magazines, typically 8 round) + 6 or 7 more in pocket option*.
Kahr PM9 holds total of 7 rounds, PM40 total of 6 rounds.
Total rounds somewhere between 21 and 24 depending on specific pistol / magazines.
*The option of hand in pocket on pistol if approached by someone "shady" looking in parking lot.
The pic represents carrying that combination all year, including 100+ heat index.
I've been carrying concealed 20+ years; I live in and travel to "good" ;) areas.
Good carry.jpg
 
Normal carry, HK P2000 357 SIG:
12+1, and a spare 12 rd Mag.

When I can't conceal the P2000 (G19 size), I carry a Walther PPS 9mm:
6+1 and a spare 7 rd mag.

Chuck
 
Typical, 6+1 of .40 S&W, with a 7-round reload. For woods-walking or extended trips, I either take a third 7+1, or switch to 7+1 of .45ACP with 2 8-round reloads.
 
Five rounds of 38 special.

When I first started carrying a Jframe I also lugged around another five shots in a speed loader. As time went I decided it was both uncomfotable and unnecessary.

I now believe that if five shots aint enough, ten probably wont do it either. I am also not super confident in my ability to reload with the speedloader while under the enormous stress of a deadly encounter.

No, I have zero interest in going back to an auto loader.

Someone mentioned keeping a reload in tbe car. That's an idea I'm willing to entertain. We get very large temperature swings here though. I will have to look into the possibility of effects from that.
 
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My EDC rotation is usually a Kahr CM9 with one or two 6 round mags or a S&W Model 638 with two 6 round speed strips.
 
CZ9shooter said:
Five rounds of 38 special.

When I first started carrying a Jframe I also lugged around another five shots in a speed loader. As time went I decided it was both uncomfotable and unnecessary.

I now believe that if five shots aint enough, ten probably wont do it either. I am also not super confident in my ability to reload with the speedloader while under the enormous stress of a deadly encounter.

No, I have zero interest in going back to an auto loader.

Someone mentioned keeping a reload in tbe car. That's an idea I'm willing to entertain. We get very large temperature swings here though. I will have to look into the possibility of effects from that.
Click to expand...
A speed strip is much more friendly than a speedloader. They are flat and easily concealed in any pocket you choose. I agree, speedloaders are not comfortable to carry around all day in most cases.
 
ArchAngelCD said:
I'm waiting for the post telling us 19+1 and 2x 19 round mags for a primary and a backup with 12+1 and 1 or 2 mags holding 12 rounds. :evil:
Click to expand...
Haha believe me they are out there. One of the regulars at my local range carries daily a Glock 23 with a two mag pouch holding G22 Mags and a G27 in a rig that holds it and one spare flush mag for it. I've seen him out at Home Depot and such on a few occasions and that really is his daily layout. When I brought him hunting with me one time he carried a Glock knife on each leg, open carries a G21 with spare Mags and then had his deer rifle. Some people do take it to the extreme and maybe even from time to time have a valid reason for doing so. (Especially this day in age where people do mass shootings to get attention) That's the whole reason I started this thread. I'm no longer in a position to where I "should" be in a prolonged firefight however I still wrestle with the fact of is 7+1 enough, how about 7+1 and a reload? Is 15+1 better? Etc etc.
I also really like the idea of an auxiliary pocket pistol. If the need arises I would much rather go to that then a pocket knife, however it's just not always easy to conceal all this gear on me just to go to the store, mall etc. When I'm going to unfamiliar areas I always go a step above, sometimes even tossing my plate carrier in the truck. For everyday activities though it seems the general consensus is having any gun is better than no gun, so hi capacity for civilian daily carry doesn't seem to be always necessary. It's just hard for me to accept lol.
 
I really appreciate all the responses too. I'm really happy to have found/joined the forum. A lot more knowledge/realism here than I've seen at the few other places I've entered. More real world truth and less Internet commando stuff so I really enjoy the discussions here
 
Either 0, 8, 9, 15 or 19 depending on the gun and if I take a spare mag.
 
As low as 5 .38SP, as many as 21 .45ACP, depending on the circumstances and where we're traveling. For most trips to town a 642 is it.
 
All depends. This time of year it's often a Glock 19 with a 23-round spare magazine for 39 total, with the spare mag shrinking or staying home depending on wardrobe. And about 5% of the time it's an LCP with a spare mag for 13 total; the gun is nice to have for carry but not my first choice for a defensive pistol.
 
Fifteen 9mm 115gr +p solid copper Barnes SDX with low-flash powder.
 
Seven rounds of Winchester 147gr Ranger "T" Series - RA9T in a Rohrbaugh R9 and 7 rounds of Precision One 90gr XTP 380 ACP in a Remington RM380

I have a SAR B6P in the car with the 19 round Mec-Gar magazine.
 
Anyone who caries an autoloader should carry at least one spare magazine, simply because mags are the most common failure point in autoloading pistols. I carry a 1911, so my EDC varies between 14 rounds (7 in the pistol and another 7 in spare mag) to 24 (8 in pistol and two 8 round spares).

My odds of needing a handgun anymore are exceedingly low. But if i do, I'll probably need it badly. That spare is peace of mind because things have already gone pear shaped.
 
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