When I was a young cop I typically carried either a 6-shot revolver and a pair of speedloaders off-duty (like I did on-duty), or my Colt Commander with a spare 7-rd mag (before the 8-rd mags became popular, let alone sorted out to function with that extra round).
As years passed, I upped the spare ammo for my pistols to carrying a pair of spare magazines, regardless of whether I was carrying my issued 5903 (with 14rd or 15rd mags), or my 3913 (8rd mags).
As time passed both my on & off-duty weapons changed regarding both caliber (9, .40 & .45) and mag capacity. My work pistol mag capacities dropped to 8, 9, 7 and then 8-rds. (Due to a change in issued weapons, my current one, as a reserve, is a 15+1 plastic .40 pistol.) My personally-owned pistols had (and still have) mag capacities of 12, 10, 9, 8, 7 & 6-rds. My most commonly carried off-duty weapons were one or another of my 5-shot snubs.
Yes, this was as a firearms instructor who had worked in that capacity since '90. It's not that I eschew carrying hi-cap pistols, but that I don't see it being as much of a "necessity",
for myself, as some other cops & trainers. I've worked with my fair share of cops who had been involved in on & off-duty shootings, and many of them still chose to carry off-duty weapons that included small revolvers, or smaller single stack pistols. Maybe if I'd have entered the LE field after the days of revolvers had passed, and had only carried hi-cap pistols, I'd have come to feel differently.
In retirement, while I've stayed active in remaining a LE firearms trainer (I haven't taught a private citizen class since I've retired), my choice of retirement CCW's has remained mostly split among my 5-shot snubs and a pair of Ruger LCP .380's, although I'll still belt on one of my assorted 9's, .40's or .45's if I feel the risk assessment makes it prudent (meaning my planned travels and activities). When I do, the smaller pistols usually get the nod, if only for size and weight convenience.
I certainly don't presume to "judge" private citizens who decide they need to carry more guns and ammunition on their person during their normal activities than I once carried when working on-duty. Presuming it's done within the constraints of the local laws (which can vary), it's not really my business nor my concern. I don't care how much horsepower their cars, trucks and motorcycles may have, either.
I
do, however, often wonder whether someone who has chosen to go out in public so heavily girded has given
at least as much thought to their knowledge of the laws, and the development and maintenance of their skillset, as they have to their chosen weapons and ammunition.
As a trainer, I've seen my fair share of folks who may have chosen to only carry a revolver (and perhaps a speedloader/strip) on their own time, or a single stack pistol that used 6-8 round magazines (and maybe just a single spare mag), but who could demonstrate that they were much better skilled and "prepared" to use them than many folks who carried large capacity pistols and carried the equivalent of a 50-rd box of spare ammunition.
Appreciation and confidence in good equipment is all well and good, as long as it's not misplaced confidence, meaning relying so much on the quality and quantity of the gear, that sufficiently focusing on the knowledge & skillset aspect has been neglected. The gear won't use itself, you know.
Just some thoughts.
