Concealed Carry - capacity vs size?

Compact size is #1 requirement for me -- by far. I tote an LCP.

OTOH -- I'd like more capacity too sometimes. I've been thinking about getting a bigger, better gun for when I have more clothes.
 
Few shots actually get fired unless you're just emptying the capacity.

http://gunssavelives.net/self-defens...h-data-tables/
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Those data are not from a valid sample. Extrapolate at your own risk.

I pack a revolver or PPS autoloader with no reloads and that should get the job done.
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Your link to the flawed data tables notes that the maximum shots fired was 20 rounds. Absent reloads, neither your PPS nor your revolver may have been adequate for that scenario.

The LAPD's Use of Force report for 2010 reports 40 non-ND shooting incidents. The data are lumped into categories, but the average shots per incident (disregarding one incident in which one warning shot was fired) was about 4.5, and the maximum shots was 23.

In the 39 incidents where the officer tried to shoot the perp, 74 officers were involved; thus, in most incidents two or more officers were shooting. I assume most armed civilians don't have the luxury of having an armed and trained partner at his side throughout the day. The report implies an average shots/officer/incident of 2.5. The maximum shots/officer/incident cannot be determined from the report.
 
All the double stacks that I've ever attempted to use for CC (229, g26, PT145, M&P 9c) were more than a little larger than my Shield.

And the Shield is a monster compared to my LCP.


Of course I also carry a 642 from time to time (find it bulky) so I'm not worried about number of rounds.
 
"Yeah, the ironic twist. Great movie."

It isn't far from reality. The guy who fired all of his ammo with the intentions of hitting people missed with every shot, and in a different scene one ND killed a guy.
 
It depends on the weather. I carry different things depending on what I'm wearing. That changes with the seasons and what I happen to be doing that day. Sky is the limit in the dead of winter but on a day like today, I've got five in the pocket. :)
 
Lots of good info already posted.
My best friend is a retired cop and his comment was "No cop ever finished a gunfight complaining he had too much ammo."
The larger the handgun, the greater the accuracy, speed of followup shots and capacity.
With that being said, I EDC a SIG P320 Compact (15+1) and at least one 17rd reload. I would carry a single-stack 9mm *if I had no other option*, but I will always carry the greatest capacity I can (YMMV).
Tomac

SIG P320 Compact w/nightstand Inforce APL (I own 3 P320's; one for EDC, one for nightstand duty and one for training/backup, I rotate them every few months):
 
As far as I am concerned....and I don't care who disagrees with this....if you can't get the job done in an SD situation with 5 or 6 rounds, then you won't get it done with 15 or even 20. If attacked by a gang of thugs, with more than a couple of them armed and all determined to do you in, you've probably already lost.... so you aren't going to "Rambo" your way out of it.

Proactive SD is the thing. Stay the heck away from low-lifes, low-life neighborhoods, bars, businesses, etc..... stay cautious and always aware of your surroundings.... and the odds are that you will never need to use that SD weapon you carry. Then, a 15 or 20 round gun just becomes useless (extra) weight to lug around.
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I agree with this I try and avoid bad areas at all costs,sleazy bars,and places where criminals congregate at.And if in the slight chance I must go through is when I up the ante and carry a full size pistol with extra mag and avoid contact with degenerates. But usually I carry a PT111 G2 with an extra mag since the areas I frequent are not bad.
 
As far as I am concerned....and I don't care who disagrees with this....if you can't get the job done in an SD situation with 5 or 6 rounds, then you won't get it done with 15 or even 20. If attacked by a gang of thugs, with more than a couple of them armed and all determined to do you in, you've probably already lost.... so you aren't going to "Rambo" your way out of it.

Proactive SD is the thing. Stay the heck away from low-lifes, low-life neighborhoods, bars, businesses, etc..... stay cautious and always aware of your surroundings.... and the odds are that you will never need to use that SD weapon you carry. Then, a 15 or 20 round gun just becomes useless (extra) weight to lug around.
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I think most of us here are sane and responsible. So obviously, none of us ever want to have to defend our lives with deadly force. We carry for the same reason that we have a fire extinguisher in our homes or vehicles.

That said, we do what we can to stay out of danger. However, if unavoidable trouble finds us, we have no way of knowing exactly what kind of trouble it will be. It could be anything from a rabid dog to a gang of psychos. So we do what we can to prepare for a variety of scenarios and capacity is one way to do it. I don't think we should knock anyone for thinking that way. The only error would be to think that "spray and pray" is responsible self defense. Practice and education are the foundation and none of us should build without one.
 
Consider the laws in your state about "printing." Here in Texas we have immunity from prosecution for "printing." Also in Jan 1 we will have open carry.

I have only one pistol, my Sig P250c 40sw and I carry that. I ordered two holsters, one is polymer with quick release button and the other is soft with a magazine pouch. I expect to get my CHL soon.
 
Small and easily concealable wins for me. As much as I love large-cap 9mm's, I won't carry one. I will, however, keep my Glock 17 in my car when traveling; but my Diamondback DB9 is what I keep in my pocket, even if I happen to have my Glock in my car with me.
 
Small and easily concealable wins for me. As much as I love large-cap 9mm's, I won't carry one. I will, however, keep my Glock 17 in my car when traveling; but my Diamondback DB9 is what I keep in my pocket, even if I happen to have my Glock in my car with me.
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If your G17 is in your car and you are not, then your G17 is not with you.
 
+1 on small and easy to conceal.
I started out carrying a Sig P6 (8+1). Replaced it with a Walther P99 (15+1), Now, I carry a Kahr K9 (single stack 7+1).
The Sig P6 and Walther P99 are approximately the same size as a Glock 19.
The Kahr K9 is approx the same size as the XDs.
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I've thought about these options since the thread was posted. I have four great carry guns, ranging from really small to Guardian size, giving me a choice depending on circumstances. They are all accurate and reliable. I manage to shoot them well with either hand and two handed. They are practiced with regularly. Have had military training on close quarters combat, fortunate enough to never participate. The issue m/b capacity. Sometimes, it's impossible to carry the extra magazine, except in the car. I hope to never use a gun for defense. However, I can't control someone else's actions.

I've decided, because of the inability to always have an extra magazine on my person, I may as well carry a large capacity gun in the cars along with an extra magazine for the carry gun. At least, I'd ease any worry about capacity. To that end, I've asked my wife to get her carry license. I don't want her around any of my loaded, concealed guns where she might not be legal.
 
RT,
May I ask why you can't carry a magazine?
Generally, I find the pistol much more difficult to carry than the mag. There are a variety of belt, shoulder, ankle, and pocket holsters for extra magazines.
 
If your G17 is in your car and you are not, then your G17 is not with you.
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My G17 is in my car when I'm driving long distances - 5 to 8 hour drive. It's there mainly in case I break down and need to pull over to the side of the road in the middle of the night or need to pull over, and sleep at a rest stop, or need to walk to get assistance - then the G71 becomes my go-to gun. My DB9 is still with me too, but it follows me wherever I go in my front pocket.
 
I started out with smaller guns but that is in the long ago past. I now carry either a full size or commander 1911 or a full size CZ. My last purchase for carry was a CZ P-09.
 
Practice. Then practice some more. Then practice some more. Practice shooting, dressing, etc.
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I agree 200%, but how many actually do on a regular basis?

Its rare around here (as well as most of the other places Ive lived and shot) to see someone practicing at the range realistically with a full sized gun, let alone their pocket gun. Just shooting a box or two at a bulls eye target, at your leisure every now and then, isnt being realistic.

Reality is, it is a lifestyle, and requires constant work to stay at your best, and shooting is really only just a part of it.
 
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Practice. Then practice some more. Then practice some more. Practice shooting, dressing, etc.

I agree 100%! If any of you have spent a lot of time at the range. You know how well a lot of people shoot. You can carry as much ammo as you want, but if you can't hit what you are aiming at. What good is it??

Carry what your comfortable carrying....and practice a lot with it!
Myself I carry mostly G26 & a bug. Also mentioned the season and where you may be going will also dictate what you might be carrying.
 
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