Do you really need more than 5?

Do you NEED more than 5 ? IMO, NO. If you can't hit your target with 5.....you aren't going to do it with 6......or 10......or 17, for that matter. I'm sure that for the vast majority (probably 98 %) of SD situations, the event is over so fast that 5 will definitely do.

For me, for daily CC situations......5 will do (or 6,7,8 - whatever, depending on capacity). In other words, ONE full load. However, for some sort of extended excursion, away from my source of "resupply"....I certainly would/will carry a reload (or several).....though the reloads might stay in the car or luggage, etc. unless/ until needed.
 
When I carry a revolver (which is most of the time) I carry at least one reload. With my .38 Special or .357 Magnum, that reload is usually a speedstrip in the watch pocket of my jeans and with my .44 Magnum (colder weather) it's speedloader(s) in my coat pocket. Basically, the spare ammo is easy and unobtrusive enough to carry that I really can't think of a particularly good reason not to carry it.

As to the capacity disparity between a revolver and a semi-auto, while capacity is certainly something that should be considered when selecting a carry gun, it is not the only consideration nor necessarily the most important one. For me, the revolver offers other advantages which trump the capacity of a semi-auto, but YMMV.
 
I find it strange when most on this forum are asked why they carry the almost always day just in case they need a gun. Even tough in most situations stats show that they are unlikely to need one. Then when they are asked how many rounds they carry lots say that stats show that 5 is usually enough. If they carry a gun just in case even tough they are unlikely to need one why not carry extra rds even tough they are unlikely to need them. :confused:
 
I can't remember if it was Stalin or Linen who said "one man with a gun can control 100 without a gun".

Kind of works the same way with a 5 shot revolver.
 
When I carry my revolvers (one at a time) I usually have a 2-pack of speedloaders to back up the loaded wheelgun....be it 38, 257, or 44 SP. I don't generally tote the 44 mag on routine walks/travel due to it's longer barrel and weight, so it is not an issue here.
 
I carried a 5 shot snubby and a SA Blackhawk for some time and felt quite comfortable at all times without any extra rounds.
 
Well, I carry an extra six rounds, because that fills out my cartridge carrier.

I fugure if I am involved in a shooting, I'd want to reload before going home.

The carrier is a Galco and holds six .44 Special rounds, though I only load five:
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Excellent Bob!

I got a feeling that those "sideways gun holding" punks woundn't even dream of messing with Bob! ;)
 
Do you NEED more than 5 ? IMO, NO. If you can't hit your target with 5.....you aren't going to do it with 6......or 10......or 17, for that matter. I'm sure that for the vast majority (probably 98 %) of SD situations, the event is over so fast that 5 will definitely do.
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This is untrue and typical lazy thinking. The reality is that the bad guy gets a say in the outcome and will not stand still while you shoot at him or her. You may only score peripheral hits that do not end the fight. I am not talking about "spray and pray" style shooting; it is important that the good guy be deliberate in his or her shooting. Even so, misses will happen and those need to be accounted for in both capacity and tactics.
 
This is about the 20th post Ive seen here on the subject lately.
I have carried for 37 years and 5 or less has been plenty for me. I am niot a cop so my concealed carry is just to defend my life. Now I carry a COP Derringer which is a 4 shot.
You should be able to be adult enough to make up your own mind. If you feel safer carrying a pistol with a 20 round mag and a couple extra mags too....GO FOR IT. Who cares what someone thinks.
 
Depends on who you are, what you're doing, and where you're going. For a boring unlikely target like me, I feel very comfortable with a 5 shot snub.

If I were involved in risky business, was a celebrity of some sort, or a LE officer, I'd want more than double that, more than likely. A high capacity 9mm would make more sense.
 
This subject keeps coming up. It seems like people are seeking justification for being lazy. How much do you weigh? Do a few more ounces tire you out that badly? If yes, I would say its time to hit the gym. The same line of thought is I will carry this lightweight gun because my steel one is too heavy. Even though the heavy gun shoots better, you choose to carry the light one,and then to add insult to injury you do not want to bother yourself with anymore boolits cause they are too heavy, and besides I only bought a box of 20.:eek:

Understand though, criminals are cowards, they travel and attack in packs. They may run, they may call your bluff. I have had stare downs with more than one felon as they made the decision whether they were gonna try me or go to jail. Those of you that disdain reloads, and live boring lives are gambling with odds you have no control of and are making assumptions not based in reality.

The reality of the snubby 38 is that it will take 5 or 6 HITS to stop a violent assault, say you do not miss, and 5 shots work? Now what? You have an expensive paperweight.

Run away? Hide? I do not follow your thinking, you are willing to engage, but only for 5 shots, if that don't work I'm outa here.........

The only reason you would logically engage was if you had NO OTHER OPTION, I get that, me too. In shootouts, unless the BG drops out of view people generally shoot whatever they have available, you will NOT be counting your shot, I guarantee.

I admit I do not carry as much ammo as I did before I retired. But I still carry a Glock and a reload and a J frame with a reload.

The bottom line: Its your life.

Don't ask me to validate poor judgement.
 
In the other thread linked here I stated something about assumptions that I'd be facing a single assailant and someone mentioned in response about how I was preparing for "my gunfight"

It was a fair comment. I don't have my CHL yet but I figured I would eventually buy a .380 ACP pocket auto and call it a day. Maybe even bring an extra magazine.

Therein lies the conundrum though. A real fight may not be one-on-one. If drawing a gun and firing does not cause the other assailants to flee your chances of survival are slim. Two on one or three on one affairs are dicey. Police have come out on the losing side of those encounters for decades. There is a reason why police call for back-up.

All the same, you are not going to survive a two-on-one encounter or worse with only 5 shots. You may be lucky to reload, but at least you might have the option.

I'm not knocking anyone who chooses a snubbie as their weapon. I do question the wisdom of not bringing at least one reload with you.

If you're going to be prepared to defend yourself, be prepared for the worst. I don't know what the "right" amount of bullets to have on you is. If you carry a Glock 30 and have 10 rounds of .45 ACP does that mean you don't need another magazine? I think the answer is still to have an extra magazine no matter what. You may empty your gun in the initial exchange or lose track of what you fired.

I may yet decide on getting a CHL. I promise you that if I do carry I won't be running around with just the rounds in my gun hoping it's enough.
 
Oh brother. So, anyone who feels no need to pack reloads, while visiting the local grocery store.....is somehow "lazy" ? What a load.

In fact, those of us who are so "lazy" (by your definition) probably simply do not feel under threat to the same degree as you perhaps do. Or, perhaps we aren't quite as paranoid. Or, maybe we don't reside in the same sort of "wonderful" communities as you might.

It could be easily argued that, for those who do choose to carry reloads at all times, in most cases you'll never have time to use them, before the average confrontation is over. That argument carries just as much weight as the one that we should all be armed to the teeth, because.....BOTH arguments are simply based on SUPPOSITION and SPECULATION. You CAN'T possibly predict the character of most or all (or even a simple majority) of SD confrontations....unless you are/ were PRESENT. Which you can't be.

I'd respectfully like to suggest that you're watching too much TV.

Oh and I don't believe that anyone asked for your "validation" on anything.
 
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Don't worry.

My gun has never left its holster while CCW. :p

Five rounds...no problem. Besides, I've spoken with numerous local MS-13 Gang members in my area and they agreed, five rounds for me should be plenty. :)
 
Fudd that I am, I believe in Being Prepared. "If you can't solve the problem with 5 shots, reload until you can!"
 
I would hate the idea of using the five and then having that very uncomfortable feeling of being 'empty' after a home invasion and wondering if I could go to my daughter's room or have time to grab the shotgun. One speedloader or NY reload is the way to go but saying that five should be enough.
 
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