Poll: How many rounds do you carry?

[hirundo82]

I know I carry more ammo than I'm ever likely to need (although apparently not as much as some others). The weight doesn't bother me (a good belt helps), and I'm definitely of the "Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it" camp.

My most common loadout is 50 rounds: 15+1 in the gun (Glock 19) plus 2 spare 17rd (Glock 17) mags. I'll sometimes only carry one spare depending on clothes, for 31 rounds. If I add a BUG (S&W 642 in a pocket or on my ankle) my loadout goes up to 65--15+1+17+17 for the primary and 5+5+5 (642 and two reloads in spped strips).

I tend to carry a revolver and no back-up ammo. My thinking is along the lines of the old saying: "If you need more than six rounds, you don't need more ammo, you need a SWAT team."

My personal philosophy is "Nobody ever walks away from a gunfight wishing they'd had less ammo." Also, "The only time you can have too much ammo is if you're drowning or on fire."

[bayouhazard]

Also, "The only time you can have too much ammo is if you're drowning or on fire."

Or moving.

[pdubyoo]

XD-40 4"

If I'm not in my car, 1 in the tube + 12 in the mag + an extra 12-rd mag = 25.

If I'm in the car, I have an extra box of 20 rounds in the console = 45.

[Darth_Dad]

Depending on the situation:

Light:
FEG PA-63 7 + 1 + spare mag (7) = 15

Normal :
CZ vz. 82 12 + 1 + spare mag (12) = 25
or
Bersa UC 45 7 + 1 + spare mag (7) = 15

In car:
Both
CZ vz. 82 12 + 1 + spare mag (12) = 25
Bersa UC 45 7 + 1 + spare mag (7) = 15

[Beiruty]

I would say, that since there are single stack and double stack pistols in addition to revolvers. this poll should be base on caliber. most 45 are single stack, so low counts more dominants. 9mm will be other way.

[terryg]

I appreciate all of the votes. That's a pretty classic looking bell curve to be sure - with a little kick at the 50+ end.

I know it doesn't mean very much with different calibers and only being able to vote once despite different load outs. But I am surprised by the results. I thought either 21-25 or 26-30 categories would bring in the most. 11-15 roughly equates to a single double stack mag or two single stacks.

[mikeintexas]

I voted 11-15 because that's what I usually carry. I do have 2 extra 10 round mags that stay in the door pocket of the car.

[megs]

Usually my snubby so I voted 5.

[TxDrifter]

Normal is three mags for 1911's either 7 or 8 per depending on which one. Most of the time I also have a bug with another 6 in it. I answered 21-24.

Pretty close for me as well. I carry three 7rd 1911 mags in my jeans or cargo shorts pocket and another with 7+1 in the Kimber Super Carry Ultra.

[InfoTechCHL2007]

17 to 51....but 17 most often.

[Excaliber]

do you guys keep your magazine capacity at MAX plus one on all occasions?

i own a glock 27 and 22. when i get my chl i will carry the g27 mag in the gun and the g22 mag in a pocket holster.

ive always heard that you can deteriorate the springs easily by leaving them fully compressed, with this in mind i tend to leave the bottom 2 holes empty with one in the chamber, id hate to have a spring "give" or a misfeed when i need it most...

Modern magazine springs deteriorate from thousands of compression / decompression cycles, not from remaining compressed over time. The only thing you accomplish by downloading your mags is diminishing by 2 the number of rounds available to you without a reload.

Consider whether this is more beneficial to you, or to a potential adversary.

[GhostTX]

12 rounds per mag. One in the pipe. Spare mag in my pocket. 25.

[RAM4171]

If I leave the house 8 in the Colt Officers' + one 10rd. mag. + one 8rd. mag. + 7 in Elsie in my pocket so 33. I used to carry a spare for Elsie, but figured if I had to go for the .380 first those seven little ones would give me enough time to get to the big ones.

[SpringerFan]

LCP + 1 extra mag = 13rds of .380