OT - How much CCW ammo do you carry......

Boreman · Post by **Boreman** » Tue Jan 01, 2008 9:40 pm

when armed? I carry a 5 shot M-605 Taurus in 357. Alot of times I carry only the 5 rounds in the gun. Other times I carry 2 HKS speed loaders depending on what I am wearing or where I am going. I often wonder if the 5 would be enough if I ever had to defend myself or others? Your thoughts or what does your experience teach?

ScottT · Post by **ScottT** » Tue Jan 01, 2008 9:43 pm

Most fights are over before 5 rounds are expended. But that does not mean much if you need more.

If I were you, I would buy a Bianchi Speed Strip which will give you a quick reload without the necesity and bulk of carrying speed loaders.

Grizz · Post by **Grizz** » Tue Jan 01, 2008 9:43 pm

six

or five

depends on which one

or eleven if both

cutter · Post by **cutter** » Tue Jan 01, 2008 9:53 pm

I try to keep two reloads on hand.

In my opinion, the 'speed strips' are junk, especially considering how cheap speed loaders are.

If I have my backup, then I don't carry a reload.

Scott is correct about the fight ending in 5 shots, but I would feel a heck of a lot better with a loaded pistol after a confrontation! Who knows? They could come back!

oregon73 · Post by **oregon73** » Tue Jan 01, 2008 9:59 pm

I carry a S&W 642, which is a five-shot .38 Special+P. Along with the gun, I usually have two speed strips in my pocket, with six rounds each. That seems like plenty although sometimes there's a speedloader in my coat pocket. I do agree that most defense situations would not require more than the first five shots. However, the whole point of carrying a conclealed weapon is that a threat can come at a time when you least expect, in a form that you least expect.

The Bianchi speed strips are great. I highly recommend them for anyone carrying a 38 Special or 357 Magnum. No, definitely not as nice as a speedloader, but for keeping six rounds together in a pocket, and being unobtrusive, very handy.

If I'm carrying my Glock 19, then one extra mag of 15 rounds is plenty.

My opinion: a person should go out with at least one reload, and probably two. Just my humble opinion, of course.

Rob

shawn_c992001 · Post by **shawn_c992001** » Tue Jan 01, 2008 10:01 pm

If my Tracker 44 is in use 10 the 5 in the gun and 5 in my pocket. I feel that if you pull a full power 44 mag with a ported barrel if you don't kill them with 5 shots you definately deafened them and scared the stuff outta them. The 5 extra rounds are carried in my pocket. If my Glock 20 10mm is in use I carry 2 mags one in the gun one in my pocket, both are 15rnd. mags for a total of 30 rounds. If you can't solve the problem with 30 200gr hollowpoints you've got one BIG problem, or the army of some country after you!

Bosco · Post by **Bosco** » Tue Jan 01, 2008 10:13 pm

Gun plus one reload. Scott gave you a good tip with the speed strips. Try 'em. They will have a place in your plan.

rjohns94 · Post by **rjohns94** » Tue Jan 01, 2008 10:42 pm

I carry one speedloader with my 637 +P or a bianci speed or two.

Tycer · Post by **Tycer** » Tue Jan 01, 2008 10:49 pm

with my 5 shooters, I carry two Bianchi Speed Strips.

FWiedner · Post by **FWiedner** » Tue Jan 01, 2008 11:02 pm

I carry (1) extra mag.

old06 · Post by **old06** » Tue Jan 01, 2008 11:03 pm

8 in the 32 ACP Beretta Tom Cat, 11 in the 40 S&W Walther P99, and 16 in the 9mm Ruger P89 I carry no other clip or spare ammo for any of them although I have extra clips for all of them I just cant see it taking more than want they hold. Like ScottT said most are less than 5 rounds total I seen a article by the FBI one time that stated such a statement it may have even been less the that. The Beretta gets most of the carry time unless I have something on where I can hide a the larger frame gun.

JimT · Post by **JimT** » Tue Jan 01, 2008 11:10 pm

shawn_c992001 wrote: I feel that if you pull a full power 44 mag with a ported barrel if you don't kill them with 5 shots you definately deafened them and scared the stuff outta them.

Often in those situations you never even hear the gun go off. It's called "auditory exclusion" and in a high-adreneline situation is very common.

I had a .357 go off near my face once .. probably a foot away. I don't remember hearing the noise. I do remember feeling a "concussion" but it wasn't distracting. My ears didn't even ring.

TedH · Post by **TedH** » Tue Jan 01, 2008 11:46 pm

I carry a Glock most of the time, loaded with 12 rounds. Usually keep another full magazine in my vehicle, but seldom on my body.

Post by **Ysabel Kid** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 12:12 am

Just depends on what I'm carrying. I typically don't carry spares, since my usual carry piece is a Para-Ordnance P12.45.

Figure if I need more than 12 rounds I probably deserve to get shot!

Blaine · Post by **Blaine** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 12:56 am

The AirWeight and 2 speedloaders....

The Glock 36 and 2 six round mags

The AirLight .22.....just what's in the weapon

Steve Collins · Post by **Steve Collins** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 2:28 am

Beretta Vertec 9mm: 15 in the gun, 2 spare 15rd mags, plus S&W 642 as a backup gun w/1 Speed Strip.

If there is a fight, do you really want to count on "well, most fights are over in less than five rounds, anyways?" Or, do you want as many rounds as you can at your disposal?

Multiple opponents are becoming the norm, not the exception anymore. If you think 5 rounds will handle it, fine, but what if you fire your five and the fight's still going? You really want to try and reload during that time? A second gun would be a good thing right about now!

How about being able to arm your spouse so she can move your family out of harms way, while you move toward the sound of the guns and deal with the threat?

Believe me, I'm not saying anyone is wrong, I just want to give you something to think about. The world isn't getting any better, and I see no sense in going about like it's the 1950's anymore!

SJPrice · Post by **SJPrice** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 3:10 am

no spare mags? how would you deal with a mag failure of any kind?

Rusty · Post by **Rusty** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 3:25 am

S&W 640 + 1 speedloader and about 1/2 a box in the vehicle.

I think it was Clint Smith that said, one thing you'll never say to yourself in a firefight is that I wish I didn't have so much ammo.

Rusty <><

nralover · Post by **nralover** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 5:56 am

I carry 1 magazine full, plus 1 in the chamber. If 11 rounds of 230 grain Federal Hydra-Shoks can't save me then I guess it is my time to go...

El Mac · Post by **El Mac** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 7:04 am

Its a shame they don't make those 'speed stips' in .44 or .45 for those folk packing SAAs.

Jay · Post by **Jay** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 7:12 am

16 rounds..... .45 ACP

Post by **Hobie** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 7:43 am

When you think you need your gun, 210 rounds doesn't seem like enough, when you're just carrying, mag or cylinder capacity is quite enough. I carry the gun full + one reload.

dr walker · Post by **dr walker** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 7:52 am

I carry one reload unless it is an over night trip and then I carry 2 and through maybe a box of ammo in the truck. I carry my reloads on speedstrips.

A great speedstrip for 44 magnums is a Desert Eagle magazine, you can flick them out pretty quick with your thumb with a little practice. they work great for Single action revolvers but I havent tried it with double action revolvers.

Old Ironsights · Post by **Old Ironsights** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 11:38 am

One to Two reloads for whatever I'm carrying, and I carry different guns for different potentialities.

When I have to go into Gary & the surrounding area, I carry my G27 & 2 reloads - for a total of 30 rounds. (plus 2 12rd G23 sticks in the glove box for retreat insurance...)

Otherwise I carry my SP101 with 2 extra Bianchi Speed Strips for a total of 17 rounds, or my NAA Guardian wit 1 extra 6 round mag for a total of 13 rounds.

RIHMFIRE · Post by **RIHMFIRE** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 12:20 pm

DEPENDS WHERE I AM....
2 EXTRA CLIPS....IF I AM IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA

jhrosier · Post by **jhrosier** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 12:21 pm

El Mac wrote:Its a shame they don't make those 'speed stips' in .44 or .45 for those folk packing SAAs.

These work well for .44s

stripper clips for the Lee Enfield hold 5 rounds of .44

Jack

66GTO · Post by **66GTO** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 12:33 pm

When I carry my KelTec P3AT (.380), a total of 19 rounds. All of this in my right front pants pocket.

If I carry my .45, no reloads, just the 11 in the pistol. Again in my right front pocket.

Dave · Post by **Dave** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 2:04 pm

I carry the gun and one reload. Most of the time I carry a Glock 19 so I have a total of 30 rounds. That is a lot of ammo, but it isn't hard to carry.
Sometimes I carry a Smith 642 and one speedloader. I try real hard to carry the Glock though.
Ammo is like buble gum. If you bring some, you better bring enough for everybody

Mtnfolk75 · Post by **Mtnfolk75** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 3:07 pm

I agree with BlaineG, my no-dash Airweight with two 6 round speed strips, is with me anytime I have pants on .....

If I am actually leaving the mountain, I usually carry a 9mm of some type with one extra Mag ......

2571 · Post by **2571** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 4:45 pm

I was a big city plain-clothes cop. Carried 5 rounds in my Model 36 for years. That was adequate according to our book of procedure and I never felt I wanted or needed more.

I never saw a situation where a ccw licensee needed to reload.

I've have seen plaintiff lawyers emphasize that a shooter for carrying extra ammo and the juries usually agreed that indicated the guy with the CCW was looking for a situation to act like John Wayne.

JerryB · Post by **JerryB** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 4:48 pm

With any of my DA sixguns I carry one HKS reloader. With my Colt SAA.45 I carry a Mernickle belt slide with six rounds.

66GTO · Post by **66GTO** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 5:36 pm

2571 wrote:I was a big city plain-clothes cop. Carried 5 rounds in my Model 36 for years. That was adequate according to our book of procedure and I never felt I wanted or needed more.

I never saw a situation where a ccw licensee needed to reload.

I've have seen plaintiff lawyers emphasize that a shooter for carrying extra ammo and the juries usually agreed that indicated the guy with the CCW was looking for a situation to act like John Wayne.

I am retired Federal Special Agent (Treasury) and was also a firearms instructor for our agency. After the Miami FBI shoot out several years ago, our agents always carried extra magazines, if not on our person (we also were "plain clothes" suit and tie) somewhere within arms reach. All of our firearms training included timed magazine exchanges/tactical reloads. I still rely on my training and continue to practice that way.

If ever cross examined about my carry method, that is my explanation.

Old Ironsights · Post by **Old Ironsights** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 5:59 pm

My POV is, "I won't be caught dead with an empty gun".

You may never have to SHOOT more than the 5 in your snubby, but if that's all you've got, and you plan on hanging around for the/other LEO's to come sort things out, IMO it's a pretty good idea to "top off" in case more BGs show up.

Boreman · Post by **Boreman** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 7:57 pm

Fellows, Thanks for all of your comments. I guess my thinking on this issue is in the ballpark. You made a believer out of me. I checked out the Bianchi Speed Strips, and ordered a set today. I'll give them a try.........

Rexster · Post by **Rexster** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 11:02 pm

The strength of Speed Strips is the ability to load two rounds very quickly. With an SA, that factor is lost, as only one chamber is exposed at a time. I don't have a .38/.357 SA to test the theory, but the available space might make a Speed Strip problematic when reloading an SA. I do use Speed Strips for my DA sixguns and fiveguns. For a complete reload, Speed Strips are more for convenience than speed; cartridge loops on the front of the belt are faster, and with a DA, allowing two to be loaded at once, nothing beats a 2x2x2 carrier, except a speedloader.

Rexster · Post by **Rexster** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 11:18 pm

On the original question, well, it depends on my mood and perceived threat level. I almost always carry at least one reload per type of weapon, and usually carry two handguns. If the two handguns are the same type, I might only carry one reload that they can share. The two-gun habit is largely because I also carry a badge; that may change when the badge is retired in a few years, especialy if we move out of this urbanized area, where my quiet small city is surrounded by a large un-quiet city, where my "clients" live.

66GTO · Post by **66GTO** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 11:27 pm

Rexster wrote:nothing beats a 2x2x2 carrier, except a speedloader.

When I started my law enforcement career we carried Model 15 S&W's loaded with .38 Spcl. +P. We learned to reload with 2X2X2 pouches during timed drills. We also trained at night doing partial reloads and learning to index the cylinder in the dark so that the hammer did not fall on an empty chamber. There is something satisfying about a fast reload from a 2X2 pouch. We later switched to speed loaders (then to semi-autos) but I missed the pouches. You could look down the firing line during qualification and tell who the good shooters were just by how fast they reloaded. It separated the men from the boys (and girls) so to speak.

Dakota Mike · Post by **Dakota Mike** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 11:37 pm

Stoeger SXS one in each, Texas you know

Lobo · Post by **Lobo** » Thu Jan 03, 2008 2:49 pm

I carry a Colt Combat Commander (45 ACP)....seven rounds in the magazine and one in the chamber.

Hillbilly · Post by **Hillbilly** » Thu Jan 03, 2008 4:03 pm

depends on what I have and how i dress

1911 in cool weather +2 8 round Chip McCormics on a belt slide pouch

3" M 65 SW and a couple of speed loaders.... sometimes speed strips

snub Tarus 85 + 2 speed loaders or strips

Strips or Speedloaders... the point is to practice with either or both if you use them. I like strips. Another thing..try to carry things in a consistent place..under stress you dont need to figure out new things.

The strips work good for me... but I started with a Sam Browne and Dump pouches back when Dinosours roamed the earth
~J

OD* · Post by OD* » Thu Jan 03, 2008 8:37 pm

Normally two spare 8 round magazines.

kimwcook · Post by **kimwcook** » Thu Jan 03, 2008 9:09 pm

Depends on what I'm packing. If I'm packing my 649 I carry one Bianchi speed strip. If I'm packing one of my 1911's I pack two magazines in the shoulder holster or if I'm carrying on my belt, I pack two magazines off duty and one 10 rd. magazine w/Surefire flashlight on duty. By our SOP I have to carry at least one reload while off duty.

Mojo · Post by **Mojo** » Thu Jan 03, 2008 9:33 pm

For CCW, I carry just what is in the magazine. Hopefully I will never find myself in a situation where I need more than sixteen rounds of .40 S&W and if I do, I have an extra magazine in the truck.

DDude · Post by **DDude** » Thu Jan 03, 2008 10:48 pm

Scott is correct about the fight ending in 5 shots, but I would feel a heck of a lot better with a loaded pistol after a confrontation! Who knows? They could come back!

Not if you do it right... or Jesus brings them back to life.

I always carried an extra magazine when I carried my Detonics .45

Old Ironsights · Post by **Old Ironsights** » Fri Jan 04, 2008 11:10 am

DDude wrote:
Scott is correct about the fight ending in 5 shots, but I would feel a heck of a lot better with a loaded pistol after a confrontation! Who knows? They could come back!
Not if you do it right... or Jesus brings them back to life.

I always carried an extra magazine when I carried my Detonics .45

Or their friends start crawling out from the surrounding rocks...

All depends on the neighborhood.

AJMD429 · Post by **AJMD429** » Fri Jan 04, 2008 12:25 pm

ScottT wrote:Most fights are over before 5 rounds are expended. But that does not mean much if you need more.

If I were you, I would buy a Bianchi Speed Strip which will give you a quick reload without the necesity and bulk of carrying speed loaders.

I agree with the SPEEDSTRIPS as better than round speedloaders when carrying a wheelgun.

When I was working as a pharmacist, and often got called to work late/close shift at high-risk stores in the inner city, I carried a Para-Ordnance P-14 with two spare magazines of Black Talon. That was enough to get me a $42,000 fine and five years in jail in New Jersey, but totally legal in Indiana.

sabashimon · Post by **sabashimon** » Wed Apr 09, 2008 8:34 pm

I carry an HK45c....8+1 and a 10round mag on my weakside.
And hope like hell that'll be enough to get me thru whatever I step in.

Post by **AmBraCol** » Wed Apr 09, 2008 9:41 pm

You need to pick up a copy of "Shooting Back" (I believe it's still listed on the front page of http://www.leverguns.com - if not, it's available from Woldnet Daily) In it Charl van Wyck tells about how he shot at automatic rifle and grenade wielding goons with his Rossi 38 spl 5 shot snub. Two rounds at 50 yards or so (IIRC) and then he went out the side door and around the building, loosed the next three at the goons as they were getting away - and was left with a strangely shaped club (my words, not his) - no ammo, no reloads, just an empty gun. That's not a good feeling, no it isn't. Me? I've usually got 18 rounds total with me, the sixgun and two speedloaders. Hope I never need ANY of them, but if I DO - I don't want to be left unarmed.

Rexster · Post by **Rexster** » Wed Apr 09, 2008 10:06 pm

Ah, an old topic brought to the top!

In case it has not yet been mentioned here, remember when using Speed Strips, to peel using a motion as if opening a bottle with a bottle opener. Some who are critical of Speed Strips are trying to peel to the side, which results in a less-clean release, and sometimes the chambered round will try to pop out of the chamber.

Once again, just to be clear, Speed Strips are NOT fast for a complete reload, but are VERY fast for loading two RIGHT NOW.

MikeNV · Post by **MikeNV** » Wed Apr 09, 2008 10:42 pm

My favorite off-duty carry is a S&W 640 performance center gun with 2 speed strips for a total of 17 rounds. The 640 is just comfortable with an appendix carry in a Milt Sparks Summer Special.

If I'm carrying on of my Glocks then I carried one extra full size mag.
For example if I'm carrying my Glock 30 (.45acp) 10+1 then I carry a Glock 21 full size 13 rd mag.

Very cool idea about the .303 stripper clips to hold 44 mag rounds, wonder if it will work for .45 Colt rounds?

OT - How much CCW ammo do you carry......

OT - How much CCW ammo do you carry......

CCW

CCW ammo

who wants to carry all that stuff?

Re: who wants to carry all that stuff?

reloads