Magazine capacity is a hot topic. In some states, guns are restricted to 10 rounds or less; in other states, gun owners just like to argue about how many rounds you really need. And then, the revolvers versus 1911s versus double-stacks debate tends to be all over the map. When it comes right down to it, does magazine capacity truly matter? If your magazine has 10 rounds instead of 15, are you doomed? How about if you have a revolver and are limited to five shots? Let’s take a look at the ideal capacity, if there is one, and what it means to you as a gun owner focused on self-defense.
Is revolver capacity too limited?
No, revolvers don’t technically have magazines, they have cylinders with individual chambers. However, revolvers are a big part of the capacity debate. Capacity varies between five and seven rounds, although there are certainly exceptions (the Smith & Wesson 617 has a 10-round cylinder). It’s commonplace for people to claim revolver capacity is far too reduced to make them useful for defensive purposes, but that’s not necessarily accurate.
Revolvers do have a lower capacity than the average semi-auto, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be an EDC (everyday carry). It’s also something that can be remedied by carrying a loaded speedloader for rapid reloads, should the need arise.
Basically, it’s true that revolvers don’t hold as much as most semi-autos used for self-defense, but it’s also true you can learn to reload them fast using either a speedloader or speed strips. Yes, you’re going to have fewer shots available to you at a time, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible to use a revolver as a carry gun. As with any carry gun you need to spend time training with it, and that includes reloads and the gear it takes to accomplish a reload (not all speedloaders or speed strips hold or release rounds the same way).
Does the 1911 hold enough ammo?
Another gun often passed by for carry due to limited capacity is the 1911. After all, a traditional 1911 only holds an average of 8 +1 rounds, give or take a round. The solution to this perceived issue is to carry a spare magazine. Of course, you could also stay true to the 1911 design while getting more capacity with a double-stack 1911, or 2011. That way you get the best of both worlds: greater capacity and familiar 1911 controls. It does make for a significantly heavier gun, but with the correct holster and gun belt combination it can be done.
Also, keep the caliber of your 1911 in mind. A gun chambered in 45 ACP holds fewer rounds and is heavier than one chambered in 9mm. Of course, you can also find a Commander-sized 1911 with a 7 +1 capacity or even an Officer-sized chambered in 9mm with an 8 +1 capacity. Technology has changed, and so have gun designs. With a little research, you can probably find a 1911 you’re comfortable carrying.
How many rounds do you need in gunfight?
Everyone likes to throw numbers around but in reality, there is no set or consistent number when it comes to how many shots it might take to defend your life. There’s simply no way of knowing. Sometimes a single shot is all it takes, and other times the defender is completely empty by the time it’s over. It’s perfectly reasonable to prefer having more ammo available rather than far less, and what it comes down to is personal preference, experience, and the details of the specific situation. What does that mean?
There will be cases where it’s clear you’d be wise to have extra ammo on hand, or even a backup gun (BUG). Although you want to be smart and avoid going to stupid places with stupid people, and doing stupid things, it isn’t always possible. There are myriad reasons you might be passing through or spending time in a less-than-stellar area. You might adjust your carry to fit that with a spare magazine or BUG you might not normally carry.
That said, bad things can and do happen everywhere—the mall, the grocery store, the post office. Regardless of how cautious you are, trouble might find you. Do your own research and decide how much ammo you feel you should have on you as you go about your day. Figure out how easily you can actually carry a spare mag or speedloader, and remember it won’t do you much good if you can’t deploy it quickly. That requires practice, but you’re already practicing drawing and firing your carry gun from concealment, right? Adding magazine changes shouldn’t be too difficult.
How much ammo do you need to carry?
The answer to this depends on who you ask. Some gun owners feel that if you need more than what a single cylinder provides from a revolver, you’re going to lose, anyway. Others believe you should never leave the house without at least one spare magazine. The truth is somewhere in the middle.
Statistically, you’re more likely to need a tourniquet than a handgun, which is one reason why we consistently recommend carrying a tourniquet. That, and if you’re going to carry something that makes holes, it’s smart to carry something to deal with holes. This statistic doesn’t mean you will never need your gun. The one time you decide to leave it in the safe could end up being the day you need it. The day you need your gun isn’t going to be up to you, it’s going to be up to the bad guy who attacks you.
What does this mean for ammo? Generally speaking, it’s wise to carry as much gun as you can comfortably conceal. That doesn’t mean you need to try to stuff a Desert Eagle down your pants, only that a larger-capacity handgun is a good idea if you can carry it without undue discomfort. There are a lot of guns on the market today that have fairly compact frames but offer greater capacity.
As for carrying a spare magazine, that’s a debate for another day. After all, before you worry about having multiple magazines on your body, stop and consider how many rounds each magazine holds. Maybe it’s smarter to have a gun that holds more ammo. And remember, carrying your gun with a round chambered allows you to benefit from +1. It also makes it possible to defend yourself without asking your attacker to hang on while you rack the slide. That extra round is a surprise tool that might help you later.
How many rounds of ammo do you prefer your carry gun to hold? More importantly, are you happy with the capacity of the gun you have now? Share your experiences in the comment section.
