If you’re already committed to carrying a defensive firearm, I applaud doing so. Carrying a firearm has a great deal of responsibility with it. Beyond that responsibility and the inherent liability of doing so, a one- or two-pound hunk of steel and polymer isn’t the most comfortable accessory accompanying one’s wardrobe. Furthermore, adding bulk and weight with spare ammo isn’t exactly at the forefront of most folk’s minds when they first start carrying a firearm. However, spare ammo is an important part of any concealed carry loadout.
Spare ammo isn’t as difficult to carry as many think it is. In fact, today’s wide assortment of concealed carry holsters also includes a dizzying array of spare ammunition carriers. If you don’t currently carry spare ammo, here’s why — and how — you should carry additional ammunition for your defensive firearm.
Why carry spare ammo?
Depending on what statistics you use, the average self-defense encounter lasts under five seconds, with between three to five rounds fired by the individual engaged in self-defense. These numbers suggest modern large-capacity defensive handguns are more than sufficient to handle a lethal threat engagement. However, there’s more to this than just statistical averages.
The Defensive Paradox
While the average engagement is three to five rounds, keep in mind that’s the average. Accordingly, the average will have outliers, with some engagements firing fewer rounds and others above the average. Thus, anyone assuming their lethal force encounter will only last within the average round count is what I refer to as a defensive paradox — you carry a firearm for a lethal force encounter that is highly unlikely but anticipate the encounter will somehow transpire with the best case outcome. Defensive firearms are for a worst-case scenario. Accordingly, if engaged in a gunfight, the odds are already against you. Why assume averages will somehow favor your round count?
While anecdotal, I know of or have been personally involved in multiple one-on-one lethal force engagements where the officer or civilian discharged anywhere from one to over 30 rounds to stop the threat. While 30 rounds may seem excessive, the circumstances dictated the defender had to engage the threat with that many rounds to sufficiently stop it. If we’ve already crossed into the rare realm of discharging a firearm in defense of life or limb, the odds aren’t in our favor. There’s no reason to assume the rounds required to stop the threat will remain within the average.
Murphy’s Law Prevails
In a concept paralleling the defensive paradox, things can go “more wrong” in scenarios where things have already gone wrong. While modern firearms are exceptionally reliable, ammunition, magazines, and a host of other items can — and do — fail. Firearms are mechanical devices. Furthermore, they’re subjected to intense forces and pressures from being discharged or carried regularly. Magazine base plates can crack or pop off if the gun is dropped or struck. Redundancy is often underappreciated with the things we entrust our lives to the most. While not all of us can reasonably carry a second firearm in anticipation of Murphy’s Law, we can definitely carry extra ammunition.
If you’re on the fence about carrying spare ammo for any reason, some of the aforementioned reasoning should push you towards adding that small amount of extra weight to your carry package. If anything, spare ammo mitigates or prevents further complications if engaged in a self-defense shooting. Now, where — and how — do you carry it?
Where does spare ammo go?
Carrying spare ammo isn’t the boogeyman, nor is it as difficult to accomplish as some may think. If you’ve committed to carrying a firearm daily, you’ve already conquered the most difficult part. After that, adding spare ammo in tandem with a concealed carry firearm is actually relatively easy. While there are dozens of options, here are a few methods for carrying spare ammo that I or others use to great effect.
Belt Line
The most common carry method for spare ammo is along the belt line. This method actually has quite a bit of flexibility. While most belt-line ammo carriers are outside-the-waistband (OWB), there are some options for inside-the-waistband carry (IWB). Crossbreed Holsters offers single and double IWB mag carriers. A word of caution if you want to carry magazines IWB—make sure your pants have enough room for the magazines, gun, and accompanying holsters.
Ideally, magazines should be on the opposite side of the firearm. From experience, two magazines opposite a firearm actually make concealed or open carry more comfortable by balancing the weight on both sides of your hips. This method is surprisingly comfortable and great for those of us with lower back pain from just carrying a firearm.
Not all belt line magazine carriers need to have the spare ammo opposite your firearm. Some variants orient the magazine horizontally or with the cartridges facing away from your body. With the magazines horizontal, they’re easily accessible with both hands and very concealable. With cartridges facing away from the body, the spare magazines have a slightly larger footprint but remain readily accessible with both hands.
Pocket Carry
Spare ammo pocket carry is somewhat trial-and-error and depends greatly on your attire. The change pocket is a perfect location for a spare magazine with left-handed shooters. However, some pocket magazine carriers keep the magazine oriented and readily accessible in your pocket.
As mentioned earlier, this method of carrying depends a lot on your wardrobe. Some dress pant pockets are so loose that magazines don’t retain well in the pocket when in a seated position. Accordingly, you may have to adjust your wardrobe or test drive a few pocket carry options to find one that works. Personally, I love pocket carry with extended magazines. They’re easier to grab and sit about, even with the top of the pocket.
Shoulder Holster
Some carry methods are just classic and have a certain “vibe” to them. Carrying a firearm and spare ammo with a shoulder holster is definitely one of them. While nylon shoulder holsters are cheaper, they don’t have the same quality as leather holsters.
Due to injuries from a car accident, I occasionally employ shoulder holster carry for my firearm and spare ammo to get some relief from lower back pain. This method is a great option for those with lower back issues. Furthermore, it’s a relatively concealable and practical carry method.
Off Body Carry
While there are plenty more options, I would be remiss not to mention “off-body” carry methods. Whether in a backpack, purse, or laptop bag, spare magazines are easily concealed. However, this isn’t just throwing magazines into an empty pocket. I highly recommend using some kind of magazine pouch to keep the magazines and spare ammo protected and oriented for quick access. Furthermore, if the bag also conceals a firearm, retention should be a priority. Leaving a bag containing a firearm and spare ammo unattended is dangerous at worst and negligent at best.
No matter where, carry spare ammo.
While I’ve hit on some of the main spare ammo carry methods, there are certainly more options available. Nonetheless, the modern armed citizen is hard-pressed to not justify carrying spare ammo. If anything, spare ammunition helps balance out the firearm’s weight and improves your comfort.
We carry a firearm to defend against the unthinkable, and our reasoning shouldn’t end with strapping on only a gun. With spare ammo, we’re preparing for the worst case of the worst-case scenario. Magazine and ammunition carrier options are widely available and reasonably priced. At the end of the day, the possibilities are endless, with few excuses to not carry spare ammo.
