I am tending more and more to taking a long gun along on any day trips longer than 10 miles. But yes there seems to be more need to have extra ammo and enough handgun on my person during waking hours.

 

The spare mag ain’t for reloads, but in case your primary mag goes down.
Had a 1911 mag lose its baseplate, really awkward single shot at that point.

And if the fight requires more, you have them.

 

The spare mag ain’t for reloads, but in case your primary mag goes down.

Mag issues are the #1 cause of failures with semi-autos.

But it's nice to have the extra rounds too

 

It's a balance of weight that decides what is too much.

 

We live in a rural, small town area.
Violent crime is very rare, violent crime among strangers is ultra rare.
I feel just fine with one of my snub nose revolvers or my Ruger LCP2.
I have a 12 ga pump loaded with OO buck in the truck, mainly in case I happen upon someone who has hit and injured a deer.
The only one I ever hit ran off.

 

Alot of training I've attended wanted you to have 3 spare mags so you didn't have to reload them all the time. If you're going to carry a spare train with it. Eventually try doing a weak one handed mag change and weak one handed chambering. When you got that down, you got that.
I usually carry just one though not 3 in real life. I'm seldom out anyway.

 

Every time I buy another (sigh) handgun I immediately purchase 3-5 extra magazines. I do some IDPA shooting and like to have many extra mags. Throw in the fact that things are dicey and the gun control idiots are rampant, it just makes sense.

 

You can't have too ammunition unless you are on fire or swimming. I always have at least 2 magazines, a spring could break or a feed lip could crack at any time - the extra mag is now a fully functional primary.

I have at least 5 mags for every autoloader, more can be better.

 

I carry a spare mag on me when I'm out and about. I have a Glock mag-loader in the console and a box of ammo, also foam ear plugs. I'll probably add a few loaded mags starting... soon. After dark especially if I'm going through a sketchy area, the Shockwave goes with me. #00 buck in mini shells and a spare box of 20, plus the side saddle is full.

 

I don’t carry spare mags daily, in my rural place where everyone knows everyone.

If I go to the land of chewable air, where the homeless run free and gangs exist, I carry a higher capacity gun and spare mags.

In either case, I’m usually near my truck, and a whole lot more firepower is in there.

 

Not weird at all to consider being better armed so to speak when you perceive an increasing threat. I have a firearm on my body all of the time, except for when sleeping or actually in work. I always have two reloads/spare mags with me as well.
I did carry a back-up Taurus 738 .380 in my front right pocket in the past as well. I also have at least 3 firearms with me, on me and/or in my car/truck when I am not at home. I would rather have and not need, than to need and simply do not have.
Prepare as you see fit.

 

So you step out of the shower with nothing but an AR and a smile?

 

No, you're underarmed.

I always have a capable handgun on me + 2 mags and an even more capable longish gun in the truck with 6 mags. We could enter the Maelstrom at any time. 💀

 

You need a G17 with a Happy Stick for when you go to the bathroom?
Where do you live, Harare?

But seriously, it may be time to move if you have to roll that heavy around the house.

 

You need a G17 with a Happy Stick for when you go to the bathroom?
Where do you live, Harare?

But seriously, it may be time to move if you have to roll that heavy around the house.

I try to live by "train as you fight." I am just overly cautious. Never a bad idea to carry and or have a firearm in the bathroom for when using.

 

Our biggest threat is something after our chickens at 2:00 AM.
My .410 double barrel is sufficient.
I do keep a S&W .38 in bed with me. Old habits die hard. Vietnam 69-70.

 

I knew an old Vietnam vet who could throw a beer can up in the air and roll it with his 45 until the slide locked back, I never saw him miss, he was truly at one with his weapon!

 

There’s a lot of variables that could affect my answer, but the main question to guide my thinking would be “what is your anticipated threat and where are you fighting your way to?”. So if I was hiking, it may be different than driving, or walking around town. That being said, if I lived in a very rural area and traveled mostly by vehicle, I would likely look at having one gun and a spare mag on my person with another pistol and/or long gun & ammo in my vehicle (likely in a lock box). In this scenario, I could fight my way back to my vehicle, then fight my way to safety (either home or wilderness). Whatever the scenario, a pistol and spare mag(s) will likely be sufficient when out of the home.

 

I roll with a 10-15 round carry weapon with a spare mag. I also carry a fully loaded PMR30 with two fully loaded mags for a total of 90 rounds just in my shoulder bag alone.

I usually don't bring the bag into regular stores and quick stops, but if I go to the mall or walmart or any other danger zone the bag goes with me.

I also ALWAYS carry a small flipper for everyday tasks and a larger "Tactical" folding knife that is only to be used on bad guys if for some reason I can't draw down and start shooting (people behind the bad guy or I'm too jammed up in a small space like an elevator)

 

It's probably been 10 years since I've been to a mall, and 20+ years since I visited them often. But if I went to malls in certain areas, I'd probably have an Uzi briefcase, the advanced models that let you fire with the briefcase closed.

 

Ive lived and worked in all sorts of places over my lifetime, from very rural to inner cities and everything in between. The one thing thats always been a constant is, people are people, no matter where you are, and you never know what you might run into or what might happen. In some places things may be worse than others more often, but happen a lot, or happen hardly ever at all, if and when it happens to you, whats it matter? You get to deal with it right then, no matter how much the denial is kicking in.

For the past almost 50 years or so now, Ive always carried at least one basically full sized handgun, every waking moment, on a daily basis, with at least one reload, sometimes more, depending on the gun, and sometimes a BUG as well. Ive been wearing a gun for so long, that I really dont even notice Im wearing it, just like everything else that I carry with me every day. Its just there should it be needed. But, it is always there. I also practice with it on a weekly basis as well.

No matter where you live, bad stuff happens, to good and bad people. And you arent the one thats gets to choose when or where that is, its the other guy(s), or other things, that do, and you have to deal with it in the moment with what you have.

It doesn't matter how close or how many things you might have stashed around, if you dont have it on you, you dont have it, and you very likely wont have the time or luxury to go look for it either. That gun 10 feet away is useless if whats going on is right where you're standing, and you are effectively "unprepared" in that moment. At least if you are wearing it, it goes where you go, and when you go, no matter what.

I dont leave guns stashed around the house, as the thought of coming home to someone I just armed who broke into my house and found that gun, kind of doesn't sit too well with me. Why make it easy for them?

 

I’ve been carrying a revolver of late, as my primary concern is crackheads in the parking lot and errant 4 legged critters. Neither of which is going to appreciate a 357 magnum.

That being said, I am probably going to pick up a G43 in the near future as with a job change I am now working in town a lot more, and the crazies are coming out to play with fewer consequences. Case in point, yesterday I watched two crackheads having a shouting match in a parking lot. One pulls a hunting knife out, and the other responds by pulling one of those Gerber folding machetes and going at him. The issue was resolved by LE holding both at gunpoint, taking their knives and leaving.

 

My G43 is my EDC, nice and concealable, better hidden in colder weather of course. I have a spare mag in whatever holster I have on that day, 147 grain hollow points only as of late. My girl friend either has her Sig Sauer P320 or G48 in her gun pocketbook, I tell her to fire right through the bag if she has to.

The 2-legged varmints are more prevalent lately, crack whores, pan-handling "veterans" that are on the unhinged side. I only buy gas in one place, busy on a main road where they pump it for me. I don't go into a 711 or any other convenience store at all.

 

I always have a pistol and during hunting season, rifle stays in the truck all season with at least one box of cartridges except for a few weeks with a shotgun for ducks.

 

I keep a 'pistol grip' / SBR AR in the trunk with 8-10 mags in its mil-style heavy canvas carrying bag when I travel to dangerous or unknown areas. I have some mags on those couplers that give me 60 rounds with 2 mags joined together; I have a Magpul D-60 drum mag that holds 60 rounds; and I have several of those ATI 60 round double stack mags that work very well (no FTF / FTE / stovepipes from them). I typically just prefer 30 round Magpuls, but I also have a bunch of the Daniel Defense 32 round round mags, which are also flawless in every way possible. I like them a lot.

Any of those might be with me....or not.

I carry a 9mm S&W M&P as my frequent CCW / CWP, with 3-4 spare mags, and / or Sig Sauer 9mm with 4-5 spare mags. The M&P is 17+1 round mag capacity, good enough on its own for wally world or the grocery store.

If I need more, the car is nearby and the cops better be there sooner than that, but if not, I've got options. I also carry an S&W folder pocket knife as a basic daily use tool. I can do more with just that than many thugs can do with a gun.

I am presently drooling & lusting over this new .45 cal, 22+1 capacity Springfield Armory 1911 DS Prodigy pistol:

1911 DS Prodigy™ Handguns - Springfield Armory

www.springfield-armory.com

Maybe next year. That puppy is expensive, around $1500.

So the answer is, carry what you feel you need to be safe and / or GBH from the distance you are presently at.

 

Your survival tools are investments in you and your family's safety. I don't feel bad at all about buying gear that is useful and has lasting value.

👌

 

And am considering a backup gun.

If we are talking "on my person", I carry my primary handgun with 2 mags and a backup gun with 1 spare mag. I also train and practice accordingly. The primary is on my dominant side, the back up is on my non-dominant side. I also carry a Kabar TDI in case things go from bad to worse.

 

Weird? Paranoid? Anymore, it just seems wise

Nope, just prudently cautious preparation. Look, the chances of ever needing to using your CCW for self-defense is extremely rare. However, the severity of those “rare” incidents have grown exponentially from a lone thief to a mob, gang, or active shooter. You can’t carry a rifle concealed daily without some serious challenges, but you can improve your CCW capabilities such as optics, WML, and extra mags. Weight is a challenge and as you get older your tolerance may diminish.

Situational awareness is still more valuable than extra ammo. Being in bad places at wrong hours of the night/early morning is the first thing to fix and avoid. Know your areas. You should know where the homeless congregate, you know that malls in the evening are full of cocky youth and trouble-makers, you should know the neighborhoods to avoid, etc.

I always try to carry at least one spare magazine and as many of stated, it’s not for extra ammo, it’s for those more probably FTE/FTF drills where you the fast method to get your gun back in the fight is just changing the magazine.

For in/around town, it’s usually just the one. If we drive into the larger metropolitan areas, I’ll bring 2-4 spare magazines.

If I’m driving out of town, I plan for the worst:





It’s your life and situation. I won’t judge you, but you do need to make your own assessments and judgements and ensure you train to those most-likely situations and have plans to get out of bad areas as expeditiously as possible. Having a gun(s) and extra ammo is great, but it won’t solve failures in planning, poor situational awareness, or…simply bad luck. There should be more “tools” in your toolbox to make your CCW you last-choice option.

ROCK6

 

Nope, just prudently cautious preparation. Look, the chances of ever needing to using your CCW for self-defense is extremely rare. However, the severity of those “rare” incidents have grown exponentially from a lone thief to a mob, gang, or active shooter. You can’t carry a rifle concealed daily without some serious challenges, but you can improve your CCW capabilities such as optics, WML, and extra mags. Weight is a challenge and as you get older your tolerance may diminish.

Situational awareness is still more valuable than extra ammo. Being in bad places at wrong hours of the night/early morning is the first thing to fix and avoid. Know your areas. You should know where the homeless congregate, you know that malls in the evening are full of cocky youth and trouble-makers, you should know the neighborhoods to avoid, etc.

I always try to carry at least one spare magazine and as many of stated, it’s not for extra ammo, it’s for those more probably FTE/FTF drills where you the fast method to get your gun back in the fight is just changing the magazine.

For in/around town, it’s usually just the one. If we drive into the larger metropolitan areas, I’ll bring 2-4 spare magazines.

If I’m driving out of town, I plan for the worst:





It’s your life and situation. I won’t judge you, but you do need to make your own assessments and judgements and ensure you train to those most-likely situations and have plans to get out of bad areas as expeditiously as possible. Having a gun(s) and extra ammo is great, but it won’t solve failures in planning, poor situational awareness, or…simply bad luck. There should be more “tools” in your toolbox to make your CCW you last-choice option.

ROCK6

Damn, Rock, that's an awesome go-bag.

I supplement my tac rifle bag with a backpack full of IFAK stuff, buffed up with lots of other stuff to treat gunshot, knife and auto accident injuries. It also has a few Mountain House meals, several multi-tools, several super bright LED lights, a couple of LED emergency lanterns that have flashing red rotating beacons along with dual super bright LED's, an HT ham radio with extended whip antenna, one extra spare AR mag & a spare pistol mag in easy reach on the outer webbing pockets of the backpack.

I like your setup better. Way more concise, compact and straight-forward business. I just can't figure out what the blue thing is on the lanyard in your top-most pic. A fire starter? A knife sharpener? A whistle? Looks too small to be a Lifestraw.

Anyway, bravo! I think I will borrow an idea or two from your organizational efforts. Please let me know what the blue thing is. Thanks!

 

A firm believer in "rescue tools". Whatever your planning preps require.

As posted elsewhere above...been carrying so long, it is simply a fact of life. Get dressed...slide check and holster.
Every day.
All day.

Own a couple options for vehicle carry - however, only consider them for longer trips (overnight). But reading this thread, the unexpected could make any trip an "overnighter". Will have to reconsider/re-evaluate.

 

I just recently started to carry my AR9 in the truck when out and about. Mags fit my EDC too.
So, 99 rounds there. 15 in the EDC, and 2 spare mags with 17 rounds each.

Funny though, went to Big 5 to buy a tennis racquet bag for the AR9 . The guy at the counter said he had sold a couple recently for the same purpose.

 

I just recently started to carry my AR9 in the truck when out and about. Mags fit my EDC too.
So, 99 rounds there. 15 in the EDC, and 2 spare mags with 17 rounds each.

Funny though, went to Big 5 to buy a tennis racquet bag for the AR9 . The guy at the counter said he had sold a couple recently for the same purpose.

Curious why, under OPSEC, he would know the purpose of the purchase for everyone that bought the bag for that purpose...

 

Dude, you're hardcore! I love it!

 

Rock, what is that blue thing on the lanyard?

 

I carry a handgun, many times without a back up mag. I challenge you to search the world for a instance when a civilian needed a reload. Ever. Self defense shootings will happen quickly, and decisively. It will be over in about 2 seconds, 2-4 rds fired, and someone will be dead or dying. Anything more and you are stepping into fantasy.

That said, I do carry a compact long gun or SBR when I am traveling overnight.

 

Clint Smith always has said that most gun battles will occur with what is in or on the gun, so I have to agree. I only carry the spare if it goes on the holster.