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The round capacity did/does concern me. When I carry the Glock I've got 17+1, I don't carry an extra mag due to weight...unless it's cold and I wear my should rig, then I've got 17+1 and two 17-round mags. I do carry an extra mag (in my front left pocket) with my Kimber however.

arod757 wrote:One of the things that did bother me was the capacity. I'll be going from 16 rounds down to 10 with a 9mm commander size 1911.

When I decided I needed a single-stack, I knew that meant reduced capacity. I figured that if I'm going to have fewer shots, I might as well punch a bigger hole. So I went from 16 rounds of .40S&W to 8 rounds of .45ACP.
And single-stack magazines are much easier to carry and conceal. You can use a mag pouch on the belt or just slip one in a pocket.

I have the ability to carry as many as 41 rounds of .45 ACP with my M&P 45 (10+1 in the gun, + 3 extra mags of 10 rounds each) if I were so inclined. I'm rarely that inclined. I prefer to keep my pants up.... ....and yes, I do wear a quality gun belt.

The bottom line for me personally is, if I feel the need for 41 rounds of pistol ammo, then I feel even more strongly the need for an AR15 with 3 or 4 30 round mags... ...and I have never felt that need yet. If I ever have to draw my gun, my goal is to get the heck out of Dodge as rapidly as possible. People point to a trend in high volume exchanges of gunfire in more recent years between cops and bad guys, but that is between COPS and bad guys - not me and bad guys; and realistically not between the rest of us either and bad guys. The overwhelming majority of shootings still involve a fairly small number of shots fired, including police shootings.

I don't ridicule whatever anyone else chooses to carry. It's your belt, and your pants. But my regular load out looks like this:

• Belt Carry...
  • If I'm carrying one of my 1911s, then 1 extra magazine, for a total of 15 or 17 rounds, depending on whether it is my 3" or 5" gun.
  • If I'm carrying my M&P 45, then 1 extra magazine for a total of 21 rounds.
• If I'm pocket carrying my .357 snubbie, then I carry 2 extra 5 round speed loaders for a total of 15 rounds.
• If I am shoulder holster carrying, regardless if it is a 1911 or an M&P, then I carry 2 extra magazines (the mag holder on the off side holds 2 mags), for a total of 21, 25, or 31 rounds accordingly. The primary reason I carry two spare mags instead of one with my shoulder holster is that it more evenly distributes the weight, not because I feel underarmed without that second spare.

And by the way, I never, or almost never carry a BUG, but that's just me. I know others prefer to, and that's fine. I just don't feel a personal need to do so.

That said, I think it is foolish if you are going to carry a semi-automatic weapon to not carry at least one spare magazine. Magazines are at fault for a large number of weapon failures - even with the mighty mighty Glock. It will do you no good to have a 17 round capacity magazine if it malfunctions on every other shot. Better to dump the mag and insert a fresh one. In my book, that remains the primary reason for carrying a backup magazine at all. The extra rounds are secondary, because the odds that you'll never need them, even if you are involved in a shooting. This is not a war zone, and despite rhetoric to the contrary, civilian loadout requirements are different than some groundpounder's in Afghanistan. If anyone ever sends rounds my way, I'm going to waddle out of there as fast as I can, and hopefully, I'll never be in a firefight.

The Annoyed Man wrote:People point to a trend in high volume exchanges of gunfire in more recent years between cops and bad guys, but that is between COPS and bad guys - not me and bad guys; and realistically not between the rest of us either and bad guys. The overwhelming majority of shootings still involve a fairly small number of shots fired, including police shootings.

Very true. Most gunfights are over in just a few seconds. I've heard that even the most famous gunfight of the Old West, the shootout at the OK Corral only last thirty-some seconds. I've read that typically, only 2-4 rounds are expended. The idea that you'll need a reload, or have time for one, is mostly the product of movies. And I've never heard of a dead cop being found with an empty gun, even in the days of six-shooters.

The Annoyed Man wrote:That said, I think it is foolish if you are going to carry a semi-automatic weapon to not carry at least one spare magazine. Magazines are at fault for a large number of weapon failures - even with the mighty mighty Glock. It will do you no good to have a 17 round capacity magazine if it malfunctions on every other shot. Better to dump the mag and insert a fresh one. In my book, that remains the primary reason for carrying a backup magazine at all. The extra rounds are secondary, because the odds that you'll never need them, even if you are involved in a shooting.

Absolutely! The magazine is a weak link in the gizmo. That's the best reason for having a spare.


All that being said, I keep loaded spare magazines in my truck and in my apartment. If I'm not carrying a spare on me, there are usually several close by.

RiverRat wrote:I switched from an XD45 compact to a 1911 and haven't looked back. It's slimmer, easier to carry, etc. Enjoy.

What this guy said. I love my XD's, but I decided to change it up several months ago and get into a 4" 1911. I haven't looked back. I may switch back to the xd in the winter time, but you can't beat the slimness of the 1911 platform for summertime concealment.

Carry both a Kimber CDP Pro and just bought a Glock 20. Both guns are about the same weight as my Kimber is an aluminum frame. The 1911 is def thinner though hence easier to conceal. It does feel wierd to be carrying a gun with 16 rounds in it when im using the Glock. You will love the 1911 as a CCW.

When I carry the 4 inch 1911 I carry a spare mag if not 2 so 16/24 bullets
When I carry the Glock I use only one spare mag total 32 bullets

I allways carry a BUG in a Ruger LCP ot SIG P238 both .380 with 7 bullets

There are times when im dressed very light due to heat the im usually carrying the SIG with one extra clip so 13 bullets.

I carry a Kimber Crimson Carry Pro and depending on what holster one or 2 extra mags. I was carrying a XD .40 and it was pretty hard to conceal. I haven't looked back since going to the 1911.

Might want to borrow a Kimber BP10. Commander size 1911 slide but a Glock size grip with 13rds+1 of 45. It is slightly heavier than my Kimber Pro CDP but the extra ammo weight is offset mostly by the polymer frame. If you get a single stack 1911 with a full length grip then you can add slimline Aluma Grips and bob the MSH, gun practically disappears.

My G27 is very easy to conceal and carry. That being said, I plan to sell the Glock for another 1911 ASAP. The 1911 is a much nicer shooter, maybe a bit bigger for CC but I can live with that. Anyone looking to buy a Glock 27? call me!!