How much spare ammo should be carried in reality?

[sefrein]

I am a concealed carry instructor and have carried a firearm for over thirty years and I have always stood by what I was taught by my stepfather who was a Marine corp pistol instructor and believed at least one to two reloads for your weapon was reasonable, but as of recently reading more than once articles in reliable publications about bad guys soaking up to 20+ rounds of 40 cal, or other rounds I am beginning to wonder? I always stress that accuracy and solid hits are the key based on good marksmanship skills, but in the real world the dynamics of a real gunfight 5-7 rounds seems really to imply you will be outgunned? I carried a small .380 pocket pistol for over 20 years and never felt outgunned but, I never had to use it in a life or death combat situation either.
 High capacity weapon multiple mags 2 or more or realistic size weapon that you will carry 1 reload and become intimate with and practice shoot well ?

[TAB]

I only carry a reload  for my 1911/ de with my shoulder holster, mainly for balance.  I do carry a speed loader for my colt dective.  I don't see it as me being at risk, others might.

[tombogan03884]

I read some where about the "Rule of 3's".
Statistics claim the "average" SD shooting lasts 3 seconds, inside 3 yards, and involves 3 shots .
Your best bet is to become skilled with your weapon, if you can carry spare ammo that's better .
 Consider this about those "20+ rounds of .40 cal", just like with real estate, location is everything .
If you shoot off an attackers fingers and toes you have scored 20 hits, and probably done no more than make him really mad .
The fact that you specify .40 cal indicates you were going with LEO reports , the most important thing to remember is that most cops shoot like crap .

[Magoo541]

One more thing to consider about carrying a reload (which I don't on my person, there are two in my Backpack ) is that the vast majority of malfunctions can be dealt with by a mag change.  I plan on getting a horizontal mag holder SOON, and I'll keep my two reloads in my back pack so with my XDM that'll give me a "combat load" of 54 rounds of +P 185 grain 45 ACP.

[tombogan03884]

One thing to remember here, what is perfect for Magoo or for me probably will not be so for you .
Circumstances, environment, wardrobe, and threat levels will all require consideration on an individual basis .
As with choice of fire arm, there is no one size fits all answer.

[Sponsor]

[Timothy]

It helps to carry a big stick!  In the event of running short of a re-load, you can beat the perp to death..

Kinda like owning a Ruger...

[Creeper308]

My EDC includes a SA subcompact (with 10 round 9mm mag).  My feeling -- if I need more than 10 rounds to get out of a situation then my judgment and situational awareness has utterly fallen to sh**!  That said, about half the time I have an extended, 15 round mag as backup; I get distracted. 

[Solus]

As much as you practically can.

There is no penalty for going home with extra ammo after a gun fight, but the penalty might be very high for coming up only one round short.

[mortdooley]

I carry my extra ammo in a second gun, my primary is in my front pocket or IWB holster. The other one is carried in an ankle holster if I feel the need for it.

[twyacht]

Combat troops carry 6-8 mags, for their AR. 180-240 rds. It really adds up to 6-8 minutes of combat fire. Than a back-up, usually handgun, if they are even issued one, will get 2 spare mags. (I won't go into what the handgun is, as it really doesn't matter)

Weight, Weight, Weight, matters.

For personal carry, whether its my Kel-Tec P3AT or my S&W M&P compact, it is, and still remains, a personal comfort level with one spare mag in a pocket.

FWIW, as I celebrate diversity in personal carry, I carry a Bianchi speed strip when I carry my snub revolver, a spare mag for any and every semi auto IWB, and in the swamps of S. Florida where heavy clothing simply won't work, I still get spare mags in cargo shorts. Plus a Benchmade "clip" knife,.....to complement the other essentials.

It is very personal, all here can simply offer advice, but depending on your specific comfort level, what works for you, will work.

All the best.

tw