Should you EDC a reload?

How many mags should I EDC? With limited belt real estate it's a legit question.

Some notable figures in the self defense community point out that the incidence of an average CCW reloading during an armed encounter is negligible, and point to that as a reason to forgo an extra magazine?

I always carry an extra magazine, and the reason has far less to do with capacity than mitigating a mag failure/ malfunction.

Magazines wear out, springs compress, baseplates crack, stuff gets in them etc.

The vast majority (and I mean by a huge margin) of malfunctions I've experienced were mag related. The magazine is generally the weakest link in a quality weapons system.

That fact is the reason I body carry a reload regardless if I'm running a g17 or a g43, and usually have 2 additional mags close at hand.

EDC belt / pocket loadout, also running an AIFAK which will have its own write up at some point.

More mag thoughts;

1. I mark my mags

2. I unload problem ones to close friends and family (JK)

3. I always carry a spare!!!!