size matters

Tails of the Gun   size matters “ Last night, a feller asked me: Why would you need more than seven rounds in a magazine? (Well, it was actually “bullets in a clip,” but we’ll overlook that ignorant faux pas.) My answer was shorter, but this would’a been the long version: Wellp, that depends … • Do I have additional magazines at hand? Will I have time to reload? (It takes me 2sec to reload from a pouch, 5sec standing from a loose pocket.) • What weapon and ammo am I using? (Lower-power cartridges require more hits to stop an attack.) • How good of a shot am I under pressure? (The range ain’t “pressure.” Do I have any real-world experience?) • What is the ambient visibility? (Can’t hit effectively, if I can’t see clearly: darkness, smoke, light in eyes, etc.) • What is my physioloical situation? (Glasses off, contacts out? Sweat? Sleeping pill? Flu? Had a few drinks? Wounded?) • What is my psychological situation? (But wait, there's more Doug...) ”