Tag: gun

Dive into a wide range of topics related to guns, including firearm reviews, training techniques, maintenance tips, legal updates, and responsible gun ownership. Our articles are designed to inform, educate, and support everyone from first-time buyers to experienced shooters.

Concealed Carry, Gear and Equipment, Guide

How Often Should You Replace Your Self-Defense Ammo?

Mark Schneider

/̵͇̿̿/’̿’̿ ̿ ̿̿ ̿̿⌖ Why Changing Your Carry Ammo Matters

If you carry a firearm for personal protection — whether as a concealed carry permit holder, armed security guard, or off-duty law enforcement officer — you’re trusting your life to that ammo. But how often should you actually rotate or replace your self-defense ammo?

It’s a question we hear often in our Denver firearms training classes, and it’s simpler to answer than you might think.

⏳ So, How Often Should You Replace Your Carry Ammo?

General rule:
✅ Every 6 to 12 months, you should replace your defensive hollow points with a fresh set.

Even though modern ammunition is durable, your daily carry environment can wear it down over time.

💧 What Happens to Ammo When You Carry It?

Your carry ammo gets exposed to:

  • Temperature swings: Going from a hot car to cold outdoors stresses your ammo.
  • Moisture & sweat: IWB carry soaks your gun and mags in sweat, which can corrode brass or primers.
  • Lint & debris: Dust and pocket lint can work into your magazine and feed ramp.
  • Repeated chambering: Every time you unload and reload, the top round gets pushed into the feed ramp. Too many times, and you risk bullet setback — shortening overall length and raising chamber pressures.

🔍 Why Rotating Ammo Is Important

Switching out your self-defense ammo helps:

✅ Ensure reliability — so primers aren’t compromised by sweat or oil.
✅ Prevent bullet setback — reducing risk of excessive pressure.
✅ Build confidence — because you shoot your old carry ammo and verify it functions perfectly.

🛠 How Often Should You Rotate, Based on Your Environment?

SituationRecommended Ammo Rotation
Daily concealed carry (IWB/OWB)Every 6–12 months
Hot, humid climates / heavy sweatingEvery 6–12 months
Occasional carry / home defense onlyEvery 12–24 months
Security / law enforcement dutyFollow agency policy (often 12 months)

🔥 Pro Tip: Shoot Your Old Carry Ammo

When you rotate your ammo, don’t just toss it — take it to the range and shoot it. This lets you:

✅ Confirm your firearm cycles your defensive load reliably
✅ Stay used to the recoil & POI of your chosen hollow points
✅ Avoid wasting money on expensive ammo

📝 Quick Ammo Inspection Checklist

Every month or so, give your carry ammo a quick look:

✅ Check for corrosion or tarnish
✅ Look for dents or deformities
✅ Compare bullet seating depth to a fresh round — setback is a problem
✅ Make sure primers aren’t oily or compromised

If anything seems off, swap it out immediately.

⚖️ Bottom Line: When to Replace Carry Ammo

  • Rotate your self-defense ammo every 6–12 months.
  • Inspect it regularly for corrosion or setback.
  • Shoot your old carry ammo to verify performance.

Being proactive means your firearm is always loaded with ammo you can count on when your life depends on it.

🚀 Additional Resources & Training Opportunities

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Carrying a firearm is a serious responsibility. Make sure you’re legally protected if you ever have to use it in self-defense.
Compare our top self-defense insurance plans here.

👮 Advance Your Career With Security Guard Training

Looking to start or level up your security career? We offer state-compliant armed and unarmed security guard training right here in Denver.
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🎯 Get Your CCW Certification

Ready to carry legally in Colorado? We provide comprehensive concealed carry (CCW/CHP) courses, including live-fire qualification and thorough legal instruction.
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Concealed Carry, Firearms Training, Legal & Law, News, Situational Awareness

The Average Gunfight: How Many Rounds, What Distance, and How Fast?

Mark Schneider

When most people imagine a gunfight, they think of something out of a movie—dozens of rounds fired across long distances in a drawn-out exchange. The reality, especially in civilian self-defense scenarios, looks very different. Whether you’re a CCW holder, armed security guard, or just serious about self-defense, understanding the real-world dynamics of an average gunfight is essential to training smart and staying alive.

How Many Rounds Are Typically Fired?

Studies and data consistently show that real-world gunfights involve far fewer rounds than you might expect:

  • Law Enforcement Encounters: According to the FBI’s Law Enforcement Officers Killed and Assaulted (LEOKA) reports, the average number of rounds fired by officers in shooting incidents varies annually. For instance, in 2017, officers fired an average of 4.1 rounds per incident.
  • Civilian Self-Defense Cases: In a comprehensive five-year analysis of armed citizen encounters, it was found that defenders fired an average of 2 shots per incident. Notably, in situations where more than two shots were fired, it often appeared that the defender continued firing until their firearm was emptied.
  • Training Organization Data: Rangemaster, a prominent civilian defensive firearms training organization, reported that among 70 documented gunfights involving their alumni, the average number of rounds fired was about 4, with a range from 1 to 11 rounds per incident.

These numbers debunk the idea that more ammunition automatically makes you safer. While magazine capacity matters, accuracy and decision-making under pressure matter more.

At What Distance Do Most Gunfights Happen?

This may surprise you:

  • Close-Range Engagements: The widely cited “Rule of Threes” suggests that most gunfights occur at approximately 3 yards, involve 3 shots, and last about 3 seconds. This heuristic is supported by various law enforcement training materials and anecdotal evidence.
  • Law Enforcement Data: According to the FBI, offenders shot approximately 50.9% of officers within a distance of 0 to 5 feet. leb.fbi.gov
  • Variability in Distances: While close-range encounters are most common, there are documented instances of defensive shootings occurring at longer distances. For example, in the 2022 Greenwood Park Mall shooting, a civilian bystander engaged and neutralized an active shooter from a distance of 40 yards. en.wikipedia.org

So while it’s critical to master close-quarters shooting, it’s just as important not to neglect medium-range marksmanship in your training.

How Long Do Gunfights Last?

Almost all defensive shootings are over in seconds. Literally.

  • Average Duration: The “Rule of Threes” encapsulates this, indicating that many such encounters are resolved in approximately 3 seconds.
  • Rapid Resolution: For instance, in the 2019 Dayton shooting, law enforcement officers engaged and neutralized the shooter within 32 seconds of the first shots being fired. en.wikipedia.org

The takeaway? Your training should simulate that pressure: draw, shoot, move, and make life-or-death decisions in just a few seconds.

What This Means for Your Training

If you’re serious about concealed carry or working in armed security, your training should reflect these facts:

  • Train Close-Up: Most encounters happen inside 7 yards. Your first shot needs to be fast and accurate.
  • Train Under Stress: Practice with timers, movement, and decision-making. Create realistic scenarios, not just static range time.
  • Carry Enough Ammo—but Don’t Overthink It: If you have a spare magazine and can run your gun efficiently, you’re ahead of the curve.
  • Prepare Mentally: Learn how to recognize threats early, act decisively, and justify your actions legally and ethically.

Final Thoughts

The average gunfight is fast, close, and violent. There’s no warning bell, no time to fumble with your firearm, and no room for error. The more you align your training with the realities backed by hard data, the more prepared you’ll be to protect yourself and others.

Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Always consult an attorney and follow local laws when carrying or using a firearm in self-defense.

Concealed Carry, Legal & Law

Self-Defense vs. Mutual Combat: What the Courts Will Ask

Mark Schneider

When a use-of-force case lands in court, one of the most important questions is this: Was it self-defense—or was it mutual combat? That distinction can be the deciding factor between a justified shooting and a criminal charge.

As a firearms instructor, I teach my students—whether they’re CCW holders, armed guards, or police—that “self-defense” is a legal defense, not a free pass. If you acted recklessly, started the conflict, or stayed when you didn’t need to, the courts may not side with you.

🔍 What is Mutual Combat?

Mutual combat refers to a situation where both parties voluntarily engage in a fight. If you consent to fight someone—even verbally—you may forfeit your right to claim self-defense.

Colorado law makes it clear: you cannot start the fight and then claim self-defense unless you try to walk away and the other person continues the aggression.

⚖️ What the Court Will Look At

Whether you’re facing charges or testifying in court, expect these questions:

  1. Who started the conflict?
  2. Did you escalate the situation?
  3. Were you legally allowed to be there?
  4. Was the threat immediate and serious?
  5. Did you use proportional force?

📚 People v. Pickering (2011)

In People v. Pickering, the defendant shot and killed a man after a confrontation. He was charged with multiple crimes, including reckless manslaughter. The trial court refused to give the jury a self-defense instruction for that charge.

The Colorado Supreme Court ruled that was a mistake. Even when someone is accused of acting recklessly, they may still be entitled to a self-defense instruction—if the facts support it.

The case reinforces a key principle: Self-defense must be evaluated based on all circumstances, including whether the accused was the initial aggressor or tried to withdraw from the fight.

🚫 You Can’t Provoke and Then Claim Self-Defense

Under CRS § 18-1-704(3)(b), a person who provokes the use of force cannot claim self-defense unless:

  • They withdraw from the encounter in good faith, and
  • They clearly communicate that withdrawal to the other person.

Once you do that—and the other person continues the aggression—you may then be justified in using force.

🧭 Colorado Law: No Duty to Retreat

Colorado is a “no duty to retreat” state.

That means if:

  • You are not the initial aggressor, and
  • You are in a place where you are legally allowed to be,

…then you are not required to retreat before using force to defend yourself.

This gives Colorado gun owners and guards strong legal protection—but it does not give you the right to instigate violence or escalate a verbal argument into a physical confrontation.

🧠 De-Escalation is Always the Smartest Move

Carrying a firearm means you take on more responsibility—not less. It’s not about “winning” the encounter. It’s about staying alive, free, and legally protected.

Good use-of-force decisions look like this:

  • You tried to leave or defuse the situation.
  • You didn’t make threats.
  • You didn’t use force until it was absolutely necessary.

If the jury believes you wanted a fight or contributed to the chaos, your self-defense claim may fall apart.

✅ Final Thoughts: Know the Difference

Mutual combat destroys self-defense claims. If you’re in a confrontation, the best way to protect yourself is by not participating in the fight unless you are truly out of options.

Learn your rights. Train for reality. Avoid the courtroom.

🔒 Protect Yourself — Before You Ever Have to

We recommend:

About the Author
Mark Schneider is the lead instructor at Concealed Carry Classes of Denver and a security training manager. He teaches real-world use-of-force law to civilians, guards, and professionals across Colorado.

This article is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Concealed Carry Classes of Denver and its instructors are not attorneys. Always consult with a qualified attorney for legal advice specific to your situation. Use of force laws can vary by jurisdiction and may change over time. It is your responsibility to remain informed and in compliance with all applicable laws.