How Often Should You Change Your Carry Ammo?

Updated: 2/13/2025

How often do you switch out your carry ammo? If you’re like most concealed carriers, the answer is probably not often enough. It’s easy to load up your defensive rounds, holster your firearm, and forget about it. But the truth is, your everyday carry (EDC) ammo is exposed to far more harsh conditions than the spare boxes sitting in your safe.

Temperature fluctuations, moisture, sweat, and general wear can all affect the reliability of your carry rounds over time. The last thing you want is a misfire or dud when you need your weapon the most. So, let’s break down why and how often you should be changing your concealed carry ammo in 2024.

How Long Does Ammo Last? (And When It Doesn’t)

Under ideal conditions—cool, dry, and temperature-stable—modern ammunition can last for decades. Primers and smokeless powder are incredibly stable when stored properly. That’s why those boxes of defensive ammo in your gun safe will likely be good to go for years.

But your EDC ammo? That’s a different story.

Your carry rounds are subjected to all sorts of environmental challenges, especially with daily carry:

• Heat and humidity during the summer.
• Cold and condensation during the winter.
• Sweat, body oils, and holster grime year-round.

These environmental factors can reduce the reliability of your ammunition far sooner than you might expect.

Summer Carry: Heat, Sweat & Car Storage

Let’s start with summer—the season that’s probably hardest on your carry ammo.

Sweat and Moisture

If you carry an inside-the-waistband (IWB) or appendix position, you already know your gun is in contact with your body all day. That means sweat. Even the best holsters soak up moisture over time, and that damp environment can affect your ammunition—especially if you’re carrying a micro-compact or subcompact where the rounds are more exposed near the grip.

Leaving Your Gun in the Car

Ever left your pistol in your car while running into a building with a “No Firearms” sign? We all have. But consider this:

• Interior temperatures of a car can easily exceed 130°F in the summer, even on a mild day.
• Repeated heat cycling (hot car, cool indoor air, repeat) can degrade primer reliability and powder consistency over time.

While ammunition is designed to withstand heat, constant exposure to extreme temperatures—especially combined with humidity—can start to degrade the reliability of your defensive rounds.

Winter Carry: Cold, Condensation & Wet Conditions

Winter carries its own set of challenges, especially for those who spend a lot of time outdoors.

Freezing Temperatures

If you’re out in sub-freezing temperatures—whether sitting in a tree stand, hiking, or just shoveling your driveway—your firearm and ammo are exposed to cold weather stress. While cold itself doesn’t immediately degrade ammo, rapid temperature changes can lead to condensation forming inside your firearm and on your ammunition when you re-enter a warm environment.

Water Exposure

Hunting season, hiking, or just life in general—you might cross a creek, get caught in the rain, or even slip and fall into water. While modern primers and powders are more moisture-resistant than ever, direct water exposure can still lead to failures. The risk increases if moisture seeps into your ammunition over days or weeks.

How Often Should You Replace Carry Ammo in 2024?

Industry experts and seasoned concealed carriers generally agree:

Replace your carry ammo every 6 months.

Some go as far as every 3-4 months, especially if you sweat heavily, live in a humid climate, or frequently leave your gun in your vehicle.

This is not because your ammo is suddenly “bad” after six months—but because the daily exposure to moisture, heat, and friction increases the risk of a misfire or hangfire when you need it most.

When lives are on the line, you want 100% confidence in your ammo.

How to Properly Rotate Your Carry Ammo

Replacing your defensive rounds is easy, and it comes with a few bonuses. Here’s what to do:

Step 1: Take Your EDC to the Range

When it’s time to swap your ammo, don’t just dump your old rounds in a drawer. Shoot them.

• This gives you valuable trigger time with your carry gun.
• It allows you to practice with your actual defensive ammo (which often behaves differently than FMJ practice rounds).
• It ensures that you’re not wasting your investment in premium hollow points.

Step 2: Inspect Your Firearm & Magazines

While swapping your ammo, check your gun and mags for any:

• Corrosion
• Lint buildup
• Wear on your holster
  Clean your gun thoroughly before loading it back up.

Step 3: Load Fresh Defensive Ammo

Top off your magazines with fresh carry ammo from your stockpile.

• Store any bulk defensive ammo in a cool, dry place—ammo cans with desiccants work great.
• Avoid handling the rounds excessively to prevent introducing skin oils onto the primers.

Bonus Tip: Carry a Spare Magazine

Changing your ammo regularly is smart, but carrying a spare mag is even smarter.

• Magazines are often the weakest point in your firearm system.
• Malfunctions happen. Having a backup gives you a quick reload and peace of mind.

Consider carrying a spare mag with you daily—whether in a magazine carrier or a pocket pouch. 

Key Takeaways: How to Keep Your Carry Ammo Reliable

• Replace your defensive carry ammo every 6 months (or sooner in extreme environments).
• Shoot your old carry ammo at the range to stay familiar with it.
• Inspect your firearm and magazines when you swap ammo.
• Avoid leaving your firearm in your vehicle during hot or freezing temperatures.
• Carry a spare mag—because one is none, and two is one.

When Was the Last Time You Changed Your Carry Ammo?

Take a minute right now and think about it. Has it been over six months? If so, it’s time for a refresh.

Next time you head to the range, shoot your current defensive load and top off with fresh rounds. You’ll walk away with two benefits:

1. Reliable ammo that you can trust.
2. Trigger time with the actual rounds you’d use in a life-or-death situation.

And let’s be honest—who doesn’t love more range time?

Stay prepared, stay sharp, and stay safe.

If you need a quality Kydex holster to carry that freshly loaded firearm, check out our lineup here.