How many guns do you carry?

[Martimus]

Personally I choose to carry only one EDC weapon, a 9mm M&P Shield. While I recognize and appreciate that others feel the need to carry a BUG, I don't personally find it necessary to carry a backup. Unfortunately my circumstance is also complicated by the fact that my employers are highly ANTI-GUN so I have to lock mine up before heading into the workplace (in my case it's better to be unarmed than unemployed in this lousy economy).

If I did choose to carry a BUG I'd likely double up with my alternate EDC weapon, a Colt GM .380, in an ankle holster. The GM .380 is small but very accurate...

 

[mc5aw]

Just curious how many out there actually carry a backup. I don't right now because I carry a Glock 19 and spare mag.

You'll wish you did if that Glock ever chokes. Semi-autos and spare mags don't negate the potential need/desire to carry a BUG.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

One night for a test outing I carried 4; a Para Carry3.25 (45) iwb, an old 49Bodyguard in front pants pocket, a Tomcat on left ankle and a LCP in coat chest pocket. I was not weighed down. I was/am recovering from a stroke, and realize I can no longer use my size and strength to defend my wife and self, so 2 things 1) wife is now CCW and 2) I often carry a bug also many people know I carry, the BUG in seldom ever mentioned!
P.S. I don't like feel of ankle holsters- but they work(except when wearing shorts). Ivan

 

[Bears1698]

Always carry a backup, when traveling in car i may have 3 on me, 4 if the wife is carrying. Along with 2 knifes, max length of coarse. You never know who you might run into.

 

[Packard]

I carry two guns always, often three guns. Not for back up, but for access.

I carry a Glock 23 on my right hip.

The problem with belt carry (and especially pocket carry) is that the weapon is difficult to access when seated (especially when belted in the car). On the other hand, ankle carry is easy access when seated.

Note: If you are seated (especially in the car) you might as well have left your gun at home if it is in your pocket. It will be nearly impossible to access.

But ankle carry alone is not a good solution. To access from the ankle while standing is slow and puts you in a vulnerable position.

The answer, of course, is to carry both ankle and hip (or pocket).

Both should be of good service calibers. One is not a backup for the second, but it is an alternative.

So right now I have a Glock 23 on my hip, and a Glock 27 on my ankle. Both in .40 caliber.

Also a S & W 340PD in my pocket. No spare ammo though.

 

[Donn]

The only time I ever carried more than one gun was when I was deployed, an M-16 with basic load and a 1911 with as many mags as I could get my hands on. Unless you're a LEO or on a security team protecting gold, diamonds or VIP's, why would you need more than one? Seems to me it gets to a point where carrying 2-3 guns and ammo for them becomes more of a hindrance than advantage. If I found myself in a spot where I needed more than one piece, my primary would be either my Remington 870 or DPMS AR-15a2. I'd have my full size M&P along, (17+1, two spare mags), but it would be strictly secondary.

 

[elm_creek_smith]

If I can't get to my primary for whatever reason, I can get to my alternate (perhaps a better term than "back up"). The odds of either of my revolvers malfunctioning are slim, but I can draw the second one faster than I can reload.

ECS

 

[BCDWYO]

I carry 100% of the time where legal (even around the house), and I do carry at least one reload and a flashlight. (Majority of defense scenarios are in low light as we all know). I occasionally carry a second gun, usually a J-frame in an ankle holster, but not often. I do like Packards argument for doing so and feel like I should do it more often, I just find the ankle holster itchy and uncomfortable after a long day. I rarely have occasion to find myself in what would be considered a "bad" area. If I were LEO I would definitely always carry a BUG.

 

[chief38]

Basically if you are a LEO a BUG would be prudent and wise. As a civilian, I feel comfortable with one. Civilians are not required to go into harms way as a way of making a living, and also are not thought of as being armed to those who do not know them.

I feel more comfortable with my designated carry weapon that I practice a lot with and at least one extra reload than I would with two separate weapons (especially if they are not identical). Confusion and fumbling when seconds count is not a good thing!

Chief38

 

[badge]

I carried two firearms for 25 years working and still feel Nekked without two firearms now. It may not work for everyone but it works for me.

 

[NYlakesider]

I only carried a backup gun for a week due to extenuating circumstances. My normal carry piece is a combat modified by me Colt Gold Cup .45 series 70 (Yes I know BOO HISS BOO this is a S&W forum) Its normally carried inside pants holster on my strong side with 2 spare mags with appropriate social use type ammo.

I was working doing a favor for my buddy keeping his gas station open evenings till 11 PM. till he could find a permanent employee to run it. That work period just happened to occur at the same time frame 10 bad news people including 4 murderers broke out of the jail which as the crow flies was only a couple miles away. The garage was located just at the edge of town and that garage was the only thing open after 7 for about a ½ mile in either direction. A good place to hit for a crew like that.

For that time frame I also carried a well proved out Walther PPK .380 in an ankle holster. All was well the cons were caught, one only a short distance away and the rest in the next couple of weeks.

 

[Ranch Hand]

I carry 2

I carry a 642 with Crimson trace with +p's Front pocket and a Sigma .40 with Crimson Trace. Iwb. OR i swap out the .40 for a Shorty .45 OWB. Sometimes I put a extra belt just on the holster and that allows me to use an OWB holster like a IWB IF I want! i AM 65 , can't run due to hamstring injury and have to carry Oxygen Tank everywhere I go. Due to my age and disabilities makes me a easy target. SO i don"t DO reloads, I just pull the "OTHER" gun..
642 is primary.. .40-.45 BUG. (Vietnam Vet.)

 

[Stu Honea]

One all the time,two some of the time,but rarely.
Depends on where I may be going.Went to a funeral today at a church 1/4 mi. from my house. Only had a sodbuster pocketknife. Didn't know I had that until it fell out of my pocket whern I took my suit coat off.

 

[elm_creek_smith]

One thing about civilians carrying a back-up or alternate handgun that hasn't been discussed: Police have radios and can call for backup (more police) if they don't like their situation. Civilians don't have backup a radio call away. We are our own backups.

Just sayin'.

ECS

 

[TAKJR]

Kanewpaddle:

I am no expert and I don't pretend to be one on the internet.

I will tell you that cops and soldiers that have been on the job for so long have experience, however similar or different for that matter. Experience counts.....a bit......

So, please understand the only gospel of any knowledge (for myself) comes from the man above....

TAKJR

 

[pineappleshooter]

My NAA Black Widow with Chong Vang grips always rides in my right front pocket. My other guns varies by mood/situation - Colt DS or Cobra, Smith 649, Smith 442, Smith 36, Glock 17 (when I travel through North Philly to take my daughter to Children's Hospital), Kahr PM9, etc....but always the Widow!

 

[ContinentalOp]

I carry every gun I own, all at the same time.*













* I only own one gun.

 

[Jeb21]

I carry one, with one reload. Crime in my area is low. On the few occasions when I have had to investigate a strange event on my property then a handgun becomes my bug and a long gun becomes my primary. My hat is off to those civilians who can regularly carry two or more. I find carrying one gun difficult at times.

 

[Chili Vega]

I carry a 642 with Crimson trace with +p's Front pocket and a Sigma .40 with Crimson Trace. Iwb. OR i swap out the .40 for a Shorty .45 OWB. Sometimes I put a extra belt just on the holster and that allows me to use an OWB holster like a IWB IF I want! i AM 65 , can't run due to hamstring injury and have to carry Oxygen Tank everywhere I go. Due to my age and disabilities makes me a easy target. SO i don"t DO reloads, I just pull the "OTHER" gun..
642 is primary.. .40-.45 BUG. (Vietnam Vet.)

Ranch Hand you bring up the very good point of your physical condition. This may be the single biggest factor in someone's choice of what they wear, how many guns etc...

With the oxygen tank and lack of mobility you are a "Stand and Deliver" kind of guy now. It sounds as if you recognize this and have adjusted for it. I see this as a good course of action. Identify weaknesses and compensate for them.

I say you carry what and how many of whatever makes you feel comfortable. Nobody knows what anybody else is going to need or what situation they will be in.

 

[Kanewpadle]

Kanewpaddle:

I am no expert and I don't pretend to be one on the internet.

I will tell you that cops and soldiers that have been on the job for so long have experience, however similar or different for that matter. Experience counts.....a bit......

So, please understand the only gospel of any knowledge (for myself) comes from the man above....

TAKJR

I understand.

I apologize if I came across wrong. I was a little grouchy the other night.

The word "expert" is source of contention with me. Probably because I've met so many of them.

I am surely no expert myself. And I don't ever want to come across as one. I've carried concealed for 30 years but didn't carry daily until 20 years ago. And I'm still learning and refining the process.

I have three friends that own area gun shops. I worked at one a couple years part time. It was great and I learned much. But I also met some of the sorriest buttheads that ever carried a gun.

And they were all "experts". "I'm ex military so I know what I'm doing" Or "my dads a cop". PLEASE!!

Ive seen and heard some of the stupidest comments and remarks in gunshops.

I worry more about these "experts" just as much as I do bad guys. I don't want to get shot by accident!

And most frustrating is that when you get a concealed pistol license from this state, there is a reference to the Revised Code of Washington which tells you all the do's and dont's. You think they read it? No.

Sorry for the rant. I just wish people would understand and realize how serious this is. If they did, we would't have so many accidental shootings.

And us "older" guys must realize that relying on past experience is smart, but failure to adapt to an ever changing world is not.