Carrying a backup gun? Why or why not?

[GatorFarmer]

Just in the past month or so...I had a nasty stoppage with my CZ SP 01, had two failures withg a 9mm 1911, and saw a new River AR go down in short order.

I once found myself unable to get to the pistol on my hip since it was under a coat, but able to reach a .38 in my pocket.

Your needs may vary.

 

[Kronos]

If you want,personally I don't want to carry another pistol rather just make do with what I have and a spare mag.

I have carried two out in the country though,a small one in the back pocket with snake shot for...well snakes when I was messing around by a creek that I knew had slithery things by the hoards

 

[Donn]

I carry six myself. A OWB on the strong side, IWB on the weak, a dual shoulder rig like Depp wore in Public Enemies, a small of back, and an ankle holster with three spare mags for each one. Seriously, unless you're an on-duty LEO or high profile security, one and a reload is enough.

 

[Mack]

What is the main reason for a BUG, I would argue that the main reason is in case you lose your primary in a struggle. Open carry you are at greater risk of this than a police officer IMO, I believe there is already video of a Walmart attack where the purpose was to steal the OC handgun. So with that in mind for OC I would think a BUG might be more useful, CC not so much.

 

[dwever]

Occasionally on duty I back up my Glock 22 with a Glock 27, otherwise no, a 7 or 8 shot revolver with an extra moon-clip is it. One day I'll actually meet a LEO or anyone who's actually needed their back-up in an incident (the venerable forum "I know a guy . . ." doesn't count).

I have met a couple of LEO's who have been in struggles over their primary weapon, but neither time a BUG came in to play. While legal, I never open carry off duty. I've heard OC referred to as tactically stupid in defensive carry, and while I wouldn't put it that strongly, for me OC does seem to be a tactical compromise.

The knife is on duty mostly and primarily for cutting someone loose from their seat belt although I carry it exclusively on my off-hand side in case I need to get it out in a struggle for my weapon which I practice.

 

[Muss Muggins]

Occasionally on duty I back up my Glock 22 with a Glock 27, otherwise no, a 7 or 8 shot revolver with an extra moon-clip is it. One day I'll actually meet a LEO or anyone who's actually needed their back-up in an incident (the venerable forum "I know a guy . . ." doesn't count).

I have met a couple of LEO's who have been in struggles over their primary weapon, but neither time a BUG came in to play. While legal, I never open carry off duty. I've heard OC referred to as tactically stupid in defensive carry, and while I wouldn't put it that strongly, for me OC does seem to be a tactical compromise.

Let me know if this counts . . .

28, 29 years ago. Five officers on duty in town of 18,000, midnight shift. At the station working up to processing a drunk, primary revolver already in the locker. Shots fired call with injuries, drunk immediately tossed in closest cell, up the back stairs, out to the car, scene four blocks away. Two of us know where the shooter lives, which is next door to the scene. Getting ready to hit the house, no revolver in the holster. Drew my backup Model 60 from the ankle holster and away we went . . .

 

[Donn]

One day I'll actually meet a LEO or anyone who's actually needed their back-up in an incident (the venerable forum "I know a guy . . ." doesn't count).

That makes two of us, dwever. If you ever meet that guy, let us know

 

[walkin' trails]

There are a number of reasons to carry a BUG, and most of them share equal importance. If you're LE, I believe it should be mandatory. Civilian CCW, tailor your carry requirements to your perceived threats and the reason(s) why you are carrying in the first place. I still run into people who don't even carry a reload for their primary, and who also don't have a clue otherwise even after you've laid it out for them. As far as I'm concerned, a CCW holder's primarybresponsibility is to themselves and the first sign of a bad situation, to exfiltrate themselves as expediently as possible (family, close friends included), not to hang around in order to take part in a gunfight. If a BUG helps facilitate that action, then they're worth considering.

 

[KSDeputy]

When on duty, I sometimes carried a PPK in a boot holster. I carried a Gerber boot knife all the time. Today I carry an SOG fast open knife along with my .45.

 

[cola490]

I carry a BUG, both on-duty and off-duty.

S&W 642 in a vest holster when working and in a Galco Ankle Glove when not working. No reason not to carry one in either instance.

Does your Galco Ankle Glove have a thumb break, if not is the retention ever a issue?

 

[Old cop]

I carried a BUG during my LEO career (permitted by our rules at the time) but not much since. When we take a road trip I put a second J frame in the car, along with a box of 50 rounds of +P just-in-case.

 

[camsdaddy]

I have considered for the first time carrying a bug. During the time of carrying my model 60 in my right front pocket I have grown to like being able to have my hand on my gun. There are times I wouldn't mind carrying something of more capacity. It is then that I think of adding to rather than replacing the J frame. Maybe carrying my Glock 26 and the 60 rather than a reload for either .

 

[snubbyfan]

I always keep a back up handy.
It's called my wife and her 66-3 loaded with 158 grain SJHP magnums.

 

[elm_creek_smith]

My "always" gun now is a S&W Model 642-2. My duty gun is a 4 inch S&W Model 686-6. My primary off duty gun is a 3 inch S&W Model 13-3. My BUBUG is a nickel-plated S&W Model 37.

At work: Model 686-6 in duty holster; Model 642-2 in pocket holster (off-side cargo pocket). In times of higher tension, the Model 37 goes in the ankle holster. (I HATE ankle holsters.)

At home: Model 642-2 in a JIT Slide. If going outside in "big coat" weather, the Model 37 rides in the coat pocket. (Dog has to be walked.)

Going out (casual or running errands): Model 13-3 in a JIT Slide; Model 642-2 off-side in a JIT Slide. (Yeah, I have two J-frame JIT Slides - one for each side.) Or, the Model 642-2 on one side; the Model 37 on the other.

Going out (formal): Who are we kidding? I don't do formal, but a J-frame in an ankle holster always fits. (Did I mention that I HATE ankle holsters?

My primary consideration is that I need to be able to access with either hand. I'm not near as flexible as I used to be.

 

[elm_creek_smith]

I always keep a back up handy.
It's called my wife and her 66-3 loaded with 158 grain SJHP magnums.

My wife's "little gun" is a 4 inch 681 with Crimson Trace Grips loaded with Remington 125 SJHP .38 Spl +P ammo.

 

[SWIll]

I am good with one. Usually a j frame or a snubby Model 10. Whatever you feel comfortable with.

 

[franzas]

The only time I do is when I'm going into a particularly seedy area of Richmond (this doesn't happen often, when it does an J goes in the boot) or during the winter when wearing heavy clothes and/or layers.

In the winter case, the J frame in my front jacket pocket becomes the primary and the K frame on my hip under 1 or 2 layers of zipped-up coat(s) becomes the BUG.

 

[Goldstar225]

On-duty I always have a BUG. Off-duty, rarely. The times that I do carry a BUG off duty are typically when I wear a heavy coat limiting my access to my belt gun. The 642 goes in the coat pocket for quick access. The other time is to have a gun available to arm my wife who has not and never will carry a gun.

 

[cbore]

In my Narc undercover days I did carry 2. My logic was if the Bad guy found one I did have a backup. Today I still have second or at least Slap or knife at arms reach.

Old habits take a long time to die.

 

[85V65Sabre]

One word, OPTIONS.

I just saw the following post and I immediately thought of this thread.

Another reason small of back carry is not agood idea. A story I will try to make short.
Years ago a buddy of mine had a small confrontation with a much larger man than himself, well things escalated very quickly and situation went to worse before he even knew it. He was carrying small of back, he did not think at the beginning of the confrontation he was in any danger or had to be defensive what so ever. Well the bigger guy just snapped out of nowhere and knocked my friend on the ground and was immediatly mounted on top of him just smashing the day lights out of his face. He fell hard on his gun, messed up his back really good, and also he was helpless trying to pull his weapon stuck underneath him. He was beaten unconscious and could not stop the attacker. He never carried small of the back after that "small confrontation"

I've carried a knife clipped inside of my front pocket long before I started carrying a pistol.

Now I also carry a 6906 (17+1 & a extra 17rd mag) IWB or OWB depending on the day's activities
And have recently added a BUG. A Bersa 380 plus in a ankle holster (15+1).

To much?
Maybe, but like I said......... OPTIONS!!