Carrying a backup gun? Why or why not?

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OldeTSgt

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I am open carrying more - and I never have really carried a back up gun - always relying on a small SA knife and retention holster -

Just wondering if you guys carry a back up and what are the advantages and disadvantages of it - my primary gun is always either an M9 or M&P45 FS. So, I am already packing alot of weight - just wondering what works and what doesn't and what philosophy you guys have about it
 
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The 2 is one, 1 in none comes to mind. Guns can malfunction. I notice lint builds up quick on my carry piece if I don't clean it off. This can gum-up parts and make a semi-auto into a single shot.

With todays choice of small lightweight concealable guns, why not carry a BUG.

I've always used the philosophy of dress around the gun. A large untucked shirt can hide a lot of gear. If that's an issue, a 2 shot derringer or .32 Kel-Tec can always be dropped into a pocket.

I prefer a weak side belt carry BUG in micro 9 or .380. Primary is a dbl. stack .40 or 9mm.

But you have to play around with what works for you. I have a drawer of trial and error holsters from doing just that.
 
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I won't say you should or shouldn't, but consider --

You're armed for self defense, not to be a hero engaging bad guys. Your gun IS your backup, your primary defense being either A) staying out of trouble, or; B) getting the heck out of it ASAP any way you can short of shooting.

IMO, you're a whole lot likelier to survive if you go with A or B absolutely whenever you can, and don't spend much time worrying over how to backup your backup.
 
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I just started carrying a BUG a week or so ago..... don't really know why, I just did and in a very short week I kinda feel undressed without my 642 along for the ride. Just a feeling I've had. I have carried a 19 snub for years with just one re-load on a speed strip...

As a side to the topic, you stated you have been OC more, so how is that working out? I did OC all day last Wednesday and no one seemed to notice... that I could tell.
 
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I like the idea of having a Remington RM380 in my pocket... not sure if I follow through on that one but it sure isn't wrong to carry some BUG(s) :D
 
I never open carry. I allways carry Two Revolvers. Usually it's J-Frames but sometimes larger. I'm sure you have herd all the reasons. If One gun breaks, New York Reload, ability to arm someone els, and also, I like guns. If my back could take it I would carry more.
 
I carry an LCP from the time I put on my pants till bedtime. Sometimes my 642 or XDS 45, but never more than one. If I had a high risk career that would be different, but the notion of me carrying backup guns to take the dog for a walk in the park or grocery shopping is a bit much.
 
A backup can also serve as a pass-off weapon. In my circle of family and friends, not many carry (trust me, I work on them to change this), but many do own and shoot. If we're out and about and something happens, it'd be nice to have some support.
 
Well, the primary purpose of a backup gun, I suppose, is to use if the main gun doesn't work. That doesn't happen very often with revolvers, but it does happen. AFAIK, doesn't happen very often with M9s, either.

However, a "backup" may also be a gun readily available to your other hand, or available easily when seated (like a gun in an ankle holster). which is not always true of the main gun, particularly when wearing a seat belt.

Also, a lot depends on what is available to which hand. In close quarters, a knife may be a pretty good weapon in the "strong" hand, but near useless in the other (I'm pretty sure that that is true for me). However, I can use a gun reasonably well with either hand. Not saying that considerable training and practice mightn't change that, but that's how it is right now.

There are plenty of good reasons to carry a second gun, whether it's a backup or a weak-hand weapon or weapon for use when seated or just a quick reload. There's hardly a disadvantage if it's light enough, and there are plenty of aluminum-frame J frames that are light enough.

Your best choice will depend on your own skills and circumstances.
 
Realistically, if you're not employed in law enforcement work the odds
that you are going to get into a shootout are very very slim on any
given day. Assuming that you don't live a high risk lifestyle that is. So
as a non LEO you have no obligation to "engage". Many years ago a
CC permit was commonly refered to as a "personal protection" permit.
That term is seldom heard today but it's as valid as ever. If you're
going about your normal activities and minding your own business,
carrying your self protection piece plus another gun to back that one
up seems like just a bit much.
 
Muss Muggins said:
I always have a NAA .22 WMR (basic wood stocks, 1 1/8" bbl) in my front pocket. Sometimes it's the only gun I have, sometimes it's the backup. Always depends on the situation . . .
Click to expand...

This is basically what I'm gonna get when I get a few extra dollars except I'm gonna get the .22WMR Sidewinder which has the cylinder roll out for reloading instead of having to remove the cylinder from the gun! ;) Easily concealable and the .22 WMR DOES have more punch than my fist!!! :D
 
Personal preference is all. We all have to figure out what's best for us. The question is, are you comfortable with your decisions? Can we protect ourselves and loved ones? And can we live with ourselves if we fail to do so.

Big guns vs mouse guns. This caliber vs that caliber. Open carry vs concealed carry. One gun or two guns.

None of it matters as long as your mind is at ease and you can effectively defend yourself.

Op, I carry two occasionally. A second gun in a jacket pocket with my hand on it beats a fast draw any day.
 
NEVER, EVER!

Having carried CCW for 40 plus years and having never, ever needed a second gun I cannot fathom ANY reason for a BUG.

Moreover, the very idea of arming another person is beyond comprehension. :eek:

Further, in my decades of toting a gun I have never, ever, ever, ever, ever had a non-intentional fail to fire or mechanical malfunction that would render my gun useless.

Be safe.
 
Per policy, I can only carry issued firearms when on the clock. Since I am only issued one handgun, there is no provision for carrying a back up handgun.
When I am off, I carry either my issue Glock 23 or my authorized Glock 22 as a belt gun and a 442, carried on my state CHP, in my weak side pants pocket. I like being able to access a weapon weak handed and I can pass the revolver to a qualified companion if need be.
 
The Big D said:
Having carried CCW for 40 plus years and having never, ever needed a second gun I cannot fathom ANY reason for a BUG.
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I've never needed a first gun. I like both a belt-carried pistol and being able to casually get a full firing grip on a pocket pistol. Usually I only choose one, but sometimes I carry both. If I'm out riding I always have a .380 in my jacket and sometimes a pistol on my belt under my gear too.

Further, in my decades of toting a gun I have never, ever, ever, ever, ever had a non-intentional fail to fire or mechanical malfunction that would render my gun useless.
Click to expand...
I've had a snapped hammer strut, cracked cam that locked up the gun, bad round that jammed in the chamber, broken extractor, loose gas block, and probably more I don't remember. All just on the range and not "for real" thankfully.
 
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.
 
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 :D
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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dwever said:
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.
Click to expand...

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 . . .
 
dwever said:
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).
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That makes two of us, dwever. If you ever meet that guy, let us know
 
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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.
 
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.
 
Steve_in_PA said:
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.
Click to expand...

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