Do you carry more than one gun at a time?

I carry two pretty much all the time on duty and off. Exception being the occasional assignment where I can only carry one and at those times it is the 37-2.
You never know when your primary will lay down. You may not be able to access your primary due to injury or it may be trapped during a fight.
If you are comfortable carrying one weapon and have a plan for when it doesn't work then at least you are thinking about your options. For those of you that believe that if you can't solve the problem with x number rounds and it is "your time" then I would submit that you have lost the fight before it ever began and offer this quote from Dr. Alexis Artwohl for your consideration "You need to train hard to prevail, not just survive. Even then if you can't prevail you should do everything you can to survive, if you can't survive you need to take the ************ with you. Don't put your family through a trial"

It's not about lead. It's about being prepared for a mechanical failure that can happen at any time.

Respectfully, I think some folks are kidding themselves. Mechanical failures and/or user error can and will happen at the worst possible time.

So, why don't we make a list of reasons why some of us think it's a good idea to carry two or more guns?

Those that disagree can list thier reasons.

But let's leave out responses like "because I can" or "I'm too lazy".

Maybe they all need to read "The Rules."

Rules for a Gunfight
 
I carry either 2 or 3 on me whenever possible.
.44 snubby in my pocket, fullsize and/or compact 1911s in .45 acp on my hip and/or shoulder holster.
2 full size mags for the 1911 and 1-2 speedloaders for the .44.


Jim
 
Think about the origins of the concept. Ever wonder why you often see Samurai swords in sets of 2 or 3? A big one and some smaller ones. Why did cavalry riders carry 2 pistols. In combat, you fight with everything you've got - you are only limited by what you brought (and you never know when you are going to a fight). How much you bring must be balanced with what is expedient and practical - you don't want to limit your mobility by wearing too much body armor or by having to tote that M60, plus the ammo belts. Sure we can't all be 100% prepared for every contingency, but the BUG concept exists for a reason (several reasons, many very valid ones listed in this thread): because cops got their guns taken away, or ran out of ammo, or their gun jammed up, or got shot, or got knocked down and dropped their gun, or were faced with a situation where they needed to arm someone else, etc. The practice has merit and has been proven on the street, with the evidence too often written in blood.
 
Depending on were I'm going, I'll carry a BUG with me. Most of the time when I'm around my area I just carry my M&P9c or my 5 shot.
 
It may make sense to have a BUG on another body location because if somehow you drop your primary gun, or it gets knocked out of your hand, and it goes spinning across the floor, at least you won't have to go running after it (if you could).
 
Being prepared with a second gun in case your first fails is probably a good idea,but sometimes due to concealment issues it`s not possible. Also carrying the best available handgun should circumvent all but the most serious issue regarding reliability.I drive the best possible vehicle I can afford so I don`t have a breakdown going through Detroit,I don`t tow a spare vehicle behind it.Regarding CC and the things that happen,they happen so fast all but the most highly trained may never get to that 2nd backup.It would be beneficial to hear from people who have been in and survived an encounter as to their feelings on this matter.
 
Prepare for the worst and hope for the best. When I was in Iraq, we raided a house that had a nice weapons cache in it. When we went in the house a small firefight broke out. My M4 jammed due to a magazine issue. I tried to get it back up and running with the whole sports (slap, pull, observe, release, tap, squeeze) thing we are taught. When it failed to fix the problem, I let the M4 go and hang at my side and transitioned over to my M9. It isn't exactly having a handgun fail but it is an example of a primary weapon failing at a very bad time and having to go to a back up.


snakeman
 
Also carrying the best available handgun should circumvent all but the most serious issue regarding reliability.I drive the best possible vehicle I can afford so I don`t have a breakdown going through Detroit,I don`t tow a spare vehicle behind it.

You do however have a spare tire, possibly jumper cables, and/or AAA tho... correct?
How many posts on this forum have been for revolvers that need a new/longer firing pin to fire reliably?
Its nothing for the most reliable auto in the world, lets say glock, to have a magazine issue... or a an ammo issue?
I go the the range quite often... I have seen most "reliable" weapons have issues.

The chances of a person actually needing their carry weapon is very slim, however when and if the time comes that they need it... they REALLY need it.


Jim
 
I carry either 2 or 3 on me whenever possible.
.44 snubby in my pocket, fullsize and/or compact 1911s in .45 acp on my hip and/or shoulder holster.
2 full size mags for the 1911 and 1-2 speedloaders for the .44.


Jim

You carry a .44 snubby in your pocket?!

Think about the origins of the concept. Ever wonder why you often see Samurai swords in sets of 2 or 3? A big one and some smaller ones. Why did cavalry riders carry 2 pistols. In combat, you fight with everything you've got - you are only limited by what you brought (and you never know when you are going to a fight). How much you bring must be balanced with what is expedient and practical - you don't want to limit your mobility by wearing too much body armor or by having to tote that M60, plus the ammo belts. Sure we can't all be 100% prepared for every contingency, but the BUG concept exists for a reason (several reasons, many very valid ones listed in this thread): because cops got their guns taken away, or ran out of ammo, or their gun jammed up, or got shot, or got knocked down and dropped their gun, or were faced with a situation where they needed to arm someone else, etc. The practice has merit and has been proven on the street, with the evidence too often written in blood.

^^^ THIS!!! ^^^

Being prepared with a second gun in case your first fails is probably a good idea,but sometimes due to concealment issues it`s not possible. Also carrying the best available handgun should circumvent all but the most serious issue regarding reliability.

What do you consider the very "best available" handgun? No matter what it is, I'll guarantee ya it's gonna fart and belch when you least expect it to. It's a mechanical device. It's gonna happen regardless of what the critter is. Some guys think that because a gun costs a coupla thousand bucks, that it's the very best. I think that's a crock. IMHO, the most dead-nuts reliable handgun is the good ol' S&W revolver, but you shoot one long enough, you're gonna experience some kind of malf. It just happens.

Besides, like bubbajoe and several others have pointed out, it's not just about a weapon malfunctioning. There are several, several other issues that can and will go wrong. If you are only packin' one gun, I sure hope you improvise a plan.

Mr. Murphy absolutely L-O-V-E-S guys like you! ;) Like I said before...many here (including yourself) need to read the Rules for a Gunfight and pay very close attention to Rules 9 and 13. :D

Also...

Go back to page 4 and read post #34.

ANYBODY can conceal a J frame.

No excuses.
 
You carry a .44 snubby in your pocket?!

Yup... have it there right now as a matter of fact... :D
445palm.jpg



Jim
 
I believe it is inbetween a K and an L.
I am 6'4" 310ish lbs, 42x36 pants, 3-4x shirts, 54" chest... so I have an easier time concealing than most.
Here it is compared to a 629 2.5" snubby.
44s.jpg

A J from would certainly be easier to carry than my .44 for pretty much anyone... and I am concidering a J frame down the road... but I love my big bores.
No galluses, just a decent belt.


Jim
 
I believe it is inbetween a K and an L.
I am 6'4" 310ish lbs, 42x36 pants, 3-4x shirts, 54" chest... so I have an easier time concealing than most.
Here it is compared to a 629 2.5" snubby.
44s.jpg

A J from would certainly be easier to carry than my .44 for pretty much anyone... and I am concidering a J frame down the road... but I love my big bores.
No galluses, just a decent belt.


Jim

Well, I'm a little bigger than you and my J frame fills my pocket up just fine. I couldn't imagine having anything bigger in there.

And yeah, I gotta wear galluses with my belt. ;)
 
Yes--today two 45ACP revolvers, and a 38 revolver.

I am 6', 165lbs--and concealment is not a problem. :)
 
Evil One - Is that steel or alloy? I have a 431 (5-shot .44 Spl,stainless, 2.5" bbl). It fits a K frame holster pretty well, but a bit heavy for my pocket. I would consider my 325NG for such duty however (a little bigger, but alot lighter).

Taurus431d.jpg
 
I always carry two. There are a lot of reasons to do so and no reasons-for me-not to.

I don't judge those who carry none, one or three. We're all responsible for our own salvation (plagiarized).
 
90% of the time yes. One of my normal carry firearms strong side and then a P3AT in a pocket holster on the weak side.

It is not always a backup gun but can be the first gun I would use in a number of circumstances.

In winter, I sometimes carry 3!

Note: Another good reason to carry multiple is to arm another person if necessary like my wife left her carry gun at home and hand over the secondary.
 
This thread has got me thinking about something I haven't seen discussed before but is appropriate here...

You are carrying two guns. You're in a shooting. You have used only one gun and the other guy is dead. When the police arrive, will they expect you to give up your second gun too for evidence, even if it's obvious that it hasn't been fired?

I have worked the street for 11 years now and have never seen or heard of such a scenario, but I have a feeling that the second gun would be taken too. After my shooting, the duty gun was taken as evidence, since I was not the only one who fired, and function and safety checks were performed. But what if it's clear that the second gun has NOT been fired? When all is said and done, will your second gun allow you to go home armed?

Dave Sinko
 

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