How many carry a BUG?

[Springfeildkid585]

My loud-mouthed brother told his friend about me buying a new gun. The friend turned out to be massively anti-gun. He asked me "what happens if a bad guy gets your gun off of you?"
I replied "I'd shoot him with my other gun."
Carried a BUG ever since.

 

[Mtnfolk325]

The "Onion Field" occurred in my county, I've carried two guns since 1978. Been retired for nearly 16 years, Old habits ....... ;o)

 

[*Magic*]

I carry my shield 9mm all day every day but here in New Mexico we are only allowed to carry 1 gun concealed, not allowed to carry a bug!

 

[Kframerbluvr]

Occaisionally off duty carry a BUG when traveling. Policy forbids personal firearms on duty so no BUG at work unless you count the 12 gauge in the back of the vehicle...

 

[elm_creek_smith]

Since you asked about the average civilian, I won't talk about what I carry at work. Off duty I carry either a three inch S&W Model 13-3 in a Don Hume JIT or a two inch S&W Model 12-2 Airweight in an old Bucheimer Concealer on my right hip. Not being as limber as I used to be, I also carry a S&W Model 642-2 in my left front pocket, on my left hip in a left-handed Don Hume JIT, or crossdraw in an old Safety Speed spring holster. I carry a double dump pouch with two speed strips on my belt behind my strong side holster.

(Update: With the addition of a left-hand Don Hume Model 717 "Agent 9" for a K-frame, I can carry the 13-3 strongside and the 12-2 weakside with the same draw stroke. Still have pocket room for the 642-2, too!

If I'm going to or through some place that might not be the best neighborhood (like where my daughter and son-in-law used to live), it would not be unusual for me to carry the Model 13-3, the Model 12-2, and the Model 642-2.

No, I've never needed my BUG(s), but I've also never needed the jack and spare or the fire extinguisher in my work vehicle, a Ford Explorer Police Interceptor. That doesn't mean I'm willing to go without them to save a little weight.

 

[DD357]

I've never carried 2 but I have considered picking up a 442/642 for that. Haven't done it yet so I guess I'm not that concerned about it.

 

[badge 851]

I ALWAYS carry a BUG; a J frame 38 Special. On duty, I carried in a holster on my body armor. Now that I am retired, carry includes ankle holster, pants or jacket pocket.

 

[TAC]

When headed into Detroit, I carry a 686 PLUS 2.5", and a 640 BUG.

Very often, I also have a BUG'BUG (Backup Girl, Backup Gun), my wife, with a 442.

 

[snowman.45]

During my early LEO years in the 70's, I carried a BUG most of the time on patrol. That was usually a Model 60. Then, as a narcotics detective, I might carry as many as three. Our standard carry was a Walther PPK or PPK/S while U/C. For search warrant or arrest warrant service, as well as non-U/C activities, we also carried our 1911's. Later, when we began to carry semi-autos for uniformed use, I still kept that Model 60 as a BUG.

In the early 90's, I changed departments to my home town PD. We were prohibited from carrying BUGs (although many did anyway). I got out of the habit, and it became more normal not to as I rose in rank.

Today, being retired, I find I usually carry a j-frame around town with at least two speed loaders. If I'm going to be traveling out of the town, be on the road or in a less than desirable neighborhood, I'll carry a Shield, G26 or G19 with several spare magazines and (maybe) a 340 M&P. This has become more of a matter of habit, as opposed to conscious thought. A BUG is never a bad idea.

 

[BB57]

I'll carry a back up now and then - if I am going to one of the sketchier neighborhoods in the area at a time of day when smart people probably would not.

As an example, my spouse is an RN who does home health and she is occasionally on call at night and has to go out on a call. There are some places I'll just go with her at night.

In cases like this the back up isn't so much for me. Instead I'll hand it off to whoever I am with, assuming they know how to use it, so that they can be armed leading the way out while I cover our six.

The back up is usually a Kimber Micro or a PPK/S in a pocket holster, carried in a back pocket on my weak hand side, so it can be easily, quickly and cleanly retrieved and handed off with one hand.

 

[viceunit]

I carried a model 36 in an ankle holster while on duty during my patrol career, to back up the model 10-6 and then later, the G17. Now in retirement I have very rarely carried two guns. Usually, when I have a second gun it is when we are traveling and the second gun is brought along just in case something happens to gun #1, not as a tactical back up.

Sometimes, believe it or not, I have gone out in public with NO guns. None. And, I made it home safely. Not that I recommend that practice, mind you. When I am unarmed the phrase "the things you see when you don't have a gun" plays in my mind.

 

[otasan56]

I'm one of the nevers. I rely on my ultra-reliable Glock 17 pistol with 17 rounds of CorBon 115gr 9mm JHPs and 16 rounds in a spare mag. Should my G17 jam up (never seen since 1989), I trust that I can clear it up, no problem.

 

[David LaPell]

Believe it or not, some departments where I am, won't say which, forbid officers from carrying a BUG. Although I know more than one person who did so anyway since getting fired is a lot more preferable than pushing up daisies because of a policy written by people who spend their days shining a seat with their backside. As for me, well, I cannot confirm or deny when I was an LEO, but now that I am in semi retirement, don't need one now.
I did once have the BUG that belonged to an investigator I knew, it was a Walther Model 8 in .25 ACP. Wish I had held onto it, shot very well and concealed better than most little handguns.



If I were to carry a BUG, it would either be my Beretta Nano 9mm, a Smith J-frame or one of those Polish P-64 pistols I hear and see so much about.

 

[CustomChevyGuy]

While I don't carry a BUG, I do continue to carry a knife.
I've pretty much carried a knife for about as long as I can remember.

 

[Goldstar225]

On duty I always carry a back up. Off-duty, although I'm always armed, I rarely carry a BUG. When I do it's usually to give me the ability to arm my wife if I feel the need.

 

[CowboyKen]

For up close and personal.

Ken

 

[fatcat3]

look at my Avatar ..... not much point in doing so

 

[LimaCharlie]

My primary carry is a government model 1911 in either .45 ACP or 10mm with a spare magazine. My pocket BUG is a Sig P938 9mm with a spare magazine. My wife also carries a Sig P938 9mm with two spare magazines.

 

[Bob O]

I have two guns I carry for SD. When I carry my Glock 30S, I "usually" also carry my 642 in an ankle holster. If I don't carry the Glock, then all I carry is the 642 with no BUG.

 

[crstrode]

A fully loaded Baby Browning isn't all that much bigger than another speed strip of 38 special - so once in a while it comes along for the ride.