Use duplicate of EDC/CCW gun?
- Thread starter pjsabella
- Start date
This was the scenario I was thinking of when I read the title. I've now had three airweights written off due to normal use, if I was to go back to them I'd probably have a second for range practice use and one to carry that gets a minimum round count.
Beyond that, I know plenty of people that have spare duplicate guns, if you have the funds where it doesn't matter, nothing wrong with it, but not really for me.
Also welcome. I hope we can help with decisions.
I think having a second gun set up like your primary is a solid idea. Your Shield, and a second one, are not that expensive when looking at the long view of firearms ownership.
However, it is also good advice to make sure you are dedicated to that first gun by taking some classes and firing it enough to really know it. Those are the financial (and commitment) priorities. You’ll need ammo for both the range and EDC, a carry rig, perhaps to include a spare mag. Extra mags for the range. These are probably the first areas for shooting finances.
Firearms trainer Clint Smith is credited with the statement, “Beware the man who only has one gun. He probably knows how to use it!" That goes for women, too. The KISS principle is important for those new to firearms, especially if self defense is intended.
My primary EDC M&P 9mm Full Size was at a local Cerakoter for the last two months. I have carried it for over six years and it has numerous modifications. It was at Apex Tactical for two months once for upgrades.
About a year after I bought it and was dedicated to it as my primary EDC, I bought the same M&P 9mm full size as an alternate, back up, duplicate, whatever one wishes to call it. It has followed a similar progression of modifications, so it shoots the same. I carried it every day for the past two months—same holster, grip, spare mag carrier, controls, etc. as my primary. Nothing really changed. That’s easy and comforting. KISS. I shoot them both at the range. I’m not worried about wearing one or the other out.
I have other guns I can carry. I choose not to very often, only if a situation requires deeper cover. One is a modified 9mm Shield that is very similar to my full size M&P. The other is a DAO Kahr P9, which is like a simple, flat, 8-shot revolver. Point, pull trigger.
If you expand your gun ownership, a second same/same EDC used at night as a house gun makes a lot of sense. You’ll figure it out, as there is a lot of good advice on the forum.
bigwheelzip
Absent Comrade
If you've become dedicated to the idea of possession/carry, then owning another will assure that happens uninterrupted. If there are known potential threats in your life, then that second purchase is wise insurance, assuming finances allow.
josp
Member
I'll admit that once I had a good one, I wanted more of the same. Two J frames back in the day, and I carried them both at the same time. Did I need to? Thank God no, but sometimes I just did.
Now a days it's matching semi autos. I got one and liked it, a lot. So when the other fell into my lap, I bought it. I carry both at work mainly cause I always had a backup at work. But when I'm on my own time, I only carry one. If I had to use one while I was carrying them both, both would probably be taken until cleared. That's ok, my life is worth the cost of these two, and I can always get more.
I like the idea, but it's not necessary.
Now a days it's matching semi autos. I got one and liked it, a lot. So when the other fell into my lap, I bought it. I carry both at work mainly cause I always had a backup at work. But when I'm on my own time, I only carry one. If I had to use one while I was carrying them both, both would probably be taken until cleared. That's ok, my life is worth the cost of these two, and I can always get more.
I like the idea, but it's not necessary.
While I do have several J-frames that some would consider “duplicates” the only identical pair I own are Glock 26s—one to carry and one to shoot matches with.
Duckfood
Member
While I have a few 5 inch and 4.25 inch 1911s, I do not have anything that is an exact duplicate... And, honestly, I was not aware that people were buying duplicates to use in case of damage or confiscation...
I have 3 or 4 firearms that I am most comfortable with carrying... There are several more that I could accelerate practice and draw with to take their place if all of my carry "rotation" were to get lost in a boating accident...
I have 3 or 4 firearms that I am most comfortable with carrying... There are several more that I could accelerate practice and draw with to take their place if all of my carry "rotation" were to get lost in a boating accident...
oldiegoldie
Member
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if it doesn't diminish your or your family's standard of living, i would go for it. i've got duplicates to quite a few and no regrets.
Piwo
Member
A duplicate would come in handy in case of loss or theft. You would already have magazines, holsters, etc. A retired cop friend had his EDC confiscated by a local suburban department pending prosecutorial review. He drew his weapon on two drunken thugs who were going to give him a beat down. They then called the cops and claimed the retiree was threatening them! Because there were no witnesses, the police took reports and advised all to the prosecutor. They also took his gun and he had a time getting it back. His status as a retired police officer under hazardous duty conditions not withstanding, he got the runaround. He had a duplicate for the interim. You dont always have to shoot someone to have the police impound a weapon.
For me, if I am involved in a self defense shooting, getting my gun back or having a duplicate will likely be the least of my concerns.
Now carrying a duplicate EDC in a double shoulder rig is something else to contemplate.
Now carrying a duplicate EDC in a double shoulder rig is something else to contemplate.
Suggestion
May I suggest you become proficient with multiple guns.
Different platforms.
May I suggest you become proficient with multiple guns.
Different platforms.
Wireguided Marine
Member
I bought the M&P 40c in 2012 while living in Connecticut. I used the full size 40 at work as a nuclear power plant security officer and wanted something similar at home to practice with and to carry.
Four years and a several thousand rounds later I decided to make some modifications I'd been mulling over for some time.
The beginning of that year I bought a Storm Lake .357 Sig barrel. Based on what I had read on this forum, it was a simple drop in conversion just as expected.
The Sig is great; I find I have tighter groups than with the 40 and the recoil is more than before but manageable.
A few months later I made another change, a first for me. I took the handgun apart and installed the Apex FSS kit and RAM.
Because I needed to take the rear sight off I replaced the sights with TruGlo TFO tritium fiber optics at this time.
In 2018 I bought a S&W 9mm barrel that was on sale, I now had all three calibers to work with on my compact. The nice thing was, the sights and trigger were what I was used to and had broken in. And like others have said, it makes it easy to change and compare the performance and handling of each cartridge.
Because Connecticut is an un-free state I could only carry ten round mags so I kept the compact as a 357 Sig to try to make each round count.
In 2016 I bought a used M&P 45c 1.0 and have enjoyed that as well. It’s obviously a little bigger, but handles very much like the 40c. And it’s compatible with my existing kydex holsters.
Last year there was an online sale on M&P 40c 1.0’s like the one I had for $345. It was just too good to pass up. So now I have a backup that I’m adding the apex kit to. And I sent the slide off to DP custom works to be milled for a RMR red dot and nitrate job that’s supposed to take two months. I can do that because my primary EDC is still with me.
I moved to Florida a year ago and switched the 40c over to the 9mm barrel since I now live in a free state and can carry 12 round mags; or larger ones with the sleeve adapter.
I also own a Sig P320RX as well as the M&P 45c but I almost always carry the 40c. At this point, it is by far the handgun I’m most comfortable with.
Four years and a several thousand rounds later I decided to make some modifications I'd been mulling over for some time.
The beginning of that year I bought a Storm Lake .357 Sig barrel. Based on what I had read on this forum, it was a simple drop in conversion just as expected.
The Sig is great; I find I have tighter groups than with the 40 and the recoil is more than before but manageable.
A few months later I made another change, a first for me. I took the handgun apart and installed the Apex FSS kit and RAM.
Because I needed to take the rear sight off I replaced the sights with TruGlo TFO tritium fiber optics at this time.
In 2018 I bought a S&W 9mm barrel that was on sale, I now had all three calibers to work with on my compact. The nice thing was, the sights and trigger were what I was used to and had broken in. And like others have said, it makes it easy to change and compare the performance and handling of each cartridge.
Because Connecticut is an un-free state I could only carry ten round mags so I kept the compact as a 357 Sig to try to make each round count.
In 2016 I bought a used M&P 45c 1.0 and have enjoyed that as well. It’s obviously a little bigger, but handles very much like the 40c. And it’s compatible with my existing kydex holsters.
Last year there was an online sale on M&P 40c 1.0’s like the one I had for $345. It was just too good to pass up. So now I have a backup that I’m adding the apex kit to. And I sent the slide off to DP custom works to be milled for a RMR red dot and nitrate job that’s supposed to take two months. I can do that because my primary EDC is still with me.
I moved to Florida a year ago and switched the 40c over to the 9mm barrel since I now live in a free state and can carry 12 round mags; or larger ones with the sleeve adapter.
I also own a Sig P320RX as well as the M&P 45c but I almost always carry the 40c. At this point, it is by far the handgun I’m most comfortable with.
