Are back up guns needed?

H

howwie

New member
I just wanted to see how many people on here think they need a backup weapon. (by weapon I mean another firearm not knife) I personally don't own a gun that I would want as a backup, but should I look into getting one? or just stick to the G19 with an extra mag or 2?
 
Call me paranoid but ya. I've been known to have 3 on me (just cause I can) and another one or two in the car. Some mac/pep spray at least 1 knife.:D:D
 
Hey there Howie.

I think that a G19 w/spare mag would be sufficient for MOST situations. But, if you need an excuse to get another one, THAT is something else entirely. 31 rounds of 9mm SHOULD take care of business.

Ben
 
Better to have it and not need it

Than to need it and not have it.

A second gun is the world's fastest reload.

Since I'm out of law enforcement and don't go out at night, I don't even carry a first gun. When I was a cop, I had two back-up guns and three or four knives.

It depends on your situation.
 
Last edited:
Ben
I agree until that one gun brakes.
O sorry I forgot GLocks dont brake. :p

Most of the tops schools often say, 1 is none, 2 is one
 
If you think you need a back up gun I have to ask where are you going and why are you going there? Unless you are a police officer on duty I would look at changing plans rather than adding a back up gun.

I like to avoid places where I think I'll need a gun period let alone two.
 
Like Big Ugly Tall Texan said, "Better to have it and not need it
Than to need it and not have it".

It's not necessarily out of necessity? So your primary can't brake when you need it in a nice neighbor hood?
 
Most of the tops schools often say, 1 is none, 2 is one
Click to expand...

Of course, the schools have a vested interest in having people believe life really is that dangerous. Which, for the vast majority of us, it's not. This is the same discussion as "carry capacity" or "spare mag needed" which has been, and is being, beaten into the ground.

I say, no.

Some say, yes.

Regardless, do what you want.

There is nothing even remotely resembling a consensus, and there won't be.
 
Aside from running out of ammo in one gun or suffering a firearms failure, you could also be tackled before having the opportunity to produce your primary gun.

Since your primary is probably located somewhere that your strong dominant hand can access it, you will be busy fending off an attacker with that hand and unable to access the gun.

A BUG makes sense if it is located in a different place than the primary in this type of situation.

I've only carried a BUG a couple of times... one such situation was where work sent me down to downtown Phoenix on the same day that the illegals were marching helter-skelter all over the place. IWB XD9 on strong side, snub 642 in pocket holster weak side.

Never needed either of them but it made me feel better.
 
Depends...

Depends on the situation. If I'm doing business while carrying a good bit of cash and/or valuable items, I'm probably packing a BUG... along with a extra clip for the main. That's just personal preference though.

I also may when I'm traveling depending on where it is I'm headed and where I have to go through.

But around town, not really.
 
Thanks, as far as my nieghborhood goes then I'm fin with one all day long. But a trip to the city I feel safe with my Glock but I just wanted to see what some of you thought. Thanks for the replies, I'm probably going to stick with my G19 extra mag and a knife. Unless people in this world decide to get any more insane (wich I'm sure they could)
 
peetzakilla "Of course, the schools have a vested interest in having people believe life really is that dangerous".

I've been to a few of those school and never recall any of them saying that.
It was more like
Guns are mechanical things and mechanical things break, might as well have a back up.

To me it's like driving around without a spare tire. Some people get away with that their whole life, doesn't mean its a smart thing to do. Doesn’t mean I live in a crappy neighbor hood or anything else.
 
I never carry a backup on my person. If I'm going on a trip, I usually have at least two, mostly so I can carry whichever is most convenient for a given day's itinerary. Depending on where I'm going and if I'm camping out, I might also have a long gun or two.

With my lifestyle, travel habits, situational awareness and general cautiousness, I figure that there's virtually zero chance that I'll need the gun I'm carrying. The odds of needing it AND a backup are astronomical.
 
I figure that there's virtually zero chance that I'll need the gun I'm carrying. The odds of needing it AND a backup are astronomical.
Click to expand...

You sir, have unleashed a firestorm. I have made that argument too many times to count.... you just wait and see what boils forth your way now!
 
It seems to me that a uniformed LEO has more possibilities to need a back up gun than a person in plain clothes and carrying concealed.

The only video I saw in training was a uniformed sheriff's deputy serving a warrant or something. His dash cam caught the action that ensued.

The bad guy started a fight with the deputy. They went to the ground quickly. The bad guy was trying to get the deputy's duty gun and after a minute or so did get it. The bad guy stood up and backed up a couple of steps with the deputy still on the ground. The bad guy started shooting. The deputy rolled from side to side and while doing so managed to pull a back up gun from his ankle holster. While the bad guy was still firing, the deputy fired. The bad guy falls to the ground . . . . action over.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top