Are back up guns needed?
- Thread starter howwie
- Start date
christcorp
New member
A gun is simply a tool. "Guns don't save people. PEOPLE save people". I don't rely on any gun to save my life. I have many tools to help protect me. Most of them don't involve firearms. I probably will never need a firearm; but if I do, because it is the right tool at the time; then I have one. I don't need a 9mm or 40sw BECAUSE it has 15-18 rounds. I am fine with a P220 45acp with 7 rounds or even a 32auto with 7 rounds. It's a tool. And if the tool breaks, I have other tools. I don't carry extra magazines. I don't carry a 2nd gun. And there are even times when I don't carry any guns. But then again, I don't always carry a hammer around expecting to need to hit a nail every day either. The gun is a tool. And no gun has EVER saved a person's life. Just like no gun has ever KILLED a person. Learn to rely on yourself instead of the gun; use the gun as a tool; and life will be so much better.
ArizonaTRex
New member
I posted this in the Smithy-
" SA 1911 plunger tube came loose today
The safety plunger tube on my Springfield Armory 1911 came loose today and locked my gun "on safe". The plunger popped out and over the safety lever and locked it up solid. I could not release the safety and it took about 2 minutes for me to figure out what happened and force the plunger back into position. I have a habit of swiping the safety on and off when holstering to check function and keep my thumb "trained". Never any trouble until today when I tried to release the safety and nothing happened!
This is my primary carry weapon so this was a bad thing to have happen."
But I do have a Glock as my BUG, I am not worried about fighting an army, but tools break!
If this had happen and I did not discover it until I really needed it....
I have never needed the spare tire in my car since I bought it, but I ain't driving without it.
" SA 1911 plunger tube came loose today
The safety plunger tube on my Springfield Armory 1911 came loose today and locked my gun "on safe". The plunger popped out and over the safety lever and locked it up solid. I could not release the safety and it took about 2 minutes for me to figure out what happened and force the plunger back into position. I have a habit of swiping the safety on and off when holstering to check function and keep my thumb "trained". Never any trouble until today when I tried to release the safety and nothing happened!
This is my primary carry weapon so this was a bad thing to have happen."
But I do have a Glock as my BUG, I am not worried about fighting an army, but tools break!
If this had happen and I did not discover it until I really needed it....
I have never needed the spare tire in my car since I bought it, but I ain't driving without it.
Glenn E. Meyer
New member
The plunger tube on my SW 1911Sc did the same exact thing during a big match and tanked it for me.
Thus, that gun is a match gun. My Glocks are carry primaries.
Thus, that gun is a match gun. My Glocks are carry primaries.
armsmaster270
New member
They can fail at the darndest times maybe when you really need them. maybe not. why take the chance with your life on the line.
the357plan
New member
Only if you lose the primary, carry an unreliable gun-ammo combination or work in an environment where robbery is even a remote possibility.
Personally I've never felt the need to carry a BUG, but I have done it just to do it. I always insure that my gun-ammo carry combination is in top working order. Every year I shoot up the SD ammo and replace it with new (same) ammo. Although, because of the current shortages, I've have slowed down on that endeavor. Being ex-Army before the Beretta decision, I don't even think I can bring a BUG into play quicker than I can clear and re-chamber a 1911.
Anyway, I typically carry a 5 shot 357 Mag with an extra speed loader. If one shot doesn't go bang, just pull the trigger again. I'm not going to just fling rounds down range at the perp. If the first three rounds (two center mass and one head) haven't done the job, I'm going to try something else (like flee) depending on the circumstances. The head shot is only if no reaction has been observed on any center mass hits. The Army programmed me to seek cover, good solid cover, as the very first thing if at all possible. The CCH classes work on me to use my head and avoid the situation if at all possible. It's like defensive driving. Just be aware of what's around you at all times and what you can do if bad things happen. Either I will have spotted the situation or it will be so fast that a BUG will never come into play.
As far as I'm concern, each to his/her own. I don't think you will change anybody's mind. If you want to carry one then do so. If not - then don't.
-DL
Personally I've never felt the need to carry a BUG, but I have done it just to do it. I always insure that my gun-ammo carry combination is in top working order. Every year I shoot up the SD ammo and replace it with new (same) ammo. Although, because of the current shortages, I've have slowed down on that endeavor. Being ex-Army before the Beretta decision, I don't even think I can bring a BUG into play quicker than I can clear and re-chamber a 1911.
Anyway, I typically carry a 5 shot 357 Mag with an extra speed loader. If one shot doesn't go bang, just pull the trigger again. I'm not going to just fling rounds down range at the perp. If the first three rounds (two center mass and one head) haven't done the job, I'm going to try something else (like flee) depending on the circumstances. The head shot is only if no reaction has been observed on any center mass hits. The Army programmed me to seek cover, good solid cover, as the very first thing if at all possible. The CCH classes work on me to use my head and avoid the situation if at all possible. It's like defensive driving. Just be aware of what's around you at all times and what you can do if bad things happen. Either I will have spotted the situation or it will be so fast that a BUG will never come into play.
As far as I'm concern, each to his/her own. I don't think you will change anybody's mind. If you want to carry one then do so. If not - then don't.
-DL
Brian Pfleuger
Moderator Emeritus
Mello2u said:
He's also an example of a guy at his business, not what he carried on the street. At home or at your business is a completely different scenario, largely because there is no downside whatsoever to having virtually any amount, or kind, of weaponry or ammo. Not to mention that a majority of incidents happen either at home or businesses anyway, so if it EVER makes sense, it makes sense there.
I'm STILL looking for a civilian incident involving carry "on the street" that required more than one firearm or even a reload. I'm not even saying that it has never happened, but how much am I supposed to worry about something that is so exceedingly rare that hundreds of people who range from interested to experts on the subject can't come up with a single incident? I mean, even if we could name 50 such incidents just from memory it would still be an extremely rare event. Considering that we can so far name ZERO, I think it's fair to say that it's a thought experiment more than reality.
Regular Joe
New member
Yea. I simply don't carry on the street, yet. If things keep going as a growing number of people believe, I'll soon have no choice.
I've only had problems when I've been out in the boonies. Now I carry my Glock 17 with just one little 33 round mag. I believe that the big mag is as much a deterrent as the gun itself, because most people think it means something. It's not what they think, but I don't care what they think, as long as it changes their thinking from messing with me. If I never have to fire another round in the direction of a person again, I'll be fine with that.
In the boonies, if I feel the need for a bug, it's more likely to be a scoped .22 carbine with 100 rounds in magazines. Beware of the guy who carries his .22 and leaves the shotgun in the car. He knows how to use it.
I've only had problems when I've been out in the boonies. Now I carry my Glock 17 with just one little 33 round mag. I believe that the big mag is as much a deterrent as the gun itself, because most people think it means something. It's not what they think, but I don't care what they think, as long as it changes their thinking from messing with me. If I never have to fire another round in the direction of a person again, I'll be fine with that.
In the boonies, if I feel the need for a bug, it's more likely to be a scoped .22 carbine with 100 rounds in magazines. Beware of the guy who carries his .22 and leaves the shotgun in the car. He knows how to use it.
DAVE RICHHARDS
New member
It sure doesn't hurt. I always have my P3AT or 642 with me. If my main gun goes down I prefer a "New York Reload". It's faster than trying to problem solve a jam while in a gunfight. And I have had to hand one over to a friend once. Luckily we didn't need them. It's this simple. If you need a BUG. You need it bad!
Brian Pfleuger
Moderator Emeritus
Where is this "boonies" that people speak of? Rural areas are generally the safest places in America...
Smallgame2100
Moderator
Well CNY rural areas are. Especially down in Tully/Amber/Marietta.
But in some areas, like outside Rochester, are not. It really depends on where you're located. Rural areas could spark for more crime, due to lack of people and the distance for help is usually quite a bit aways. But, each area is different.
But in some areas, like outside Rochester, are not. It really depends on where you're located. Rural areas could spark for more crime, due to lack of people and the distance for help is usually quite a bit aways. But, each area is different.
I live in the boonies. "Town" is down the road, and about 400 people in size (we dont live in town).
Theres actually a lot more goes on out here than you might think. Less people, but lots of animosity and bad blood. Everyone literally knows everyone, and everyones business. Its a very religious and righteous area, just dont turn your back. Sometimes I think I'm in one of those old "drive in" movies with what goes on.
We have no real police protection, other than the state police. Their average turn out is probably about 30 minutes on a good day, unless a trooper happens to be passing through. No 911. No real address's for that matter, thats why no 911.
In the last couple of years, we've had a couple of killings, some obviously meant, others , well, was it a hunting accident, or wasnt it. (they take hunting and hunting rights REAL serious around here). The next order of fun seems to be the underage kids and the step dads. Been some killings related to that too. I've lived a lot of places in my life, rural, city, suburbs, scary, and next to scary comes rural when it comes to what goes on. Sometimes I wonder which is scarier. Hmmm, now wheres my muck boots? Baby's caaallllllin'!
Theres actually a lot more goes on out here than you might think. Less people, but lots of animosity and bad blood. Everyone literally knows everyone, and everyones business. Its a very religious and righteous area, just dont turn your back. Sometimes I think I'm in one of those old "drive in" movies with what goes on.
We have no real police protection, other than the state police. Their average turn out is probably about 30 minutes on a good day, unless a trooper happens to be passing through. No 911. No real address's for that matter, thats why no 911.
In the last couple of years, we've had a couple of killings, some obviously meant, others , well, was it a hunting accident, or wasnt it. (they take hunting and hunting rights REAL serious around here). The next order of fun seems to be the underage kids and the step dads. Been some killings related to that too. I've lived a lot of places in my life, rural, city, suburbs, scary, and next to scary comes rural when it comes to what goes on. Sometimes I wonder which is scarier. Hmmm, now wheres my muck boots? Baby's caaallllllin'!
That sounds like a saying that would work very well for special forces.
How many of the folks that responded to this thread are special forces?
What percentage of CCL holders are special forces? Heck, what percent of real special forces people carry a back up gun when not in action? Inquiring minds demand to know!
