Backup guns

voodoowraith

New member
How many of you with a ccw carry a backup gun or two? I have a Kimber compact that I'll be carrying as a primary with a Kahr MK40 as a backup as soon as my ccw is approved.
 
Not a CCW, but as an Off-Duty LEO I carry two revolvers and reloads for each gun. The Primary is a 4" N-Frame and the BUG is a 2" J-Frame. On-Duty I carry the "bottomfeeder" they issue me.

I strongly encourage people to carry a BUG that is accessable to the "Support Hand" since you never know what hand is going to be free when the fecal matter hits the rotating thingie.

I don't carry two guns because I may have to "intervene" in a situation either. By "Agency Policy" when I am Off-Duty I am acting the same as any Non-LEO. The only thing my credentials get me is the ability to carry a concealed weapon in any state in the country.

Biker
 
I usually keep a backup in my car. As I usually carry a 1911 IWB, I like to have easy access to another gun when I'm driving so I keep Hk P2000sk in a small toolbag on the passenger seat.

As for a backup on my person, I've seriously been considering picking up a little pocket pistol for this very purpose. Maybe a Derringer in .45 Colt.
 
I also have been looking at the 45LC derringers. I’m thinking it would be a simple mater to sew in a little pouch in the front waist band of my pants or some other such arrangement.
 
I usually carry a S&W 37 Airweight in my off-side front pocket and two speed strips for it. I carry either a Beretta 92 Type M or S&W M&P IWB as a primary. Generally no reload if I carry the M&P since it carries 16 rounds and I have the BUG, I always carry a spare 8-round magazine for the Beretta when I carry that.
 
If going to a bad area, or traveling into unknown area, XD40 sub compact.
XD40 as primary. This way they all use the same mags/rounds so that's 12 rounds per mag, four mags, hmm so 48 rounds total. Sweetness.
 
I don't feel the need to carry BUG 99% of my life. I'll carry spare ammo, but I don't live in that bad of an area or work in bad areas. if it's that bad I won't go there.
 
Gee, "I don't carry a BUG because I live in a good neighborhood and don't go to bad areas" crap has me wanting to vomit. :barf:

Like I've said before, maybe even in this forum, you cannot predict when, where or how an attack will take place. The only thing you can do is be prepared in case it does happen and then deal with it.

I hope nobody has to learn what I learned at an early age, "There is NO safe place. The safe place will be my coffin when I am dead and in my grave. I plan to die of natural causes and old age, that's why I carry multiple weapons.

Biker
 
I carry a EAA Witness in .45acp and a S&W j frame 38 special
1 extra mag and 1 speed strip,a good knife or 2, hideaway handcuff key,
mini light flashlight......Daily!

I'm not an LEO, Just believe in being as safe as I can make myself.
 
chance of winning the lottery 12,000,000 to 1
chance of being hit by lighting 2,320,000 to 1
chance of being a victim of a violent crime 27,000 to 1
chance of being obsessive/ compulsive 1 to 1
I carry 1 gun daily. Most carry none. I work p/t as an Aux LEO helping to keep my City safe and almost all I talk to carry 2 on duty and 1 off. If you keep your weapon at 100% always and then add in Murphy's law of a gun malfunction...you won't have time to go to "door number 2", you'll be dead.
What's enough? 2 guns, 3? 2 with plenty of ammo? howabouts a knife on top of that? (explain that on your next traffic stop 'officer I have a CCW license and I have a weapon in a strong side IWB holster.......oh and I've got another in my ankle holster and oh a knife in my right pocket with my spare ammo." If you want to dress like a cop or play Army, go join it. I rely on real life real probabilities. I don't live in a poor impoverished crime ridden place, yes there is crime, I go on calls when I'm on duty with regular officers.
Oh and don't flame me when my opinion was being asked. Don't forget are most important weapon is between our ears. If you are alert and aren't asking for trouble you can avoid most problems. Most cops go through there whole life's without firing there weapon. I think one reason on and off duty is because they are using there primary weapon, there head....oh and btw.....009% of civilians using firearms need to discharge there gun in defense for there life
 
I work in officially the most dangerous city in the US. I carry a Keltec P32 in my pocket. My BUG is a 9mm or two in the car.
"Paranoia strikes deep. Into your life it will creep."- Buffalo Springfield
 
chance of winning the lottery 12,000,000 to 1
chance of being hit by lighting 2,320,000 to 1
chance of being a victim of a violent crime 27,000 to 1


Guess what, I've already beat those odds. I'm not trying to flame you, or pick a fight. I just think a second weapon is a viable option. If you choose to carry a gun, carry enough of one to get the job done.

My first "armed encounter" happened before I was an LEO. I learned a long time ago that there is no place 100% safe. All I can do is try to minimize the chances of things happening.

Biker
 
I've never understood a back up or primary in the car, unless you were carjacked or had to exit the car to protect your loved ones why would you not drive away? Worst case a car can make a far more effective weapon than a pistol.:confused:
 
a car can't make a 90 degree turn in an instant.

A backup weapon especialy in a car is always a good idea. Anything can happen, and you'll be glad it's there if you'll need it.
 
I grew up in NY where if a pistol was stolen you lose your right to own a pistol and depending on where you park break-ins were all to common but I do see your point. The more options you provide yourself in a bad spot the better your chances are.
 
No, I do not carry a BUG and don't plan to start.

A cop will likely need to use his gun. I hopefully will never need to, and probably won't. By carrying my single handgun, I am already better armed than most people around me. I am very satisfied to rely on that and my skills and common sense to keep me safe.

I also don't want to be the guy sitting before a jury hoping to convince them that I wasn't "looking for a fight" with my 2 guns, a knife, tactical light, spare ammo, and an assault rifle in the car. Can you say "convicted"?

I'll carry extra ammo when in a high crime area, but the rest of the time I'm just wanting to avoid danger if I can.

Also, you've got to try thinking like a gun control, feel-good liberal every once in a while. Balance your safety with how it'll look in court to those soccer moms and libs on the jury when you get sued or arrested. Even if you don't use the BUG, the jury will know you had it.
 
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Also, you've got to try thinking like a gun control, feel-good liberal every once in a while. Balance your safety with how it'll look in court to those soccer moms and libs on the jury when you get sued or arrested. Even if you don't use the BUG, the jury will know you had it.

My response to that would be to put an LEO or two on the stand and ask them if they carry a BUG. I would already know the answer because that is a question that would be asked in deposistion. I would also have LEO's that carry a BUG Off-Duty on the stand.

The knife would be presented as a "tool with defensive capabilities". Many people have seen me cut open boxes with my knife. As for the reloads, they are easily articulated as well, just like the BUG.

There are nationally recognised trainers that advocate the use of a BUG because of failure of the Primary or having your Primary Hand occupied with doing something else, such as deflecting a knife or pushing a loved one out of danger.

I have never had to defend myself in court, but I have been investigated for use of force. The "trick" is to be able to articulate why you did what you did. Do not kid yourself, you will have to do that even if you only carry one gun and have to use it. I just want to make sure that I have the ability to articulate the reasons and having a BUG allows me a better "chance" of surviving the street so that I can go forth and survive in the courtroom.

Biker
 
For the average person carrying more than one gun is pure paranoia. The chances that you'll ever need just one gun are very small. The chances that you'll need to shoot that gun are even smaller. The chances that the gun will malfunction that one time you need it are Infinitesimally small.

You are more likely to get run over, or have a heart attack, or fall down a flight of stairs. I've got much more important things to worry about in my life than keeping two large hunks of metal strapped to my body. The majority of people in this country don't even carry one gun and die from old age or cancer.

(I'm sure BikerRN will jump all over me for this post, but that's the attitude I expect from paranoid people)
 
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