Backup handgun: how necessary is it?

F

Firepower!

New member
I would like to know how important is it to carry a backup gun?

Have you ever been in a situation where you were 'actually' required to draw you back up weapon?

Also what do you recommend as a backup gun?

Currently + am using Glock 26 as my backup gun.
 
I always carry a backup I haven't had to use it but it's there if I need it. As far as your backup I see nothing wrong with your choice, If you ar happy with it thats all that's important. This is my primary and backup
Sig 226 .357Sig with Crimson Trace Laser and S&W 340PD .357Mag also with CT Laser

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Yours is the first gun with add-on CT grips that I've seen with the warning stickers attached. Mine stay in the box.


On duty I ALWAYS carry a BUG (custom 9mm S&W 360 w/CT grips), sometimes two (add a Kel-tec P3AT). Off duty I seldom carry a BUG. Also, I always carry at least one spare reload for whatever I'm carrying, BUGs included. I've never had to draw mine.

Do I think it is necessary for everyone? I think every cop should carry one because they are at greater risk of someone trying to take their primary or being in an altercation where the only weapon they can reach is their BUG.
If you're not a LEO I'd say it is a matter of choice. If you are carrying concealed and minding your own business there's far less chance of someone grabbing your gun or wrestling you for it, etc. Of course you can also carry one for the "New York Reload" option, it may be faster for you to put another gun into action than reload one.
 
In theory, it's not a bad idea. In practice, I don't.
YMMV. If you can, and will, why not?

Some carry two, some carry three. Some may carry more. I have no problem with any of that, as long as it is legal in your locale.

I don't consider it necessary, because I carry some very reliable, fairly powerful primaries, but that is only my opinion, which is based on my experience.

Both are subject to change. :)
 
I'm a firm believer in carrying a BUG off duty.

Yes, I have had need of a BUG before, when my strong hand was busy deflecting a blade. That was as a CCW Permit Holder, between LEO jobs.

Biker
 
Simple gun math :

1 = 0
2 = 1

Honestly though, I think most of it depends depends on your occupation and every day surroundings. For me to carry a BUG would likely be overkill... but that's just me.
 
^ what he said.

if you need one, then you need two. three is better.

best bet, whenever possible carry a fullsize and then a smaller version of the same gun, especially if the smaller gun will work with the fullsize mags.

example, glock 17/19 and a 26 as a bug.
 
On the spot comments; mission dependent.

Two other considerations, when with my wife in summer attire, my BUG is her primary. My BUG/secondary is almost always a pocket carried revolver. If possible, carry a secondary that will accept the primaries magazine is a plus.

Always carry a dedicated defensive knife.
 
There was a time, as an uniformed LEO, I would have 3 handguns on me: Primary on the belt, one in a shoulder holster (in the winter, under an IKE jacket) and a third on my ankle. Just never could carry 4 comfortably!:D
 
Always carry a dedicated defensive knife.
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totally forgot that one. I've been carrying a defensive knife since before I could drive.

Its much better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it!
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+1000! beyond firearms, this is why I keep tools, shovels, axes, chains, ect in my blazer.

when you need it and don't have it, you sing a whole different tune.
 
FIrepower, Context is everything.

I live in a town with one murder in its history, assaults outside of the domestic variety or tied to our one local saloon, are just as rare. I carry because I have to leave here and go other places for work, but at home, carrying a gun on my belt is just habit, not really need based NOW.

however, I have read your threads about where you live, etc, and I would not leave the house without at least three weapons, a carbine or better, a combat handgun, and a bug or deep cover weapon. the deep cover or bug has been historically used to defend oneself after being overrun. Lets say your car is stopped and you are disarmed of your visible weapons, after taking a carbine and fullsize off of you, they are not going to be doing the pat down, that leaves you with a option, that given the chance, can save you and your loved ones. Many a Policeman, after having lost his duty weapon, has saved himself by having a deep cover weapon to resort to.

I do have a rorhbaugh, 9mm. its tiny, you forget you have it on, mine rides in a little holster which acts like a cell phone holder, the cell case is the outside, IWB is the holster. Its really slick, not high speed, but pretty discrete and very positive. I carry that to places were carrying is not allowed, but where I am not willing to go unarmed.
 
Although the use of a backup gun is rare in a confrontation, there are many good guys who have come out the loser who could have benefitted from a back-up gun. Anything can happen to the primary pistol: jams, broken part, goes empty while the suspect is advancing on you, suspect takes it away from you, weapon takes a disabling round (example, Agent Jerry Dove, 1986 FBI shootout).

Carrying a back-up is a personal choice. Some see it as overkill. Why, because the belief is "I'll never need it". Since gunfights are rare and the need for a back-up gun is even more rare, it's an acceptable risk to a lot of folks. However, I've seen enough horror stories of police officers being unable to fight back because they didn't have a second gun. That is enough for me, I don't have to experience it firsthand to believe it is sound policy.
 
I live quite close to what is ALWAYS known as one of the most dangerous cities in America. I carry a BUG mostly due to the fact that is no harder than carrying my wallet; something I'd never be without. The P32 I use as BUG also serves as primary, when I have to rush out at a moment's notice without my primary, something that happens rarely, but occasionally. The G26 is an awesome BUG, but a little more than I want for that purpose, because I find that my primary conceals better than the G26. Among the crap I carry on a daily basis, you see the primary of Kimber UCDP and P32 BUG.

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Nice photo Stevie-Ray, just one question - is that pile in the middle the "change" we've been waiting for? How'd you get it so fast? I haven't received mine yet!:rolleyes:
 
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