Backup Weapon
- Thread starter Castle
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swampgator
New member
I think if all were polled the most popular carry method is an ankle rig.
Second would probably be a holster strapped to your vest.
Used to be a J-frame Smith was the only way to go, but with the smaller autos currently on the market ie baby Glocks are pretty popular.
I know one officer who carries a NAA .22 in his shirt pocket. So I guess it's a personal preference deal.
Gator
Second would probably be a holster strapped to your vest.
Used to be a J-frame Smith was the only way to go, but with the smaller autos currently on the market ie baby Glocks are pretty popular.
I know one officer who carries a NAA .22 in his shirt pocket. So I guess it's a personal preference deal.
Gator
Glenn E. Meyer
New member
Do you want a reasonable power second gun?
Then the light wt. 38s or 9mms.
A reasonable mouse gun - the 32ACPs like the P32.
Tiny hidden last resort - I love my NAA 22S.
Amazingly small 5 shot gun.
Then the light wt. 38s or 9mms.
A reasonable mouse gun - the 32ACPs like the P32.
Tiny hidden last resort - I love my NAA 22S.
Amazingly small 5 shot gun.
WHAT IS YOUR PRIMARY WEAPON? I THINK IT IS ALWAYS A GOOD IDEA TO STICK WITH SIMILARLY OPERATING WEAPONS WHENEVER POSSIBLE.FOR EXAMPLE, IF YOUR PRIMARY HANDGUN IS A GLOCK22 THEN YOUR BEST BET FOR BACKUP WOULD BE A GLOCK27. WHY?
1) SAME FEEL,TRIGGER,FUNCTIONING,ETC
2) SAME AMMO - ONLY NEED TO CARRY ONE TYPE
3) G22 MAGS WILL WORK IN G27
SAME CAN BE SAID OF KAHR K9/ MK9
OR IF YOU ARE A REVOLVER FAN: 4" .38 PRIMARY & 2" .38 SNUB FOR BACKUP.
GET THE POINT?? GOOD LUCK WHATEVER YOU CHOOSE
1) SAME FEEL,TRIGGER,FUNCTIONING,ETC
2) SAME AMMO - ONLY NEED TO CARRY ONE TYPE
3) G22 MAGS WILL WORK IN G27
SAME CAN BE SAID OF KAHR K9/ MK9
OR IF YOU ARE A REVOLVER FAN: 4" .38 PRIMARY & 2" .38 SNUB FOR BACKUP.
GET THE POINT?? GOOD LUCK WHATEVER YOU CHOOSE
I use a j-frame .357 with enclosed hammer, on an ankle rig. Reason: it is very very powerful, utterly simple, and relatively small.
Somethings to consider, however (some of which have already been mentioned):
1. What regs does your department have on backups? If you have not yet been hired on, don't buy your backup yet (sounds silly, but I know guys who did it, and bought a gun they couldn't use).
2. I agree with what was said above about like-functioning guns. If you get a semi-auto, get one that functions _exactly_ like your duty weapon, so in a high-stress situation you don't start doing silly things like fumbling with safeties and mag releases and take down levers and whatnot. Interchangable mags and like-caliber is a bonus, too.
3. if you do get an ankle rig, make sure that 1. the gun sits in it very tight and 2. the rig is very secure on your ankle. Why? As a cop you will occasionally have to chase people (no! Really!), and if that puppy ain't on your ankle VERY FIRMLY, you will be walking back over your path looking for it. Thats something you don't want to have to explain to your sergeant. Galco makes a decent ankle rig with a tensioning adjustment , and I have yet to lose my backup.
Mike
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"A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects." -Robert Heinlein
Somethings to consider, however (some of which have already been mentioned):
1. What regs does your department have on backups? If you have not yet been hired on, don't buy your backup yet (sounds silly, but I know guys who did it, and bought a gun they couldn't use).
2. I agree with what was said above about like-functioning guns. If you get a semi-auto, get one that functions _exactly_ like your duty weapon, so in a high-stress situation you don't start doing silly things like fumbling with safeties and mag releases and take down levers and whatnot. Interchangable mags and like-caliber is a bonus, too.
3. if you do get an ankle rig, make sure that 1. the gun sits in it very tight and 2. the rig is very secure on your ankle. Why? As a cop you will occasionally have to chase people (no! Really!), and if that puppy ain't on your ankle VERY FIRMLY, you will be walking back over your path looking for it. Thats something you don't want to have to explain to your sergeant. Galco makes a decent ankle rig with a tensioning adjustment , and I have yet to lose my backup.
Mike
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"A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects." -Robert Heinlein
George Hill
Staff Alumnus
I recomend the Walther PPK/S... HIGHLY.
Ankle Rigs are good in some situations.
Belly Bands let you pack what I call "Superman" carry... Under your shirt. Some guys dont like belly bands all day long - but it didnt bother me. You can also do this with the right shoulder rig.
IWB behind the hip works good too - but if your going to be loaded with a heavie duty belt - you may want your back up someplace else... but I packed it under the duty belt IWB quite often.
The Glock 26/27 are nice but much thicker - so if you can get away with it - the 27 makes a great back up.
Taurus Millinium is dandy - especially when the .45 Titanium version comes out.
Also the Pocket 9 by Colt - if you can find one - is a very good pistol for this.
If you need to go REALLY Deep - go Pocket rigs with some of the smaller .32's on the market or a NAA mini-revolver in .22Mag
Best of luck... If you got anymore questions - just ask.
Ankle Rigs are good in some situations.
Belly Bands let you pack what I call "Superman" carry... Under your shirt. Some guys dont like belly bands all day long - but it didnt bother me. You can also do this with the right shoulder rig.
IWB behind the hip works good too - but if your going to be loaded with a heavie duty belt - you may want your back up someplace else... but I packed it under the duty belt IWB quite often.
The Glock 26/27 are nice but much thicker - so if you can get away with it - the 27 makes a great back up.
Taurus Millinium is dandy - especially when the .45 Titanium version comes out.
Also the Pocket 9 by Colt - if you can find one - is a very good pistol for this.
If you need to go REALLY Deep - go Pocket rigs with some of the smaller .32's on the market or a NAA mini-revolver in .22Mag
Best of luck... If you got anymore questions - just ask.
George Hill
Staff Alumnus
Oh - and a folding one hand operated edge weapon carried on your weakhand side could be a lifesaver should you get into a tussle.
And one day you WILL get into a tussle.
And one day you WILL get into a tussle.
The TAurus titanium revolver models like the 44 spl or 45 colt pack a powerful punch and are very concealable and lightweight.
I agree with George that a knife can be a lifesaver, if someone gets the jump on you, or your gun would fail for any reason. I often carry a Microtec SOCUM, Benchmade ACFK, or Benchmade mini-reflex auto.
I agree with George that a knife can be a lifesaver, if someone gets the jump on you, or your gun would fail for any reason. I often carry a Microtec SOCUM, Benchmade ACFK, or Benchmade mini-reflex auto.
Baby Glocks that match the primary pistols are very popular.
You cannot go wrong with Kahrs.
J frames still have an ardent following.
Pick what you are comfortable with. Remember that it will either be used as a loaner or as a last resort. Practice drawing and firing from your backup holster- this is often ignored.
Good luck,
Erik
You cannot go wrong with Kahrs.
J frames still have an ardent following.
Pick what you are comfortable with. Remember that it will either be used as a loaner or as a last resort. Practice drawing and firing from your backup holster- this is often ignored.
Good luck,
Erik
I will second the comment about department policy. In some places, getting caught with a "backup" will terminate your law enforcement career right then. A major reason is that "backup" guns too often are intended to become "throwdown" guns. A backup also can screw up an investigation. If a cop admits using his backup, he is in trouble, but if he does not, there will be unidentified bullets/cases at the scene.
I know why cops want a backup, but "the powers that be" have their reasons for banning them.
Jim
I know why cops want a backup, but "the powers that be" have their reasons for banning them.
Jim
Rainbow Six
New member
I carry a Glock primary weapon, so I have a Glock sub-compact for my ankle. Right now, the primary is a .40 and the ankle is a .357SIG but as soon as we qualify again I will start using my G31C .357SIG as my primary so I can use the primary mags in either gun.
There are lots of great things about Glocks, but this is one of their major selling points as far as I'm concerned.
What will your primary be?
Also, George has a great point. I carry "several"(
) edged weapons on duty. I try to have a knife in enough areas on my body that I can get to one in just about any situation as long as I have a hand left.
Keeping one of fair size and stiffness with a serrated blade on the weak side and practicing weapon retention with it (a plastic sim knife for training/practice) isn't a bad idea either. Not many people could keep much of a grip on your pistol when their tendons and ligaments have been severed down to the bone at the wrist. I plan to do whatever I have to do to keep my weapon from ending up in the BG's hands!!
Be safe!
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R6...aka...Chris
There are lots of great things about Glocks, but this is one of their major selling points as far as I'm concerned.
What will your primary be?
Also, George has a great point. I carry "several"(
Keeping one of fair size and stiffness with a serrated blade on the weak side and practicing weapon retention with it (a plastic sim knife for training/practice) isn't a bad idea either. Not many people could keep much of a grip on your pistol when their tendons and ligaments have been severed down to the bone at the wrist. I plan to do whatever I have to do to keep my weapon from ending up in the BG's hands!!
Be safe!
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R6...aka...Chris
Yeah I've been carrying a Spiderco serrated folder since 94'. Lost one, found one just like it back at the armory. But alas my current Spyderco has seen better days. Gotta keep up with the Jones's
What was that BeckTG about a Wegner Spyderco?
Mr. George Hill, why is it important to keep a knife on your weak side, I usually carry a paratool on by rear-right hip and my Spyderco in my right front pocket.
Curious,
Jon
What was that BeckTG about a Wegner Spyderco?
Mr. George Hill, why is it important to keep a knife on your weak side, I usually carry a paratool on by rear-right hip and my Spyderco in my right front pocket.
Curious,
Jon
Jim Keenan, I certainly take your point about some depts outlawing "backup" guns, as they're afraid their officers will use them as "throwdown," or "drop" guns, but other depts do allow "backups." Of all the various depts with which I'm familiar, a "backup" gun MUST be approved by and registered with the Dept., and the officer MUST qualifiy at whatever period each month/quarter, ect., using dept. approved ammo, with that "backup," to be allowed to carry it. With that gun registered with the dept., no way can an officer "drop" it at the scene.
Not saying all depts have this policy, but a lot do.
I am not a fan of the ankle holster. I had two, used them awhile, didn't care for them and gave them away. I know an officer who had to use his backup revolver (S&W 60 .38), in a very bad situation, where, if he'd had it in an ankle holster, instead of an IWB holster in small of his back, he'd have been murdered. No way, in THAT situation, could he have got down to his ankle gun.
As the old saying goes, "When you're wrestling and you're on top, you're just wrestling. But when you're on bottom, you're wrestling like Hell!!" When an officer is wrestling with a suspect, he/she might not be able to get down and clear that ankle holster.
Every situation is different, of course. JMHO. J.B.
Not saying all depts have this policy, but a lot do.
I am not a fan of the ankle holster. I had two, used them awhile, didn't care for them and gave them away. I know an officer who had to use his backup revolver (S&W 60 .38), in a very bad situation, where, if he'd had it in an ankle holster, instead of an IWB holster in small of his back, he'd have been murdered. No way, in THAT situation, could he have got down to his ankle gun.
As the old saying goes, "When you're wrestling and you're on top, you're just wrestling. But when you're on bottom, you're wrestling like Hell!!" When an officer is wrestling with a suspect, he/she might not be able to get down and clear that ankle holster.
Every situation is different, of course. JMHO. J.B.
Rainbow Six
New member
Excellent point, JB. That's exactly why I keep several knives on me in different areas of my body.
CrociJA,
I can only assume that he suggests carrying a knife on your weak side for the same reason I mentioned above. If someone's trying to get your pistol out of your holster, you grip the pistol or their wrist with your strong hand and use your off hand to draw your knife and try to separate the piece o' sh*t from his hand or go for knife fighting attack points on their body.
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R6...aka...Chris
[This message has been edited by Rainbow Six (edited April 21, 2000).]
CrociJA,
I can only assume that he suggests carrying a knife on your weak side for the same reason I mentioned above. If someone's trying to get your pistol out of your holster, you grip the pistol or their wrist with your strong hand and use your off hand to draw your knife and try to separate the piece o' sh*t from his hand or go for knife fighting attack points on their body.
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R6...aka...Chris
[This message has been edited by Rainbow Six (edited April 21, 2000).]
Alot of good info here. I carried two differant types of ankle holsters with a S&W J frame. One a well padded leather type with a positive snap, the other a less comfortable nylon rig with velcro on the retaining strap. The nylon/velcro rig always held the pistol securely-running, jumping fighting, kicking or crashing a vehicle. What I liked about the velcro was that I could always pull the gun free with one good yank and it was in my hand. It may have made it easier to snatch, but I weighed my odds.
With the ankle holster the gun is usually easy to get to on the ground, when wrestling and not too difficult when standing up. What ever type of holster you use, the key is to pratice drawing your firearm from it in differant positions. I spent alot of time in pratice and felt very comfortable in getting to my revolver when needed. I pulled it several times and had great success (I'm still here to write about it!) I prefered the revolver due to the fact there was no safety, just pull the trigger if needed. The same could be said for a compact Glock.
With the ankle holster the gun is usually easy to get to on the ground, when wrestling and not too difficult when standing up. What ever type of holster you use, the key is to pratice drawing your firearm from it in differant positions. I spent alot of time in pratice and felt very comfortable in getting to my revolver when needed. I pulled it several times and had great success (I'm still here to write about it!) I prefered the revolver due to the fact there was no safety, just pull the trigger if needed. The same could be said for a compact Glock.