Is carrying 2 guns overkill?

Status
Not open for further replies.
Would you consider a second in the car a bug? Do you really need the second gun to be on your person? Darn hard to carry two. Another (same model) gun in the trunk with extra mags for both would be good in my view.

btw, I carry my puffer fish in a sharkskin holster.:eek:
 
That's a question there's no stock answer to.

Each individual has to determine for themselves whether or not a backup is needed.

Myself, I think anyone involved in LE or security work would be unwise not to carry a backup. For me personally, I don't expect to ever need my EDC, let alone a backup. I'm not a celebrity, I'm not wealthy, or engaged in high risk business. The only way I'd get caught up in a life or death confrontation is probably just pure random chance. And if that ever occurs, I'm prepared for 99.9% of those situations by just having a single reliable compact handgun at the ready.

But what it comes down to really, is that everyone has their own comfort level and their own perception of the risk they face. Prepare yourself as you see fit.
 
Depends on the day for me. Currently I have a Glock 20 holding 15+1 with an 18 round magazine on my other hip.

There's a LAW-12 in the trunk of my car with 25 Federal Slugs and 25 Federal LEO flight control 00 buckshot in separate bandoleers to feed it with as well.

If I'm shooting somewhere I always have a 2nd gun on my person.

If I'm in a bad neighborhood looking at investment property where I might run into squatters, drug dealers that don't like seeing me poking around (twice so far, no shots fired), or whomever else that might cause problem I've usually got 3 on me, my current 3 gun carry setup being the Glock 10mm with reload, a FN FiveseveN 5.7x28 with reload, and either an HK P7 PSP, or Taurus 9mm snub nose depending on what I'm wearing. Not to mention the shotgun in the car.

I'm a big guy though, and I don't mind dressing around them. Also, before I ever had my CCW someone brandished a MAC 10 (or maybe 11 though I didn't stop to ask which it was) at me while I was looking at property and told me to get the "you know what" off of his turf.

So, anyway. Depends on your situation.
 
"Is carrying 2 guns overkill?"

No, not necessarily. For example: The addition of a J-frame to the pocket or ankle does not "overkill" make; and there are plenty of of comparably and smaller sized pistols available on the market.
 
And with that, some will note that "no, not necessarily" allows for instances where "yes, at times" may be the correct answer. For example: The addition of as second Glock 21 to the belt arguably makes for "overkill;" as with any of the service sized pistols.

But... Nothing is written in stone and if the carrier doesn't mind and can pull it off it's their business.

Erik, who always carries one, usually carries two, and at work frequently brings along bigger primaries.
 
Last edited:
On a side note...

The whole Puffer Fish/ Finny Pack drift is probably on of the better drifts I can recall. :D
 
Overkill? I do not think so, but that's me. I always have a gun on me, except for the shower or bed, but then it is with in arms reach. Just prepared I guess. I will carry two pistols as often as I can, easier now because of our cold weather. Two XD's: 5inch .45 and 4inch .40 a spare mag for the 45 and two spares for the 40. I don't have a "pocket" size gun yet as the one I had has become my wife's. Haven't had the money to buy a replacement yet. I would carry my shotgun in my car if I had a safe way to lock it in. I would carry a AR as well if I had one. If my clothing doesn't permit two firearms I'll tuck one gun plus spare mags in the bag I carry with me. I also have a light for darkness and a knife. Overkill or just prepared? I prefer to think I am prepared. After all, the chances of ever needing a gun are so slim, yet we chose to carry. The chances of your primary gun failing are slim as well, but if you do need the back-up, wouldn't you be glad you bothered strapping it on? Especially if it's a pocket gun? Oh but for some, a pocket or ankle back-up is just too cumbersome. As compared to their primary.
 
Actually, the mag side is attached to you belt...so the added weight of the mag does little to effect anything.
Click to expand...

I see you don't wear a sholder holster or you would not have said that.

Try a Taurus 40 S&W in sholder holster, two spare mags on other side of sholder holster, Bersa 380 in IWB on strong side at 5:00 o'clock and folding knife on belt on strong side. If you don't have time to get to the 40 then go for the 380 not all situations will allow you to get to your primary weapon.

Four pens now thats overkill.

Jim
 
"Overkill" is subjective, depending on what you have in mind to "kill":D

At one time in my on-going LE career, I carried three guns: My duty sidearm, a .38 on my ankle and a 380 Browning in a shoulder holster under an Ike jacket. The reason I carried only 3 was that I really couldnt comfortably carry 4 on my person.:cool:

I'm still looking for room for number 4, though.

You carry as much as you need to make you and your loved-ones safe! My hat is off to you.
 
try carrying two and see how it feels. my guess is that after carrying two for awhile, you will go back to one. i also think that, in general, an extra mag is a better choice than an extra gun.
Click to expand...

I've heard those sentiments many a time. But never once from someone who's actually been in gunfights. Not an expert, but my observations tell me that such folks are never without backup.

Now, of course, for those of us who don't ever expect to be in a gunfight, one gun makes perfect sense, since we aren't planning on using the one we've got.
 
I see you don't wear a sholder holster or you would not have said that.
Click to expand...
Oh how wrong you are...I wear one quite frequently. Since the non-gun side does not hang freely, but instead attaches to my belt loop, the added weight of a mag really makes no difference in the overall feel. The weight of my pants and belt make the mag negligible. :)

SHtiedown.jpg


SHvisible1.jpg
 
Definitely not overkill. I carry a primary .45 ACP and BUG .32 ACP, pretty much always. Of course I live in close proximity to Detroit and have been told I should carry not less than an AR-15.:D
 
A back up gun or BUG is a wise move IMO. Murphy is never too far from any of us. :rolleyes:

I wear my seatbelt and as a second layer of protection my car has airbags. I hope never to use them for their intended purpose. ;)
 
>I wear my seatbelt and as a second layer of protection my car has airbags. I hope never to use them for their intended purpose.<

Which just begs the question, what purpose DO you intend to use them for? ;)
 
I've heard those sentiments many a time. But never once from someone who's actually been in gunfights. Not an expert, but my observations tell me that such folks are never without backup.

Now, of course, for those of us who don't ever expect to be in a gunfight, one gun makes perfect sense, since we aren't planning on using the one we've got.
Click to expand...

Having had need of my BUG before, I am seldom without a BUG.

One never knows which hand they will have available to draw with when they need a gun. Two is a minimum, three is preferred for off duty carry.

Biker
 
To each his own, but personally I only feel the need to carry one. Statistically I’m unlikely to need one and the chances of needing two is even slimmer. Each additional gun a person chooses to carry the odd get even smaller that they’ll ever need it. I guess it all depends on how much of a chance you’re willing to take.

Though, I’ve seen a few member photos and some of you have a much greater risk of early death due to being overweight? Why be so prepared for a possible violent encounter when some of you take much greater risk with your health? How many of you that carries more than one gun, smokes, or drives without a seatbelt? Statistically those things are more likely to kill you than a situation that may require two guns or several reloads.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top