I used to have a SA XD 45 ACP and a Ruger SP-101 DAO. Two totally different guns. I figured one would be primary and one would be backup. But that didn't work out too well. Two totally different guns to shoot. Different ammo to buy. Not to mention two guns to clean after shooting at the range. I sold both of those. I now have a SW MP 40c. I think I will like it. It will be my primary. However if I was going to have a backup, guess what? It would be the exact same gun. Why have two different shooting types? Why not have my back up the same as my primary. My hand and mind wouldn't know the difference and I would shoot both the exact same. Not a second wasted to recalibrate my brain in the heat of battle. Anyway I would like to hear people's thoughts on this. Are you with me OR would you say that it doesn't have to be that strict?
Primary / Back up
- Thread starter gdeal
- Start date
For me it is a full 5'' Colt Government primary carry, with my Colt Night Defender Backup. Too much firepower? Everyone I know says so, and they are right in some ways. For me the perfect pairup would be a 4'' 1911 main gun with a S&W airweight hammerless on ankle. This would be winter only setup. I do not carry a backup in summer.
I subscribe to the idea of a full size main with a compact version of the same gun for a BUG when possible. it would be better to have two full sizes but a fullsize and compact is challenge enough.
however when I go shooting I usually bring several types of guns with me. I just went the other day and I took my glock 17, 26; ruger p95, gp100, blackhawk; and a 1911 and I didn't have any trouble going from one to the next to the next back to the first then another. in an actual shootout I'm sure it's a different story but I doubt its as much of an issue as people make it out to be.
the real issue I would see is if you always were practicing with a gun that didn't have a manual saftey and started carrying one that did. but you could run into the same problem if you always shot say, a 1911, but never practiced your draw or taking the saftey off.
however when I go shooting I usually bring several types of guns with me. I just went the other day and I took my glock 17, 26; ruger p95, gp100, blackhawk; and a 1911 and I didn't have any trouble going from one to the next to the next back to the first then another. in an actual shootout I'm sure it's a different story but I doubt its as much of an issue as people make it out to be.
the real issue I would see is if you always were practicing with a gun that didn't have a manual saftey and started carrying one that did. but you could run into the same problem if you always shot say, a 1911, but never practiced your draw or taking the saftey off.
My Thinking
I decided to carry a big hole maker (.45) with good capacity (11-14 rds) as my primary. But there is part of me that just feels safer with a revolver. So I have one for a back up.
No, I don't think I would ever have two well maintained semi's fail at the same time. But I'm basically a revolver guy so I needed some excuse to carry one.
I agree with the above, I take a bunch of guns every time I go to the range.
I decided to carry a big hole maker (.45) with good capacity (11-14 rds) as my primary. But there is part of me that just feels safer with a revolver. So I have one for a back up.
No, I don't think I would ever have two well maintained semi's fail at the same time. But I'm basically a revolver guy so I needed some excuse to carry one.
I agree with the above, I take a bunch of guns every time I go to the range.
