Views on Back up weapons.

How do you feel about carrying a back up gun?

  • I carry a back up gun!

    Votes: 28 31.8%

  • I carry 2 back up Guns!

    Votes: 3 3.4%

  • I only carry one gun and that's all I'll ever need.

    Votes: 23 26.1%

  • I think in theory back up guns are great but in practice it doesn't work for civilian use.

    Votes: 34 38.6%
  • Total voters
    88
  • Poll closed .
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B

Big Tom

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Hi guys I just wanted to take a survey on the subject. How many of you think a back up weapon is practical. I carry a little Kel Tec P32 every day as a back up to a Bersa Thunder 380. With my Bersa I carry a total of 3 magazines 2 of which are HP's and one full with FMJ's. I use 1 HP in my Kel Tec which is the first shot followed by FMJ's and I carry one spare mag for it. I've always been a firm believer in having a back up weapon. I know others who think it non sense. I also know of 2 guys who carry THREE guns every day. What are your views?


Just a side note I also like to carry a knife and mace with me too.
 
If I could carry a back up gun . . . an be comfortable, I most likely would.

I just dont think its practical for me to do so here in SC. Our weather doesn't get cold enough here for heavy clothing except for maybe a month (or less) out of the year.

I don't think it's non sense though. I guess it seems "too much" for me. Everybody is different and so are their needs. I'm interested to see what others do though!
 
I could not carry a back up if'n I wanted to. Just because it would be difficult for me. But if you can go for it.
 
.40 cal thanks for your input. I can see your point in the lower states. If your interested i would recommend any of the .32's and .380's offered by Kel Tec, Taurus, or Ruger. they are light, flat, and down right comfy for carry.
 
weather doesn't get cold enough here for heavy clothing
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.40 cal hit on a point. I guess concievably people could carry 3 firearms in any kind of weather - even hot weather.

If weather permited wearing of bulky clothing which would allow concealing 3 weapons, I would engage in some serious analysis both of my defensive needs and my own motivations. Before I purchased that second or third firearm I would look at getting some light body armor first.

Body armor makes you better prepared to deal with a situation than a second firearm. Level IIa stops most handgun rounds up to 38 spl +P and standard 9mm. Unless you encounter someone using magnums, 10mm, or 9mm +P, a Level IIa vest should stop the round.

My theory is people don't incorporate body armor into their strategy because guns are fun, exciting and ego-gratifying, body armor is not - like firearms, body armor is expensive, but you don't have any fun with it.

Anyway, before I spent money on a third BUG, I'd get a light, concealable type vest.
 
C0untZero I agree and also to me a third gun is really a bit much and I was surprised to see that these guys do carry 3 guns. Both are older fellas too! One is a retired Police Chief (He's my friend's father in law) and the other is one of my former work associate's Father. To me thats a bit more weight and bulk than I want. Why? Simple, because the average person carries keys, wallet, cell phone, possibly a knife, and other things maybe gum, mints, chap stick, pens, check book, you get the idea. I carry a second not because I feel I need to have that many rounds but in case of a malfunction in my main carry or if I simply cannot get to it.
 
Typically a P32 in the pocket somewhere on my body, something in my briefcase, and another in my car. I'm not sure if the ones in my briefcase and car could be counted as "backup guns", however. I do this because I don't work far from a major metro area and it would be a challenge to try to make in home in the event of civil unrest with only a little P32.
 
Body armor makes you better prepared to deal with a situation than a second firearm.
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In what way?

My theory is people don't incorporate body armor into their strategy because guns are fun, exciting and ego-gratifying, body armor is not - like firearms, body armor is expensive, but you don't have any fun with it.
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I have a couple of vests, and anymore, really only wear one when I go to a range I dont usually shoot at, or Im shooting with people I dont usually shoot with. Other than that, they are not something you'd want to wear everyday, unless you have a bullseye on your back.

A second or third gun makes more sense to me. They just offer more options.
 
I started a post a while back on a 9mm revolver as a back up gun. The only way I could see me actually going this route would be to carry it in an ankle holster . . .in the colder months . . .in the right holster.

Charter arms offers the "pit bull" now in .40 as a viable back up gun for people who carry the .40 semi autos. Check it out, it's really a neat gun that doesn't require the use of moon clips.:D
 
Backup pieces are all ways a good idea.

I question the advisability of carring different calibers and incompatiable weapons.

When I was a LEO If I carried my DW 357. As backup I carried a 357 derringer.

When I carried my 1911 my backup was a star PD. The Star would accept my full size 1911 mags.

In the heat of the moment when confusion reigns, an ammuntion mixup or grabbing the wrong magazine could be fatal.

Now while wandering my remote property, My back up is a single 45LC/410 derringer. Typically it is loaded with number 7 shot. I don't like wasting full bore ammo on snakes. Additionally, I carry a mix 2 slugs, 2 reloads with three 30cal 100grain plinkers, and 2 loads of 7 shot.

The primary weapon is and AR, Mossbery 500 or one of my varmit rifles.
 
I always have something in my pocket .A SEECAMP 32 OR A BERETTA 21A. So I guess my RUGER SP101 or my MP 40C. IS MY BACKUP .
 
I prefer 2 guns.

There are several reasons for this;

Guns are machines, they break.
I might need to arm my wife while I go deal with a goblin.
I usually carry my back in a location that is faster to draw than my primary, because it is smaller and easier to conceal.
 
I usually only carry a single gun (S&W J-frame in 357 magnum) with extra 1 speed loader.

I do occasionally carry my Coonan Classic as well when my job requires me to go to a bad area. The shoulder holster I have for it carries 4 extra mags (instead of the typical 2) I all so toss in a second speed loader for my J-frame.

Grand total 51 rounds (with a topped off gun)
 
The reason for a BUG is primarily:

1. Your gun doesn't work.
2. You have your hand carrying the primary somehow disabled, so you reach for the other gun.
3. Less likely is arming someone else but possible.

Nothing to do with body armor. If your gun is disabled, you can run around in your vest all you want. They are independent equipment choices.

Here's a great bug story. In 9/11, a NYPD detective (IIRC) was in one of the towers. They had to get out but were trapped. There was a large window. The officer was so pressed by folks, he couldn't get to his Glock - but he could reach his J frame and shot out the window for escape. Now if the building fell on him - he would be vaporized goo inside his vest. Got the book with the story at home.
 
With my Bersa I carry a total of 3 magazines 2 of which are HP's and one full with FMJ's. I use 1 HP in my Kel Tec which is the first shot followed by FMJ's and I carry one spare mag for it.
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Obviously you are someone who "don't want ta get killt fer lack of bein' able ta shoot back!"

For me, that amount of hardware and ammo would be (no pun intended) overkill.

But then, I don't live where you do, and I don't do what you do, or go where you go.

If you are in a high risk place, its only prudent to be prepared. How much is prudent, and where it becomes paranoia, is just one's opinion, right?

If I was going into a bad place (or expected it to come to me) I'd be much more comfortable with 70 tons of main battle tank around me. But that's even less practical than a back up gun, or two.

Look at it this way, what is the reason for a back up gun?
1) Disabled Primary weapon
a) mechanical failure not instantly repairable (something important breaks)
b) loss of ammo (mag fails, falls out, etc)
c) out of ammo (you are having a REALLY bad day)
2) Loss of primary weapon (dropped, taken, etc)
same effect as #1, but you don't have to gun to fix/reload later
3) Ability to arm others...
ok, possible, but not really a full time need

4) New York Reload

am I leaving anything out?
 
Having a BUG is only wise

I usually carry a NAA .22 Magnum in addition to my PM9. Its very light, doesn't take up a lot of space and has sufficient penetration to be lethal.

There was a time when I always carried a full size, or commander size 1911, two spare mags and a j-frame snub in an ankle holster loaded with +P+ ammo. If by some odd stroke of bad luck I get into a deadly confrontation, I'll probably wish I did have them. For convenience sake I go with the PM9 and .22 Mag and contrary to the opinion of some, they are way, way better than nothing.

100_0901.jpg

Thats and old pic, that EN-V Touch is steam age stuff. :)
 
The only time I find a back gun to be practical is when I have a gun on my belt underneath a coat. When I'm in this situation I may occasionally slip a snub in the coat pocket. I guess when I do that my belt gun becomes the back up to my snub?

As for body armor, how does that help me when my gun stops working?
 
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