I don't see warm weather as an excuse for deciding not to carry a back up. Lots of people carry in a belt holster, IWB or OWB. If you have a wallet, keys abs cellphone, you can still have an empty pocket left over. Or you can carry in a hokster on your weak hand. Or belly band, Smart Carry, or SOB.You can carry two guns (or more) with nothing heavier than shorts and a t-shirt.
Views on Back up weapons.
- Thread starter Big Tom
- Start date
- Status
^ I've been succesfully going unarmed for several decades 
There was one time when my dad asked me to go with him to a very bad part of Chicago that I took a pistol with me, but other than that I don't carry and so far nothing bad has happened, so I guess I didn't need a secondary backup, BUG, or even a primary weapon. I didn't need a bullet resistant vest either.
If only the past was a 100% accurate predictor of the future...
There was one time when my dad asked me to go with him to a very bad part of Chicago that I took a pistol with me, but other than that I don't carry and so far nothing bad has happened, so I guess I didn't need a secondary backup, BUG, or even a primary weapon. I didn't need a bullet resistant vest either.
If only the past was a 100% accurate predictor of the future...
Big Tom -
This isn't sent as a criticism of your choice. Please take this as constructive.
With two relatively under-powered automatics, you are chasing an unreachable goal.
I quite understand the economics, but by trading in both of your automatics, you might be able to swing a good deal on a new or used .40 S&W or 9mm. There are lots of Glocks, S&W M&P's, and others, which would quite easily fill the bill.
While there are experts out there using the Makarov 9x18, those folks practice with it all the time. Lots of trigger time. A .22 LR pistol is also a killer, but deliberate use also requires practice, perfect practice.
Yes, it might take a while to save for the right/correct pistol for one's needs. But that's a goal well worth the effort.
This isn't sent as a criticism of your choice. Please take this as constructive.
With two relatively under-powered automatics, you are chasing an unreachable goal.
I quite understand the economics, but by trading in both of your automatics, you might be able to swing a good deal on a new or used .40 S&W or 9mm. There are lots of Glocks, S&W M&P's, and others, which would quite easily fill the bill.
While there are experts out there using the Makarov 9x18, those folks practice with it all the time. Lots of trigger time. A .22 LR pistol is also a killer, but deliberate use also requires practice, perfect practice.
Yes, it might take a while to save for the right/correct pistol for one's needs. But that's a goal well worth the effort.
The reason I say body armor makes you better prepared to deal with a situation than a second firearm is that a person has to consciously take several steps to deploy a second handgun. You at least have to draw it, and point or aim it. Body armor is fulfilling its function without any conscious action on its user’s part. Even if you are caught totally by surprise the body armor is doing what it’s supposed to do.
The other reason is that most people cannot use two handguns at once – (primary and secondary gun), however, you can use body armor and your primary weapon at the same time.
I know that a vest is not going to protect every vital area and I do think they are impractical in many situations – especially hot weather situations. But those are my thoughts…
Glenn E. Meyer
New member
If you are shot in the gun hand, you end up standing there with no gun. Then I shoot you in the head and the legs. We practice this in class all the time.
If your gun doesn't work, I tell you to dance and shoot out your tootsies.
The armor is irrelevant to the need for a bug.
Been shot in the hand twice in FOF, in the noggin a few times, in the leg a few times.
If you want to wear a vest fine - but it is NOT a substitute for the bug. You aren't wearing Iron Man armor. It isn't a panacea in a prolonged gunfight or substitute for a failed gun.
If your gun doesn't work, I tell you to dance and shoot out your tootsies.
The armor is irrelevant to the need for a bug.
Been shot in the hand twice in FOF, in the noggin a few times, in the leg a few times.
If you want to wear a vest fine - but it is NOT a substitute for the bug. You aren't wearing Iron Man armor. It isn't a panacea in a prolonged gunfight or substitute for a failed gun.
So, I think, if I am shot in the chest, I end up prostrate. My BUG is going to do me no good.
I'm not saying body armor is a substitute for a backup, I'm saying I'd get some light body armor to go with my primary weapon before I made the BUG purchase, certainly I'd buy a vest before buying that third gun.
I think the vest protects most of my vitals (not everything I know) but I think it helps keep me in the fight.
Body armor 2 handguns. If i didn't know this was an American forum i would be forgiven for thinking it was form iraq or Afghanistan. Rambo comes to mind.
Read the posts take a step back maybe you will see how some of the posts will be seen in other countries.
I hope the american tourist industry isn't reading this. If someone is going on holiday to America for a holiday what do they bring sun tan cream a bullet proof vest and a couple of firearms in case one fails. Ps i have being shooting for 30 years and haven't seen one fail.
Read the posts take a step back maybe you will see how some of the posts will be seen in other countries.
I hope the american tourist industry isn't reading this. If someone is going on holiday to America for a holiday what do they bring sun tan cream a bullet proof vest and a couple of firearms in case one fails. Ps i have being shooting for 30 years and haven't seen one fail.
Last edited:
Rambo may come to your mind, but unarmed Bobbies and a populace stripped of gun rights come to mine.
The police are armed in the part of the UK i come form.
I think there is a happy medium. I can see the reasons for carrying a firearm for protection. When you start talking about bullet vests and 2 firearms it starts to get a bit ridiculous.
If its that bad i am surprised some don't barricade themselves in the house.
The police are armed in the part of the UK i come form.
I think there is a happy medium. I can see the reasons for carrying a firearm for protection. When you start talking about bullet vests and 2 firearms it starts to get a bit ridiculous.
If its that bad i am surprised some don't barricade themselves in the house.
manta49, if you've been shooting long enough, you'll know by now that any gun can have a stoppage... and Murphy's Law says that will occur at a bad time.
I've had revolvers, autos, and a shotgun all hiccup on occasion. I don't believe in a perfect machine. Even the airplanes I fly have a lot of design redundancy, because things break.
So, if one thinks one should have a gun, it's not unreasonable for one to think a spare isn't a bad idea.
How many single engine airliners do you see out there?
Edit: I don't know whether your claims of your police and military only carrying individual weapons are accurate; I suspect, though, that in those parts of the UK where the police and soldiers go about armed, they do not do so alone. Even with one gun a piece, they have some redundancy.
I've had revolvers, autos, and a shotgun all hiccup on occasion. I don't believe in a perfect machine. Even the airplanes I fly have a lot of design redundancy, because things break.
So, if one thinks one should have a gun, it's not unreasonable for one to think a spare isn't a bad idea.
How many single engine airliners do you see out there?
Edit: I don't know whether your claims of your police and military only carrying individual weapons are accurate; I suspect, though, that in those parts of the UK where the police and soldiers go about armed, they do not do so alone. Even with one gun a piece, they have some redundancy.
Last edited:
manta49
Glenn's post was directed at all of us. However, a reading of the thread quickly tells us which posters are being insulting.
Terms like Rambo, paranoid, ridiculous are all mildly insulting to those who carry a back up gun and/or wear body armor.
You don't know where we live, who we are, or what we do. If you feel a BUG, or body armor is not needed, then by all means don't use them.
However, there is absolutely no need, or reason to insult people, people you don't know I might add, because they do.
Glenn E. Meyer said:
Glenn's post was directed at all of us. However, a reading of the thread quickly tells us which posters are being insulting.
Terms like Rambo, paranoid, ridiculous are all mildly insulting to those who carry a back up gun and/or wear body armor.
You don't know where we live, who we are, or what we do. If you feel a BUG, or body armor is not needed, then by all means don't use them.
However, there is absolutely no need, or reason to insult people, people you don't know I might add, because they do.
You don't know where we live, who we are, or what we do. If you feel a BUG, or body armor is not needed, then by all means don't use them.
I don't mean to insult anyone. I live in N Ireland there has being a terrorist campaign going on here for thirty years. Over 3000 people have being killed the population in N Ireland is arround 2million. The population in America is arround 3 hundred million i think if the equivalent number per population was killed in America it would be hundreds of thousands.
The violence here has stopped american tourists coming here. I dont know why if its that bad in America they should be used to it. But i never knew any one here that felt the need to carry 2 firearms.
I don't mean to insult anyone. I live in N Ireland there has being a terrorist campaign going on here for thirty years. Over 3000 people have being killed the population in N Ireland is arround 2million. The population in America is arround 3 hundred million i think if the equivalent number per population was killed in America it would be hundreds of thousands.
The violence here has stopped american tourists coming here. I dont know why if its that bad in America they should be used to it. But i never knew any one here that felt the need to carry 2 firearms.
Last edited:
What would the penalty be there if you were caught carrying two? Or even one? How about body armor? Is that a problem there for a civilian?
I know Id be more likely to travel abroad if I could carry my pistols, but thats not really a happening thing, especially since few places would allow it, and I wont go anywhere without a pistol (or two
).jeepman4804
New member
I accidentally clicked on a primary and 2 BUG, but I meant to click on a primary and 1 BUG. I only do this 3-4 times a week when I am at work. I also wear armor, have an AR, a Less Lethal 12 Ga, and a Lethal 12 Ga. When I am not at work I usually just carry my M&P .45 and a couple spare magazines. I usually don't really have a good place to carry a BUG off-duty because of the clothing I choose to wear. If I am wearing blue jeans and boots or khaki pants and dress shoes I wear a Ruger LC9 as a BUG in an ankle holster.
I give up. New years resolution When venture out of my barricaded house into my armored car with electrified door handles and flame thrower. I will also make sure my back up main battle tank is following me. I Will have 2 pistols on me and a Tommy gun in my briefcase. I will make sure there are no other cars on the road in case one runs into me. I will be in communication with the f16 flying overhead giving me air support. I will then make my way to the shop to get my groceries.
I will be happy to see a post form any civilian on this forum that has needed a back up gun .
I will be happy to see a post form any civilian on this forum that has needed a back up gun .
manta49 said:
It is hundreds of thousands that have been killed in crime related violence in the USA. Every year tens of thousands of people are killed in the USA by gunfire.
United States Crime Rates 1960 - 2010
Its not as bad as it sounds here, but depending on where you live it can be.
pendennis, I totally understand what you mean and I dont feel disrespected. I think the same as you do and I love 9mm personally. But even a 9mm like the Ruger SR9c, Glock 26, Khar CW9 were all just too thick and the recoil and nasty triggers of the Kel Tec P-11 is more than I can handle to be honest. This is just what works for me due to my dress. Now if I wasnt forced into a polo shirt and dress pants then I would say yes I would have a Glock 19 or 26 on my waist for sure!
Stevie-Ray
New member
I carry a KT P32 as BUG to a Kimber Ultra CDP for a good many years now. Mode of carry doesn't change with the weather either. Hot Detroit summers and cold Michigan winters, my primary is OWB at 3:30 with BUG in back pocket. Shorts and T-shirts or jeans with sweatshirts and coats. Very comfortable either way.
- Status