Backup Carry

When I carry a bug I carry in my offside front pocket. I like the idea of being able to have my hand on it with no one knowing. That way there are times where my bug is actually my primary. Also I can not reach my primary with my offside hand.

I prefer my main battery to be more accessible. That's not always possible though. Cold weather means my main battery is under my coat and my backup is in the coat pocket.

I would reconsider a bit how you're carrying. A shoulder holster needs a covering garment and that's not needed in TX all year round. Drawing from a pocket is one of the slowest draws in most cases. I'm not saying your wrong but a strong side OWB holster under a loose shirt may meet your needs better.

Three of the disadvantages of pocket carry are that it's generally slow, hard to draw from a seated position, and hard to draw when you're moving.

However, due to circumstance many people find it to be the best way they can conceal a handgun.

Ankle holsters are awkward to draw from and you usually have to compromise your mobility somehow accessing the gun unless you're already sitting.

When I do carry a BUG, it's in a front pocket. My primary is on my hip, on the belt, covered by an untucked shirt.

This means that, whether I'm standing or seated, my primary is more readily-accessible.

But, should I put my hand in my pocket, my BUG becomes so.

(The guns involved are both Kel-Tec models, a PF9 and a P32.)

I no longer carry a BUG, but when I did it was on the outside of my right ankle 99% of the time. I also have a Bellyband holster that has two holsters. Primary firearm was at the 4 O'clock and the BUG sat in a cross draw position in front of my left hip.

Primary is an IWB on a belt at the 2:00 or 4:00 position on my belt. My BUG is a KelTec P3AT carried in a DeSantis Nemesis holster in my strong side pants pocket.

I've never felt the need for a bug. But I think I would set it up in a few different ways if I felt the need.

Large gun in off body carry and BUG on the body.
Bug in a coat pocket with primary on my waist.
Left side front pocket with primary at 3:30.

(Lefty)
I don't often carry a back up, but when I do, it's on the inside right ankle. Primary would be on my left hip, around 8 o'clock position

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I think part of the problem is looking at a BUG as a one-dimensional cure. Some think of it as something to have if your primary malfunctions, in which case you would want to be able to draw it easy. Personally, I have backups that I leave at home - they will be my primary CC if for some reason my normal one isn't available. As an example, I have 2 shotguns, one is the primary, but the other will be used if I need to send the primary into the shop.

For others it's something easy to grab when you're in a position not conducive to drawing your primary. For example, if you carry on the belt, then an ankle holster would be good to draw from for when you are sitting in your car with the seatbelt on.

G42 left ankle inside. Rare I carry one. Once in a while it's my only carry.

OP sometimes my back up is easier to access than my primary since that must be deeply concealed in my daily setting.

B.U. has been a P32, or NAA .32 LATELY.

Muscle memory will be your default under stress. if you carry ur primary on your strongside hip then first choice for the B/U could be outside of strongside leg or inside of weakside leg.

Same applies for mainly the trigger of the B/U since you're not going to be reloading it the action not so much.

I rarely carried a B/U piece. When I did it was on the outside of my strong leg butt of pistol about even with the top of my 6" boot. It was an airweight 5 shot smith.

As times changed and a leg injury occurred I switched to a keltec 380 on the inside of my weakside leg.

holster came with the boot which had a strap which the holster attached to like a belt holster, reversible thumb break. Sweet set up until the boots wore out.

During the Truce that ended the Tan War (the War of Irish Independence), there is a story that an IRA group drove into town in a Ford car, which they had taken from the Black and Tans. A Black and Tan -- who was wearing two guns -- recognized it, and demanded it back. The Volunteer driving it just stood there with his hands in the pockets of his trench coat.

One of the Black and Tans called out, "For God's Sake, give him the car! Don't you see his hands hovering over his guns?"

And the Volunteer replied, "No fear. I got me guns in me hands."

I always carry a back-up (usually a Ruger LCR .22LR) in my strong-side front pocket, which also serves as a primary at various times of the day...every day. Let me explain. My usual primary is either a CZ Compact 9 or a CZ RAMI 9, depending on weather, etc. I carry it and the BUG any time I am out and about. But when I am in my house or in my office, the primary comes off and placed in a convenient place, but the BUG is always in my pocket. So, in the home and office, the BUG becomes the primary....at least long enough to get me back to my CZs! Or to an AR or a 12 gage!

BOARHUNTER

Barry the Bear said:

For those of you who choose to carry a backup, is it easier to reach your backup than your primary handgun? For instance I carry a primary in a shoulder holster that's the vertical style, but the ole .38 in the strong side pocket is a much faster draw

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I regard my handgun as my backup. My primary is my brain....or bear mace

I don't carry a bug, but if I did, it would be in strongside front pocket.

an naa 22mag mini in my left pocket. primary is owb, so the primary is more accessible.

murf

Unless you guys are LEO which a backup is fine, but as a average Joe with a ccw why do you need to carry a backup? Where do you guys live that you need to have two guns? The chance that you will even need to draw your weapon are low and even lower that you will need a second gun. can someone explain the need for an extra gun? maybe I'm missing something.

Read the thread; several valid reasons are presented. Some of these members are LEO, or former LEO, but some of us are not. I was raised by an LEO, and learned from him and his buddies that carrying a BUG may save your life. Autos jam, or run dry and a "New York Reload", that is, drawing a BUG is faster than clearing a jam in a firefight, and often faster than a combat reload of an auto or revolver.

(This is where the next guy jumps in with....."I can reload in .X seconds, can't every one?" )

why do you need to carry a backup?

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SomeOne once said; "two is one, one is none".

Predator55

can someone explain the need for an extra gun? maybe I'm missing something.

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Simple, somewhat brief explanation: because I can.

Longer, more detailed explanation: because if for some reason my primary is not available I still want to have the means to defend myself, even if it is with my back-up gun.

Like I stated in my post, I understand the need for LEO and even retired LEO's, Hard to break the habit. But, for the average Joe with ccw where do you guys live that you,need to carry a bug? I know plenty of cops who have never pulled their gun in their entire career and we are talking Chicago. The chance that the a ccw holder will ever pull their pistol is minute and if you are unfortunate enough to have to pull it the stats say the fight is over in 2.7 rounds. I hear all these Rambos talking about getting Ina shoot out with multiple attackers. Me thinks too many are watching to many die hard movies. A reality check is needed I think guys, carry a reliable gun and extra rounds and you will be fine. I know Jim Yeager is big on two guns but I think there is way to much paranoia out there. I live in Chicago guys, and one gun is plenty. Just carry extra mags or speed stripes.

predator55,

the chances of a ccw holder ever pulling their pistol is minute, also. are you suggesting we not carry at all?

i don't care about "stats"; i care about defending my life. the risk here is low, but the consequences are very high. two is one, one is none. and thanks for your opinion.

murf