How Many Carry "Bugs" As A Primary?

Why does a 'BUG' have to be a 'mouse' gun?

I see a "Back-Up Gun" as a relative term. Any time I am wearing a weapon at my default carry position, it is 'Primary," while any other weapon that is carried elsewhere, on or about my person, is a secondary/tertiary weapon, a.k.a. BUG. Depending upon the circumstances, I might actually reach for a weapon other than my 'Primary' handgun, which then momentarily relegates my 'Primary' handgun to 'back-up' status.

My "Primary" handgun, on my "strong-side" hip, may well be a G19 or SP101, while a Safepacker, Hill People Gear Kit Bag, or shoulder rig carries a G17, 1911, or medium/large-frame revolver. So, yes, my "Primary" weapon might be a smaller weapon.

My only "mouse" gun is a Seecamp LWS-32. It is impractical to qual with it, on my employer's present "off-duty/back-up" qual course, so I very rarely carry it in public. I am likely to retire in 2017 or 2018, so the Seecamp may see more carry time after that.

As for the poll, my "write-in" vote is "not applicable," or "none of the above."

I consider my KelTec P3AT to be a true BUG; very small, lightweight, and easily carried in a pocket. I have on occasion carried it as my primary during the hot summer months but have done so rarely. I might also use one of my other two BUGs; a SIG P238 or a Colt Mustang. More often than not though my primary is going to be a Kahr CM9 or a S&W Model 638.

Now we get into snobbery if you think your gun is better than mine because it's bigger, larger caliber, longer barrel, etc., same old tired argument on here and dozens of other gun boards.

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I dont think its snobbery, I think its just being realistic.

I carried a number of those little guns over the years as a BUG (my Seecamps being my favorites), but now, the smallest I go is a Glock 26, which has replaced the others.

orionengnr said:

Easy to say when you are young and healthy.
Get back to me after you have celebrated your 60th birthday...and have three back surgeries.
I used to carry a 4" N-frame, or a steel 1911. Those days are gone for me.
Unpleasant reality tends to shatter some idealistic paradigms.

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I'm 49 and have been carrying for about 25 years.
I started with 38 snub/Mustang 380 moved up to Glock 26/27 then moved up to Glock 30 or 19 (If clothing allows I'll go for a 21 or 22).
I'm not going back to a small pistol for a primary, Glock 19 fills my hand and ain't that heavy.

I carry a kel-tec p32 in my pocket pretty much year round. I'll switch to a NAA if I'm going somewhere I'm not 'allowed' to carry, but am also not barred by law.

In the cooler months I'll occasionally strap on something bigger, maybe a 1911, wheelgun, or vaquero in the woods, most often a 1903 colt model M is my favorite hip carry piece when I'm out and about, which would still be considered a backup gun by many on here.

The Kel-tec is on the marginal side of "get me back to the car", but between easy shot placement and lighting fast followups, I do not feel undergunned with a 1903 pocket hammerless.

Until I lose weight, I am forced to use my Ruger LCP as a primary while at work. I need to work off a few inches so my IWB holsters fit. :-(

You don't have "Yes, but only during cold months" as an option. Summer wear for me is Hawaiian shirts, so I can hide most anything under them. Winter wear is long-sleeve dress shirts, and it's rarely cold enough in the town where I work for a jacket, so that's when the LCP goes in the pocket. I recently got a lightweight Scott E-Vest in the hope that I can use it as a winter cover garment; we'll see how that goes before long.

Everyone has their own idea of what is the minimum size/caliber/capacity gun for their primary carry.

Most consider where they travel and when they travel and how it has an impact on potential self defense needs. For me, the "where and when" aspect often changes my minimum from a J-frame five shot to a full sized auto.

So, do I carry my Airweight 38 Special J-frame, a handgun some would consider limited to BUG status, as my primary?

If going into my sleepy little rural town for a donut run on Sunday morning. Definitely... How about when headed into the big city after dark? Likely not.

Edmo

Most of the time I carry a S&W 1911 PD. It's a scandium frame 4" barrel. I also carry two spare mags.

If I'm unable to carry that I'll step down to my Sig P938 with two extra mags.

I really prefer to carry the .45, but there are times my physical condition just doesn't allow it.

I voted year around, as most of the time I only pocket carry. When I do belt carry the pocket gun become the BUG.

My thought is basically these pocket sized .25-9mm "tiny guns". IMO anything chambered in .45 wouldn't qualify. For that matter, a Glock 42 which is .380 is still quite larger than the guns I'm referring to.

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Some pockets are larger than others I have pocket carried my Smith 6926 on occasion and most of the time I pocket carry either a Ruger LC9s, Walther PPS 40 or a Kahr CW45 iffin I'm not packing a snub 38 it's a very rare occasion that I carry the LCP or my Beretta Bobcat

Sometimes I carry my Walther ppk in 380 or my 32 NAA if my clothing doesn't permit carrying something else.

If a Glock 26 or Ruger LCR are BUGs (some may consider so) then, yes I do when it is extra warm outside.

My Kahr PM45 is diminutive but powerful. I have pocket carried since, like Nicktym, my girth has expanded. IWB is still doable, just not with some pants I use. I don't care for pocket carry but my holster works well in both situations. By a strict definition it's really not a BUG as it is primary.

Taurus TCP 738 .380 all day every day.

Jimmy

Quite a bit actually.

Five-shot J-frame "Airweight" in right front pants or coat pocket, compact 9 auto holstered in crossdraw position.

If hot weather, no coat, no vest, just the Airweight in pants pocket. Does not print like a gun. Prints like a bunch of junk in my pocket.

In heavy-coat weather, occasionally a full 1911 crossdraw in honor of St. John d'Utah.

This makes the Airweight my primary first fast shot gun, and the 9 auto or .45 my BUG.

I thought that was an unusual situation, with the smaller gun being the primary and the BUG being an auto, but I see some others "operate" that way, too.

One nice thing about that arrangement is that I can put my hand on the pocketed gun without "brandishing" it.

All have laser sights.

Terry

Pocket carry just an LCP during shorts weather. When things cool down I pocket carry a LC9 in my jeans and khakis (which are deliberately chosen for their deep pockets).

Define BUG. Mine is a Diamondback 9mm stoked with 124-gr HSTs. For "serious social occasions" I also carry a Springfield XDs .45 with 230-gr HSTs, or if I'm wearing a jacket, a Springfield XDm .45 with 230-gr HSTs.

^ You're thinking "BUG" is necessarily a small hideout gun, which may be the case for LEOs. But big or small, it's the second gun you use, or the one you use if primary is empty or captured.

That's why I consider my pocketed J-frame as my primary, and my BUG may be a honkin' monstrous.45 ACP crossdraw in a holster. Depending on circumstances, I may decide to use the holstered one first, which then makes the revolver the BUG.

That's the way I look at it, g0d forbid I have to use either of them.

I carry a medium sized gun when I can. It's just that my day to day job doesn't allow for much in the way of a larger carry.

Cooler weather with less work load (thus more walking around in the crowded public), I'll certainly be opting for a 15+1 9mm.

Right now, I carry an LCR in. If the weather is super hot, a Pico .380. If it's a quick trip to the store, I might stuff a 642 iwb.

I realize more is better, but I carry what I can when I can.

I usually carry a Beretta Pico in a N82 iwb holster.

Check out post #7, which some folks seem to be over looking.

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Not overlooking, just don't agree.

A 45 ACP can certainly be your BUG