Spare magazine or 2nd Pistol?

If you had carry space for a spare mag or a backup gun, but not both, which would you choose?

  • Spare magazine

    Votes: 76 78.4%

  • Backup gun

    Votes: 21 21.6%
  • Total voters
    97
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NIGHTLORD40K

NIGHTLORD40K

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So, I was trying to find a good way to pack the spare magazine for my SIG P230 (IWB) the other day when I realized I could actually strap my Beretta Pico on my ankle with less PITA. I ran a couple reloading drills vs the time to draw the second gun and it was a wash, timewise.
Also, my total round count stayed the same.
I've carried this way for the last couple days and I'm digging it.
How 'bout you?
 
Personally, if you really feel the need for a second gun, IMO, it should be a copy of the first gun, especially if smallish in size. Realistically, I would prefer a second magazine, especially over anything strapped to my ankle.
 
NIGHTLORD40K

For me carrying a spare mag versus a spare gun means less to think about when doing a reload. Besides I have been carrying this way for way too long to switch things up now. If the second gun works for you that's great; just stay consistent with your new back-up carry option.
 
I’m glad you found what works for you.
That’s what matters

Personally I prefer a spare mag or two.
My view is biggest caliber gun with the most rounds. Next is the gun I can carry with as many rounds. Last is carry something.

That said with all of the stupidity going on, I’m adding the option of the most rounds in a medium size gun.

In other words I’m seriously considering getting an M&P Compact which hold 15+1 and can use the 17 round mags of a full size. So 16 plus 34 is 50 rounds. If I need that many rounds either I shouldn’t have been there or things are out of control and I’ll be using all of them. Hopefully neither will occur, but I’d rather have 50 rounds with me in a situation like Reginald Denny than less.
 
New York reload.

Like George - if practical - I would prefer two identical guns. And this might even work with two compact service pistols.

In the case of a full size service pistol holding say 15 rounds or more I would go with the spare mag.

To extend it to revolvers, perhaps even two 5-shot J frames. Better than messing with a speedloader.
 
mcb said:
I'm having a hard time seeing how drawing an ankle BUG is just as quick as reloading the gun already in your hand. Where was your spare magazine?
Click to expand...
Back pocket. Granted, the P230, with its heel release isn't the fastest gun to recharge.
I can draw the Pico pretty quick by putting my ankle on a chair, or by dropping to the opposite knee. Either way runs about five seconds.
 
NIGHTLORD40K said:
Back pocket. Granted, the P230, with its heel release isn't the fastest gun to recharge.
I can draw the Pico pretty quick by putting my ankle on a chair, or by dropping to the opposite knee. Either way runs about five seconds.
Click to expand...

Ahh forgot about the heal magazine release. That makes all this make more sense. Three arm reloads...
 
mcb said:
I'm having a hard time seeing how drawing an ankle BUG is just as quick as reloading the gun already in your hand. Where was your spare magazine?
Click to expand...
I was starting to think that NIGHTLLORD40K was a midget with long arms and kept his spare mags tucked away in dark places.
I carry a Glock 43 when I’m off with a spare mag in a mag holder on my left side.. I will sometimes carry a Glock 19 with a spare mag on my left side.
If I carried a gun that took to much time to reload, I would switch the gun I carried.
 
There is another reason for the New York reload other than speed. And that is a stoppage (or even a vital parts failure). Tap rack bang might work - some of the time. Some stoppages can require the removal of the mag, racking, tipping and shaking. A NY drop one, draw and shoot the other is much faster and certain in these cases.
 
I wish that I had the choice. New Mexico law dictates that you are prohibited from carrying more than one concealed firearm. You can carry as many openly as you desire, or carry in combination with your concealed weapon, but only one concealed. Stupid law, but the law none the less.

So, I always carry at least one spare magazine/speed strip/speed loader as necessary, sometimes two.
 
GunnyUSMC said:
I was starting to think that NIGHTLLORD40K was a midget with long arms and kept his spare mags tucked away in dark places.
I carry a Glock 43 when I’m off with a spare mag in a mag holder on my left side.. I will sometimes carry a Glock 19 with a spare mag on my left side.
If I carried a gun that took to much time to reload, I would switch the gun I carried.
Click to expand...
During jacket weather, I can carry OWB my S&W 6904- with 12+1 9mm rounds I don't bother with the spare mag.

But the other 10 months of the year, here in the Sunshine state, its jeans and an untucked shirt at most for me. The Sig is slim enough to go IWB on my right side without printing, but the spare mag.....I already have an actual cell phone and a Buck folder on my left side OWB, yet another belt case would be pretty cumbersome and might attract attention. In the back pocket is a pain when driving- literally. In my front pockets are my keys on one side and wallet in the other. I don't want to risk dumping my spare mag when pulling out either......
 
Given that both of them are small .380s, I voted 2 guns. If it was a G17 or similar and spare mag or G17 and G42, I would vote spare mag. Personally, I carry a G22 and 2 spare mags... 45 rounds of .40S&W. If I need more than that, then it just might be my day to die anyways, but I'm not going without a fight.
 
I live in New York, and the New York Reload isn't really an option for me. I look at it this way: if I could afford to pack to identical pistols, drop and possibly lose one, I could afford to hire a professional bodyguard. I could just imagine the paperwork involved and explaining to a Judge how my X brand pistol got lost in a scuffle. It could take years, if ever, to get my permit back.
Great idea if you're doing something high risk, like repos or stuff like that, but in my real world totally unworkable. The idea has merit, I won't deny.
 
Its enough of a challenge here in the tropics to just carry a S&W shield (shorts and t shirt weather most of the year). I do keep an old beater gen 1 Glock 19 in my jeep though, with 2 extra mags.
 
If I was an LEO of some type then I can totally understand the need and desire for a BUG. As a civilian, and one that works pretty hard to stay off the two-way-ranges, if I need a BUG to get me out of a situation... well God clearly has decided I have better things to do in the afterlife. My primary carry gun is what many see as a good BUG, a S&W 442 and one reload.
 
theotherwaldo said:
When I carry I usually have an ankle gun, a pocket gun, and at least one additional magazine for each on me.
I'm sitting behind a desk much of the time and an ankle gun is easier and less obvious to reach for when sitting.
Click to expand...
I'm just wondering if you sit behind desk all day, what job do you have where you feel the need to carry two AND a reload for each????
 
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