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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If I had to pick just one, it would be a 2nd option gun.
For added option, carry where it (2nd option) is accessible to non-dominant hand, in case something happens to dominant hand.
I had a squib factory "premium" SD load lodge in barrel, also an extractor edge break, both during practice, reinforces benefit of 2nd gun.
I carry 2nd option in non-dominant hand front pocket; I can put my hand on it without revealing I'm carrying, can't do that with primary pistol IWB.

However, I don't have to pick, so I get both. ;)
 
NIGHTLORD40K said:
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?
Click to expand...

Spare mag. I see your setup is quite different than mine but my reloads from concealment are FAR faster than going to another IWB, let alone ankle gun.

I have tried various options for a BUG and I think the best option for me to have a second gun would be IWB at 7 o'clock and a real small, flat, gun with minimal holster. Like an LCP.

Then again, I EDC a duty size gun and live a life where I'll likely never need the gun to begin with, let alone a reload and/or second gun.
 
RedlegRick said:
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.
Click to expand...
Rick, I think you may be over-thinking it a little. The usual reason given for having a second gun is to ensure that you have a functioning weapon in case your main weapon stops working, although losing yours in a scuffle would also be a really good reason to have a BUG. In fact, if you think losing one in a scuffle is actually a real possibility, then it would be wise to carry a BUG. As long as proper weapon retention is utilized, you shouldn't have to worry about just losing one.
As far as being able to afford 2 carry guns, I'd say 99% or more of American shooters could afford a BUG, unless you're talking about carrying 2 heavily customized 1911s at $2-3K each....
 
mljdeckard said:
I don't mind the idea of a BUG, except that I don't want to double the responsibility of keeping track of where it is all the time. Also, I am trying to add some basic medical to what I carry, I think that's more important than a second gun.
Click to expand...

I like the idea of carrying medical supplies. Is it mainly for treating a shooting victim or general first aid or both?
 
I am thinking tourniquet, and a quik-clot bandage. Things for when you can't wait for the EMTs.

It's just hard, because I already have a leatherman, a flashlight, and a spare magazine on my weak side, it already looks like I am smuggling kittens somewhere. To add some meds, I will probably have to make wearing ACU trousers or cutoffs my regular pants for the extra pockets.
 
I carry a Kel-Tec PF9 on the belt, though will likely be switching to the Kahr CW45 once I get to finish function-testing it. A Kel-Tec P32 rides in a pocket. I do not carry a spare magazine for either (yet.)

I have carried the P32 on the belt on the opposite side from the PF9, and had no issues that way, either. The holster I was testing that method with, though, wasn't the best.

If I was interested in ankle carry, I guess I'd be carrying three guns. :evil: But, I wear boots all the time, and don't want to carry a "boot gun" because I don't want to have to find a place for it if I take the boots off somewhere.
 
TJ AK-74 said:
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.
Click to expand...
 
I carry a spare magazine 95 percent of the time so I’m going with that. As long as I can carry on my belt it’s almost no harder to add a spare magazine to the equation. These days in the warm weather it’s a shield at 1 o’clock with spare magazine in an Alex and Ryan Design master blaster holster. In colder weather (or soon when I get some new holster options in the mail) I’ll mix in the G19 owb at 300 or at 100 or 300 iwb. In either case I’ll put a spare magazine on my weak side.

To address the post about carrying medical gear, as long as you know how to use the stuff, add it in. You’re a lot more likely to need quickclot than you would a pistol. I carry a CAT TQ, a quickclot sponge, and two pairs of nitrile gloves daily in a cargo pocket or two depending on which pants I choose - either field and stream or wrangler brand.

If you have the right attire, none of the above is really difficult to do.
 
When I carried 1911's with 7 round mags I carried a spare mag. When I went to a 15 round capacity 9mm I now just carry the gun without a spare mag. One of my justifications for going to a 9mm.
 
TJ AK-74 said:
Rick, I think you may be over-thinking it a little. The usual reason given for having a second gun is to ensure that you have a functioning weapon in case your main weapon stops working, although losing yours in a scuffle would also be a really good reason to have a BUG. In fact, if you think losing one in a scuffle is actually a real possibility, then it would be wise to carry a BUG. As long as proper weapon retention is utilized, you shouldn't have to worry about just losing one.
As far as being able to afford 2 carry guns, I'd say 99% or more of American shooters could afford a BUG, unless you're talking about carrying 2 heavily customized 1911s at $2-3K each....
Click to expand...
That's all well and good, but unfortunately, I fall into that one percent who can't afford a backup. First, I not only avoid getting into scuffles, if I do get into one, I have other tools at my disposal, starting with my walking cane. It's already served me once in an SD situation, I know how to use it pretty good.
Second, I don't want to carry two guns, even if I could afford to. Just the one is all I need, I prefer keeping a low profile and it serves me well. While from time to time I do find myself in a situation where I really need to carry, if it gets to that point, I'll graciously retreat from the scene. I'm pretty good at reading people after twenty five years or so in the bar business in one manner or another and it's served me well through the years. I get what you're saying, though, and your reasoning is sound.
 
I carry a Glock 17 and a spare 20 round mag daily. There is also a few extra mags in the vehicle should I pass the range and have some time. God willing I’ll never need to use it, but I believe it is enough.
 
Avoidance is definitely the preferred tactic and is something I should probably practice more often....
I also prefer to carry just one, but have on rare occasions carried 2. I think everyone should carry as much or as little as they are comfortable with.
 
Didn't vote. I use my flashlight and multi-tool all the time, my gun-never once. I'd be more likely to carry a spare unit of
something I use more often, or maybe another tool or some string, or something.
 
My pants have a pocket to take my iPhone, a Bluetooth earpiece by Blueant weighs almost nothing. I drive a lot, never touch my iPhone. Glock 19 4th gen, with Truglo night sights. OWB holster just behind the right hip.
Left side, 17 round mag, plus a Surefire duel-mode flashlight in a modified Glock mag pouch. A baby multitool in pant's pocket. Use that a lot.
And my Osbourne folder, sharp as a razor, by Benchmade, clipped on right side pocket.
Cold weather (In Orlando? sometimes) Sweater/jacket. Otherwise, an outside the pants shirt. Totaly comfortable attire.
A funny incident in the First Watch breakfast Cafe (I thought it was funny) I had to step to my left, on the way out, two huge people coming in blocked the exit. An older couple was sitting on a bench seat, close to the door. The man put his hand up, to stop me standing on his foot? Right on my spare mag. I said "The gun is on the other side" He smiled, and said "I know" That had me smiling all day.
 
Last edited:
Don Dayacetah said:
Didn't vote. I use my flashlight and multi-tool all the time, my gun-never once. I'd be more likely to carry a spare unit of
something I use more often, or maybe another tool or some string, or something.
Click to expand...
String? Ahhhhhhh......for a garrote. Of course! Hmmmm, interesting backup weapon.
Just kidding.:)

Ford Prefect would vote for "towel" of course.
 
theotherwaldo said:
Public Librarian in a small town that has a bridge to Tamaulipas, Mexico.
-Among other things, this is where the parole officers and parolees meet every Tuesday... .
Click to expand...
And guns are legal in a public library in TX? I did not know that
 
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