Backup Gun Choices (thinking small)

I like the NAA products for BUGs. I know that runs afoul of "expert" opinion, but I don't really care- they work for me and meet my carry needs.

Back up guns don't have to be tiny. The LCPII is small but has a .380 punch. I sometimes carry the SA Hellcat as a back up. It's small enough to conceal easy and you bring a 13 shot 9 MM to the fight.

Just get another 642. It has 5 quick shots instead of just 2.

My employed backup is a S&W M640 38Spl acquired in 1990.

An original LCP, or an NAA mini would be my choice of backup to what is already essentially a backup gun.

If you're set on 45 ACP and small for backup as in a pocket, you'll be limited to derringers (2 rounds) which tend to be very heavy. If 45 ACP is not an absolute, you could pocket your 642 and just carry the 686 on the belt. 38 up close is a pretty good stopper too, with good ammo it's probably better (IMO) in a 5-shot j frame than 2 shots of 45 from a derringer.

I really like my lcp.
7rd extended mag. .380 with pocket clip.(techni clip).
It can be carried about any way you want.

Armored farmer said:

I really like my lcp.
7rd extended mag. .380 with pocket clip.(techni clip).
It can be carried about any way you want.
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What’s that white thing in your first pic? Btw, the lcp with shine on the plastic and wear on the blue is pretty. I like honest wear.

aaaaa said:

So I was thinking a pocket pistol as a backup gun to my S&W 642 38 Special 5-hole revolver. BTW, this is for future preparedness as I don't currently carry. I also have a S&W 686 Plus 7-hole 357 Magnum that I can carry. But then I got to thinking a Derringer would be a great backup gun.

I really like the Double Tap as it has the spare rounds in the handle, but I also want a 45 caliber and am told that it is a bear to shoot. I would also want to fire it at the range some, probably need a heavy glove to protect the hand. But the idea of the 45 caliber is as the last resort, and this would likely be up real close, a 45 should be a pretty good stopper. Of course all these Derringers are single action.

I hear the Bond Arms 45 caliber Derringer is much easier to fire (less impact on the hand) than the Double Tap.

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Derringers, even the relatively modern Doubletap, are little more than silly gimmicks these days, with so many great carry options that are just as concealable, just as (or more) powerful from a short barrel, and easier to use effectively under stress.

Pretty much all derringers are metal-framed- so, heavy. The single-action models have very heavy hammer draws, awkward safeties, lawyer-inspired ludicrous weight triggers, and preposterous grips and "sights." They are nearly impossible to draw, cock and fire one-handed in a hurry.

The DoubleTap and Pocket AR/AK are slim and simple to use, but the ergos are still terrible, lose much of their velocity thanks to the stub-barrels, and still only give you 1-2 shots with little to no hope of a reload in action.

The LCP, G42 and 43, Shield, Kel-Tec, Colt Mustang (and its many derivitives), and a host of other subcompact autos are all much more serious deep-concealement/backup guns.

The NAA Minirevolvers DO have a place if EXTREME concealement is called for- but still suffer from being difficult to draw and fire quickly, one-handed, while hitting any target beyond contact distance.

Just my 2-cents. Get a derringer if you must, but I think you will quickly find they are best suited for range play and not life and death carry.

aaaaa said:

So I was thinking a pocket pistol as a backup gun to my S&W 642 38 Special 5-hole revolver. BTW, this is for future preparedness as I don't currently carry. I also have a S&W 686 Plus 7-hole 357 Magnum that I can carry. But then I got to thinking a Derringer would be a great backup gun.

I really like the Double Tap as it has the spare rounds in the handle, but I also want a 45 caliber and am told that it is a bear to shoot. I would also want to fire it at the range some, probably need a heavy glove to protect the hand. But the idea of the 45 caliber is as the last resort, and this would likely be up real close, a 45 should be a pretty good stopper. Of course all these Derringers are single action.

I hear the Bond Arms 45 caliber Derringer is much easier to fire (less impact on the hand) than the Double Tap.

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I assume by "backup gun to my S&W 642", you mean smaller than a J-frame revolver? Time for a pocket autoloader, IMO.

A Ruger LCP sized pistol or similar. Maybe a KelTec P32 if .380 ACP recoil is perceived to be too much. 6+1 shots in the former, 7+1 shots in the latter.

Some examples of other autoloaders. All are smaller than a j-frame in length and in cylinder width.

Remington RM380, Taurus 85UL, Taurus TCP732, NAA Guardian 32.
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Bazoo said:

What’s that white thing in your first pic? Btw, the lcp with shine on the plastic and wear on the blue is pretty. I like honest wear.

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That's a Green River knife blade blank and bone scales. The glare makes it look white instead of steel.

I’ve been pondering a bug/pocket carry option myself of late. I’ve been leaning towards maybe a LCP Max.

aaaaa said:

Beretta Tomcat?

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Research those carefully about the ammo limitation set by Beretta that is said to prevent frame cracking. Tomcat owners might chime in about it.

Armored farmer said:

That's a Green River knife blade blank and bone scales. The glare makes it look white instead of steel.

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I see it now. Is that a bone slab sheath?

aaaaa said:

So I was thinking a pocket pistol as a backup gun to my S&W 642 38 Special 5-hole revolver. BTW, this is for future preparedness as I don't currently carry. I also have a S&W 686 Plus 7-hole 357 Magnum that I can carry. But then I got to thinking a Derringer would be a great backup gun.

I really like the Double Tap as it has the spare rounds in the handle, but I also want a 45 caliber and am told that it is a bear to shoot. I would also want to fire it at the range some, probably need a heavy glove to protect the hand. But the idea of the 45 caliber is as the last resort, and this would likely be up real close, a 45 should be a pretty good stopper. Of course all these Derringers are single action.

I hear the Bond Arms 45 caliber Derringer is much easier to fire (less impact on the hand) than the Double Tap.

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As the owner of a Double Tap 45 I can tell you everything you’ve heard about the recoil is bull, it’s actually much worse. The reason I have have one is mainly because I basically have a small collection of 45acp’s. I just like them, my edc is a PM45. I also shoot a good bit of heavy recoiling guns, so I’m not overly recoil sensitive but the Double Tap is impossible to master, the number of people I’ve had shoot mine more than twice is easily into the single digits, most people shoot it once and are done, a lot do shoot it twice almost no one wants a reload. To say it’s painful is very much an understatement.

It is also extremely ammo sensitive, it literally comes with a sheet of paper telling you what you can and can’t shoot in it. Found here

I’ve never had a problem but I follow the recommendations in the letter, to the letter. I have heard of people shooting +P and under recoil the firing pin striking the second round hard enough to set it off. I’ve had marks left but never set one off, the recoil is that serious.

I’m not saying you shouldn’t buy one but make sure you do some research and if at all possible shoot one at least one round. Also the trigger is probably in the 12-15 lb range.

It is nice and light and thin, goes behind my wallet perfectly and it is a 45, which we all know is the only acceptable self defense caliber.
also if you decide to get one shop around, for some reason prices vary wildly.

If you want .45, I can recommend Kahr PM45, although a bit large for pocket carry in my experience. Kakr PM380 is a better fit for me. I have no experience with the Kahr CW models, but they are less expensive and I think they have cut rifling, so cast bullets no problem.

Bazoo said:

I see it now. Is that a bone slab sheath?

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No its bone scales for the knife handles. I have much work to do on it!

aaaaa said:

So I was thinking a pocket pistol as a backup gun to my S&W 642 38 Special 5-hole revolver. BTW, this is for future preparedness as I don't currently carry. I also have a S&W 686 Plus 7-hole 357 Magnum that I can carry. But then I got to thinking a Derringer would be a great backup gun.

I really like the Double Tap ...

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A derringer? Euuu.

How about a second snub? AKA "New York Reload".

I carry an NAA in my pocket constantly. It's one of the folding models where the handle actually serves as a holster.

Unless I'm in bed, I also have something more better on my hip.

I wouldn't want the NAA to be my primary weapon, but I consider it a viable backup in case things go south.
Mine is in LR, not WMR.

aaaaa said:

Beretta Tomcat?

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Mine was chunky, but filled the hand well, shot nice and was reasonably accurate and reliable- but the frame did crack eventually.