Your Backup - Same Caliber as Primary?

That'd be why a very common backup among LE is the Glock 27--especially when it's a 23, 22, or 35 on their belt. Same ammo, same mags, good to go. If your magazines weren't interchangeable (as in that example) I'd think the value of the caliber commonality would be much less.

I also think it depends on the platform. My primary carry is a full size 1911 and I could, theoretically, carry a tiny 1911 in .45 acp as a backup; but I want my backup gun to be more of a gross-motor-skills piece, and I want it to be the most bone-simple-reliable gun I have, so it is: a j-frame.

Short answer then: No, my ammo's not common between primary and secondary.

I don't carry a back-up gun.

But if I did, then yes, a common caliber would make perfect sense.

Commonality makes sense, but so, to me, does a 1911 primary with a J frame in the off side pocket.

For police sure. A Glock 27 backing up a 22/23 makes a lot of sense. All your magazines will still work with it and you will hardly notice you are not using your primary. For CCW not so much. I think most BUGs for CCW are going to be small. There is a real difference between CCW and LE. One should be running towards trouble and the other away. A cop arriving at a scene may find himself metaphorically having to dig in and control an event and scene and a CCW should be trying to get away.

Mine is not. Caliber commonality its self seems to offer very little in the way of advantage that I can think of. Obviously it is not hard to see the advantages of having a BUG that can use the same mags or that is substantially similar, in terms of using it as one's primary (e.g. 17/26).

I carry a BUG largely because the weapon I use for that role is so small and easy to carry I see no reason not to have it with me at almost all times.

I carry a BUG largely because the weapon I use for that role is so small and easy to carry I see no reason not to have it with me at almost all times.

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I agree. The mag commonality makes sense more for LEOs who are more likely to be in a drawn out shootout. Most of us will never need to fire our primary (hopefully), let alone our BUG, and if we do, it won't likely be long enough of an experience to go through multiple magazines.

That said, preparation for the worst is always a good idea. Mag commonality makes sense in that regard. It also helps with manual of arms. If you're a Glock person, for example, and like the 17 and 19, then firing the 26 isn't much different. Without mag commonality, I don't think there's much of an advantage to carrying a same-caliber firearm.

My duty weapon and BUG are of different caliber (G27 and J frame respectively).

Though I like the G26, and carry one off duty, I have other considerations when considering a BUG.

Mainly my concern is that if I am using a BUG, my main weapon has either gone down at a most inopportune time (which is a whole mess of problems) or I'm in a close quarter situation, I'm able to control it enough to introduce a weapon, but am not able to control it enough to stop it (so the fight's still on). That being the case I carry a J frame as it's even more bone simple than my Glock, and I don't have to worry about the slide going out of battery due to contact with the weapon. Yes, you can foul the rotation of the cylinder if you have your hand on it, but that would mean I probably shouldn't have brought a gun into the fight yet.

Anyway, long answer to the question.

Drew


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i'm currently looking at a good BUG. my CCW is a .45 acp springer ultra compact. i dont think i can find anything too much smaller than that that is the same caliber so i suppose i will have to opt for a different caliber. most likely .380 or 9mm.

About a year ago I tried carrying my Glock 27 as a backup to my 23. I liked the idea of being able to use my 23 mags in my 27 as well as having a consistent platform. The experiment didn't last long. It was just to much for me to carry to be honest with you. The likelyhood of me ever needing it wasn't worth the hassle. I ended up dropping down to a pocket .380 (now a BG .380) and I never know it's there.

My back up is a S&W 340PD in .38/.357MAG. I chose this because it is about the best pocket gun available.

My primary is either a .40 or .45ACP

I only carry a backup in the winter where a coat can really slow down draw time or when I know I have to go to a high crime area/area with gang problems. Generally its a j-frame in the weakhand coat pocket backing up my Glock 26 strongside iwb in the winter months or my glock 26 aiwb for a left hand draw backing up my USP .40 compact strongside iwb. So no caliber being the same is not a priority, being able to shoot the guns well is. Unless the mags interchange there is little point in doing so, you wouldn't be swapping rounds from one mag to the other to get one of the guns back running during a gunfight.

When carrying my HK USP9 if I have a backup on me it is a Kahr PM9. So yes, my backup is the same caliber as my primary.

Same caliber is my thinking so long as your primary isn't a .22.

I don't have two guns of the same caliber.

It makes sense yes but I like most of my backup guns to be revolvers and(Reliable) .45 ACP revolvers are few and far between (In my budget.)

Like EasyG, I don't carry a backup either, but if I did, I'd make sure it was the same caliber as my primary.

I don't think it's an issue... The best BUG is the one you'll actually carry. My primary is a .45 but my backup is a small 9mm. The only way it even makes sense is in a situation like having a Glock 17/19 and a G26 as a backup because mags from your primary will work in the backup. That could be a good thing if you ever plan on being in a extended firefight and eliminates the need to carry extra mags for the backup. The down side to that is the G26 isn't exactly what I consider small and takes up some space to carry it.

Othewise if you carry a Kahr P9 and a Sig 229 both in 9mm whats the point of the common cal? Are you going to take a time out during the gunfight and strip rounds from your P9 to put in your 229 or just continue the fight with the working P9? Otherwise carry whatever you'll actually carry rather it be a G26/27, a J-frame or a Ruger LCP.

As for even carrying a back up, if you're on the job I don't see why you wouldn't. If you're just a CCW holder whats the point? As mentioned above you carry to defend yourself and your family and the chances of a prolonged firefight where you would need a backup are very very low. Usually if you pull your CCW gun, fire and have a malfunction the BG's will be running away because you are not the easy mark they thought you were. Very few of them would continue to go after you so you have the time to clear the malfuntion and wait for Police. Plus, the lawyers will eat you alive during the criminal trial and the following civil suit because they will say you were out looking to shoot someone since you carry multiple guns. Just a little food for thought... If you feel the need to carry a BUG more power to you. Just remember how the libs on the jury are going to see things!

As for even carrying a back up, if you're on the job I don't see why you wouldn't. If you're just a CCW holder whats the point? As mentioned above you carry to defend yourself and your family and the chances of a prolonged firefight where you would need a backup are very very low. Usually if you pull your CCW gun, fire and have a malfunction the BG's will be running away because you are not the easy mark they thought you were. Very few of them would continue to go after you so you have the time to clear the malfuntion and wait for Police. Plus, the lawyers will eat you alive during the criminal trial and the following civil suit because they will say you were out looking to shoot someone since you carry multiple guns. Just a little food for thought... If you feel the need to carry a BUG more power to you. Just remember how the libs on the jury are going to see things!

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To me, there are such small guns now (e.g. P3AT, LCP, PM9, etc.) that I can't think of a reason not to carry one, other than going into a "gun-free zone" (which is unfortunately probably where we're most likely to need one). One reason my neighbor carries two is that his wife doesn't carry and he wants to be able to arm her if the SHTF.

It seems to be a good idea, from a logistical point of view, but in my case, it depends. I am mandated to carry .40 at work, and my concealed back-up is usually a .357 SP101 snubby. If I carry my P229 duty pistol concealed off the clock, my second weapon might be another P229, or it might a .357 SP101. Or, I may conceal multiple .357 revolvers.

The only "tactical" justification for matching calibers would be the very far-fetched chance that several things would happen.

1. Primary weapon fails, or is lost.
2. Secondary weapon is fired until ammo supply is exhausted.
3. Threat still is present.
4. Defender is still in a position to mount an effective defense.
5. Sufficient opportunity exists to reload secondary weapon.

I suppose it could happen.
Can't recall any credible account of it ever actually happening.

Your Backup - Same Caliber as Primary?

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Yes.

If you're just a CCW holder whats the point?

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If my primary goes down or I for some other reason am unable to reach it or use it I have another gun. The likely hood of needing it is admittedly remote (as is the need for a primary).

Plus, the lawyers will eat you alive during the criminal trial and the following civil suit because they will say you were out looking to shoot someone since you carry multiple guns.

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Cite one case where it has happened. Oh while your at it please list your legal credentials that inform your opinion on this matter.

I have a badge and work a job where liability the name of the game to the point that doing the right thing is usually wrong anymore. Almost every single officer I know has been in a OIS has had a civil suit come up as a result. Also, after the the many trials I've been though I've seen how liberal jurys can actually be and how stupid little things can sway their opinions to the negative side! I've seen a case where a Officer in a justtified OIS was sued and lost because the jury thought the Officer should have shot to wound not to kill... Thats my background. How much expeience in the legal system do you have to tell me I'm wrong?