Should a gun be in a properly outfitted bug out bag?

Why not have a separate bag in a locked cabinet? This way you just grab the bag and all the ammo, mags, cleaning gear, holster, and so forth are present.

The amount of ammunition in the bag should be tuned to match the purpose of the bag. If it's a three day bag, then I would think that 100 JHP would be more than sufficient.

This may be where a revolver shines...long term storage! Why not throw a revolver in there with four speed loaders and 100 rounds in boxes?

No need for any such bag at my house. I'd just grab a gun, a gallon ziplock bag of ammo and head out the door stuffing my cargo pockets as I went.

My thoughts run to having the gun on the hip with no qualms about having another firearm in a bag/kit.

First where are you bugging out to? The wilderness or the Holiday Inn? Can you carry concealed? Just pack an extra box of ammo in the bag and enjoy the indoor pool. Wilderness, think about one of those break-down survival rifles in .22. Just so you have an easy way to harvest meat in the great out there.

sm said:

My thoughts run to having the gun on the hip with no qualms about having another firearm in a bag/kit.

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Pretty much my thoughts.
I carry a 1911 Govt. if I had one in the bag it'd be a smaller version of my primary.

I have some extra mags and ammo for my carry gun (Glock 19) in my BOB. Funds don't currently permit a duplicate G19 for my bag, but it's something I do plan on getting at some point (not a particularly high priority though).

To clarify,

Yes it is a 3 day bag.

I can carry concealed, but I don't always do it, so if a disaster was to strike requiring evacuation, I may or may not have any gun on me at the time.

I would like to avoid a 2nd bag.

I can't predict where would bug out to. If it was a hurricane, obviously I would try to find a hotel room. If it was some other widespread breakdown of civilization as we know it, then where I went would depend on what the problem was. I am not really planning on going camping for fun with this bag.

Balrog,

Thanks for clarifying.

Variables still come into play as you shared. The handgun is easy to conceal. Now depending on where you are, and where you might be heading out to, and points in between, another useful tool would be a Marlin Papoose.

I've heard some guys in here say that they keep a dedicated gun in their bug-out bag, something not too expensive and reliable, like a G-19. I suppose it's not a bad idea, in and of itself, but at the same time, we also preach that you need to test your carry gun for reliability, and practice with it. If you are in a bug-out situation, and you need a gun, do you really want it to be the backup gun?

Absolutely, I have a SIG 229 in mine.

What SM said.

Spend some time with the one you keep in a bag. Don't just toss one in there and forget it.

Spend some time with the one you keep in a bag. Don't just toss one in there and forget it

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As I said, I have 2 Glock 19s. One I carry, the other would be in the bag.

While I haven't done it yet, here's my goal:

Have a plan. Various "ad hoc" bug out bags if you will depending on whether you are driving or not, and various realistic scenarious... 3 day/3 week/or never return type situations.

Keep most of the preps ready to go in 1 bag, a few bags, or ready to throw them in the car situation.

With those preps are a list - because you may not be thinking clearly, and only have a short time to move. That list has - which gun and how much ammo you pre-determined during rational forethought.

Example - 12 gauge, a few boxes of slugs/buck/birdshot. 9mm pistol, 3 loaded mags.

Keep the guns in the safe and just get them when you are ready to move.

Swap 'em out once a year or every six months, and go for it. If you have CCW where you live, or it's legal to pack it loaded in "luggage", absolutely, go fo it. My BOBs have extra mags and ammo in them, as well, never know if I can make it to the Holiday Inn with the rest of the refugees, depending on disaster.

fal762x51 said:

Well i actually have 2 Glock 19s. So I practice with both. I was thinking of keeping one in the BOB and continue with the other as my usual weapon.

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I have no experience with this stuff but something like this makes the most sense.

Pick a copy of the pistol you use most and shoot best (best choice is probably a compact hicap of some sort).

Keep one on you and one in the bag, switch them out every couple of months or so to make sure they both get used and stay in the most operable condition.

Best case scenario, you bug out with two identical fully loaded, equally functional/reliable pistols that youre very familiar with shooting.

IMVHTRO*: A Bug Out Bag is a bit excessive. Now that's through, a gun should be part of every emergency plan.

IMVHTRO= In My Very Honest Truthful Real Opinion.

As I said, don't just throw it in a bag and assume it will work when you need it. It's identical to your carry piece in model number and parts orientation. Manufacturing variance says they're 2 different machines possibly at opposite ends of an acceptable blueprint and individual worker/shift tolerance.

If you're going to keep one in a bag, then it's good to have an identical example to your carry weapon. Just cycle it in and out of range and carry use so there are no surprises. That's easy enough, yes?

I get around the idea of having two identical pistols (one that I carry and one for the BOB) by putting everything I wear day to day INTO the BOB when I get home. Gun, keys, wallet, cell phone, etc.

It all goes into the BOB when I get home at the end of the day, and in the morning I take it out of the BOB to put them on my belt, in my pockets, etc.

Interesting idea. I load my Sub 2k in the bag with G22 mags and some spare ammo. I carry a G23 and the G22 mags can be used in either. I like that interchangeability. The sub 2k gives me some more reach accuracy having a longer sight radius and longer barrel.
I also keep a G22 in there to hand to my boy if it comes to that. I switch them periodically to keep them working.
He has his .22 pistol for small game in his. We both carry basic cleaning stuff. CLP, Boresnake, shop towel, and a rod long enough to clear the barrel if needed.
I have wondered about breaking down my M-4gery and packing it for real rifle needs, but haven't decided yet.

What exactly is the purpose of a bug out bag? Is it a sort of SHTF preparation, as it seems to be?

Can be, could be a hurricane evac, a train car of methyl ethyl awful turned over and you are in the path of the plume, tornado coming, riots, dogs and cats living together etc.
It is typically a 72 hour survival kit. For whatever.

IMVHTRO*: A Bug Out Bag is a bit excessive. Now that's through, a gun should be part of every emergency plan.

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You must not have experienced a mandatory evac for a hurricane or multiple tornados touching down near you.

A hurricane, you'll have several days at minimum to prepare to leave under the assumption that everything you don't take with you will be gone. A BOB wouldn't be necessary, but would be helpful so that you would know that you have all the necessities in the car and can then focus on things you want to take. (And remember, every minute saved packin means less traffic and a better chance of finding a hotel without crossing 3 state lines.)

However, a tornado touching down near you (think Alabama last year) can quite literally be something along the lines of "you have five minutes to get to safety and everything you leave behind will be gone forever: Go!" in that situation, I think it would be very useful to have one bag I could grab and know that no matter what I was wearing at the time or had on me, I would have clothes, food, and protection to survive for the next few days. In fact if you look at the FEMA literature, they are rather upfront that you will be on your own for 72hours at a minimum before organized help can reach you. *A BOB sounds like a good idea now, doesn't it?

As far as having a gun in your BOB, I think it is a good idea. My BOB is currently in the process of being updated and my bag is going to be based off of "I have nothing, what do I need to survive". My setup is unfortunately going to be a tad off of my ideal in that my BOB gear and my weapons are in two different bags. I find it is a bit easier at the moment to keep my guns separate as I also use that bag as a range bag (it's hard to afford duplicate guns as a collee student )

As far as what I see a BOB as, its definitely not for some mythical zombie uprising or TEOTWAWKI scenario. I look at it more as something to help in the event of a natural disaster (or in the event I get stuck at a girl's house for a bit longer than I expected )

Telekinesis said:

A hurricane, you'll have several days at minimum to prepare to leave under the assumption that everything you don't take with you will be gone. A BOB wouldn't be necessary, but would be helpful so that you would know that you have all the necessities in the car

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Usually, not always, was it Charley that was going to hit around Tampa or so then made a hard right into port Charloette as a Cat 4 catching all off guard. And wasn't Katrina supposed to hit as a cat 1 and jumped to a strong cat 3 in hours changing everything?

Normally you are correct, but not always.