Looking for a back up gun

Status
Not open for further replies.
WC145 said:
Not a thing wrong with a six shot DA revolver and speed loaders but a single action revolver is a hindrance and could be a liability for professional carry. That is, of course, supposing he is carrying in a professional capacity, that's how he made it sound. The fact that it has to be cocked to be put into action and then the hammer has to be manually dropped on a live round to decock it and take it out of action are two reasons the SA revolver is inappropriate for professional carry. Add to that the fact that compared to a DA revolver they are ridiculously slow to fire and reload and you have a recipe for disaster if the OP is expected to be able to protect himself and others. These are just a few of the reasons that armed professionals don't carry cowboy guns, a fact that some of us that carry guns for a living were trying to point out to the OP.



And where did you see that the OP stated he needed a BUG due to how slow it is to reload the Vaquero? In his original post he stated he had a new job and needed a back up gun, period. His later posts infer that he feels that the Vaquero is an appropriate duty gun, which it is not and, again, some of us were pointing that out. However, if the bad guys all decide to go back to carrying muzzle loading single shot pistols I suppose I could see my dept switching to Vaqueros, Blackhawks, and Colt SAAs for everyone. except SWAT, they'd get Winchester 94s to go with them.



In the grand scheme of things, if this guy gets himself killed on the job because of his choice of weapon, oh well, he brought it on himself. On the other hand, if people he is supposed to be defending or protecting are harmed because of his choice of weapon that's a different story, he is no longer an asset but a liability. I certainly wouldn't want to work next him.



And I did answer his question - the best BUG for an armed professional is a quality small frame DA revolver in an appropriate caliber.
Click to expand...


The op has answered that he does not carry the gun in an official capacity. If you read the thread he says this plainly. It's quite obvious why he would want the backup gun he doesn't have yo spell it out.

Maybe now we can all get the point and talk about BUGs as the post was originally about.

Something we agree on is bold. Whether a professional or not a small DA revolver is a perfect BUG or primary for a CCWer.

I also agree that I would not carry a SA as a primary gun as a professional(like cop, security). However I do have a soft spot for a sheriffs model with birds head grips. I wouldn't mind it as a ccw for knocking around my little town. I would still carry my j frame though.
 
Last edited:
If you are carrying a revolver as a primary, carry one as a backup. J-frames are probably the most respected BUG out there.
 
WC145 said:
And where did you see that the OP stated he needed a BUG due to how slow it is to reload the Vaquero? In his original post he stated he had a new job and needed a back up gun, period. His later posts infer that he feels that the Vaquero is an appropriate duty gun, which it is not and, again, some of us were pointing that out. However, if the bad guys all decide to go back to carrying muzzle loading single shot pistols I suppose I could see my dept switching to Vaqueros, Blackhawks, and Colt SAAs for everyone. except SWAT, they'd get Winchester 94s to go with them.

In the grand scheme of things, if this guy gets himself killed on the job because of his choice of weapon, oh well, he brought it on himself. On the other hand, if people he is supposed to be defending or protecting are harmed because of his choice of weapon that's a different story, he is no longer an asset but a liability. I certainly wouldn't want to work next him.
Click to expand...

You missed it, boss. He's not a cop or an armed guard, he's going to be wearing a suit working as a professional in the health insurance industry. He just wants to be armed and doesn't care what his employer thinks about it.

I can sympathize, and I won't judge people who carry against employer or school policy, but a belt holster with a Ruger Vaquero? OP, are you asking to get fired or something?

You would have to always have your suit coat on and buttoned, and it would have to be tailored specifically to conceal your gun. You would never be able to reach up for anything with your strong-side hand. Even then it would be very difficult to keep concealed.

If that's what you want, more power to you I guess.
 
I won't disparage the OPs choice for a primary, other than to say I chose differently.

BtB, the Taurus 709slim is my primary carry. I'm a big guy, and comfortably carry it IWB. I personally feel the gun is slightly too big for ankle carry. Never seen a concealed thigh holster, so can't comment on that. I've considered some .32 ACP offerings for back up to the 9mm, mainly Keltec, Beretta, and NAA autoloaders.

Is the .327 magnum still around? A j frame DA revolver in .327 would be a good BUG, but if you're going with a j frame, might as well make it a .38 special.
 
The guy likes "old-school".....so what??
So do I.
My only suggestion is that the new bug be the same caliber as the primary.
Why not a Bond Cowboy Defender??
that would seem to fit your M. O.
 
BtB, out of the choices on your short list, I own and would recommend the LCP. While 9mm is my preferred minimum for SD, the LCP is a gun to carry when I can't carry a gun. It's every easily concealed no matter how one chooses to carry it, and I've had no issues over ~500 rounds with it. I have seen people say that they can't do extended range sessions, but I've also never had sore hands or thought the recoil to be unmanageable.

The only downsides are the sights, and the lack of a slide stop. To me, these are ameliorated through practice at the range, and a realistic view of the SD distances the gun is intended for. Lack of a slide stop is extremely low on my list of things I care about for a BUG, but something to be aware of.

Good luck, and congratulations on the new job!
 
Madcap_Magician said:
You missed it, boss. He's not a cop or an armed guard, he's going to be wearing a suit working as a professional in the health insurance industry. He just wants to be armed and doesn't care what his employer thinks about it.

I can sympathize, and I won't judge people who carry against employer or school policy, but a belt holster with a Ruger Vaquero? OP, are you asking to get fired or something?

You would have to always have your suit coat on and buttoned, and it would have to be tailored specifically to conceal your gun. You would never be able to reach up for anything with your strong-side hand. Even then it would be very difficult to keep concealed.

If that's what you want, more power to you I guess.
Click to expand...
Yes. This seems like the funniest version of something akin to 'telephone' I've seen. I suspect that the OP was referring to the backup gun as a gun that is often used as a backup gun. But in his case, it will be his only gun since he is in a professional setting, not carrying on duty and wants to be extremely discreet.
If a few of us are correct, the OP might have been more clear by using language a bit different from 'backup gun' which implies it's not his primary weapon being carried in the scenario he is describing.
Whether the SA revolver, which is not part of the OP's discussion, is a wise choice of primary carry, which he may or may not be doing, is something else.
No?
B
 
I've heard....

I heard & read a few years ago....
That the J frame Chief's .38spl revolver was Smith & Wesson's #1 selling item in the USA. :D

There may be a good reason for that. ;)
 
On the job, off duty, and in retirement, I have carried a variety of bugs, mostly J frame snubs.
Last few years I find a Bersa 380cc is ideal for suits or shorts.

Mod note:
Knock off the talk about his primary carry choice. He said in post one it was not open for discussion.
 
ruger lcp 9mm or lcr. keep it cheap and simple,remember,if you have to lose it because you had to use it.either one of the above wouldn't hurt too much. if i was going to carry a revolver,my all time favorite is a s&w 65, 3 inch heavy barrel.
 
And I did answer his question - the best BUG for an armed professional is a quality small frame DA revolver in an appropriate caliber.
Click to expand...


Hummm...I find it interesting that someone who roundly criticizes both the single action revolver and the person that chooses to carry it recommends one of the hardest guns to learn to shoot accurately.
 
BSA1 said:
Hummm...I find it interesting that someone who roundly criticizes both the single action revolver and the person that chooses to carry it recommends one of the hardest guns to learn to shoot accurately.
Click to expand...
It's just another gun, no more or less difficult to learn than any other. With appropriate training and practice and you can do whatever you need to with a J-frame snubby. I've never had any trouble qualifying with mine. In the BUG role the small frame snub shines because it is unaffected by all of the things that can be an issue with autos - no magazine problems, no failures to feed or eject, limp wristing or being out of battery is not a problem, etc. If you are in such dire straights that you need to resort to your BUG you need a gun that will function in the worst of scenarios, up close and personal, like contact shots, and still be capable of accurate fire at distance. Small autos do not meet those needs.

Also, I have no issue with single action revolvers except for professional armed carry, and, yes, it has been made clear to me that the OP is not carrying in a professional capacity. Anyway, the single action revolver is simply too slow to fire and too slow to reload to be considered a practical choice for such use, simple as that. If that wasn't so LE agencies would be issuing Colt SAAs and buscadero rigs.
 
Last edited:
As has already been stated I think a good snubbie would be an excellent choice as a BUG or suit carry gun or whatever it's purpose is. As far as a single action being viable for defense just watch some videos of top cowboy action shooters. Many who consider themselves "pistoleros" would come out second best if confronted with one of these men.......or women.:)
 
If you're carrying the Vaquero, I'd go with the idea of a revolver as BUG - but I'd nix the idea of a 642 or LCR.
If you're comfortable with SA revolvers, your muscle memory may keep your thumb looking for a hammer and slow you down when there isn't one.
I'd go for a S&W model 37, Ruger LCRx or an old Colt snubbie.

Now, I'll get flamed for suggesting a hammer'ed revolver for CCW, knowing full well that those evil hammers snag everything - and you'll never win in court if you use SA fire - and revolvers are so outdated you may as well use a Howdah pistol...

But now they'll stop complaining about using a SAA clone.
 
Kahr PM9 in 9mm or a Ruger LCP in 380 if you need something smaller.

The LCP is so small it can be carried just about anywhere.
 
On occasion I carry a 45 cal short barreled Vaquero, which will hold its own vs any auto loader...for 6 rounds that is, which is why a New York reload is mandatory.

Also always carry an ankle gun, for many years it was a Walther PPK, arguably the finest CC pistol ever. However, recently upgraded to a 1911 Kimber Ultra RCP II, but you will be lucky to find a (used) one for $700. The PPK is within your budget.

Best to you.
 

Attachments

  • Vaquero.jpg
    Vaquero.jpg
    43.2 KB · Views: 48
  • Kimber RCP II .jpg.jpg
    Kimber RCP II .jpg.jpg
    35.2 KB · Views: 6
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

6
  • Locked
How do you office going CCWers keep your gun concealed?
2 3 4
Replies
85
Views
6K
grimjaw
G
Skribs
  • Locked
In the car...
2
Replies
33
Views
2K
J_McLeod
J
M
  • Locked
How (what) do you carry when it CAN'T show?
2 3
Replies
54
Views
4K
Andrew Rothman
A
E
  • Locked
Back up gun for a female sheriffs reserve. Please help.
2
Replies
48
Views
2K
Strings
S
W
  • Locked
Smart Carry Holster review
Replies
20
Views
9K
DigMe
D
Back
Top