Backup carry descision?

[ReconTech]

My duty pistol is a Glock 22, meaning I have two fullsize glock 22 hicaps on my duty belt (15 rounds each).

For my backup gun, seams like the logical choice would be for a Glock 27, since the glock 22 hi-caps would fit in it. And I figured I could get a .40 Keltec Sub2000 and the same magazines would fit it too.

Or...

I could get a snub nose .357mag or .44mag, or even a .45 of some sort for ankle carry.

What do you guys think?

I like the idea of the glock 27 because of the magazine interoperability. But . . . police shootings in my area recently have proven that the .40S&W isn't as much of a man stopper as some of us like, especially if the bg is loaded with meth or something.

So...snub nose revolver in some heavy punching caliber? Or .45ACP in an autoloader or revolver (don't care here), or just a Glock 27 to go with the Glock 22 mags? Remember that the Glock 27 would be 9+1.

Note: Most every dept around here uses the Glock 22, and their ankle carry is almost always a Glock 27 with a Keltec P32 in the pocket....

 

[Hkmp5sd]

I think it is best to have the primary and backup guns the same caliber, even if the magazines are not interchangable. At least you can use the cartridges. IMO, the G27 would make the better backup since not only does it take the G22 magazines, by being a Glock, it is functionally identical to your primary (and most practiced with) weapon.

 

[El Tejon]

Sounds reasoned to me. Get a good holster.

I carried a revolver as a bug for years.

 

[WYO]

To me a backup is a last ditch weapon, that likely will be used at contact distance in a ground fight. I don't worry about cartridge or magazine interchangeability. I did try using a Glock 27 once as a backup to a model 22, but it was way too much on the ankle. I went back to a Smith Centennial, and now use a Kel Tec P11 because it's lighter than the Smith and packs twice the firepower. It's still not as effective as a revolver if used as a contact weapon.

 

[ReconTech]

Ok, Let me take it one step further...

If a revolver is a good choice, then which revolver?

.357magnum?

.44 magnum?

best bang for the buck revolver for the ankle in those two calibers?

And how much more effective is a .44 magnum over a .357 magnum?

 

[MJRW]

A .44 as a back up doesn't seem to be fitting into the theme of a "back-up." They are larger and often heavier. The lightest one I was able to find was a Smith & Wesson at about 18 oz and that is .44 special. Its still a large frame. .357 is plenty of bullet, I think .38 special +p is as well. Consider some of the Smith lightweight guns or an SP-101. Good thing about revolvers is that they have a good punch and aren't reliant upon magazines. You can carry several rounds in your pocket on speed strips.

 

[22luvr]

Keep this in mind..............

Many autoloaders can be taken out of battery by as little as a 1/8" rearward travel of the slide! If you're within wrestling distance or arm's length of a perp, you want a small hammerless revolver that can be stuck right against an assailant's body and fired. With a hammerless revolver, there's little to grab onto. Just a thought.

 

[Kahr carrier]

357 Mag like a 340 PD would be a good last ditch gun.

 

[El Tejon]

Recon, I used a S&W M638. I like the small cylinder as I carried IWB behind my mags for my primary. YMMV.

I preferred the revolver for the exact reasons .22 mentioned. However, you can take a revolver "out of battree" as well, darn that double-edged sword anywho. Be advised and be safe out there.

 

[10-Ring]

I like the j-frame revo's w/ internal hammer. Loaded w/ 38 +p's.

 

[DeltaElite]

I carry a Glock 22 on my belt, a G27 on my ankle and a Smith 640 357 in my off-side pocket.
A Remington 870 is in the car.

For ankle carry, I have learned that the holster is of paramount importance.
I use a Galco ankle glove to carry mine.

www.usgalco.com

 

[sm]

thoughts...

BUG
J frames are proven, size weight, ease of operation weak handed if need.

IMO Keltec P-11 is proving to be another effective choice. Again, size weight, ease of use weak-handed. NOTE: I have noticed and proven the Keltec P-11 WILL fire if slide slightly out of battery.
Not being striker-fired, but its unique hammer. Gunsmith showed me this, we have made contact with targets (cardboard, mellons...) and gun will fire. Take a empty primed case, and safely retract slide, pull trigger...primer will pop.

Granted, don't want to be in a situation where I'm in contact, Then again situations happens...Revos are just great for BUGS.
I have no qualms using Jframe, Kframe, or P-11.

JMO

 

[Double Naught Spy]

Personally, I like my backup to be the same caliber as my primary and that it will accept mags from the primary. I also like the backup to be the same platform type such that there is no remembering about the differences of the backup and primary. I know some folks have done this with Glocks. I do it with 1911s where the primary is full-sized and the backup is an officer's size. They are both setup in the same manner and except for their sizes and differenes in recoil, all the controls/features are the same.

Other benefits aside from the backup being able to use the mags of the primary is that the processes for dealing with loading, controls, and malfunctions are all just the same. I can clear a malfunction in my backup just as well as in my primary.

One final benefit is that I can shoot the backup and primary about the same. The only real detraction for the backup is the shorter sight radius which makes it a little harder to aim well for longer distance shots.

 

[c_yeager]

personally i like the revolver as a platform for a backup gun. I figure that its going to be used at pretty tight conditions and in positions that it wasnt meant to be firing in. An autoloader will most likely fire the first round (assuming it hasnt been pushed out of battery as a previous poster mentioned) but getting enough room for it to cycle properly can be tricky in a grappling type situation. Of course revolvers have their own share of weaknesses as well. But for me the plusses outweigh the minuses.

 

[English John]

.38 BUG

When I carried a .45 in a Safariland SS III I found it difficult to draw the weapon while seated in the cruiser because of the Christmas tree and the seat (just try it). The +P.38 on your off-ankle (Alessi) is actually closer to your hand when you are talking with someone standing just outside your door, and your pants cuff rides up a little when you are seated anyway. They have freedom of movement, you are restricted. The manual of arms at BUG range isn't difficult, pull the trigger. If you have to share weapons (with someone that is qualified and friendly) they will probably be able to handle that .38. EJ

 

[Mannlicher]

I do not often carry a back up handgun. The few times I do, I use a Taurus 85CH. I agree that this is a last ditch option, for close range.

 

[Island Beretta]

I have been doing a lot of research on a back-up gun..I mean a lot of research..I even did some forum posts to get feedback.

I have concluded that if I need to go for the backup then s*** is really flying all around. In such a situation absolute reliability is a must-even in a wrestle, being bumped or being held by an opponent, weak-hand firing and manipulation is a must, ease of gun retention is a must, close contact firing may be needed and gun must be light, concealable and literally maintenance-free.

By now if you have not arrived at the same conclusion I did you are Well to relieve you of your suspense my conclusion was (drum roll) ... a DAO REVOLVER!! My caliber of choice is .38spl +P hollowpoints or 9mm (but only because I carry a 9mm pistol and I can keep one bullet type).

The Kel-Tec P11 put up a good showing but was beaten by the revolver according to criteria stated above.

 

[Jim March]

A good case can be made that at close range, the 2" 38/357 5-shot snubby simply dominates.

1) It can't go out of battery via muzzle contact.

2) It's hard as hell to grab away from you. 6-shooters or big-bore snubbies aren't quite as good in this dept.

3) Power is at least acceptable, ranging to "quite good" with the better 357 loads.

In my opinion, these factors trump the ammo compatibility or identical operating drills that you'd get on a smaller same-caliber Glock.