Backup Carry

[Vern Humphrey]

For some reason, some people seem to feel the victim commits the crime. They ask questions like, "Where are you going that you need a backup gun (or a spare magazine). etc."

In reality, it's the criminal who commits the crime. HE chooses his victims and no matter where you go, you just might be the one he chooses. And when he chooses you, you just might need more ammo, or a spare gun.

 

[Predator55]

To answer your question Warp, yes I carry, everyday. Either a LCR, Kahr 9 or a sig 228. I spent 10 years managing gun stores am pro 2 amendment all the way. I just find it a bit odd that someone who is not LEO would feel the need to carry a bug. Do you really think your going to have a situation where your primary is going to jam or not be able to get to it and you need to pull a bug? My point is that your everyday citizen who carries a gun is not likely to use it which is a good thing. It does give piece of mind and in the event they need to defend themselves it will be over quick, one way or the other. My state allows multiple weapons but I would not carry two guns, not saying that you shouldn't, I just don't see the
need. To many guys like Yeager out there promoting bugs etc... Let's remember he is selling his training courses. So you can rest easy, I'm not anti gun.

 

[MedWheeler]

Predator55, no needs even one gun.

Unless they do.

Certainly, no one needs more than one.

Unless they do.

 

[Warp]

To answer your question Warp, yes I carry, everyday. Either a LCR, Kahr 9 or a sig 228. I spent 10 years managing gun stores am pro 2 amendment all the way. I just find it a bit odd that someone who is not LEO would feel the need to carry a bug. Do you really think your going to have a situation where your primary is going to jam or not be able to get to it and you need to pull a bug? My point is that your everyday citizen who carries a gun is not likely to use it which is a good thing. It does give piece of mind and in the event they need to defend themselves it will be over quick, one way or the other. My state allows multiple weapons but I would not carry two guns, not saying that you shouldn't, I just don't see the
need. To many guys like Yeager out there promoting bugs etc... Let's remember he is selling his training courses. So you can rest easy, I'm not anti gun.

Where do you go that hou need a gun every single day?

I don't know what the hell any specific random trainer has to do with any of this. I suspect nothing at all.

Also, it's

you're
peace
too

 

[Predator55]

Yes I know peace, tell Apple that. I'm in Chicago so that's why I have a EDC.
By the way , it's you not hou

 

[azrocks]

Well, I for one agree with you Predator. And I'm sure I'm not alone.

Those vehemently defending their decision to carry two tools they'll likely never use always fall back on the same argument or variant thereof: "You can never be too prepared". The problem with this logic is that there's only so much you can carry. Every piece of equipment you carry takes the place of something you could have carried but didn't. Maybe you're vision impaired & that second gun is taking the place of a spare set of glasses. Maybe you've got health problems and that second gun is taking the place of medication. What if an emergency situation caused cell service to go down or jammed with traffic... would you rather have two guns, or a radio? Just a few examples demonstrating how a second gun can take the place of equipment much more likely to be useful in the survival situations one is most likely to encounter.

Granted, there's a bit of hypocrisy in my stance, because if I were to truly prepare for the most likely threats, I wouldn't carry a gun at all. Everyone draws the line somewhere. For me, the "Two is one, one is none" rule does not apply to EDC. Instead, I think the best plan is to choose quality equipment, maintain it properly, and practice with it often.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

The problem with this logic is that there's only so much you can carry. Every piece of equipment you carry takes the place of something you could have carried but didn't.

Does anyone here carry so many backup guns and ammo that he can't carry his car keys, glasses, or cell phone?

 

[azrocks]

Does anyone here carry so many backup guns and ammo that he can't carry his car keys, glasses, or cell phone?

The point is that when you choose to carry one item, you've automatically made the decision not to carry something else. I figured the examples I gave would be enough to extrapolate from. They're certainly not the only items a person might need, depending on their individual circumstance.

Speaking of backups, how many BUG enthusiasts here carry an extra cell phone? Or a spare set of keys? Maybe an extra wallet complete with duplicate identification and a spare credit card? These are things you use every single day, which are required for communication, transportation, and sustenance. Contrast that to even one gun, which more than likely will do nothing over the course of your lifetime than gather lint. But yeah... let's carry two guns instead to prepare for the least likely scenarios.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

The point is that when you choose to carry one item, you've automatically made the decision not to carry something else.

No. That's only true IF you have reached your total carrying capacity.

For example, my decision to wear socks doesn't mean I have to leave my shoes at home.

 

[bannockburn]

azrocks

To each his own. I carry a spare car key and house key in my wallet. Just need the one wallet though it does contain multiple credit cards. I have one cell phone because that's all my wireless phone plan allows for. Since I do have an option as to how many guns I can carry at any time, I choose at times to carry two (a primary and a back-up), plus one or two spare magazines. Even have room in my pocket for a small knife.

My choice and I think at times it's a sound one. Doesn't cost me anything really to do so nor does the slightly extra weight or displacement add any great burden to my getting around.

What you choose in regards to concealed carry is entirely up to you.

 

[Haywood]

442 in off hand pocket. AIWB another Snub depending what I want that day.

 

[Predator55]

A rocks, great minds think alike
Bannock burn, wondering what's on your right hip? Kahr?

 

[bannockburn]

Predator55

Bannock burn, wondering what's on your right hip? Kahr?

You are correct! It's a CM9 that along with my S&W Model 638 is one of my go-to choices for CCW. My back-up is a Kel-Tec P3AT.

 

[Warp]

The point is that when you choose to carry one item, you've automatically made the decision not to carry something else. I figured the examples I gave would be enough to extrapolate from.

I have 20/20 and 20/25 vision as near as I can tell (each eye), don't have health problems that would indicate any particular medical device drug or equipment, and would rather have a BUG than a radio on my person if things get so bad that cell service is down and I can't get to or borrow or use anybody else's phone or WiFi. And if I wanted to carry a BUG plus one of those things, I could do that, too. I could carry more than I do.

If you don't want to carry two guns, DON'T. You don't need to go on a tirade telling other people they are making the wrong choice if they decide to carry a BUG.

 

[MedWheeler]

azrocks askes:

Speaking of backups, how many BUG enthusiasts here carry an extra cell phone? Or a spare set of keys? Maybe an extra wallet complete with duplicate identification and a spare credit card?

One of us does. All of the above. Even a second debit card linked to a spare checking account. On the road, a handheld radio (CB) also comes along. Amazingly, carrying a second gun doesn't interfere with it. Admittedly, some of it is carried in a small bag that stays in whatever vehicle he leaves the house in, and comes back inside once home.

He can't think of anything that these items are forcing him to leave at home.

 

[HB]

Sounds weird but I carry 2 guns at the range. Air weight in left pocket, BHP or revolver on the belt.

The airweight balances out the the 30oz chunk of steel hanging off my rght side. Otherwise it's just the air weight in right pocket or iwb.

HB

 

[Warp]

Speaking of backups, how many BUG enthusiasts here carry an extra cell phone? Or a spare set of keys? Maybe an extra wallet complete with duplicate identification and a spare credit card?

I am old enough to remember life without a cell phone + everybody else has cell phones and businesses still have land lines. An extra cell phone might cost quite a bit to keep active all the time too. I believe the assumption for carrying a BUG is that you already own the gun and might carry it as a primary in some situations, so it's not like you have to pay a monthly fee, every month, to be able to carry that BUG.

Also FWIW I have both of my previous cell phones and as it happens I took two with me today, current and previous. Even without it being activated for the network it can call 911 and all of the apps and widgets and gizmos work anywhere there is WiFi, which includes where I am with the use of my mobile hot spot. Is that such a rare thing, to have an old cell phone you can take with you?

Extra of what keys? Keys are pretty reliable, they don't seem to fail much (I've never had a key fail, personally, for anything in any capacity). Keys also do not run out of ammo (a BUG may be thought of as a reload that doubles as a second gun). And I don't see any reason I would need to give a second set of keys to somebody else the way I might give a BUG to certain other people. Also, I can get to a key to my house if I am on my property.

I do have extra identification, cash, etc, in my vehicle. I just wish I could get multiple weapon carry licenses since some places I go require you to have it with you, even in the car (mostly out of state, but still). Guess the gov't photo ID as a spare will have to do.

 

[two gun charlie]

another reason why the USA is such a great country down here we are only allowed one gun for self-defense purposes so you cant carry a bug legally , you can have a second handgun registered for "sport-shooting" but if you shoot someone with it in self-defense you will have years in court trying to explain it to someone with an IQ of your 10 year old kid

and as for the question on why you would need a bug ? I know of two cases in this country where someone lost their lives because their pistols jammed (and it was good pistols loaded with good ammo )

If the law allows you to carry a bug I sure as would , better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it

my bug in this banana republic is a can of pepper spray ....technically the pistol is my bug because in this liberal (criminals have more rights than anyone because they happen to be a major part of the voting public out there ) and if you dare shoot some of our governments precious voters you will have a boatload of explaining to do and you will probably spend a long time in jail , if they kill you however they will get of with very little punishment , if you think Oscar got away with murder you should see some of the other court findings , so its better to use the pepper spray first and hope you dont need to pull the gun

 

[Atonal]

Everyone makes decisions about what they carry and we all draw the line somewhere. Hell, we could argue that if you want to be truly prepared, you should have a full size pistol on your hip, a BUG in your pocket or on your ankle, a rifle slung on your back and full body armor. We all draw the line somewhere.

 

[Combat Engineer]

"another reason why the USA is such a great country down here we are only allowed one gun for self-defense purposes so you cant carry a bug legally..." [two gun charlie]

If one is not carrying a BUG, best to choose 2 identical quality handguns, maintain them properly, practice with one and carry the other. This maximizes single carry survivability.

I prefer carrying 2 or 3 concealed handguns, no extra ammunition. Its a lot easier to pull a 2nd and/or 3rd gun than fiddle with a speed-loader, speed-strip, moon-clip, or mag. If the SHTF things can happen fast, when life and death can be measured in tenths of a second.

 

[Teachu2]

When I travel with the wife, she's got the BUG - we carry identical Shields. Console Vaults in both our primary vehicles, with larger BUGs and extra mags.

I've not yet felt the need for a BUG on my person, but I'm not ruling it out in the future. When I was a LEO, we were divided on BUGs. One group believed in them (my next-door neighbor was Karl Hettinger) and the other group pointed out that in hand-to-hand, you had to retain TWO guns.

 

[bgw45]

P55, I see and understand your question. My question to you is , why ask. I wonder if the next question would concern ammo quantity or caliber limitations.

Most of us that carry hope we never need to use the weapon we carry. I've worked in a gun shop and served in VN. I choose to carry a bug but hope I never need to use my primary, much less my bug. To question my decision based on personal opinion/statistics is completely understandable. To not understand my decision is understandable.

To limit my freedom is liberal.

 

[FIVETWOSEVEN]

Every piece of equipment you carry takes the place of something you could have carried but didn't.

I'd have an empty front pocket if I didn't carry my backup.

 

[Pheasant Plucker]

Yes, I carry a BUG and have for over 40+ years. As a LEO it was in my hand when I was in situations where my primary would have been viewed as offensive. Family disputes, car stops, etc. but out of view.
As a CCW licencee I have it in my pocket, usually because it is next to my money clip and change when I get dressed, right into the pocket. My CCW is on my strong side and my BUG, a NAA .22 short, weighing 5 oz on my weak side.
When I come home my CCW comes off and as long as I have pants on I have my BUG with me. Three times I've had strangers walk into my garage while the door was opened. My BUG was in my hand within seconds and they were gone almost as fast.
Twice I have been accosted by men armed with knives demanding my money. Had I reached for my primary weapon I most likely would have been stabbed. Taking out my money clip defused the tension and cocking back the hammer defused the situation ever better. I now have 3 more knives in my collection and I often wonder if that first mugger ever got his shorts cleaned.

 

[luzyfuerza]

When I carry a BUG, its a 442 in my non-dominant-side pants pocket.

Another reason for carrying a BUG: your dominant arm could be injured or shot in a fight.