bcp280z
Member
For my M&P 40 I bought a S&W 438 to match, same matte black finish as the slide.
Backup weapon.
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TexasBill
Member
Sorry, I just can't recommend the SIG P238. A cocked-and-locked pistol in my pocket just doesn't seem like a great idea.
Walther PPK is a great little BUG as is a S&W J-frame.
Walther PPK is a great little BUG as is a S&W J-frame.
Either a Ruger LCP or a S&W j-frame or Ruger LCR works great. The small revolvers can be carried in an ankle holster, pocket, or jacket if worn. The little LCP .380 can be carried the same, or tucked in the front pocket of your body armor where the trauma plate goes. Never did like those plates!!
Uteridge
Member
The M&P Compact can use the FS Magazines. I have both and if I was in your shoes I would carry the fullsize on your duty belt and the compact M&P somewhere it is accessible with your weak hand but not SOB. I like my LCP but carrying the two M&P's would allow you to carry only one set of spare magazines plus you would be able to carry the Compact as a primary off duty.
get a sw body guard 380 it blows everything else out of the water, I a carry ccw for 30 yrs. and the sw 380 ca be reliably carried in any manner as it is DA only and also comes with a laser for only $325 for LEO, nothing else compares, for price features, weight etc.
NMGonzo
Member
I agree with y'all ... but as a backup I would have PF9 instead of the p3at.
One more round ready to go, much bigger but is almost just as slim.
One more round ready to go, much bigger but is almost just as slim.
mr_goodbomb
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I hate the phrase "backup gun." Being law inforcement, it is reasonable for you. For a civilian, thinking you'll get into a situation, unprovoked, where you'll need two guns, and justifying carrying two at all times for this reason, is just paranoia and unrealistic to me. We're not John McClane.
franconialocal
Member
Way too many choices out there! My backup carry is my Springfield EMP 9mm.
Ankle carry. Fits perfectly under the pant leg...
Ankle carry. Fits perfectly under the pant leg...
sixgunner455
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S&W 642 has been the best selling pistol in the S&W product line for a long time for a very good reason - concealed carry, and backup use.
They just flat work.
They just flat work.
Sevenfaces
Member
I carry a Glock 30, its true that it is fat, but as far as length and height, its similar to a 7 round .380 and holds 9-10 rounds of .45acp. true a micro gun like the lcp is smaller, but I'm a tall guy with large hands.
joe_security
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Check Dept. policy before you spend money. This includes holsters.
jiminhobesound
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Again you need to try many guns. I recommend the minimum caliber is +P .38. Anlke holsters are awkward and not as quick as a belt, not SOB, or pocket. Kinda brings up a question of what requires the use of a backup gun? This may be a very good discussion foe our active and retired police officers.
ForumSurfer
Member
I'm not an LEO, but I have several friends that are. They all recommend, as do I against SOB carry.
While serving as an LEO, you will get into struggles and at times you will fall or be slammed against something. When that happens, you really don't want a small piece of steel anywhere near your spine.
While serving as an LEO, you will get into struggles and at times you will fall or be slammed against something. When that happens, you really don't want a small piece of steel anywhere near your spine.
Lucky Derby
Member
SOB carry is a bad idea for all the the reasons already mentioned.
First find out department policy, that will most likely eliminate many choices, and then you can focus on what is left.
I highly recommend a small revolver such as the S&W J frames or Ruger LCR. Carrying a small version of the duty weapon is also a good idea. Personally, I've never cared for the pocket autos having found the small revolvers to be more reliable. YMMV.
Vest carry is good. If the uniform has BDU/Cargo pants pocket carry in the cargo pocket is also a good option. Ankle is hard to access and might prove difficult if wearing uniform boots, as opposed to shoes.
First find out department policy, that will most likely eliminate many choices, and then you can focus on what is left.
I highly recommend a small revolver such as the S&W J frames or Ruger LCR. Carrying a small version of the duty weapon is also a good idea. Personally, I've never cared for the pocket autos having found the small revolvers to be more reliable. YMMV.
Vest carry is good. If the uniform has BDU/Cargo pants pocket carry in the cargo pocket is also a good option. Ankle is hard to access and might prove difficult if wearing uniform boots, as opposed to shoes.
Revolver fan
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I know a LEO, he carrys a G26 in a leather ankle holster. I believe it is custom made, locally.
tangomike706
Member
I carry the Sig p232 on weak side ankle.
kingcheese
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my friends dad, pefers to carry a keltec p3at 380acp, he sometimes carries it on his ankle sometimes he also has a belt clip that he can clip to is pocket like a pocket knife, and it even looks like a knife if you stare at it while its in his pocket
DC3-CVN-72
Member
I would get the job first, then ask this question. Is this job a lock ? If so, it must be nice. 
PX15
Member
JMOfartO:
Advising another person on which firearm to chose for cc and how to carry is difficult because those choices are always a subjective thing..
All I can tell you is what I carry, and how...
Ruger LCP in a rear pocket Lisa Hedley Holster...
Forget small of the back, or even worse, ankle carry.. Just get yourself a quality back pocket holster, stick the sucker in there and forget about it.
When the budget allows, get a Crimson Trace Laser for it, and IMO you will have a fine back up pistol which makes an excellent ALL TIME carry weapon.
Between my wife and myself we have three LCP's... All have been absolutely reliable and surprisingly accurate (at self defense range) right out of the box.
I like my LCP so much I had the Innovative Arms slide refinish/ external sight upgrade and I think that's money well spent also.
Unless you have tried a rear pocket holster in the past and didn't care for it, you really need to check one out.
Best wishes with whatever you decide.
Jesse
Advising another person on which firearm to chose for cc and how to carry is difficult because those choices are always a subjective thing..
All I can tell you is what I carry, and how...
Ruger LCP in a rear pocket Lisa Hedley Holster...
Forget small of the back, or even worse, ankle carry.. Just get yourself a quality back pocket holster, stick the sucker in there and forget about it.
When the budget allows, get a Crimson Trace Laser for it, and IMO you will have a fine back up pistol which makes an excellent ALL TIME carry weapon.
Between my wife and myself we have three LCP's... All have been absolutely reliable and surprisingly accurate (at self defense range) right out of the box.
I like my LCP so much I had the Innovative Arms slide refinish/ external sight upgrade and I think that's money well spent also.
Unless you have tried a rear pocket holster in the past and didn't care for it, you really need to check one out.
Best wishes with whatever you decide.
Jesse
Bravo2uniform
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Magazines
Does Smith and Wesson make a back up sized gun that will use your duty magazines?
For example, I carry a Glock M-23 and back that up with a Glock M-27. I can use the M-23 magazines in the M-27.
Just a thought.
Does Smith and Wesson make a back up sized gun that will use your duty magazines?
For example, I carry a Glock M-23 and back that up with a Glock M-27. I can use the M-23 magazines in the M-27.
Just a thought.
Lord Palmerston
Member
LEO's back-up guns deserve special attention. You do not know under which circumstances you will have to use your back-up gun. Imagine that your service gun has a stoppage you cannot fix on the spot. Your back-up gun will automatically become your service gun and your only gun. Hence, it should be of an adequate caliber. 9 mm. is the minimum IMHO.
I have experimented with many smaller secondary handguns in 27+ years of wearing a badge. My employer allows quite wide latitude in our back-up and off-the-clock weapons, and being a handgun aficionado, I have enjoyed that latitude. Every small autoloader has been a very brief experiment, while the revolvers have stuck around. I can hide an SP101 snubby well enough at several locations on my anatomy. A J-frame easier to hide.
SOB carry? Certainly that was a joke! The time one needs a back-up weapon is probably not a good time to be putting one's arm most of the way into an arm-lock position. Don't give the enemy an advantage! This is not even getting into such issues as draw speed, and the aggravating of the injury one would get when falling upon a weapon worn SOB. I will just say this: I hope all of my future adversaries, who are carrying weapons, wear those weapons SOB.
Ankle carry has it good and bad points. I use it sometimes, but usually off the clock now. Carry on the body armor, under the uniform shirt, is a workable option. The various pockets are also viable for toting a back-up weapon, but keep in mind that accessibility can suffer in certain positions, particularly when bent at the hips/waist. Cargo pockets can allow a weapon carried therein to flop around and, depending on the pocket's design, dump the weapon at an undesirable time. I have found VertX pants seem to work quite well for cargo pocket carry.
SOB carry? Certainly that was a joke! The time one needs a back-up weapon is probably not a good time to be putting one's arm most of the way into an arm-lock position. Don't give the enemy an advantage! This is not even getting into such issues as draw speed, and the aggravating of the injury one would get when falling upon a weapon worn SOB. I will just say this: I hope all of my future adversaries, who are carrying weapons, wear those weapons SOB.
Ankle carry has it good and bad points. I use it sometimes, but usually off the clock now. Carry on the body armor, under the uniform shirt, is a workable option. The various pockets are also viable for toting a back-up weapon, but keep in mind that accessibility can suffer in certain positions, particularly when bent at the hips/waist. Cargo pockets can allow a weapon carried therein to flop around and, depending on the pocket's design, dump the weapon at an undesirable time. I have found VertX pants seem to work quite well for cargo pocket carry.
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