Carry of a BUG?

[msmp5]

Rarely carry a BUG anymore since I retired from LE. However........ There are some locales that I consider "Two Gun Territory". A few years ago, my wife wanted to go to a furniture store that happened to be in Compton, California. I was familiar with the area, as I had worked it as a cop many years before. It was in the industrial part of Compton, and it was day time, so a bit lower threat scenario and area than my old stomping grounds in adjacent gang-infested neighborhoods; but still..... Compton. When my wife saw me strapping on the second gun, she asked why. The answer was simply "Compton is Two Gun Territory".

 

[david58]

Not legal to carry a BUG in NM - you can carry ONE handgun with a carry permit.

 

[Rexster]

In the context of my LE job, any handgun other than the one in the duty holster, at 0300, was a “Back-Up Gun.” During personal time, before retirement, and then, since retirement, it is really just a matter of carrying more than one weapon, largely for accessibility options, as some body parts are not as strong, or as functional, as they used to be.

 

[scaatylobo]

This is a question for citizens who choose to conduct their daily business while armed, either concealed or open. Let's not include any carry while functioning in an official capacity- LE, military, etc, just plain old civilian status.

How often do you carry a secondary "back up gun" or "BUG"?

It doesn't matter if it's the same platform style, caliber, or functional method as the primary, it counts for this poll...

Thanks!

Might be the difference ,but I was an LEO for 26 years and carried at least 1 BUG [ sometimes 2 ].

But I did also carry a BUG when I worked as a armored carrier before being an LEO.

Now its one of a few different pistols,from wheel guns to semi's.

 

[Old Dog]

It's not really a BUG, but sometimes if we're going out on a date night and my wife is wearing a tighter fitting dress I'll carry her G43 in an off-hand IWB holster.

Thought I was the only one who'd admit to carrying his wife's pistol (weak-side OWB)... and is married to a woman who actually still wears a dress occasionally.

But no, not usually. Did when I worked patrol.

 

[3Crows]

Only time I would have BUG is while hunting. I am not LEO or military or professional and I am not planning on getting in a war and as long as I can run the other way that is what I will do first. Carrying and securing two weapons CCL is just not practical for me. At 5-10 and a bit and barely 165 pounds and frankly preferring minimal clothing that fits me, there is no place for me to keep two guns, one is difficult enough in summer attire or athletic attire (cycling, running etc.) to conceal.

 

[jeepnik]

This is with me pretty much always regardless of what else I might be carrying.

 

[magyars4]

Most of the time I have my Dan Wesson Valkyrie on my belt and a BUG in my pocket

 

[CDW4ME]

I did, carried a Kahr PM9 in weak hand front pocket for long time, in addition to pistol IWB.
The ability to put my hand on it without revealing I was carrying was primary reason, ability to access with weak hand secondary, lastly failure of other pistol.

Abandoned the 2nd option™ (AKA backup) few weeks ago; my cargo shorts pockets are full, cell phone, dog poo bags, hand sanitizer, keys, change, multi-tool.
Yea, when I'm not walking the dogs, I could ditch the poo bags but then I'd have to remember to put them back, it would be a twice a day thing.
On the topic of dogs, I'd be lucky to draw from IWB when walking two large dogs; draw from a pocket, laughable.
Arguably the presence of two large dogs reduces the likelihood of being targeted by psycho/criminal, debatable but not completely dismissable either.
If I happen to have a "occupied" poo bag in my hand in addition to the dogs, that (according to some who post on gun forums) should be sufficient deterrent.
You know, "I wouldn't want to get shot with it" rationalization for some minor caliber, if nobody volunteer to get shot with it then the paltry caliber is GTG "logic".
Using that "logic" nobody would likely volunteer to get a loaded poo bag from a large dog thrown at them, should be sufficient deterrent.
Then there is that neck gaiter that I have in a pocket in case I go into a store; use to leave it in car, but now I may ride my bicycle to store. Can't forget the face mask (gaiter) so I keep it in a pocket.
Hopefully, the 45 acp lightweight commander + two spare mags that is IWB will suffice.

 

[GBExpat]

I have read some references here to folks carrying a BUG while hunting or when toting a longgun. I have long known folks who will make a point of strapping on a handgun under their hunting coat, just in case it might be needed.

I, too, will be carrying my EDG (EveryDayGun, how I have thought-of & referred-to my carry handgun for a couple of decades) when I am out&about in the woods/fields with a longgun.

At those times, though, I don't think of it as or consider it to be a BUG. It is my EDG. Barring prohibited-by-law locations, if I am dressed it is on me. Quite frankly, I have been carrying for so long that carrying it requires no special thought process (like remembering to put it on), not carrying it does.

The only time, these days, when I might sport a BUG, is when the weather is cold and I am wearing a heavy coat with a .44spl CA Bulldog in each of the 2 outside hand pockets.

 

[MedWheeler]

When not working and at home, I have one gun on me (my primary.)

When not working and out and about, I have two guns on me (primary and BUG.)

While traveling to and from my NPE-job site, I have one gun on me (my BUG.)

While at work, I am not armed with a firearm.

Every now and then, I seriously consider the idea of stepping down to one-gun carry only of a pistol in a pocket, ditching the belt gun entirely, so I can easily go back to tucked-in shirts. Then, it seems political, criminal, or social unrest events give me pause.

 

[JR24]

only when carrying a long gun

This.

Though I suppose the spirit of the thread is a pistol and a BUG which I do not do.

 

[Armored farmer]

I have read some references here to folks carrying a BUG while hunting or when toting a longgun. I have long known folks who will make a point of strapping on a handgun under their hunting coat, just in case it might be needed.

I, too, will be carrying my EDG (EveryDayGun, how I have thought-of & referred-to my carry handgun for a couple of decades) when I am out&about in the woods/fields with a longgun.

At those times, though, I don't think of it as or consider it to be a BUG. It is my EDG. Barring prohibited-by-law locations, if I am dressed it is on me. Quite frankly, I have been carrying for so long that carrying it requires no special thought process (like remembering to put it on), not carrying it does.

The only time, these days, when I might sport a BUG, is when the weather is cold and I am wearing a heavy coat with a .44spl CA Bulldog in each of the 2 outside hand pockets.

I am on the same page with your edg concept. My edg(every day gun) is my lcp.i carry it iwb every day. It is the only loaded gun in the house that isn't under lock and key. When I change out of my work clothes, it goes in the pocket of my loungeware. If mrs and I sneak out to the hot tub, it goes in the pocket of my robe. If I grab a 1911 out of the safe and head out back to ring some gongs, i still have the lcp. I suppose it could be considered a bug at that point.

It is standard equipment just like my pocketknife and flashlight.

 

[fatboog]

I don’t anymore but I’m my more, uh, self aware by necessity stage of life, I carried a kel tec .32 on my ankle religiously. Plus a j frame in my pocket.

 

[bigmike45]

Let's look at it from another point of view.....
Do you have a spare tire in your car????
Nuff said!!

 

[milemaker13]

Not legal to carry a BUG in NM - you can carry ONE handgun with a carry permit.

Same in IL

 

[Cocked & Locked]

Only when I'm in pimp mode

 

[Rexster]

In the context of my LE job, any handgun other than the one in the duty holster, at 0300, was a “Back-Up Gun.” During personal time, before retirement, and then, since retirement, it is really just a matter of carrying more than one weapon, largely for accessibility options, as some body parts are not as strong, or as functional, as they used to be.

To elaborate a bit, and present an example, when I awakened this morning, I had to massage and stretch my right thumb/hand/wrist, for some time, to get them working properly. At that moment in time, had I needed to use a handgun, I would have had to use it left-handed.

I started carrying at 0300, in 1984, as a young police rookie. Though not really right-handed, I was right-armed, meaning I throw righty, and write lefty. Drawing the relatively heavy L-Frame from the then-mandated low-slung duty rig was not unlike throwing underhanded. I knew I would be patrolling alone, in a one-man car, so my right hip would be more accessible as I rolled up to scenes. To this day, my right hip is more-accessible, if I were to be car-jacked. It still makes sense to carry on the right side.

One problem with right-hand shooting, however, is that I no longer trust my right thumb, fingers, and wrist to stabilize the frame of some autos, to ensure reliable functioning, and, holding onto a large-gripped weapon, in a scuffle, is NOT as sure as holding onto a small-gripped weapon. So, it is a best practice, for me, to carry revolvers, with relatively small grips, on my right side.

As a police officer, it seemed wise to carry second guns, for the obvious reasons. It made sense to practice lefty, with these second guns, as well as with my primary guns. (One’s weapon hand can become disabled, or otherwise taken out of action.) Being left-handed meant that shooting lefty was not a handicap. I could scale-back now, in retirement, from toting the second gun, but with my right-hand draw being most intuitive, and my left hand being my most-able hand, it seems logical to continue to have a weapon situated for each hand, as before, but the larger weapon, if there is a size difference, being carried lefty, and auto-loaders are best carried lefty.

 

[Mikhail Weiss]

I’ve sometimes carried a S&W Shield 9mm and a Glock 19 at the same time, but those days are rare, usually during range trips, but sometimes just because, hey, I’m American and I can.