Carrying multiple-handguns, various brands, types?

[losangeles]

I'm going through executive protection courses now and am new to it. I know some bodyguards carry multiple handguns. The Living With Glock author, Robert Boatman, carries 4 -- all Glocks. I know one guy carrying two, both 1911s.

It makes sense in that you need a backup and a backup to a backup, etc. in case of malfunctions at critical moments. And that allows you to use the next magazine faster than having to reload in a gunfight because the next magazine is already "attached" to a gun. Malfunctions are handled easier, too, because you just try the next gun if you have a malfunction.

OK, I have a lot of handguns but I don't have 4 of the same brand or type. My two favorites are a Glock 17 and a 1911 --- Kimber Pro Carry II. Both are different. So in training with a Glock 17, external safeties are not an issue, whereas they are with the 1911. I also have a couple of Taurus Millenium Pros, both have thumb safeties.

So if someone had to carry all those, he'd have to train with different types of operation. Might not sound like a great idea in a stressful situation.

What do you guys think?

 

[fugi]

It's my opinion that practicing tactical reloads and clearing, it would be quicker to use a single weapon. think of if you have a stovepipe or a failure to feed, you can either drop it and reach for your holster, bring it up and fire or lock your slide back with your thumb about an inch away, flip it to the right, then drop the slide and fire again. I'm all for carrying a backup though.

 

[1911 guy]

Commonality.

You want commonality, as much of the same as you can get. Same grip angle, same method of operation, same magazines, etc. I've got nothing against carrying a backup. However, you may or may not stay in the fight longer by using a backup. Personally, I can reload or clear a malf. faster than stow the first handgun and draw the second. You need to find out what works for you. If you work well with a BUG, get one or two. If not, spend the money on magazines.

 

[hceptj]

I think if I was in a line of work where I defended people (bodyguard, police, etc.) that having the first 2 use the same mags and/or at least caliber would be something I'd do myself.

No matter what anyone is carrying, or how many, the most important thing is to make sure you shoot them often enough to be confident in them. No sense in carrying anything that you don't know how to shoot or haven't shot with very much.

I think if I was carrying 3+ handguns my final one would be a revolver. If for whatever reason I've gotten to that 3rd or 4th gun then I want to be dang sure its going to work...

I carry 2 a lot of the time...usually a large 1911 frame for the primary, but sometimes I do carry a revolver as a primary (.357)...and my backup is either a 642, 340pd, or p3at. I'm comfortable with any of those three as a BUG and shoot well with all of them.

 

[wcwhitey]

As a LEO I originally carried a 4" revolver as primary and a 2" as a BUG. The school of thought was that a second gun was always faster than a reload. The manual of arms was identical, made alot of sense. After switching to a 9 it still made sense. The reload point is sort of moot but still having the 2" revolver is very comforting and practical. My primary 9 is a Sig 226 and I have absolutely no issues with it's reliablility, however, the places I am forced to carry the BUG do not seem like semi-auto friendly environments. A gun in a ankle holster collects large amounts of dust and lint. In the summer months, a pocket or belly holster is exposed to sweat and moisture. I think a strong case can be made for a small snubby in this environment, stainless for sure. A small auto would not give me the confidence that the snubbie gives and I am not sure it would be as reliable as it's bigger brother. Most of the better compact auto's are great IWB or belt guns for one gun off-duty or CCW wear. For the most part they still on the large side for ankle or other truly discreet methods needed for the second gun. That being said, I would take something like a Kel-Tec/Guardian or Seacamp if I were forced to. Hell a .22 derringer would be better than no second gun at all. A noise maker to cover my retreat if things were that bad. Bill

 

[browningguy]

I have 5 BHP's, 3 in .40 and 2 in 9mm. The .40's are my primary carry guns and it's what I'm used to. I only carry one at a time because I'm not in the business. I also have a few other full size pistols that get used cocked and locked, 1 backup pistol with a decocker (Bersa .380), a backup pistol that can be carried in cocked and locked mode or DA (Beretta 21A), and a striker fired Springfield XD9 I am now shooting in IDPA.

To be honest I haven't seen any problems transitioning from one to the other, and I have practiced this. Shoot the BHP dry, then draw and fire the Bersa for example. Of course this is at a range, not in a fight, so I always have a little concern about how it would work in the real world. But I've tried to train myself that big guns have the safety, little guns are DA for the first shot.

 

[GaryP]

It makes sense in that you need a backup and a backup to a backup, etc.

Yes a BUG makes sense, but a BUG to a BUG etc
There is a point of diminishing returns!

 

[CWL]

Stop at 2 guns and save room for reloads. Have 2 of the same makes sense for the sake of magazine utility, but having the BUG a revolver also makes a lot of sense. If you need #3&4, would probably be some sort of barricade situation -ammo may be important here than extra guns.

Methinks that if you ever get in a situation where you need pistola #3 (let alone #4), you will probably be dead or should've had a long gun.

 

[Tearlachblair]

I'm just thinking about how cool it would feel to be packing two BHPs or two 1911s in a double shoulder holster.



hehehe.

 

[tank mechanic]

Those are some huge 1911s

 

[Tearlachblair]

Either that or a REALLY small hitman, lol.

 

[jad0110]

Doh!!! That little hitman is violating one of the 4 rules 2X!

 

[Leanwolf]

TEARLACHBLAIR - "Either that or a REALLY small hitman, lol."



They got that guy through Central Casting from an agent that runs "Dwarfs-'R-Us."

L.W.

 

[Tearlachblair]

Lol, that's probably a full-size shot. His feet'll just barely peek out at the bottom of his oversize suit jacket, lol.

But back on topic -- I have also thought, later on when I plan on getting into executive protection, that I would consider carrying two full-sized handguns and maybe two smaller as ankle pistols (after all, gotta have equal weight, heh heh). But tell me, wouldn't it be better to use a shoulder rig to pack your guns then, because having two on the belt would seem kind of clumsy to me...I hate even wearing one gun on my belt unless I'm wearing a separate gunbelt a la cowboy style.

 

[MCgunner]

When going to the big city, I often carry my P11 Kel Tec in a front pocket with either a .357 magnum revolver or a .45 cal autoloader IWB. This does two things, gives me the ability to keep my hands in my pockets on the 9 for speed when walking in high risk areas like dark parking lots. It also gives me firepower I don't have with just one gun. 8 in the .45 or 6 in the revolver is backed up with reloads PLUS 11 in the 9mm plus reloads for it, too. I don't wanna be caught short of ammo or options in the big city.

 

[Geronimo45]

Shoulder holster seems to be the way to me - big gun on your weak side, little gun on the strong side with spare mags. Or just forget multiple guns, and carry a PLR-16.

I don't find it a problem at all to switch twixt a 1911 and a CZ 70 with a 'backwards' safety. If you train yourself into 'autopilot' mode, it could be a problem. I'd carry the complicated (safetied) gun as the primary draw, and a DA auto or revolver as the secondary.

 

[george29]

My current CCW combo is two .44 specials (Charter & 296) and my always & everywhere NAA. The philosophy is "Fear of Murphy" and less because a second gun is the fastest reload. I chose a single caliber because in the rare event that I may need to defend myself, and in the rarer event that one weapon will malfunction, no ammo is wasted as the BUG uses the same caliber. Statistically, a revolver is more reliable than a pistol, HOWEVER, a malfunctioned pistol statistically can usually be remedied in short time and brought back into action whilst the revolver that almost never malfunctions, usually needs a trip to a gunsmith when it does malfunction to be made operable again. I am speaking statistcally and quoting the "experts", this is not my own made up drivel. I chose revolvers for a number of personal reasons, but mainly, I like big holes made by slow heavy bullets. IF I were to choose bodyguard work, I think my primary would be a pistol (.40 or .45) and a .357 BUG, I highly doubt more than two weapons are needed unless you are travelling to hostile territory, and even then, if the SHTF, you weren't doing your job properly in the first place, but in that case, I would plan on an M-4 type weapon and not a 3rd handgun.
I knew a narc that carried 4 guns, but they were all very small and he worked alone, other than that, I think you will be very uncomfortable with that heavy a load.

 

[10-Ring]

I'm going w/ props - if both guns are identical, there are no thumb safeties on either side but will eject rounds to either side ( )

Back to the question at hand...I'd go w/ 2 USPs for magazine uniformity and maybe a P2000sk for a BUG on my ankle.

 

[Tearlachblair]

Would Berettas be two thick to pack two? I wonder...

 

[Waywatcher]

Those are some huge 1911s

They're too long and don't have manual safeties. They are 1911-esque make believes at best. Also they have ejection ports on opposite sides.

Yes I realize its CGI.

 

[bobaloo]

If I've got to travel somewhere that makes me nervous I carry two. My normal carry gun is a .40 HiPower with the C&S SFS system installed, it lives on my right hip. My BUG is a Kahr PM9 in my left jacket pocket. It's discrete to have my hand in my jacket pocket, ready to go if needed.

The trick is to practice shooting it left handed. One of the few good things about being left-handed. I started shooting right-handed as a kid and I'm right eye dominant, so it works OK, but shooting left handed is just about as good (or bad).

 

[Srigs]

All my carry guns are DAO. So no learning different actions just point and shoot.