carrying two big guns at the same time

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I know this may sound like lunacy to some but I'm curious as to the feasibility of carrying a 4" gp100 strongside and then carrying a 3" sp101 at the same time.

Now trouble is, I ask myself "where would I carry the sp101?" and I draw a blank.

Any ideas?
 
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They're a number of ways to do it, but why? Do you live in a particularly dangerous environment? :confused:
 
It's not lunacy. With revolvers, the Achilles heel is capacity, with an additional limiter of slow reloads added on, just to add insult to injury. Carrying several of them is a good solution, if you care to deal with the resultant weight penalty.

Were it me, I'd be looking at carrying one on the strong side hip, and one on the weak side. If you're already wearing a gun belt, hanging another gun off of it is no problem. If you're already wearing a cover garment, it'll cover both hips as easily as one. All you need to add them is the second holster. It also gives you a gun available to either hand, in case one is occupied or injured.

A close second would be one strong side and one cross draw. The cross draw makes the secondary available to the strong hand, as well as the weak. It gives you an easy gun to access while sitting. It really turns the second revolver into a second primary, rather than a traditional BUG. The disadvantage is that they can be harder to cover.

A third option would be a double shoulder rig. They actually work better than a single rig, as the load is more balanced. They only work well with certain body types, though, and can be obnoxious if you don't like having straps bearing on your shoulders all day. After all, you wear a belt anyhow, so that can be easier to learn to live with.

Both the guns you've picked are fairly bulky for their payloads, but that bears fruit in their shootability. A four inch gun is still plenty carryable. Just look at all the people packing commander and government model autos. When I was young and broke, my first carry gun was a police trade Model 10, with a four inch bull barrel. Made the long midnight shifts at the gas station much more comfortable.



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Alaska, don't think 11 shots of 357 will do me a terrible lot of good vs a grizzly.

A comment in the thread I had earlier (one that you were kind enough to comment on), got me thinking about the possibility of it. Truth of the matter is I have no reason to need to carry both guns, but I can't help but think why not?
 
Why not an N frame 8-shot 357.. that way your only down 3rds compared to carrying two heavy guns..
 
I've carried two before, and still do from time to time. I liked to carry one of my snubby .357's and on the other hip cross draw, I had either a SA 44 mag. SBH, or if I really felt like getting a work out, I would strap on the SRH 44 mag. on my strong side, and then the SA would be cross draw. Both obviously open carried of course.

I've also carried two AL pistols, or one wheel gun, one wheel gun, and even an occasional wheel gun conceal carried shoulder strap, and one on each hip also, three total in other words.

GS
 
tarosean, that was another option I was considering. So far the ones that strike my fancy just don't seem to be reasonably holsterable, and I'm kind of a ruger guy.
 
On the occasions when I've carried two revolvers, it's always been a GP100 on my hip and an LCR in my pocket. Never tried to carry two big guns at once.
 
My Solution

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System advantages include:
  • 31 rounds without the need of a reload.
  • Greater flexibility by ensuring a weapon is available from almost any position and to both strong or weak side.
  • Greater reliability by allowing multiple component failures without loss of system function (i.e. two is one and one is none philosophy carried to the extreme).
  • Ability to arm up to four trusted companions if needed. For example; when trapped in an abandoned warehouse with a psycho killer on the loose. (Hey it could happen.)
 

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  • 31 rounds.JPG
    31 rounds.JPG
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LOL Rangegod, that's pretty funny! I think I saw that guy in one of the Naked Gun movies! :D

Actually, a second gun isn't a terrible idea, but every person will have to come up with their own concept of risk-vs.-bother.

If I was going to carry two revolvers, I THINK I'd do it strong-side and cross-draw. I think.

But, by the time you're willing to alter your routine and effort far enough to carry two wheelguns, most folks would throw in the towel and switch to an auto with 16-20 rounds in it anyway and fast reloads on tap.
 
The only practical reason would be as a NY reload instead of trying to use speed loaders. I've often wondered if I'd be dexterous enough to reload in a genuine fire fight. So you just drop one and grab the next instead.

For carrying two I've tried a variety of methods. A shoulder rig is OK as far as balance but gets bulky fast. I found it too bulky with two Security sixes for example.

One approach you might try is a standard belt CCW and then a small piece in deep concealment like thunderware, an inside pocket or Null rig.

But if you're set on two full size revolvers, then you may be looking at a heavy weight duty belt and open carry, maybe with suspenders to help take some of the load.
 
I was considering a shoulder holster, I would prefer a vertical shoulder holster but couldn't find one for the sp101 that fit the bill.

The idea was to use this as a new York reload, I had also considered crossdraw, but I have concern that it could still be visible through an open coat.
 
I carry cross draw almost exclusively. And if you shift it more to the back of your hip it will remain pretty well concealed. But it also depends on how large the firearm is. I usually carry a round butt snub K frame, and I turn it slightly, so the butt of the grip is facing to the front. This helps it to lay against me, rather than creating a big noticeable lump in my shirt or coat. And drawing from this angle is very natural and comfortable for me, but that's me.

GS
 
1858 said:
I know this may sound like lunacy to some but I'm curious as to the feasibility of carrying a 4" gp100 strongside and then carrying a 3" sp101 at the same time.

I'm carrying an LCR at 4 o'clock in a Galco OWB holster and have a Cozy Partner ankle holster which works great with the LCR too. The problem is that I only have one LCR at present but once I get another I'll be carrying both. The LCR isn't a "big" gun and that's why I wouldn't have a problem carrying two. I can't imagine carrying a GP100 and an SP101 at the same time ... and I have both of those revolvers.
 
Those aren't big guns. A little heavy maybe. I'd prefer to carry the GP in a shoulder holster and the tiny 101 at 4 on the strong side. But there are lots of options.
 
Carry a snubby in in the appendix position IWB. Carry the larger gun strong side. I have settled on using Safariland #371 speed loader holders and Comp X holders (where X is the version that fits your gun). You could put one between the butt of the gun in front and the holster of the strong side gun. This way you get one full reload. This configuration gets you the very fast appendix carry draw, as well as a strong side draw.

Alternatively, carry the second gun on the weak side (either the strong side or appendix) and two ammo holders on the strong side. This will negate the speed advantage of the appendix carry gun.

Another option is to simply carry a Ruger LCR or S&W J-Frame in a pocket. The problem here is the speed loader won't work if your primary gun holds six or more shots. You'll need to keep at least a speed strip in a pocket. I always have at least one full reload for each gun.

Nobody's mentioned hiring a gun bearer to walk behind you with extra guns and ammo....and water and snacks if the going gets really tough.

Sigh. People carry backup guns all the time.
 
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Just a note to point out that the appendix carry position does seem fast to a lot of shooters. Take the time, with a timer, to prove to yourself whether it actually IS fast before you go to the trouble of carrying up front.

Many accomplished shooters have been unable to measure actual speed benefits from that style of carry, but everyone's different and you may be special in that regard.

But don't guess. Prove it.
 
I actually have an appendix rig for my lcr, and a shoulder holster for my lcr for when I'm carrying my gp100. I was just wondering what would be a good way to carry the sp101 in place of the lcr when I could get away with it, but it would seem as though getting another lcr would be another potential solution.
 
I know this may sound like lunacy to some but I'm curious as to the feasibility of carrying a 4" gp100 strongside and then carrying a 3" sp101 at the same time.

Now trouble is, I ask myself "where would I carry the sp101?" and I draw a blank.

Any ideas?
Yes you can pack two at once.

What is more, if you lose 20 lb in weight (fat gut weight) then you can pack REAL big'uns.

That GP and SP can be done several ways but a strong side holster for the GP and weak side one for the SP is the most logical.

Deaf
 
Just a note to point out that the appendix carry position does seem fast to a lot of shooters. Take the time, with a timer, to prove to yourself whether it actually IS fast before you go to the trouble of carrying up front.

Many accomplished shooters have been unable to measure actual speed benefits from that style of carry, but everyone's different and you may be special in that regard.

But don't guess. Prove it.

That makes sense. Timers do not lie if the shooter puts in 100%. The main point is to have another place to carry the second gun that is comfortable along with at least one full reload for each gun. I like to set up things so one gun is available on each side. I find pocket carry works well for the secondary gun. However, he is using a GP100 and SP101 combo, so he only has four viable locations to carry the SP101. He could pocket carry the SP101 if his pants will allow it, but most people do not wear pants like that. I do not consider the small of the back to be a good location for it, but it could be carried there. It is likely a bit big for ankle carry. I have never been able to effectively conceal a gun in the crossdraw position unless it was very small. This may be a good option to try.

Appendix carry works well for me if my hands are at my sides or in "The Fence" position. I like to think about what I am doing and try to draw the gun closest to my current hand position. Concealing garments slow things down, but I found that clearing the garment with one hand and following it immediately and simultaneously with the drawing hand makes for a faster draw. One does have to use two hands for that and the situation may dictate that one hand be used for something else such a holding a child or warding off a knife.

Mixing guns with different capacities may not be the best choice from a reloading standpoint. I would not carry one five and one six shot speedloader on my belt. It would be too easy under stress to grab the wrong one for the gun in hand. I would carry the five shot loader or speed strip in a pocket. Also consider how you reload. Which hand do you load with? I transfer the gun to my right hand and load with my left. I keep all ammunition on the left side. Place your ammo accordingly around the holsters.

Didn't Jelly Bryce carry two S&W Model 27 revolvers? I am curious how he, and other old timers, carried spare ammunition.
 
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