Do you carry a Backup Gun? If so, where?

[Trumpetman]

I carry a backup gun most of the time, but sort of in reverse. For example, in shorts and T-shirt weather I'll carry a 7+1 round Kel-tec PF-9 in a home-made pocket holster because it's easy to conceal. But I will also carry a full-sized, 17+1 round 9MM S&W in a paddle holster along with the PF-9 until I have to go inside someplace where it might show. Then I leave the big gun in the glove box, and I still have protection.
I do the same thing with my revolvers. Quite often I carry a 5-shot Rossi .38 Spcl. in my right front pocket, and, at the same time, a 5-shot Ruger SP-101 with magnum loads in a Gun-Mate belt slide holster. The Rossi is slightly lighter, a bit thinner, and has panel grips with a Tyler-T grip adapter, so it's easier to conceal than the SP-101.
It's not that the Kel-tec or the Rossi would be inadequate. I've fired hundreds of rounds through each with no failures of any kind, and they are both accurate at 10 yards. But I still "feel" more secure carrying a better man-stopper whenever possible.

 

[H-D Rider]

Inside the pants holsters. Always semi autos, 380 and up

 

[msb45]

2nd 1911 on the belt IWB and/or 642 on the ankle

 

[David E]

If you guys could also reveal how/where/what your primary is, that'd be great.

It'll help in the upcoming experiment.

 

[herohog]

Kel-Tec P-11 in my Man-Bag (it's a European shoulder bag... it was a gift)

No, it wasn't a gift, I bought it for myself. I am usually in a wheelchair and it is MUCH easier to use a bag than to reach my hip or a pocket! Besides. I can pull it off. I am plenty secure in my manhood!

You can just see my P3AT BUG clipped in my pocket.

 

[LeontheProfessional]

Carry a reliable primary and as a civilian CCP holder I don't think I would ever need a back up gun. much less two. Glock 27 will do just fine. I carry extra mags in the car but that is it. I do understand having a back up as a cop but not an average citizen. I know plenty of cops that don't even carry backups.

 

[LeontheProfessional]

I carry 2 Glock 22 pistols in an Alessi shoulder holster. Then on my right hip is my primary Glock 23 with another one on my left hip. It is so that if I cannot draw my right hand strongside Glock 23 I can draw it from there. Then on each of my ankles resides a Glock 27.

Do you wear a trench coat with this setup?

 

[Girodin]

A gun like a LCP is so small and light it certainly doesn't put one out much or take much effort to carry a BUG.

as a civilian CCP holder I don't think I would ever need a back up gun

I highly doubt I'll ever need a primary but I still carry one. I view a BUG as one step further, even less likely to need it but it probably cannot hurt.

I know plenty of cops that don't even carry backups.

I bet they have radios, backup, a vest, and a patrol rifle or shotgun. Maybe a bug is arguably less needed by LEO.

There are many valid arguments for carrying a bug.

 

[JEB]

Kel-Tec P-11 in my Man-Bag (it's a European shoulder bag... it was a gift)

thank you!!! that just made my night!!!!!

 

[Girodin]

Carrying five glocks seems a bit excessive to me. I'm not sure if that was a joke or not. I am also aware of a case where the prosecutor used the presence of multiple guns to show the violent disposition of a heavily armed man looking for a confrontation. I don't imagine a BUG being an issue in a clean shoot. Carrying five glock on all parts of your body, besides being inconvenient, starts looking a little nutty and might cast suspicion on what really happened should you every need one of them.

 

[LeontheProfessional]

If my primary jams I will just clear it which is why I practice clearing jams. I could clear the jam in less time than I could get my back up gun.

 

[Autolycus]

Why is carrying 6 guns considered nutty? Some people say even carrying 1 is nutty. I think that people should be able to carry as many as makes them comfortable. As far as needing a trench coat, nope. My usual coat or a nice Hawaiian shirt works.

 

[LeontheProfessional]

Well just have fun explaining that one to the judge.

 

[Girodin]

Why is carrying 6 guns considered nutty? Some people say even carrying 1 is nutty.

I didn't say it was nutty I said it seems excessive and starts to look a little nutty. Meaning a reasonable person is going to view it as being a little nutty. If you pulled a random sample of 1K people what do you think their opinions on it would be. Even among gun owners or CCW holders it would probably be predominately viewed that way. As you noted some people think one gun is nutty. If you cannot understand why it would seem a little nutty to the average reasonable person then me explaining it probably won't help.

I also think people should be allowed to carry as many as they like. I think there is more downside to it than upside it most any normal situation but I'm not telling anyone what they can or can't do.

 

[SharpsDressedMan]

Isn't silly how we all feel obliged to tell everyone else how to do what they do? Real freedom is having the ability to choose for one's self. Got six guns on ya? big deal. If the self defense situation deemed that you shoot the bad guy, you're probably only going to get to use one or two, unless it's a gang bang. I know a two cops that got taken hostage, and I'll bet they had wished they had a second, or third, gun. And when you get to court, we have the "mind police", who are going to second guess you; the facts of the case be damned. Ain't life wonderful! If we are going to live free, let's try to extend that freedom to others. Golden rule type of thing.

 

[possum]

i do not currently, however after one of the last training courses took, i had a new found appreciation for a bug, and when i do get back to the states and carry again i will be carrying a bug. i am looking at a s&w model 442, either in the weak hand pocket or in an ankle holster.

 

[MCgunner]

Well, I'm not gay, so I don't have a "man bag". I carry in a pocket. If I have a belt gun, I'll have a .38 or .380 or 9 in a pocket. My NAA mini always rides in the off side pocket, admittedly with change which most consider a no-no. But, I'd rather do that than leave it at home. It has the "holster grip" on it. It is back up when I'm pocket carrying. It is 3rd gun when I've got a belt gun.

I really like having the NY reload when I'm carrying my .357 revolver, too. I'll carry that on the belt, my .38 Ultralite in my pocket, and two speed strips full of .38+P that will work in either gun. I have confidence this will handle any situation I might ever be stuck in, or at least as well as my autos carried alone. I do have a high cap 9, but I kinda like .357 Magnum caliber.to any auto caliber short of 10mm.

 

[hexidismal]

I don't normally carry a backup gun, but it happens on occasion. When I do, it can be in a number of positions/holster types. It tends to depend on what clothes I'm wearing really. My standard daily carry is strong side (right hand) OWB , so a backup will be a smaller gun in a shoulder holster, ankle holster, or perhaps most commonly in a small of the back holster made for left hand draw.

 

[Girodin]

And when you get to court, we have the "mind police", who are going to second guess you; the facts of the case be damned.

I'm much more concerned with not getting to court in the first place, i.e. having it ruled a good shoot. That is where reasonable perceptions by the cops, the DA and your credibility play important roles.

There might arguably be more suspicion and doubt cast on someone armed to the teeth. It might come across as you were looking for trouble.

I'll repeat I think people can do what ever they want so long as it is inside the bounds of the law. I'm not telling them not to. Thinking that something is not prudent and not necessary is not the same as telling people what they should do.

 

[David E]

Please, let's not get sidetracked.

Especially since I believe he was pulling a fast one about carrying that many guns.

 

[deputy tom]

Back in the old days I had a Beretta 950BS in a second cuff case on my belt and a Spyderco in my off side front pocket as a gun retention device.Now days no BUG,just as another poster above said a Spyderco or Cold Steel knife in the off side front pocket.YMMV.tom.

 

[smince]

I know plenty of cops that don't even carry backups.

I know plenty of cops who don't even carry off-duty

 

[Girodin]

Mr. Ayoob's thoughts on the matter.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZ29lGSPPV8

 

[Rexster]

I am certainly not gay, but do regularly use a Safepacker, from Thewilderness.com, for the second gun. Let's keep personal attacks OUT of here; I seem to remember that being a rule around here.

FWIW, here in the big city, a man wearing/carrying a small bag is seen as more "European" than gay.

 

[orionengnr]

No.