Do You Carry a Backup or Just a Primary?

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TimM

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I have been reading a lot lately about carrying a backup as opposed to just carrying a primary weapon. I am just wondering, what is everyones general feeling on carrying a second or third gun?

How many of you carry a backup?

Do you carry more than one backup?

If your primary is an auto, do you carry a wheel gun for backup?

If you carry a backup what is it?

If you do not carry a backup have you ever considered it? Why or why not?

If, God forbid, you should ever have to use your backup do you fear the courts making you out to be a gun toting zealot? But then again, if have to use your backup I assume that you might not otherwise be around for the courts to judge anyway.


Thanks
 
I am retired LE. When I worked I always carried a back up. In the last years it was a P3AT. I had previously carried a 22mag, a 25acp, and most of time, a 38 snubbie. Now, I get along quite well without one as a civilian, as I don't have to persue trouble. I admit to being a bit lazy these days, and even frequently carry the P3AT as my solo. If I am going out where I might meet old friends, I'll carry a bigger gun, but never more than one these days.
str1
 
Unless we are talking about an EOTWAWKI situation, I only carry a primary weapon for this reason. Of all the self defense situations I have read about or heard on the news, the person only ever needed his primary gun and never had to reload in a gun battle. I personally don't go walking in seedy areas of town, I pretty much keep to myself and family. I figure if I am going to have a situation where I will have to defend myself and family outside the home, it will occur with one or two thugs trying to rob us going to or from our car. My carry is a 15+1 an if I need more than that, I need to practice more or call the army.

I support those that feel they need to carry more, their lifestyle is different than mine. These are my reasons, solely.
 
Whichever Way You Want toView It...

...I carry two primaries or I carry two backups.

There are numerous reasons to carry at least two handguns. I normally focus on the first three:

1. Since I cannot legally expose or draw a concealed firearm, absent the same justification to use it, there is a good likelihood that I will not be justified to draw until an assailant has insinuated himself into bad-breath range. At that point, I may already have one hand occupied defelecting or controlling his attack. Wearing a gun behind each hip allows me to draw and fire with either hand, as circumstances dictate.

2. If the threat is still active after the first five rounds, the second gun will likely be my first reload.

3. If I am with a companion who knows how to shoot but may not be carrying and there should be enough warning, the second gun allows me to arm the companion.

My own choice, which works for me 365 days a year, down in the heat of a Phoenix summer or up here in winter at 6,500 feet above sea level, is a pair of S&W Centennials in IWB holsters. This chioce is based, in part, on my assessement that this revolver is the ideal backup gun, in that it can fire and continue to fire under the widest variety of adverse circumstances. As a private citizen, I regard both of my handguns as backups or, to paraphrase Clint Smith, the tools to fight my way to my nearest long gun.

So... take your pick - I either carry two primaries or two backups.
 
Primary but,

...

Depending on gun, one res mag for 10, or 9, rounders and 2 res mags for 7 rounders, if on the road or out and about within the concrete jungle.

They all hang (concealed) in the same place.

None if out in the yard or visiting neighbors.


Ls
 
On Duty I used to until they changed the policy on 11/1/2007. I know can only carry the duty pistol. I always carry at least one spare magazine and a flashlight along with a knife.
 
Primary and a reload for me, most of the time. Commitment to 1 is hard enough on top of multi tool, flashlight(s), pocket knife, wallet, keys, glasses....
 
I have carried my KelTec P32 or S&W 642 in a weak side pocket as a BUG to my Colt CCO IWB. I've only done it a few times and mainly just to try it out and see how it works. It's very bulky, even with the P32 and I think I'd rather have an extra mag or two of 45ACP instead.

However, I must also admit to being a bit lazy. Most of the time my CCW has been just the 642 in my strong side pocket with one or two speed strips dropped a different pocket.

As a matter of fact, right now I have my new SP101 in my right pocket with a speed strip in my left.
 
Primary only. And only with one charge of ammo. I don't remember the statistics on the exact # of rounds expended in a gun-use situtation, but it's below 5. It's a practical matter. I try to have enough gun without getting carried away.:D
 
I personally don't go walking in seedy areas of town, I pretty much keep to myself and family. I figure if I am going to have a situation where I will have to defend myself and family outside the home, it will occur with one or two thugs trying to rob us going to or from our car. My carry is a 15+1 an if I need more than that, I need to practice more or call the army.
Click to expand...

+1...However, I include Wally World's parking lots in the evening as "seedy".:D
 
My Taurus 85 Ultra Lite is my always gun. During the work day I can only ankle carry, and it had become 2nd nature to have that ankle gun on, so when I am off work and carry my "primary", my ankle gun is also there. Not so much because I feel the need for a backup, but it is nice to have for those occasions when there is a need to remove your primary and be more discrete.

V
 
One backup - sort of

4 1/2" Benchmade fixed blade w/locking holster.

3 3/4" Benchmade, Pardue drop-point folder.

G27 w/11 round mag, one in chamber
 
I'm with Mavracer. My Kel-tec P3-AT with an extra mag in a Desantis Nemesis holster goes with me everywhere but work. Occasionally, more now that winter is coming and I usually have a light jacket on, I carry my Ruger SP101 2 1/4" 357 in a Galco Fletch strong side belt holster. On those occasions the P3 goes in the weakside front pocket as backup and in place of a reload for the SP101.
 
Do you carry more than one backup?
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No.

If your primary is an auto, do you carry a wheel gun for backup?
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The reverse is true. Primary's a .357 4" K-frame. BUG's a little Beretta.

If you carry a backup what is it?
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Beretta 21A, .22LR.

If, God forbid, you should ever have to use your backup do you fear the courts making you out to be a gun toting zealot?
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Yup - but I don't put much stock in it. If the action taken is a reasonable one, I think I'd pull through just fine.
 
If, God forbid, you should ever have to use your backup do you fear the courts making you out to be a gun toting zealot? But then again, if have to use your backup I assume that you might not otherwise be around for the courts to judge anyway.
Click to expand...
Your defense attorney could ask any LEO on the stand if they carry a backup gun and they would very, very likely say yes (Unless they are forbidden by policy like nhhillbilly by administrators who care more about politics than officer's lives).
 
+1...However, I include Wally World's parking lots in the evening as "seedy".
Click to expand...

+1 for you! The wally world we go to mostly is right on the edge of a very seedy area. I don't go there after dark.
 
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