Either I'm getting less paranoid or more naive...

[Skribs]

Recently I decided that I should carry a BUG. Now I'm starting to think I'm better off with simply one gun + a spare magazine. It would be easier to carry and dress around, and I figure by the time I switch to the BUG (especially because it would be in the pocket or something equally difficult to reach quickly), it would be quite a bit later than I could reload from a OWB mag pouch.

I also figure that if I switch to my bug, I'm going to be very hesitant to just drop my primary pistol on the ground (not so much for safety, but there are several reasons not to leave a weapon lying around in the middle of a gunfight), so I would have the additional time of reholstering prior to drawing my backup. With a spare mag, I'm fine just dropping the old one and slapping in a new.

Which means either I'm getting less paranoid, or more naive, depending on how much the person judging me carries

Anyway, now I'm trying to decide between pocket carry and waistband carry. With the gun I have right now that I'll be going with (M&P 9C), I can do either just about as comfortably. If it were a LCP or a duty-size pistol the decision would be much easier.

Anyway, I guess there's two points here: reduction in what I carry, and a decision on whether to carry pocket or in belt...

 

[CoRoMo]

Congrats on deciding what you prefer.

 

[David E]

Recently I decided that I should carry a BUG. Now I'm starting to think I'm better off with simply one gun + a spare magazine.

You can make a case for both ways.

I figure by the time I switch to the BUG (especially because it would be in the pocket or something equally difficult to reach quickly), it would be quite a bit later than I could reload from a OWB mag pouch.

If you're kneeling behind cover, or seated at a restaurant booth, it'll be difficult to access anything in your pocket.

I also figure that if I switch to my bug, I'm going to be very hesitant to just drop my primary pistol on the ground, so I would have the additional time of reholstering prior to drawing my backup.

If you MUST go to your backup DURING a gunfight, you're going to drop the gun. You'd be foolish, and probably dead, if you took the time to holster a deactivated gun (empty, jammed, broken) while being shot at. If your primary is NOT empty, jammed or broken, why would you want to go to the BUG?

now I'm trying to decide between pocket carry and waistband carry.

There are many negatives against pocket carry that don't apply to belt carry, but it is convenient.

 

[9mmepiphany]

I echo what David E has posted and I'll reinforce that when you need to go for a BUG, you need to drop your primary...because it is now useless

 

[MedWheeler]

Re-holstering your primary will also be complicated by the fact that the slide will be open; few holsters are made to accomodate that.

With that said, it's up to you whatever you want to do. I was carrying a BUG (Kel-Tec P32) along with my PF9 as well. I have since stopped that practice for the most part. I know that it's probably a good idea to start doing it again, especially since I do not carry a reload for the PF9 (hard to find magazine holders around here that work.) There are times that I think of even stepping down to the P32 as a primary because it's just so easy. But I then keep thinking of how much I do like having the nine with me, and that it's just a better gun, especially if its use is in defending someine else as well as myself..

 

[2wheels]

I think you're overthinking this, as already noted the wise man drops his primary with zero hesitation if it's empty/jammed and he has quick access to a BUG. Medwheeler also made the excellent point that reholstering will be made more difficult.

The reasons for dropping that gun outweigh any reasons for reholstering it, it's life or death at that point.

As for which is better, BUG vs. spare mag? That's up in the air, depends on the individual. I'm certainly a fan of carrying a BUG, though I admit I don't do it on a regular basis. I think having a second gun gives you more options than a 2nd mag.

For example, I can have my BUG accessible from my weak side if my primary is only easily accessible from my strong side. Or, I can have my BUG accessible from a seated position if it's difficult to get to my primary sitting down.

 

[Skribs]

Wasn't so worried about dropping it while empty, but should it jam, I don't want to risk another assailant picking it up and clearing the jam while I'm engaging the first target. Maybe I am overthinking it, but if I don't carry a BUG, then it's kind of a moot point.

The reasons I'm considering pocket is, as I've mentioned in some other threads, I can have my hand on my gun while walking through a shady part of town without looking suspicious. On the waist...not so much.

 

[Plan2Live]

I doubt the bad guys are practicing clearance drills. Heck, from my observations as RSO at our local public range, even the guys who know what they are doing don't practice clearance drills at the range with live and dummy ammo loaded for realism. Maybe they practice at home but not at the range.

 

[MCgunner]

I pocket my 9mm in my strong pocket and keep a .22 mini revolver in a folding grip in my left for emergencies. Better than spittin' at 'em and it's super easy to carry. Coins go in a coin purse so they won't foul anything in there with the little mini. I also carry a can of pepper spray.

I don't like IWB, can't be armed all day long IWB, not comfy and down here in the heat, not practical either. I MUCH prefer pocket carry and all my pants have large enough pockets to make getting at the gun, even seated, suitably fast.

Everyone's an expert when it comes to concealed carry, it seems, my way or the highway thing. You don't do it MY way, you're gonna die. Whatever, just do what suits you. I do prefer to be armed whenever I have pants on. Can't fight a gun fight without a gun, ya know.

 

[k_dawg]

I choose not to rely upon a firearm which I am not willing to bang, drop or throw. I also dont baby it while clearing jams, etc.

 

[2wheels]

Wasn't so worried about dropping it while empty, but should it jam, I don't want to risk another assailant picking it up and clearing the jam while I'm engaging the first target. Maybe I am overthinking it, but if I don't carry a BUG, then it's kind of a moot point.

I think that's a pretty remote possibility. But even so, still better to dump the primary and go for the BUG rather than fiddle with reholstering the primary.

But you're right, moot point if you don't choose to carry the BUG.

 

[David E]

Wasn't so worried about dropping it while empty, but should it jam, I don't want to risk another assailant picking it up and clearing the jam while I'm engaging the first target.

That's so moot it's silly to ponder at all.

The reasons I'm considering pocket is, I can have my hand on my gun while walking through a shady part of town without looking suspicious. On the waist...not so much.

Note to self: don't walk thru shady parts of town.....

Also, next time at the range, time yourself drawing from the pocket. Time it with your hand starting on the pocket.....and out of the pocket. Compare to your OWB draw.

 

[Skribs]

Note to self: don't walk thru shady parts of town.....

I live in Lakewood, WA; the star of cops. If you haven't lived in a town like this, the "shady parts" are every other block, with "nice neighborhoods" between them. Literally the "ghetto" is right across the street from the million-dollar lakefront houses. "After Dark" is before I get home from my job, and I get off at 4 in the afternoon. So yes, it's very easy to be in the shady part of town.

I also said "on the waistband" not "outside", to refer to both IWB and OWB. I normally carry IWB if it's on my hip.

 

[David E]

Ok, but do you need to WALK thru those areas?

IWB or OWB doesn't matter. The point was to compare your pocket draw times to your waist carry draw times.

 

[scaatylobo]

Depends

Depends = no not the type you wear.

Where do you live,population.

Crime rate.

Chances of ANY confrontation.

Ability to fix broken gun during stressfire [ usually NONE ].

If you just dont feel comfortable with 2 guns

If you just dont feel comfortable losing the ability to shoot back [ total failure of your TOOL ].

like I said = depends.

I could name a few thousand more reasons.

S'up to you,good luck with your choices.

 

[bikerdoc]

For my sedate, boring, lifestyle a primary and a mag fits my needs. YMMV

 

[Double Naught Spy]

Re-holstering your primary will also be complicated by the fact that the slide will be open; few holsters are made to accomodate that.

Except for maybe a muzzle up shoulder holster, I can't think of any normal sorts of belt holsters that won't hold a semi with the slide open. I have been to a lot of gun schools and competitions where a cold range is normal and nobody had problems with slides locked open and carrying in their holsters.

 

[Skribs]

Ok, but do you need to WALK thru those areas?

In order to visit a store or service venue? Yeah, a lot of those are next to shady areas or are shady areas, especially at night. And no, I'm never moving out of this city. I've lived here my whole life and I'm gorram stubborn.

 

[Greg528iT]

I like the idea of a spare mag. But get both.

Besides.. you don't drop or re holster the empty / jambed gun. you THROW it.. haven't you watched the movies?

 

[ZeSpectre]

I also figure that if I switch to my bug, I'm going to be very hesitant to just drop my primary pistol on the ground (not so much for safety, but there are several reasons not to leave a weapon lying around in the middle of a gunfight), so I would have the additional time of reholstering prior to drawing my backup. With a spare mag, I'm fine just dropping the old one and slapping in a new.

You'd be astounded how "disposable" everything becomes when you are at the "sharp end". Survival is all that matters.

 

[scaatylobo]

BTW

If you are ever on the empty gun end of a fight for your life --- I can promise you that you will not have a clue as to what you did with the empty gun,IF your filling your hand with the LOADED gun.

Just as you will not hear the BOOM of the gun,unless its right next to your ear.

Just a few popping sounds.

Amazing how fast your gun can go dry ,even when YOU didnt think you pulled the trigger that many times.

 

[MedWheeler]

I have been to a lot of gun schools and competitions where a cold range is normal and nobody had problems with slides locked open and carrying in their holsters.

I said it would be complicated, not impossible. Besides, a "cold range" reholster is a little bit different than one done in combat. I can see even myself jabbing the gun with the holster's forward edge between the barrel and guide rod..
If it happens to me, I'm letting it fall from my hand, not from my holster.

 

[Skribs]

Either way, as was said a while ago, the point is pretty much moot.

Now I need to weigh the convenience of having it in the pocket, the best concealability of having it IWB, and the comfort and quick access of OWB carry...

 

[allaroundhunter]

With winter months coming I will be carrying OWB. I will have a jacket on already, so concealment is easy. When it is warmer, IWB is what I prefer. It is still easier to access than pocket carry, and it allows me to carry a larger gun.

 

[HDCamel]

I carry a 1911 and 2 spare mags.
Though I have yet to experience a jam I do run clearing drills just in case. I can generally reload or clear a jam faster than I can switch. Especially if drawing from concealment.