If you carry both a revolver and semi-auto (at the same time)...

[Snubster]

I've been primarily a revolver person since I started shooting, but the allure of the semi-autos have also always called me to them.

I recently got a new Glock 26 (9mm, sub-compact) and got to try it out at the range for the first time yesterday. I had a malfunction on the 3rd round on the first mag (stovepiped round sticking straight up). A tap/rack did not immediately clear it for me. I had to drop the mag and work the slide. That was the only problematic round in 210 that I fired yesterday.

Now, I have other semi-autos that have been 100% since I got them. But, I also have a few that malfunction once in a rare while. Since the proper functioning of a semi-auto is so dependent on ammo, I just can't mentally get past the idea that a semi-auto may malfunction when I need it most.

So, obviously, I should be practicing drills to clear malfunctions for my semi-autos, but always, in the back of my head, I just don't know if I'll have the time in a real encounter.

Not to say I haven't had malfunctions with revolvers. I've had more than a few ejector rods unscrew on me while shooting my older S&Ws. But my revolver malfunctions are far and few between.

I envision most defense scenarios would involve pretty close distances and therefore speed to action is pretty important. If I have a malfunction on a semi-auto, will I really have time to clear the gun? (I know there's no universal answer to this.)

So, I'm thinking maybe it wouldn't be bad to carry both a revolver and a semi-auto at the same time, and maybe even making the revolver (which in my case is currently a Ruger SP101) the primary. Then, my G26 can be (essentially) my BUG, or gun I can go to if the particular defense scenario involves greater distances or time isn't quite as essential as something within really close quarters (or I run out of rounds in the snubbie, NY reload).

Just curious what other people's thoughts are (or if any of my thinking is illogical)...

Edited to add: Part of the problem is that I was surprised how well I shot the G26 yesterday. I'm usually not too bad with a snubbie, but I was able to shoot the Glock much more accurately at longer distances and the recoil was very minimal.

 

[Blacksmoke]

You might want to check your state laws to see if you are "allowed" to carry two concealed weapons. It is a no-no for New Mexicans, even LEOs (go figure).

Other than that, the more the better; shoulder rig, hip holster, ankle holster.

 

[crebralfix]

You may want to take the attitude of the "New York reload" when it comes to revolvers. Keep the revolver as the primary, but don't bother reloading when it runs dry. Switch to the Glock instead.

I do recommend carrying spare ammo for both guns. You may want to hand one off to someone to help you out.

 

[RandomMan]

Malfunction drills are an important part of carrying any gun (including a revolver). So, you SHOULD practice them and do it OFTEN so that it becomes second nature. You would initially think that "speed was of the essence" in a fight, but I really have to quote Clint Smith of Thunder Ranch on this one, "I've never met anyone that saw a stop watch in a fight." You want to be smooth and practice clearing those malfunctions, smooth in your reloads, and smooth in your shooting. Make shots count, that way if you get two rounds off in the fight, before you have a malfunction, you made two rounds count.

Now, if you cannot get over the idea of an auto malfunctioning, maybe you should carry a revolver. I personally carry a revolver most of the time, because I feel comfortable with one, but I carry an auto from time to time and feel fine with that also. It really comes down to practice and training. I will say this, as a revolver shooter and carrier, note this; IF your revolver malfunctions during a fight it is most likely going to be a truly MAJOR malfunction that will prevent the gun from working at all, period. So having a backup gun is probably not a bad idea anyway.

Either way, I don't feel you won't be served well with a quality firearm, with quality ammunition. But practice those malfunction drills and carry a backup gun...and maybe another backup gun for that one too.

 

[Snubster]

I definitely believe in the NY reload idea.

I guess my long-winded post was more about if you had both guns at your disposal to use when you feel like you are in imminent danger, would you reach for the revolver first (and then transition to the semi-auto)? Or, would it not matter because you feel the semi-auto is just as reliable or you feel you would have time to clear a malfunction or switch to another gun in a defensive scenario.

On a practical note, I guess I'm trying to figure out which of the 2 above I would put in a primary position (which for me would be right side hip), and which I would put somewhere else.

 

[crebralfix]

On a practical note, I guess I'm trying to figure out which of the 2 above I would put in a primary position (which for me would be right side hip), and which I would put somewhere else.

Carry one in the appendix position and one strong side. Appendix carry gets you the fastest draw, with strong side coming in second. Third would be crossdraw.

J-Frames and G26's work nicely in the appendix position. I carry both in the appendix position at the same time. It's comfortable due to the short barrels.

 

[DMK]

Carry one in the appendix position and one strong side. Appendix carry gets you the fastest draw, with strong side coming in second. Third would be crossdraw.

You mean in front of the hip bone and behind the hip bone on the strong side (2 o'clock and 4 o'clock)? With cross draw on the weak side at third choice?

Appendix carry gets you the fastest draw

I don't think that's an absolute. I've tried carrying my SP101 in front of my hip, strong side and then behind the hip strong side (2 o'clock and 4 o'clock). I find that I can get it out faster behind the hip. But that might be due to my body design. I have long slender arms and a high waist.

In front of the hip is definitely more comfortable when sitting though.

 

[DMK]

On a practical note, I guess I'm trying to figure out which of the 2 above I would put in a primary position (which for me would be right side hip), and which I would put somewhere else.

I carry a 1911, so I put the auto on the hip because it's thinner. The J-frame goes in the left pocket where I can get to it with the weak hand. Sometimes I'll just carry two revolvers with my SP101 strong side on the hip or in the pocket, J-frame in the same place as above.

I'm waiting on a crossdraw holster from Haugen though, so we'll see how that works out.

 

[Haywood]

Maybe I read to much by Evan Marshall but, if at all possible I carry Two revolvers at all times. One main side one week side. If one breaks or I get injured or one arm is occupied the other takes over. If you carry Semi Autos I would still back it up with a small J- frame or ???

 

[jad0110]

would you reach for the revolver first (and then transition to the semi-auto)? Or, would it not matter because you feel the semi-auto is just as reliable or you feel you would have time to clear a malfunction or switch to another gun in a defensive scenario.

If you shot your revolver better than the Glock, it would be a no-brainer: carry the revolver as primary and the Glock as BUG.

Doesn't sound like either are 100% ideal at the moment. You shoot the Glock better, but your particular example is not reliable enough to trust. I guess that might answer your question. If anything trumps shot placement, it is reliability.

If I were in your shoes, I'd primary carry the wheelgun. Might want to contact Glock and see about a warranty fix.

 

[Rexster]

There is no reason to think of one as "primary" and one as "backup," regardless of action type or chambering. If anything should be seen as primary, it is the one in your hand at the moment, or nearest to being so. I don't like relying on any weapon which has functioning issues.

 

[Kor]

As it happens, I CCW a Glock 26 @ 3:00 RH IWB, and a S&W 642 in my LH front pocket. I carry the 642 in the pocket, because the G26 doesn't fit some of my pants' pockets, and hangs up in some other pants' pockets; my snubbie fits in and draws from all pockets perfectly. I'm also habituated to drawing a Glock from my 3:00 after 13-1/2 years of CCW, and 7 years of once-monthly IDPA competition.

I don't see the two as being "primary" and "backup" guns per se, but simply as "Gun A" and "Gun B." Which one gets drawn will depend upon the situation at hand - if I'm drawing reactively because an assailant initiated an attack with little to no prior warning, I'm fastest drawing the Glock from an empty-handed start due to my prior practice and competitive experience; if I've got sufficient prior warning to proactively prepare for the attack, I can discreetly grip the snubby in my pocket and, if needed, draw the 642 instantly without having to clear clothing, acquire the firing grip, etc...

 

[Elm Creek Smith]

You might want to check your state laws to see if you are "allowed" to carry two concealed weapons. It is a no-no for New Mexicans, even LEOs (go figure).

WHAT?

ECS

 

[bruss01]

When it comes to which do you go for first, I think the key is what you shoot best and quickest with.

I like my revolvers and I think I shoot them well. However, I have shot my semi for thousands of rounds under pressure. Not so for my revolvers. Because of this I believe in a real live "situation" I would shoot the semi better. My semi is faster and has a much lighter trigger pull than my DA revolver - face it, if you are having to empty the cylinder, you are not going to be cocking before each shot. Correction - I'M not going to be doing that because I haven't trained that way under pressure. The semi does this automatically for me so it requires no thought and no separate action. Yes, there are "special" revovlers and expert shooters that can shoot that particular revolver faster and more accurately than I can fire my semi. But I'll never attain that degree of proficiency with that technology. Usually a fight only lasts a round or two, but I would want 10 rounds at my disposal instead of 5 if I have the choice, just in case.

I do trust my revolvers though. I would cary one as a backup piece. I think they are a little more forgiving of the "Murphy" factor.