Method of carrying a backup?

[Oleg Volk]

When my SW581 malfunctioned at the range, I cleared the malfunction by removing the glove from under the trigger. In a real fight, drawing a backup might have been faster...or would it? My backup was an NAA Minimag (or, more often, a Keltec P32) in a pocket holster. Slow to draw under the best conditions, and nearly impossible with gloves on.

Enter another idea for carrying a backup. If the main gun is a Glock 17 IWB on the strong side, how about a G26 crossdraw on the weak side. Might look silly but would allow quick access when in a vehicle or if the main gun is disabled. Can't be drawn with the weak hand but the main gun can.

Any down sides to carrying in that manner?

 

[Marko Kloos]

Most crossdraw rigs are not all that concealable, and like you pointed out, your backup would be difficult to draw with the weak hand.

How about SOB? Out of the way, accessible by either hand, and can be worn slightly offset if you're worried about spinal injury.

 

[Chris Rhines]

Try a weak-hand IWB for the G26. With a little fiddling, you should be able to arrange your holsters so that you can reach either gun with either hand in extremis.

- Chris

 

[El Tejon]

Oleg, any method is a big, ol' (a little Land of Orange lingo) double-edged mech, pluses and minuses all around. Best to work with whatever you choose.

The negatives to "pocket carry", as you have discovered, are that it is unstable, slow, takes away a hand and is dangerous to self and others. The positives are that you can carry with just a tucked in tee shirt and gun rags like it.

Crossdraw has the advantage of being accessed while seated easier and can be drawn without the threat at 6 knowing (perhaps). However, you lose some ability to retain the weapon (concealment aids, but slows access--double-edged sword).

I carry my bug behind the mags for my primary weapon. And, yes, and before a certain someone else in the Land of Orange points this out, this is an old gunskul "skul solution" method from GWR.

I like it as it allows me to draw with both hands [] or, more helpful, draw either weapon with either hand, which aids in a wide variety of things.

HTH,

/s/ El Tejon, tacgolfer

 

[Oleg Volk]

Barsuk,

Would you use a left-hand holster for the BUG?

 

[Charles S]

Oleg Volk,

For serious social business I carry a BUG IWB just behind my primary gun IWB. I find that the gun can be accessed with either hand... As they say; It works for me.

If I am less concerned about the situation I will carry in either front pocket depending upon my dress and which suits me better at the time. Yes, I do practice with the BUG in all of the above carry modes and no, I am not nearly as fast as I am with my primary that is carried the same way every time.

Charles

 

[AK103K]

Oleg,
Why are you shooting with gloves on anyway? As you found out, they are more of a liability. That would be "move #1" in my draw sequence, remove the glove. I wear mittens by the way, they keep your hands a lot warmer and come off a lot quicker. If your worried about a BUG in the car, anyting but a crossdraw or ankle holster wont work, especially if you wear your seatbelt, unless its another holster in the car itself. Even the crossdraw can be hindered by the seat belt, and they are iffy for good concealment with anything but a closed coat or a pull over type garment. The ankle holster puts the pistol in a good spot for driving. The problem with something on your weak side(left for most) in a vehicle is, if the threat is at the window, and you havent already driven off, your most likely going to need that hand for other things. If your primary gun is under your coat (even if its not) and strapped under your seat belt, your not going to get to it, at least not easily or quickly. I think you need that second gun easily accessible to your right hand. It may be a good time to start looking at things that you dont normally wear or things other than you wear on your person that need to be incorporated into your draw sequences, like releasing that seat belt or ditching the gloves.

 

[tlhelmer]

Glock 27 in an ankle holster.

 

[El Tejon]

Mr. Wolf, prav, I carry a P9 in a left handed Milt Sparks VMII, black for added tacticality, of course.

AK, shoot with gloves because some day you may have to.

 

[AK103K]

El Tejon,

I dont wear gloves. With a 1911, most everyday winter type gloves wont even make it in the trigger guard, let alone let you feel the trigger. Then theres the problem Oleg ran into. Besides, if your outside all day, gloves suck at keeping your hands warm, mittens are much better. And since I wear mittens, I know what to do with them. I dont really need to practice getting them off, I do it all day anyway, so its just a natural thing. If you wear something on your hands, I think its best to practice getting them off rather than try to shoot with them. I'd be willing to bet the gun goes off without you wanting it to if you leave them on, especially with a single action. (I'm not talking about speciality gloves and speciality uses here)

 

[El Tejon]

AK, I'm with ya. If one wears mittens all day, do it. However, say one is a latte-sipping yuppie scum type who wears gloves, one should train in said gloves. It all gets back to getting comfortable with your gear however you do it.

 

[AK103K]

However, say one is a latte-sipping yuppie scum type who wears gloves, one should train in said gloves.

How true. I suppose that would include shooting without spilling too.

 

[El Tejon]

AK, et tu? Mocking my office tactility, you sound like Lone Ranger!

 

[10-Ring]

I've really grown to like a BUG in a front jacket pocket. Easy access in most situations.

 

[Crimper-D]

the "Mouse"= IWB weakside

Balanced by the primary in a lined jacket pocket - strongside.
I do a lot of driving in 'marginal' urban streets where certain intersections have a rep for carjackings, strongarm robbery and various other antisocial acts comitted on drivers stopped at stoplights. Both of my carry guns when driving are small caliber - if I _Have_ to shoot from inside a car, I'd like to have enough hearing left to communicate with the authorities after the deedis done.

 

[ajacobs]

I am having a special holster made now for a backup gun by one of are very own board members DDGator. It is a combo keltac p32 holster with a 1911 mag right in front of it. I also grew tired of pocket carry. Mainly becuase I hate having things in my pocket. As mentioned above it is certain not to be all things to all people but I am fairly confident I will be pretty happy with this setup.

 

[davesofi]

Everybody is different and needs to try variations to find what works best for them. I found that for me (if not for everyone) consistency is crucial (have you ever reached for a backup on your ankle, only to discover you moved it to the waistband during a reload?)

I carry openly on duty and concealed off. Therefore, I carry one concealed strong side IWB to copy my on duty carry. I carry one concealed crossdraw, either Shoulder holster or IWB for the 4" S&W .357; while driving, a 2nd Makarov is in the ankle holster, non-dominant side.

I will vary the .357 with either of two Makarovs, but the location will always be the same.

 

[twoblink]

Oleg,

Let me tell you the solution I came up with.

I'm left handed, so the primary gun is carried on my left side, slightly back, between my hip bone and my left kidney. The draw is palm towards my back, not away from my back, so it takes a little bit of flexibility on my part, but I got use to it quickly, and the draw is smooth, and comes out towards the side, without sweeping the muzzle around. In training, I kept a BUG over the right side of the kidney, same thing, grip facing the middle of my back.

So, both draws are the same on the strong and weak side, and if need be, I can draw (Chow Yun Fat style) by gripping my BUG with my strong hand, and swing it out around my back. So it works both ways for me. I found it to be a great solution.

 

[BerettaNut92]

Cell phone & Leatherperson 3:00
Beretta 92 4:30
Beretta mags 9:00
P7M8 7:30

 

[Dr.Rob]

Oleg, first try fingerless gloves, after all you live in Tennesee now not Minnesota. You should be used to the cold.

Packing a nearly full size weapon in a cross draw? You planning on heading to the OK Corral?

This exercise shows a need for better training. If you don't practice getting out that BUG, there isn't much point of carrying it right?

Let's face it if you really really really needed your bug (ie you are getting shot at and you are running for cover with your glove jammed behind the trigger) would you make it to cover and clear the jam? Throw the jammed gun down and grab the bug? Clear the jam throw away the glove? Clear the jam throw away the glove AND draw the bug (George might do that).

Sounds like you need to practice getting to your bug.. gloves or no gloves.