On The Topic of Back Up Guns

[Mr. Mosin]

One of those deep, thought provoking questions. For those of you who carry a BUG (Back Up Gun) in addition to your primary carry; is it the same caliber as your primary carry ? Larger, more effective caliber ? Or smaller caliber ? It's always baffled me (still does) about people carrying BUG's. If I'm gonna carry a BUG to supplement or replace my primary carry in case of unrepairable mechanical issue, lack of ammunition, being forcibly deprived of said main carry, or (continue ad nauseum), I'd want it in at least the same (hopefully ballistically effective) caliber as my primary, if not in an equally effective or *more effective* caliber.

Good Example- primary carry being a... S&W Shield in 9x19mm. BUG being a S&W 640 Pro in .357 Magnum.

Acceptable Example- primary (S&W Shield, 9mm), BUG (Ruger LCR in 9mm)

Bad Example- S&W Shield (9mm), BUG- Beretta 21a Bobcat in .22LR

I can understand the simplicity of slipping a Ruger LCP into a pocket, don't get me wrong... but (perfect world scenario here, you successfully put your entire magazine into a series of textbook CoM shots) if your Shield in 9mm failed to stop that 6'6" 350lb druggie with body armor and a car door for a shield, I fail to see how that little LCP in .380 is gonna do any better.


Disclaimer- nothing wrong with any of the above handguns. Platform was mainly used for ease of familiarity (and Google-ability) and said platform being chambered in a caliber suitable for demonstration.

*Checks to insure proper seal on fire, flame, roasting spit, and grill proof suit*

*Let the flaming commence*

*For the purpose of this post, a Back Up Gun (BUG) is any handgun carried in addition to an individual's primary carry piece (whether open or concealed) for the purpose of "continuing the fight" if the primary carry piece should fail, run dry, or be forcibly taken. *

 

[earlthegoat2]

Primary: Smith Model 38 Bodyguard JFrame 38 Spl.

If I carry a BUG and I do sometimes it is my Smith Model 60 38 spl J frame with bobbed hammer and DAO.

This works great because they are both very concealable, take the same speed loaders and ammo, and have the same manual of arms. The Model 60 is heavier too so it can be used as a club more effectively if it comes to that. Everyone should read up on the old school police training of using your handgun as an impact weapon.

My primary purpose for the BUG is as a NY reload but it fits all other purposes of a BUG as well.

 

[Mr. Mosin]

Primary: Smith Model 38 Bodyguard JFrame 38 Spl.

If I carry a BUG and I do sometimes it is my Smith Model 60 38 spl J frame with bobbed hammer and DAO.

This works great because they are both very concealable, take the same speed loaders and ammo, and have the same manual of arms. The Model 60 is heavier too so it can be used as a club more effectively if it comes to that. Everyone should read up on the old school police training of using your handgun as an impact weapon.

My primary purpose for the BUG is as a NY reload but it fits all other purposes of a BUG as well.

Aye.

 

[1942bull]

Primary: Walther PPS M2 with Underwood Extreme Defender, carried OWB or IWB.
Secondary: Ruger LCP II with Underwood Extreme Defender, pocket carried.

The 380 ACP Extreme Penetrator out of the 2.75 inch barrel closely matches the performance of the 9mm Extreme Defender out of the 3.2 inch barrel under short range (50 feet) testing. That similarity would decrease as distance for target increases.

 

[FL-NC]

I have a slightly different approach. I carry (on my body) a Shield 9. This is for every day CCW; here "summer wear" is pretty much "year round wear". However, a Glock 19 with holster and 2 spare mags in a pouch is present in my vehicle for unforseen needs.

 

[AK103K]

Both of mine are a 9mm. Glock 17 and a 26.

The 26 can use the 17's mags and thats what I carry for the reloads with any of the "smaller" guns.

A simple mag change can make the 26 basically a "short barreled", full size gun. They also have a full set of realistic sights (same sights as the 17) on them and shoot very much like a full sized gun.

 

[Coyote3855]

I understand the reasoning for the BUG to be caliber compatible with the primary. My usual primary is a Colt LW Commander in .38 Super. No BUGs in .38 Super. So my backup is a Kahr .380.

 

[Kleanbore]

I can understand the simplicity of slipping a Ruger LCP into a pocket, don't get me wrong... but (perfect world scenario here, you successfully put your entire magazine into a series of textbook CoM shots) if your Shield in 9mm failed to stop that 6'6" 350lb druggie with body armor and a car door for a shield, I fail to see how that little LCP in .380 is gonna do any better.

Most of the County police officers whom I know who carry BUGs do carry LCPs or something similar

They carry them in the event that their "primary carry piece should fail, run dry, or be forcibly taken" and because their primary may not stop someone large and tough.

I think something with better terminal ballistics would be more effective, but consider the weigh of all of the stuff they have to carry all day.

 

[Mr. Mosin]

Most of the County police officers whom I know who carry BUGs do carry LCPs or something similar

They carry them in the event that their "primary carry piece should fail, run dry, or be forcibly taken" and because their primary may not stop someone large and tough.

I think something with better terminal ballistics would be more effective, but consider the weigh of all of the stuff they have to carry all day.

I do agree that "any BUG is better than none"... but I'd hate to have the hope that after two mags from a 9mm/.40/.45 service sidearm, with a decent number of rounds on target; that an LCP would "finish the job". If your primary piece is taken or fails ? Certainly. But as a failsafe against ~60 rounds of 9mm not doing the job ? Not hardly. And yes. I know actual "rounds on target vs rounds fired) is especially low. Especially for today's trigger happy "spray and pray" cops.

 

[LUCKYDAWG13]

My primary is a Sig p938 my
GTFOM is a S&W 637 that has the hammer Bobbed in the summer time in cooler weather same 637 is my primary because its in my coat pocket

 

[Deleon517]

It depends on the day how armed I will be. Normal weekday is usually home and work, unless the wife wants me to grab food on the way home. Which I carry a g2c on body with an extra mag in my backpack. On the weekends if im out and about I usually add a glock 19 to the backpack or center console of the car. Just depends how on foot I will be and if the wife is with me than there is usally a g2 with her.

 

[Kleanbore]

But as a failsafe against ~60 rounds of 9mm not doing the job ? Not hardly.

Unless the failure was due to inadequate penetration,, the .380 will be no less effective.

Especially for today's trigger happy "spray and pray" cops.

Rumor and bad info.

Police officers are trained to defe themselves exactly in thee same way as I am: shoot as rapidly as possible with combat accuracy until the threat goes down.

Of course I haven't tried that under real stress against a charging person trying to kill me.

 

[earlthegoat2]

I understand the reasoning for the BUG to be caliber compatible with the primary. My usual primary is a Colt LW Commander in .38 Super. No BUGs in .38 Super. So my backup is a Kahr .380.

You could try your luck with the AMT Backup in 38 Super.

 

[bannockburn]

While my primary is typically a 9mm., like my Ruger SR9c, CZ P01, or P07, my first back-up would be my Kahr CM9, S&W Model 649, or Model 638. Beyond that would be my KelTec P3AT as my last line of defense, along with whatever folding knife I would be carrying.

 

[WrongHanded]

I've got two options.

One is a G42, which is in .380 ACP. Pretty small and light, but I can still shoot it okay. Carried non-dominant side.

The other is also carried non-dominant side. But it's a full-size 1911 in .45 ACP. For those times when l feel extra paranoid.

And yes, I practice shooting them with my non-dominant hand.

 

[bdickens]

...today's trigger happy "spray and pray" cops.

I get a real kick out of these comments. Why don't you try it and see how well you do?

 

[Kleanbore]

I get a real kick out of these comments [about "today's trigger happy 'spray and pray' cops"]. Why don't you try it and see how well you do?

Many people who stand still while shooting slowly at stationary targets on the square range and pay attention to the sizes of their groups seem to believe, for some reason, that the kind of accuracy and precision that they achieve should be expected from law enforcement officers in real use of force incidents.

They may be comforted by such folk-lore as "three shots in three seconds....".

Many have absolutely no idea of the much higher rates of fire that LEOs would have to put out--while moving.

Some realistic defensive pistol training, or formal competition, would really be eye-opening.

One could add moving targets and see how they do then.

But the stress of actual combat would still not be in the equation.

 

[CDW4ME]

Its not a "back up" its my 2nd option™
I cant put my hand on the pistol that I'm carrying IWB without revealing I'm carrying.
There are times where being able to discretely put hand on pistol is desirable - ex: if approached by someone "shady" in parking lot.
2nd option is carried in weak hand front pocket, if dominant hand is unavailable it offers me the option to easily access pistol with weak hand.
I have carried both pistols in same caliber ex: Glock 22 or 23 IWB with either a Kahr PM40 or Shield 40 in pocket, but same caliber is not a priority.
What is a priority is the 2nd option being at least 9mm, if its needed (pocket gun) the reason its needed is probably very close.

Today I had (have) a Glock 20SF IWB and a Kahr PM9 in weak hand pocket.
Yes, I live in a "good" area.
proactive > reactive

 

[Kleanbore]

Its not a "back up" its my 2nd option

Good point!

The OP defined a "back-up" gun, but there is certainly another reason for carrying a second firearm.

But being able to access a firearm without hindrance from an uninvited passenger might entail having a firearm for the left hand.

A small revolver in a jacket pocket might be very useful when accessing a firearm from a belt holster would not be practical under other circumstances, too.

 

[Howland937]

I was informed by a "certified" instructor that carrying a backup in Ohio is illegal and the law states that a person may only carry one concealed handgun at a time. Prior to that, and pending verification, my backup is always a P238 in weakside ankle holster or front pocket depending on attire. .380 backing up a .45 may seem pointless but it helps me walk straight.

 

[nofendertom]

Glock Owners---If you carry a G19(primary) and a G26(BUG) + a G19 mag for a reload---If a "situation" came up and you ran the G19 dry would you
reload or just grab the G26?

 

[entropy]

Sometimes I carry my Bodyguard 38 as a BUG, then it is second to my PT145 or PT1911. Sometimes I carry it alone. Usually it's just the PT145 and a spare mag in a pocketed Remora pouch.

 

[GEM]

Here's a survey of carry from Krtraining staff: https://blog.krtraining.com/
The primaries are all 9mm and most of the Bugs except for some J frames.

The preferred (larger) carry gun. Some people had two different “primary” carry guns in their responses.

• Glock 19, 9mm (4 people)
• Glock 48 9mm (4 people)
• S&W M&P 9mm 1.0 4.25″or 2.0 compact (3 people)
• S&W M&P Shield 9mm (2 people)
• CZ P01 9mm
• SIG 320 X Carry 9mm
• STI Staccato P DUO 2011 9mm
• Glock 17, 9mm
• Springfield XD 1.0 4″ 9mm
• Springfield XD mod 2 9mm

CARRY GUNS (SECONDARY)
Smaller guns, carried in non-permissive environments and/or as backup guns with the primary. Some did not list a secondary gun model.

• S&W M&P Shield 9mm (3 people)
• S&W airweight j-frame .38 sp (3 people)
• Glock 43 9mm (2 people)
• Sig P365 9mm (2 people)
• SIG 938 9mm
• Glock 48
• Glock 26

 

[herrwalther]

When I lived closer to a major crime metro area, I carried a BUG. My normal firearm carry was primary weapon + spare magazine and BUG + spare magazine. Primary firearm was normally a double stack 9mm, 40, or 45 and the BUG was a single stack 380, 9mm, or a NAA 22Mag 5 shot revolver. And yes even with the 5 shot revolver, I carried 5 loose extra rounds in a small pouch. The only time I ever used a BUG firearm was during snake season to dispatch things slithering around in the yard.

The philosophy of having a BUG is mechanical failures are rare in a firearm that is well maintained. Therefore, a mechanical failure in 2 firearms is even more rare. It is often not a measure of having enough ammo, but a guard against malfunction or otherwise separation of your primary firearm.

 

[jeff-10]

I don't carry often but I have played around with a lot of different combos. My primary will be a Glock 23/26, depending on what I think prudent and my backup will be a SP 101. I find it so much easier t conceal the SP 101 then a semi-auto. That is assuming I am going for maximum concealment.

If I am thinking load out for something really serious, primary will either be a P226 or a 96A1. Backup will be a Glock 23 or Glock 26.