Small Primary Weapon with Larger Backup?

[jpruitt]

An article in the latest issue of Combat Handguns got me thinking about backup guns. In it, the writer carries a small "pocket gun" in a pocket holster as a primary weapon and routinely keeps his hand in his pocket so as to be able to draw it quickly without having to reach for it, lift up his shirt, etc. However, a recent encounter with some thugs made him think it might also be good to carry a larger, higher capacity "back-up", something too big for a pocket that might take longer to draw but could be brought into action should the smaller gun not be enough (in his particular situation, I believe it was him with a 5-shot .38 vs 4 thugs).

It sort of makes sense. If you find yourself in trouble all of a sudden, it takes time to reach for a gun you are wearing on your belt, lift up your shirt, draw it, and make sure the shirt tail doesn't get in the way as you do. If you already have your hand on or near a gun in your pocket, it could cut down on the time it takes to bring it to bear. Granted we're talking about seconds, or even fractions thereof, but that could be enough to make a difference.

Is there anything to this or wrong with it? Does anyone carry like this?

 

[zx12rider]

I'm Going to get beat up on this one

But I carry most of the time opposite of most people. I carry my pocket gun all of the time with a 9/40/45 as a backup in my car/truck. I figure most of the time I would need my gun, I will be in the car too and from work. I feel in my field the chances of needing my gun in my cube is slim to none. I do sometimes carry IWB midesized when I need to go somewhere shady (ie late night home depot runs etc).

 

[sherman123]

although i mostly only carry my 340pd in my pocket when i do carry a second gun its my glock 23. ive always thought a pcket gun and a second bulkier gun was a great idea but it just would depend on if my hand was already in my pocket. if it is i know i can draw and fire it at least twice as fast as i can draw and fire my glock however if my hands werent in my pockets already i would find the glock quicker to draw and of course easier to shoot accurately

 

[mavracer]

Is there anything to this or wrong with it? Does anyone carry like this?

I don't think so.I do most of the time.

 

[psyopspec]

Like sherman, I just got a 340 of my own. I'm playing with different loads right now to see if I can find a .357 load that's okay to shoot out of the gun without breaking the hand. Since the gun is so light, I intend to always carry it.

Whether it's the primary or the backup will depend on whether I have another pistol and what my carry configuration is. For example, if the 340 were in an ankle holster, and I was OC'ing an autoloader, the autoloader is obviously the primary. But, if the revolver is in my pocket and I have an auto in a tuckable IWB holster, the 340 is the primary.

 

[Andrew Wyatt]

if the gun isn't on you, it might as well be on the moon. just carry the gun that'll actually work. problem solved.

 

[Rexster]

Why does one have to be "primary" and the other a "backup" gun? If anything, such designations are of a moment in time. The pocketed snubby, with the hand on it, in a firing grip, while walking through a dark parking garage, is very much primary for the moment, regardless of how large and formidable the weapon worn elsewhere. Once seated in the vehicle, and seatbelted, the pocketed snubby is quite inaccessible, and the other weapon is clearly the primary.

Now, at work, "primary" means the pistol in my duty holster, and "backup" means anything else I have with me. (Yes, I do have to qual with all of my primaries and backups/off-duties.) The primary must be a .40 DA auto, purchased with personal funds, that is on a list of approved makes and models. There is no requirement that I go for the primary weapon first.

I regularly carry two handguns when on my own time. Sometimes, they are equal, the same make and model, while other times, they are a snubby and something larger.

 

[psyopspec]

just carry the gun that'll actually work.

Most of the time I do. But, when I can dress to accommodate, I prefer to go with the thinking that one is none, two is one, etc.

 

[polizei36]

I have heard of people doing this. I don't see the problem with it. Imagine your strolling down a crowded street at night, not trying to draw any attention to the fact you are armed, along side everyone else with your hand in your pocket on you gun. Makes sense to me....your always at the ready for that close encounter god forbid it should ever happen. And, if things really get FUBAR'ed you got the full size laying in wait.

 

[Purple95]

jpruitt,

Thanks for articulating so well your thoughts on the primary vs. secondary designations.

This has been my carry philosophy for many years. My two carry guns are a Glock 19 and a Smith 642-1. The G19 usually rides in a Sam Andrews IWB on the right side and the 642-1 in the right front pocket in a Mika holster. (I'm right handed.)

The gun I deploy in any given situation will, hopefully, be based on the situation itself. As I often stand around or walk with my hand resting on the 642-1 in the pocket, it likely will be he first deployed. However with a little advance notice, I will most definitely go for the Glock.

When a tucked in outer garment is absolutely required, the G19 is replaced by another J-frame in the left front pocket.

So........for me, the title of "primary" or "secondary" depends on the situation, not the gun.

Cheers,
dan

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

[...] So........for me, the title of "primary" or "secondary" depends on the situation, not the gun.

I had not thought of it that way.

There could indeed be times when you might want to surreptitiously put a hand on and grasp a weapon in your pocket. Sweeping back or pulling up a cover garment to put your hand on a belt-holstered gun is too obvious sometimes and might be seen as brandishing.

 

[Elvishead]

horse be4fore

 

[Loosedhorse]

There could indeed be times when you might want to surreptitiously put a hand on and grasp a weapon in your pocket.

Agree with above and with OP. Been doing it for years.

Primary is a snubbie with laser in my pocket. I can have a shooting grip on it without it being out of the pocket--makes for a fast draw. The laser may deter the attack (may not), and I'm figuring this would all be useful if something is brewing close-by, as I'm trying to exit the situation.

If I've now emptied the revolver, I have to suspect I'll need (in addition to more rounds) more power and more accuracy (I'll CERTAINLY have tried to move to cover, as will any lick-of-sense attacker), so I've picked a back-up with more accuracy and with a round that may defeat some cover that the .38 won't.

Of course, I have no idea what my emergency will look like. But until I can carry a back-up rifle , this set-up may help cover most contingencies.

I hope.

 

[Marlin 45 carbine]

I do on my motorcycle (if going to remote area) due to run-in with some neer-do-wells in a remote area years ago. and carry spare mags/speed loader & ammo.
what happened to me then ain't gonna happen again - at least not without a heck of a lot more shooting on my part.

 

[justice4all]

I asked the same question, basically, almost 5 years ago, and got similar responses, for the most part.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=1694

I still prefer a snubby in the pocket.

 

[Tirod]

If you are carrying the smaller gun "24/7," it's the primary. Lots of office/light commercial/suburban users do, including big name gun writers.

It's when they plan on leaving the house, or moving out into less safe areas that they add the bigger weapon. Mowing the yard, pocket gun, going to the box store for a new air filter, paddle holster and concealment shirt/vest.

Most folks do it a lot more than they think. They are aware of relative risk areas - but they don't want to be without because they forgot to gear up. So, the pocket gun is always there, and the big shooter added on as needed.

How many of you IWB your good shooter changing the oil under your car? It's a good test of pocket holsters.

 

[AndrewGWU]

This is true for me. I carry my P-3AT in my pocket all the time (where legal) and it is my primary carry gun.

However, I usually carry my SP101 .357mag as backup.

 

[Pilgrim]

I have heard of peace officers in northern climes, like the Dakotas and Montana, carrying a jacket pocket piece in their parkas while their duty pistol is buried under the parka. Their plan is to go for the pocket piece first.

Pilgrim

 

[mgregg85]

My P3AT has become my primary carry piece as of late, but when winter comes again the XD45 will come back out.

When I am carrying the XD45 it will be my primary weapon and I may carry the P3AT as a BUG. If for some reason I couldn't draw my XD45 quickly enough I would go for the P3AT and use that until the XD could come into play.

It all really depends on the situation.

 

[contenderman]

It's a situational thing. I carry what I feel is appropriate to the situation. However, with that said ... now days most of my carry is my Mod. 60 with two speed loaders to feed it. That's 15 rounds and if business isn't taken care of by then I'm probably long up the proverbial "creek" without a paddle.

Also in recent times if I'm in an area where I think having the capability of a "New York Reload" (second gun) I will carry a 380 and in those cases it is the primary so I can casually pocket carry.

If it's really a crummy area (and I have to go through/to there) then the Mod. 60 gets swapped out for a Para Hawg. in 45 acp with a 10 round spare mag. Of course now that I'm in my "golden" years ... I can't think of any reason what so ever to go into the heart of the "combat zone".

 

[RustyShackelford]

uses of large and small guns...

For most CC use, I'd suggest carrying both a large or midsize weapon and a smaller or compact 2nd gun or BUG. To use the smaller weapon first in a shooting incident maybe faster or more nimble under some conditions but most CC license/permit holders would use the large firearm first, then go to the smaller pistol or revolver.

Smart cops/CC holders also carry semi auto weapons that are different sizes but can take either size pistol mags, , like the Glock 19 and a 26 or a HK P-2000 and a HK P-2000sk model...

Rusty

 

[psyopspec]

Smart cops/CC holders also carry semi auto weapons that are different sizes but can take either size pistol mags, , like the Glock 19 and a 26 or a HK P-2000 and a HK P-2000sk model...

Rusty, you're right in a lot of cases. I've also spoken with LEOs who prefer the ability to shoot multiple rounds from a pocket. Also, if a BUG is to be used, it may be at point blank range where the carrier wouldn't want the slide to be put out of battery in a contact distance fight.

 

[mljdeckard]

I suppose I do this, if you consider a full-size 1911 as my small primary, and a rifle in my vehicle as backup.

The way I see it, your best shooting, most reliable gun should be your primary, regardless of size.