Snowdog
Member
- Joined
- Dec 24, 2002
- Messages
- 4,608
It's hard to believe I've carried concealed for a decade now, but I can say I've developed a few preferences over those years. It's come to my attention that I never carry a back up gun (BUG, whatever you want to call it). I have a P32 that I trust and I've carried it for years during short jaunts here and there, but I primarily carry a Kahr K9 with 147gr Winchester Rangers.
When a close friend of mine who just obtained his CCW was asking for tips, he asked what method I use for carrying my back-up gun. I told him I haven't yet carried a "back up gun" and don't plan to... ever. I told him I'm completely confident in my abilities with my primary. He seemed surprised, but I don't know why. I explained to him that I would likely carry a back up to augment my primary handgun if I were in law enforcement and on duty, but I questioned why I should feel the need to carry a "back up" as I'm not and I don’t otherwise stand out as a target or work/live in a particularly dangerous environment. He was shocked that I would question the need and pointed out he wouldn't see a problem with a back up...for the back up (yes, three handguns for CCW). I told him his views might adjust a bit after a couple years. He didn’t take well to that, it seems.
In retrospect, I know I could have handled the inquiry better, but I wasn't expecting someone to challenge my CCW preferences. Hey, if there’s a significant social breakdown and ensuing bedlam, I’ll still carry my K9… as back up to my FAL and 1911. However, after ten years of daily carry, I must say that I'm set in my ways and I can't say those "ways" are flawed.
I admit that I should carry a spare magazine more often, I'm absolutely confident in my practices.
Now that I'm aware of this topic, I've noticed a few threads concerning "back up guns".
Here's a question for those here who carry concealed that aren't involved in law enforcement, live near/travel through in a notoriously dangerous neighborhood or have mitigating reasons to believe they likely to engage in combat: Do you carry a BUG? If so, whatever for? Not to critique the carry philosophy of others, but why would someone "feel the need" to carry a back up?
When a close friend of mine who just obtained his CCW was asking for tips, he asked what method I use for carrying my back-up gun. I told him I haven't yet carried a "back up gun" and don't plan to... ever. I told him I'm completely confident in my abilities with my primary. He seemed surprised, but I don't know why. I explained to him that I would likely carry a back up to augment my primary handgun if I were in law enforcement and on duty, but I questioned why I should feel the need to carry a "back up" as I'm not and I don’t otherwise stand out as a target or work/live in a particularly dangerous environment. He was shocked that I would question the need and pointed out he wouldn't see a problem with a back up...for the back up (yes, three handguns for CCW). I told him his views might adjust a bit after a couple years. He didn’t take well to that, it seems.
In retrospect, I know I could have handled the inquiry better, but I wasn't expecting someone to challenge my CCW preferences. Hey, if there’s a significant social breakdown and ensuing bedlam, I’ll still carry my K9… as back up to my FAL and 1911. However, after ten years of daily carry, I must say that I'm set in my ways and I can't say those "ways" are flawed.
I admit that I should carry a spare magazine more often, I'm absolutely confident in my practices.
Now that I'm aware of this topic, I've noticed a few threads concerning "back up guns".
Here's a question for those here who carry concealed that aren't involved in law enforcement, live near/travel through in a notoriously dangerous neighborhood or have mitigating reasons to believe they likely to engage in combat: Do you carry a BUG? If so, whatever for? Not to critique the carry philosophy of others, but why would someone "feel the need" to carry a back up?