I was thinking about ideas for a backup gun and wanted some feedback. My initial thoughts were a small revolver and an ankle holster but I'd like to hear some thoughts regarding a specific gun and location of carry. I thought about this some time back but am now seriously considering it. I appreciate any constructive suggestions. Thank you.
Ideas for a backup gun
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I don't know where you normally carry your handgun, but I can recommend a Kahr CM9 in a DeSantis Nemesis pocket holster. Mags are either 6+1 or 7+1 of 9mm. Long, but smooth trigger so that you don't need an external safety. I have found it to be more concealable than a SW J-frame.
Bill DeShivs
New member
Buy a Keltec P32. Put it in your pocket. Never put anything else in that pocket.
Simple.
Ankle holsters are a great way to carry a gun that you can't get to.
Simple.
Ankle holsters are a great way to carry a gun that you can't get to.
dontcatchmany
New member
IMO if you carry a semi auto for primary, a pocket revolver revolver will be a good backup.
I usually carry a semi as a primary with a Kimber K6s or a S&W model 327 (38/357) and at times a Ruger LCR 327 (nice and small) in cargo pants pockets.
Small semis will also work. I will carry a Shield 40 or 45 as a backup at times.
I have an LCP 380, but do not have the confidence in 380 as of yet to carry it.
Good luck in your quest.
I usually carry a semi as a primary with a Kimber K6s or a S&W model 327 (38/357) and at times a Ruger LCR 327 (nice and small) in cargo pants pockets.
Small semis will also work. I will carry a Shield 40 or 45 as a backup at times.
I have an LCP 380, but do not have the confidence in 380 as of yet to carry it.
Good luck in your quest.
This is where I'm at.
Kahr PM9 in weak hand front pocket as a "back up" or 2nd option to the Glock that is IWB.
Weak hand front pocket affords me the options of: putting my hand on gun without revealing I'm carrying and/or ability to quickly access gun with non-dominant hand.
I had a LCP 380 but the Kahr PM9 was easier to shoot fast & accurate one hand weak hand than the LCP despite that the PM9 was loaded with +P.
Also, should I be in need of the 2nd option, its gonna be a dire situation and I desire the ASAP potential of at least 9mm, in this case CorBon 115 +P.
My chronically untucked shirt covers some of the pocket (and conceals the Glock IWB) but a small hand sanitizer, roll of Life Savers, ect... breaks remaining outline.
The purpose of my backup gun is in case something happens to my primary gun, broke, lost, out of ammo, etc and I need something reliable for a situation. My carry gun is a Glock 19x and I like the around 4 o'clock position. I don't wear shorts or swim trunks often.
I don't know about Revolvers, but there are plenty of good semiautomatic BUGs on the market.
Personally, I chose a Ruger LCP. Small, slim, lightweight, easy to conceal, effortless to carry, and has been on the market for over a decade now, so no need to doubt that it works.
Some folks dislike the LCP, namely early adopters who had to contend with teething issues and seemingly cannot accept that the pistol has long since had all of the early bugs worked out, so they endlessly cite design issues which are no longer present/relevant. Others are those folks who apparently want to turn their .380 ACP Pocket Pistol into a poor-man's 9mm Pocket Pistol, so they load their .380s up with overpressure boutique loads like the so-called ".380 ACP +P" offered by Buffalo Bore, then are surprised when their LCP's slide rails crack under the stress of loads it was never designed to handle, and act like that's evidence of a design flaw. Then they'll recommend some heavy duty .380 Pistol that can handle such loads, which weighs more, is typically larger in every dimension, and is generally more expensive as well.
If you want 9mm power, then carry a 9mm Pistol, and accept that it's larger than a .380 Pocket Pistol for a reason, don't go messing around with overpressure .380 ACP loads that try to turn the round into 9mm. If you want to carry a heavy duty .380 ACP Pocket Pistol, then more power to you, but go with Standard Pressure ammo. It may be able to handle overpressure loads, but again, just buy a 9mm if .380 ACP isn't hot enough for you.
Personally, I chose a Ruger LCP. Small, slim, lightweight, easy to conceal, effortless to carry, and has been on the market for over a decade now, so no need to doubt that it works.
Some folks dislike the LCP, namely early adopters who had to contend with teething issues and seemingly cannot accept that the pistol has long since had all of the early bugs worked out, so they endlessly cite design issues which are no longer present/relevant. Others are those folks who apparently want to turn their .380 ACP Pocket Pistol into a poor-man's 9mm Pocket Pistol, so they load their .380s up with overpressure boutique loads like the so-called ".380 ACP +P" offered by Buffalo Bore, then are surprised when their LCP's slide rails crack under the stress of loads it was never designed to handle, and act like that's evidence of a design flaw. Then they'll recommend some heavy duty .380 Pistol that can handle such loads, which weighs more, is typically larger in every dimension, and is generally more expensive as well.
If you want 9mm power, then carry a 9mm Pistol, and accept that it's larger than a .380 Pocket Pistol for a reason, don't go messing around with overpressure .380 ACP loads that try to turn the round into 9mm. If you want to carry a heavy duty .380 ACP Pocket Pistol, then more power to you, but go with Standard Pressure ammo. It may be able to handle overpressure loads, but again, just buy a 9mm if .380 ACP isn't hot enough for you.
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For me, I long ago decided that a back-up magazine is preferable to a back-up gun. The majority of issues with semi-autos is going to be magazine failure. An extra mag provides insurance from that. Of course it also adds capacity and a spare mag is easier to carry and conceal than an extra gun.
Onward Allusion
New member
+1 on the Kel Tec P32. If you really don't trust the "lowly" 32 ACP round, then go with the Kel Tec P3AT. I like the LCP but as a backup, it's larger than I like.
unclenunzie
New member
All the above responses are good. The J-frame and the like are classic choices for backup. When I want a backup I find myself pocketing my PM9. But on occasion the 642 works too.
Carl the Floor Walker
Moderator
Sorry, but disagree. I shoot ammo rated Plus P or over pressure 380 for a reason. It can give the best ballistics not because I want to turn the gun into a 9mm. Yes, the LCP is NOT designed to shoot over pressure ammo and will have cracks, spits etc.
But get a gun actually designed for Plus P as a "rating" and there will be None of those issues. And they are the Beretta Pico and Kahr CM9 or Glock. I know this for a fact from 10 Plus years of focusing of small 380's and shooting thousands of rounds through them including about 4 LCP's.. But even shooting standard ammo or low pressure ammo, these guns will last many thousands of rounds without failure. They are built to last
PS gunTest. just did a feature on 380 ammo and the main attention was how, that since their last test about 4 years earlier, the 380 which is so popular is improving all the time. A number of great ammo choices to choose from.
But getting back to the OP. I would not use a ankle holster. Just a good way to develop imbalance issues with lead to back issues besides being way too slow to get to.
Carry in a pocket, of your choice, but do train and practice with the gun. Experiment with different positions. Awib for a pocket gun is faster than in a pocket. Buy a timer and see what works best.
Spend a lot of time with them and you can do wonders way beyond what the internet would have you believe. In fact, I carry a pocket 380 as a primary in the vast majority of the times I leave the house. I love them and feel proficient with them. AWIB or small, lite holster.
The most pleasant to shoot are the Pico, the Kahr, and the Keltec P32 which is a super light weight gun that shoots excellent. It only weighs 10 oz fully loaded with 8 rounds.
All this said, I do not believe you need a backup or extra mag for Practical EDC. Just more stuff to tote around.
PS, I do not remember any teething issues with the LCP's and I bought them when they first came out. They were very reliable, never had a problem. They just were too snappy and did not hold up long. Other wise nice little guns. I just moved on to others. (Still own one)
The Little light weight P32.
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EXCELLENT point. Plus, you'll need to be an acrobat to get to it in extremis.
If you REALLY need a backup gun, a breast pocket stowed LCR or S&W Bodyguard 380 may be of some, if limited use. I can see the need for a BUG as an LEO, but for civilian use...? But then, just maybe you live/work near the "OK corral". JMHO & YMMv, Rod
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jetinteriorguy
New member
One thing I don’t get, why would you carry a gun of a different caliber for a BUG? I carry a compact 9mm and if I wanted a backup it would be an LCR in 9mm. This way I could strip ammo from the mag on the disabled gun and reload the revolver if I absolutely needed it.
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