Back Up Gun

[Theron D Patron]

Hello,
What is the smallest caliber that you would go in a back up gun "BUG." And which weapon platform?

My BUG depends on where I maybe going or doing. I read that a small gun is better than a 45 at home.

Glock G26 With +2 mag plate 13rds Federal 115gr +P+
Taurus Model 85 135gr +P Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel, or Corbon DPX 110gr
Kahr CW380 90gr XTP Loaded by Precision 1

[MegademiC]

Hello,
What is the smallest caliber that you would go in a back up gun "BUG."

And which weapon platform?
The biggest I could:
9mm (shield, g43)
38spcl (jframe)
380
in that order

[CDR_Glock]

38 +P revolver like a 442 S&W, Glock 42 or a Sig P238.

I have carried a North American Arms 22 Magnum revolver, too. More often than not, it's the third gun I carry in addition to my G19 and S&W 640.


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[signal4l]

380 is my minimum

Consider how you are going to carry the backup gun first.

I carry an LCP 380 in my pocket. I used to carry a shield 9mm in my cargo pocket. It flopped around too much when I had to run.

[DirectTo]

I unfortunately have days when .380 (G42) is all I can manage. 9mm is my standard carry (P-07), and I do not carry a backup gun.

[gunnerblue]

.38 Spl J-frame loaded with 135 gr. Gold Dots. With single-stack 9mm's such as my Walther PPS, I have little need or desire for a .380

[gaijin]

9 mm Kahr PM9.
In winter I occasionally throw a m12 S&W in an overcoat pocket (2" alloy K frame with +P .38's).

[Dionysusigma]

No backup gun here, either.

I can't think of a situation where if my primary fails, I could get to an even smaller, lower-caliber, deeper-carried backup quick enough to make any sort of difference... short of carrying a harness full of full-sized guns like Neo from The Matrix. All the more reason the one that is carried is reliable and quickly accessible.

I also carry only one pen and one blade at a time, so maybe I'm just a minimalist. I do carry a spare car key and house key separately from my keychain, though...

[ST911]

Using and recommending 9mm G43 for an auto and .38 J-frame (442/642) for a revolver.

[Krazykarl]

SW 642 for pocket carry. G27 or G26 in a holster.

[SeriousStudent]

Using and recommending 9mm G43 for an auto and .38 J-frame (442/642) for a revolver.

That's pretty much it in a nutshell.

If you have the means, you might also track down a Scandium J-frame, in additional to a 442/642. I will warn you, it is very challenging to shoot.

[oldtexan]

I'm using a PM9 in a FIST pocket holster as my backup gun. 9mm or .38+P is the lowest I'll go in caliber.

[Ron3]

Used to carry a Ruger LCR .357 as a backup now only do occasionally. I found myself not wanting to bring it along or putting in my belt and something else in pocket.

Carry the biggest gun you'll actual carry and practice the most with, right?

I've been carrying a Beretta .25 Jetfire as backup. It's better than no back up.

For comparison: LCR .357 loaded with pocket holster = 21.4 oz. Beretta M950BS loaded with pocket holster = 13.2 oz. Of course there is a huge difference is size, too.

[TactiCool1976]

PAtron,

i'd go with the glock 26.... since you can easily use extended mags

[daniel87]

Glock 26 is my choice.

You can pocket carry in a pair of loose jeans or cargo shorts/pants.

Its a toss up between it and a g43/9mm shield/sig 938 for single stack.

My minimum is 9mm. But if i had 38+p or .357 id be happy with those too.


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[JusticeM4]

Glock 9mm platform.

Normal SD handgun is G19, with a G26 as bug. I've carried a LCP before but got rid of it. Good little gun, just not as easy to shoot.

[DaBigBR]

My on duty bug is a 642. My off duty bug is an LCP. Both are support side pocket guns. The 642 would do both sides of the house, but it just doesn't wear as comfortably in a lot of pants. I tried to go up to a Glock 42 for off duty, but I couldn't make it work as well.

[RHINOWSO]

LCP or J-frame in support pocket, occasionally ankle w/ Jframe

[556BlackRifle]

I don't carry anything less than .380 as a BUG. 9mm or .38 Spec. would be preferable but not always practical.

[CanineCombatives]

I think the G43 kind of put an end to this argument, it's very shootable unlike hideout guns of the past, it practically disappears in the right holster, and with a pearce plus1 you've got 8 rounds of street grade 9mm, until something else comes along the G43 owns this niche.

[PattonWasRight]

A snubbie revolver ... I want something that if the guy is on me and I have no space, the barrel of a snubbie can't be pushed out of battery

[dieselvrr]

I have a S&W 642 with crimson trace...forget its there as a BUG