How many guns do you carry??

[NightSight]

Just curious. I see a few posts that mention a 3rd or last ditch gun. I personally don't know anybody who carries three. I have also heard through friends and acquiantances of people who carry three or more. Anyone carry three or more?? If you do wear three, where do you put them??

[RedneckFur]

I once met a man who carried 3 1911's and countless backup mags in a 5.11 vest, shoulder holster, and a high rise holster. Seemed a bit extreme to me.

I only carry one gun, a Ruger SP101 revolver. 5 shots, no reloads. I dont feel undergunned when I go out with it.

[Chipperman]

I voted one because it's what I carry 95% of the time. I have been known to carry a BUG occasionally, but usually it's just the primary.

The most I've ever carried concealed was four, but that was just for fun.

[DiscoRacing]

two 40s slide to slide in the middle of my back always... sometimes a 357 revover on right side(only when going to the shooting range tho)

[dstyle47]

1 though i would consider a backup if i had a good small one

[armsmaster270]

this is my loadout

http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff207/armsmaster270/writings/DSCF1056.jpg

[orionengnr]

Just one, plus a reload.
That "one" is generally either a .45 acp semi-auto or a revolver of .41 or .45 caliber. :)

[Lee Lapin]

As a rule, just one (642) and a reload.

lpl

[Kreyzhorse]

I only carry one. Usually I'll carry one reload as well.

[oneounceload]

IF you need more than one, perhaps you need a change of location in either your life or job

[ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ]

I agree with oneounceload. If you need that much firepower, MOVE!

[Hog Hunter]

during the colder months i always carry two CC. and depending what im wearing in the hotter months sometimes two but mostly just a pocket gun.

[rickyjames]

if you need to carry more than 1 then you live in a war zone. a spare mag or speed loader is ok tho :)

[CARGUY2244]

I've carried as many as 3.
I find 2 adequate now - usually a Kahr PM9, and some form of Glock, either a 9mm or 10mm.

[Gary L. Griffiths]

I always carry my "always gun" -- a Kel-Tec P-32.

For serious social occasions, I carry my Taurus PT-145 with the Kel-Tec as a backup.

[JohnKSa]

I never have more than one on my person at any given time, but there are times when I'm wearing one and there's another in easy reach.

[ang4me]

6.

one on each ankle, two in the small of my back, and a pocket pistol in both front pockets. and that's not even counting my eyes, which are lasers.

</sarcasm>

[mrnkc130]

I just carry one...with a regular mag and a 33rnd mag in the truck, but than again im a little paranoid...

[MLeake]

... something on the lines of "One or two, depending on the situation."

I think a fair number of us sometimes carry a commander or full-size handgun as conditions permit, but usually have a pocket pistol.

[Funeralfog]

i cave a concealed and i dont carry it, dont see a point

[raftman]

Generally, just one pistol, no reloads. Have been thinking of getting a suitable BUG.

[roy reali]

I actually try to carry all my guns when I leave the house. I attach half a dozen holsters to my belt and fill them all with handguns. I live in an open-carry is legal area.

Then I sling two long guns from each of my shoulders. I take several of my other guns and duct tape them to my torso and back. Basically every square inch of my body is covered with guns. This also helps make body armor to prtotect me. Unless of course someone's bullet slips between the guns on me.

Now, carrying all the ammo is complicated, but I have figured that out too. I tape the ammo to my legs using the afore-mentioned duct tape. I should learn to shave my legs because peeling the ammo off at night is not much fun. I also carry a large, tactical knife. Don't ask about where that is carried.

In short, I never leave the home wth fewer then six handguns and six long longs along with several rounds of ammo for each. :D

[MLeake]

To some people, the concept of a backup gun is just ridiculous.

Something they should bear in mind: sometimes, primary weapons fail; sometimes, primary weapons are low capacity and slow to reload (IE revolvers). Sometimes, it's nice to have a pocket or ankle weapon that isn't obvious, in case it's not tactically feasible to get to an IWB/OWB weapon.

One case in point: http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?p=3708789#post3708789

Note that some of us routinely transit areas that are fairly high crime, due to work requirements, locations of friends' or relatives homes, and so on.

Note also that some of us try to maintain a certain mindset while at home, because it's easier than trying to kickstart it when we go back into CENTCOM AOR. (IE, carrying, safe handling, practicing with a carry weapon, drills involving shooting from a draw, etc)

So, fire away with sarcasm and condescension. You may amuse yourself no end. Just realize not all of us who think about these things are mall ninjas, and realize that just because it hasn't happened to you, it doesn't mean that it hasn't happened to others (or to our friends or families).

[Martin_tu]

These days just one mostly, depending on the day's function. Either a five-shot 38 snubby or my eight-shot 357 in a shoulder rig, (Taurus 608 with a 9" barrel). Used to carry three to four though, its actually easy. Snubby in a hip rig, long 357 in a shoulder rig with spare S/L or three on the offside, small (semi) backup on the ankle, then maybe a shotgun or carbine in the trunk. Out here, there's no such thing as 'too much firepower'.

[KSFreeman]

I agree with oneounceload. If you need that much firepower, MOVE!

So much for rough and ready Texans.:p

If I needed firepower, I would carry an M14, or better yet a radio. Pistols are like fire extinguishers. You don't think about them much, but when you need them, you want a lot of them and you want one handy from any position.

I personally don't know anybody who carries three.

Night, you know me and I carry three.:D

If I am not exercising (running, biking, hiking, etc.), I usually have three on me. A 1911 starboard, a Kahr P9 port side, and a Smith 638 on the ankle.

Many rationales for carrying multiple pistols: Gun may break, dominant hand may be preoccupied, arm may be damaged, I may be in a position of duress (on back, knocked to ground, etc.).

The more training you have and the older you get, the more guns you carry.:D

[RETG]

When I actively went out searching for bad guys, two guns; two extra hi-cap mags for one. Carrying around town, one gun and either one or two extra mags.

[raindog]

In Boston's Gun Bible, he actually discusses carrying four guns.

I carry one. I can understand people carrying two. Three is a bit much, unless you're carrying professionally and even then, 99% of people who carry professionally (LEO, etc.) do not carry three guns.

Four? I can't see it.

BTW, if I was going to carry two, I'd probably make them complimentary - e.g., a Glock 19 and a Glock 26, so I could share mags.

[doh_312]

I try to have a minimum of two firearms. Usually a primary auto loader, and a revolver BUG. Weather permiting I carry three guns. Just last night I was out with four on me. One main on the hip, a pocket pistol, a pocket auto loader, and a revolver on the ankle. I always have a reload for the main gun and try to keep a reload for the BUG.

Sometimes my work and clothing only permit one small firearm on me, which is better than no gun, but I'd rather have the larger firearm as well.

[MosinM38]

Just one.

I also don't carry all the time, although I am more and more.

I do plan on carrying a second. Actually a primary. A pocket, or ultra-thin belt gun, then sometimes slipping on a full size.

[NightSight]

Thanks for the mostly good information guys. I think that there is definitely a comfort/firepower trade off. I think that you should carry however many you can comfortably. I don't buy the argument that if you carry more than one you should move. Sometimes that isn't an option. Sometimes you need to go to sketchy places for whatever reason. Not to mention that many criminals prefer to operate in "good" neighborhoods. I think that a BUG or multiples keep you from having limited options. Good stuff to think about. Thanks to all who replied.

[ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ]

For the record, I was joking when I said " if you need more than 1 gun, move". You should carry as many as you want, or as many as you feel necessary. Sorry if I offended anyone. Thank God we live in a country where we have the right to own guns!

[mayosligo]

One, and a cell phone, because if I need more, I better be calling for back-up.

[3 gun]

95% just one so that's how I voted. 3% two and 2% none because of restricted space. I'll often carry the second pistol if I'm with someone who I know can handle themselves but just hasn't bothered to take a class.

[cop-out]

The PD that I was a peace officer with mandated that you could only carry 1 gun when in uniform, and 18 rounds of issued .38 ammo. Needless to say, by the time an officer had been on the street 3 to 4 months he was carrying at least 36 to 50 rounds, and in another few months a second handgun. I personally never saw the need to restrict myself to 2 guns since I would be fired if caught with more than issued equipment, so I carried an approved .357 with of course .38 ammo (wink,wink), a 2 inch .38 in my left boot, a switchblade in my right boot, and a .357 derringer behind my belt buckle. Did I ever feel that I was over armed or foolish? NO. I felt I would be foolish not to arm myself to the best of my ability, and every night I hit the street I fully planned on coming home to my wife and kids the next morning. Something must have worked right, as I was involved in three shooting incidents and survived them. Needless to say my .357 loads were hand loads with the same bullet as the issue ammo. I just had to be able to get away long enough to fire .38 issue ammo through the same chambers as I had fired the .357, and have one of my fellow officers I could trust hold my spare ammo. In a situation like that you were subject to a search at the discretion of the ranking officer on the shooting scene. Do I still carry more than one gun. I bet my life on it, and there is still a switchblade in my boot every time I leave the house. I would feel really stupid if I or my wife was about to die because I was to lazy to take the precautions that I know I should to protect myself and my wife. Call me paranoid if you want, but I spent a lot of years watching bad guys do bad things to good people because they were able to. I'm not saying that I can't be killed, but I'm betting that I can take the SOB with me.

[MacGille]

While I was a LEO on three departments I carried 1 S&W 2" with no extra ammo. Now I carry one .38 derringer on occasion. I don't think that more guns will make me safer, I think that common sense and rational thinking will get me out of trouble better than any gun.

If I thought that I would need more than a couple of short range shots to ensure my safety I wouldn't go there. If I thought I had to go I would carry a shotgun or rifle.

Since I left the Police and the military (three branches) I have not been in a gunfight and don't intend to be in one. I carry a cane and I practice Escrima (Philipino stick fighting), I feel safe.

Fear makes you weak.

[troy_mclure]

i carry just 1 gun, and no spare mags, but i have another gun with spare mags for both in my truck.

[roy reali]

Do some of you really live in places that are so dangerous that you feel the need to carry a small armory with you? I am not trying to be a smart alec, I know I can be, but I am serious. Is their constant bloodshed on your streets? Do scenes like the Shootout At The OK Corral happen all the time? I wouldn't want to live in any place like that, carrying guns or not.

[Bella]

I have been wondering that too since I started reading the various self-defense threads here. I live in a semi-rural area. If I carry a gun, it is for hunting and/or plinking. I really don't feel the need to "pack" for protection. I guess some parts of the country are more dangerous. If I lived in an area that my safety was only assured by carrying several guns, I would move. There are fifty states.

[troy_mclure]

i live just out side new orleans, la. :barf:

answer your question? :D

[gyvel]

One in my pocket and one in my car.

[Glenn E. Meyer]

There is a misconception in this argument - that you only carry a BUG if you are in a dangerous neighborhood, as if the gun is for fighting off zombie hordes.

The reason for a BUG is that something goes awry with your primary. It doesn't work or you are disarmed.

That can happen if you are good or bad neighborhood - if you are a fight! The surrounds don't matter - it is the fight.

Now there is a small probability that a civilian will use the gun and then if you carry a reliable one, that it will go awry or you are disarmed. But that is independent of neighborhood.

One would think an expensive 1911 would work better than a cheap Glock in a fancy gated community? :confused:

With police, since they have more gun use encounters than civilians, the prob. that sometime will go awry increases. We know a high number are shot with their own gun - much more than civilians as the latter doesn't have the close contact paradigm as police do. Thus, a BUG usage for them is more likely.

So, I opine that the neighborhood issue isn't really the nexus of the discussion.

[gngtools]

Just one gun, unless its a long gun, then I carry a pistol as well.

[mrt949]

Allways in my front pocket, wallet in other front. Backup in truck.

[nightwolf1974]

my main set-up when going out.......

#1, primary...usually a 1911 style with 4 extra mags in shoulder holster
#2, back-up.....varies from a G23( with 2 extra mags) to a SP101 in hip holster or pocket
#3, secondary back-up.... Bond 45 L/C derringer in pocket
#4, last chance back-up... Ruger LCR or LCP in small of back
#5 a 6" hunting knife on belt, tucked in rear pocket and covered by jacket


but sometimes i just carry a SP101 and the derringer, it depends if i'm going shopping, to the movies, or out to eat. when at work i carry the LCP and a 3" folding knife.:cool:

[ATW525]

When I go out I often carry two. Nothing to do with being in a bad neighborhood or any abnormal perception of danger. The fact is, I prefer to carry something small and light in my pocket when I'm lounging around the house or working in the yard. I have access to bigger guns at home, and the job of a carry pistol on my own property is only to fight my way to those bigger guns.

When I go out somewhere I strap on something bigger and more shootable, because running to grab a rifle isn't going to be an option if something happens when I'm away from. The pistol I carry is going to have to solve any situations I encounter. Needless to say, I don't bother to remove my pocket gun when I strap on a different gun, so I end up with two guns (and often a spare magazine for the bigger one).

[Mello2u]

I carry one gun (IWB), a spare mag and a flashlight (got to be able to identify a target as a threat).
I carried a Colt Delta Elite for over 20 years; but I have recently down-sized to a Dan Wesson CBOB, still a 10mm auto.

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb197/farwalker/ColtDeltaElite1.jpg

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb197/farwalker/P1010978-1.jpg

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb197/farwalker/DWlft.jpg

[TheCook]

Some have said that if you need a back up gun...then you need to move to a new place...

The problem is...while I don't venture into the neighborhood of criminals, they certainly have no problem wandering into my side of the neighborhood.

I can and do control where I go...(I don't hang out in questionable places)...but the criminal element can decide at any time of their choosing.....to go to "safe" neighborhoods.

By the way, the argument "if you need a BUG, you are simply going to wrong places" sounds like an anti's argument, "if you need a gun at all, you are simply going to wrong places".

I am actually surprised that such mindset are among "gun friendly" people.

by the way, i dont have an issue with anyone just carrying a primary gun with no back-up.

[hoytinak]

I just carry one. Heck I don't even carry a spare mag (or speed loader if carrying the LCR). I just simply don't like carrying extra stuff around. I don't understand how some of yall can carry everything thing that you do, though if you can carry it all comfortably more power to you but I don't even like my keys or change in the pocket. :o

[MLeake]

It's all in what you are used to wearing.

Personally, normal for me these days is cargo pants or cargo shorts - partly because I wear cargo pants for work, but also because I hate having wallets or other large items in hip pockets when I'm seated for long periods.

Since I'm a pilot, work pretty much consists of sitting for long periods...

(Note: at work, I only carry when forward deployed, and what I carry is prescribed by the contract and the form 93B. Ironically, the company has a "no firearms" policy stateside...)

Anyway, with cargos on, I can carry fairly large amounts of items. It's not a challenge at all to put a larger pistol in an IWB or OWB holster, plus a spare magazine pouch opposite on the belt. That still leaves me with two front and two cargo pockets.

Knife or multi-tool goes in one front pocket, depending on environment and planned activities. (If wearing 5.11 pants, there's even an additional, small pocket that is perfect for a folding knife.)

If I opt to carry a BUG, it takes the other front pocket.

Wallet goes in one cargo pocket. Keys and miscellaneous items go in the other. Cell phone goes in that pocket, or else on the belt.

If the weather is cool, now throw in a jacket or vest, and its additional pockets...

Note: I never used to carry a BUG, until I had a squib with factory ammo at the range one day. In a fight, this would have immediately taken my main gun out of battery. Ever since then, I've been in the habit of carrying a BUG, with ammo from a different lot than that in the main gun.

Look at it another way - it's true that some companies require pilot and co-pilot to order different meals at restaurants, just in case one item has bad results. Both pilots coming down with food poisoning mid-flight would be bad, and precautions are taken even though the odds are very unlikely.

Cheers,

M

[troy_mclure]

I don't understand how some of yall can carry everything thing that you do, though if you can carry it all comfortably more power to you but I don't even like my keys or change in the pocket.

+1

[sakeneko]

Just one gun for me. I deliberately picked an ultra-reliable gun (S&W revolver) and carry a couple of full speedloaders just in case. I'm a civilian whose first line of defense is to be somewhere else if a gun fight starts. :-) (Nobody is paying me to go into dangerous situations, so I don't.) I would prefer to have one reliable gun with me, and am willing to take the small risk that something might go wrong. The gun gets used frequently and cleaned carefully after use, so I think I will know if something ever isn't functioning just right.

Somebody whose job it is to go into dangerous situations, or who simply does sometimes, might well do the math and come up with a different result for themselves.

[skoro]

I have a rotation of 3 carry guns. I never carry more than one at a time, though.

[MLeake]

... and you are right about the odds being small.

However, my squib malfunction occurred with a S&W revolver. It doesn't matter how reliable your weapon is when the ammo squibs.

But again, the odds are small.

[swk314]

I carry one pistol on me at a time, with one reload.

[MrSardonicus]

1 gun always
1 gun and a Bug most of the time
1 gun and a Bug and a BBug sometimes
1 gun and a Bug and a BBug and a BBBug rarely, but I do do it.

[armsmaster270]

sakeneko: No one pays you to go into a dangerous situation but that does not mean the dangerous situation will not come to you. Remember when seconds count the police are minutes away. Been there

[skydiver3346]

:D
I carry only one: (Wilson Combat Professional model 1911) with 4" barrel. It holds 8 rounds and that seems enough for me for most any situaiton. No extra mags, etc.
I do carry a couple extra mags in in my vehicle but not on me.

[psyfly]

One, almost always (Yesterday an SP101 with a Bianchi speed-strip).

Occasionally, a deep-concealment BUG, as well (P3-AT, e.g.). And that’s usually because I may be going somewhere that makes it prudent to leave the primary (locked) in the truck.

I don’t carry for the reason that I feel that I’m in harm’s way or may go into harm’s way: I’m in my sixties; I fully expect to go the rest of my life without having a violent encounter of any kind.

But, I might be wrong.

If I happen someday to be wrong, it could upset my whole afternoon routine:(.

I’m old. I’m a little cranky. I don’t like having my routines upset.

I live in a nice, safe, middle-class neighborhood.

Despite that, I have, in the past 20 years, had three friends who were murdered. Two in their own homes and one in her front yard.

It’s not about the neighborhood and it’s not about the odds.

It’s about consequences and responsibilities. I’m one of those weirdoes who believes that a I have a moral responsibility to do what I can to make my corner of the world a better and safer place if I can. That’s one reason I carry.

Best to all,

Will

[darkeye]

I voted one carry, but there are times that I do have 2 on me - just not on a daily basis

[stephen426]

I can't see carrying all that gear around. I carry my Kahr PM9 in a pocket holster with the short mag and call it a day. I always have my knife (Benchmade 710) on me and I usually carry a small flashlight (Surefire Backup). I live in Florida and it is too hot to wear a jacket 95% of the time. I am always on the move at work and I don't want to worry about flashing people if I raise my arms or bend over. My father in law has been ankle carrying forever, but I'm sure that is uncomfortable (hot and off balance) and slow to draw from.

I imagine the statistics would work out something like this...
% chance you will ever need your gun (not LEO): <1%
% chance you can get the gun into play (bad guy doesn't have the jump on you): >75%
% chance you will need a reload in a gun fight: <10%
% chance your gun will fail completely: <5%

As I mentioned already, I feel adequately armed with just a 6 shot semi-auto, a folding knife, and a flashlight. If all the odds are stacked against me, its just a sign that its my time to go. Carrying has to be practical in my opinion.

[Para Bellum]

One gun (strong side) one knife (weak side) one spare mag (weak side). 25yrs of matrial arts.

If that doesn't do the trick, I'll accept defeat.

[KCEsq]

I carry one--- .45 that is! With a spare 8 rd mag:cool:

[CorpITGuy]

One gun - primarily a .380 Auto w/ 7+1 JHP or semi JHP, IWB 6:00 with a spare mag in my weak side pocket. Usually cell phone + pepper spray on the same side.

When I'll be outside all day and am more concerned about wildlife than wild people, I carry my revolver, a S&W .357 model 66-3.

[javabum]

One gun....A Glock 27
spare 9 round mag on weak side....and pepper spray.
and pray i never have to use either.

[TacticalDefense1911]

Two guns usually. Primary is either a Kimber Custom II or a Kahr K9 IWB and my backup is a Taurus 85 on the ankle.

[csmsss]

In summertime, I carry one. Whenever it's reasonable to wear long pants and/or a jacket, I'll carry two. In any event, there is always a firearm in my vehicle.

[Firepower!]

on person I carry just one most of the time. There have been occassions when I wore 3.

However my regular in vehicle is Glock 21, MP5 and Kalashnikov, and sometime M4A1 as well.

[more forty fives]

I carry an XD45 most of the time.Once in a while if I go some where I might have to leave the XD in the car.I put a PPK 380 in my pocket.

[ava8harrierusmc1]

I carry a XD-40 here in California I use to live in Sacramento and i always had to carry I usally carry my 40 and 2-3 ten round mags with one mag in and one round chambered so i travel with a total of 41 rounds most times. At night I carry a small tactical flashlight or i use my streamlight Stinger HP its kind of big but it lights up everything when needed. I walk a lot since i don't like cars so i don't take chances. I have found that you can not trust people today like you use to be able to so i take no chances. But now I have moved to Rocklin California and it is better for one I live right up the street from the Police Department but thats no help someone came into my house and shot one of my dogs and i was blamed for it. So now I just watch everything that happens around me and everyone trust no one I say no matter where you live.

[Claude Clay]

i didn't vote cause your choices left out

primary--my strong side gun is generally the larger, a 40 or 45 carried iwb

other primary--my left side gun is 38 or 32 H&R revolver in a vest or jacket pocket

i am caring 2 guns but do not consider one to be a 'back-up'
i think I've expanded my options in dealing with a variety of situations.

[BikerRN]

Some of this may seem silly, but...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

To some people, the concept of a backup gun is just ridiculous.

Something they should bear in mind: sometimes, primary weapons fail; sometimes, primary weapons are low capacity and slow to reload (IE revolvers). Sometimes, it's nice to have a pocket or ankle weapon that isn't obvious, in case it's not tactically feasible to get to an IWB/OWB weapon.

One case in point: http://thefiringline.com/forums/show...89#post3708789

Note that some of us routinely transit areas that are fairly high crime, due to work requirements, locations of friends' or relatives homes, and so on.

Note also that some of us try to maintain a certain mindset while at home, because it's easier than trying to kickstart it when we go back into CENTCOM AOR. (IE, carrying, safe handling, practicing with a carry weapon, drills involving shooting from a draw, etc)

So, fire away with sarcasm and condescension. You may amuse yourself no end. Just realize not all of us who think about these things are mall ninjas, and realize that just because it hasn't happened to you, it doesn't mean that it hasn't happened to others (or to our friends or families).

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Last edited by MLeake; September 26, 2009 at 06:40 AM. Reason: Less aggressive tone, more substantial argument

Well said.

You and KSFreeman have said anything that I would've said, and far better than I could hope to. For that I thank you both.

Biker

[Stevie-Ray]

Primary and BUG.