Back up handgun

Firepower! · January 1, 2010, 01:11 AM

Which handgun do you consider to be the best as a back up gun? Please consider potency of the caliber, size, and capacity issues.

9Para · January 1, 2010, 01:25 AM

Kel tec PF-9, or Kahr PM-9. The way i see things for a carry pistol, if it aint a full on 9mm or larger caliber, ill stick with a 22lr with capacity and low recoil. There's a good chance that's just me though.

**JohnKSa** · January 1, 2010, 02:26 AM

Unconcealed, concealed or deeply concealed?

biohazurd · January 1, 2010, 03:55 AM

My ruger SP101 in .357 seems to fit the bill, I load her with .38+p though for carry, I also am a big fan of the CZ83 .380 for back up...

Firepower! · January 1, 2010, 04:34 AM

JohnKSa,
It really depends on how you or any individual carries their backup gun. Keeping your own preference in mind, you can discuss your choice.

I used to have G26 and sold it. Now I am thinking it was a mistake. Really want a G30 this time if I can find it around.

**JohnKSa** · January 1, 2010, 04:46 AM

My primary carry gun is concealed so a backup for me would probably be concealed or probably deeply concealed. That means for a backup I'd be looking at something like the Ruger LCR or maybe the micro-compact Kahr MK9.

If I were carrying an unconcealed primary handgun I might be able to get away with a larger backup--something like the Kahr P9 or another subcompact single-stack 9mm.

If I were carrying a rifle as my primary firearm then I would likely carry an unconcealed handgun as a backup. I'd pick something like a full-sized, high-capacity pistol in the Beretta 9X/Full-sized Glock/CZ75/H&K USP/Beretta PX4 size range.

9Para · January 1, 2010, 05:46 AM

If i really felt the need for a "back up gun" in a social carry sense, i'd just carry another pf-9 in my other pocket. They are potent enough to be a primary carry, and small enough for anything you'd need an easily and deeply concealed gun for. Plus you can get two Keltec PF-9's for the price of one khar PM9.

J.Netto · January 1, 2010, 09:19 AM

If we are talking about concealment, as a Backup...Sometimes it's a 5 shot .357, sometimes it's a Glock 27. Sometimes I don't even carry a larger handgun, and I just carry both of those.

gak · January 1, 2010, 09:55 AM

S&W 431PD .32 H&R - hip or ankle; do not feel undergunned with 6 of the Georgia Arms 100 gr jhps. Sometimes primary if ccw on the light/go.

VHinch · January 1, 2010, 10:30 AM

What I carry as a BUG is a Smith 637, either on my ankle or in my weakside pocket depending on dress.

45Gunner · January 1, 2010, 10:34 AM

A consideration should also be the caliber. I find it advantageous to have the BUG the same caliber as the primary. I always carry two spare, full magazines. If, hypothetically, my Primary fails and I have to used the BUG, I have more ammo by emptying what I need from those spare mags. Otherwise, one may be inclined to carry another set of spare mags filled with a different caliber if the gun were different.

m1thumb · January 1, 2010, 11:21 AM

If you mean a true backup, as in you wish to carry two weapons, more than likely you will looking for something on an ankle holster. For pure comfort and fit, most compact or subcompacts in a .380 are comfortable. I wouldn't go any bigger than that for a backup. Like a previous post listing the CZ-83, the CZ82 isn't bad either (9mm Makarov).

WC145 · January 2, 2010, 08:49 AM

I generally only carry a BUG when I'm on duty, however there are times that I'll carry two guns when off duty. Mine is a S&W 360J scandium j-frame that has been rechambered to 9x23 and had some other work done on it. I usually carry it loaded with Federal 9BPLE 115grJHP +P+ 9mm's, my current duty gun is a 9mm Beretta Cougar loaded with the same ammo.

I do occcasionally carry a .38 Super 1911 loaded with either .38 Super or 9x23 Winchester, when I carry that I load my BUG with the same ammo as the 1911.

This gun has worked out very well for me thanks to it's versatility, size, and lightweight (13oz). I generally carry it in my off hand cargo pocket. The pants I wear have a second pocket sewn to the pant leg inside the cargo pocket and it rides there perfectly. It's well hidden but secure and easy to access quickly.

N.H. Yankee · January 2, 2010, 10:38 AM

Keltec P-11 9mm or one of the newer Keltec's. I picked Keltec as I have a P-11 and it has fed every hollow point I have put through it with 100% reliability and is accurate, small and lightweight.

Twinsig · January 2, 2010, 12:05 PM

If you gotta have 2 why not 2 of the same? Mags o'plenty...

Stevie-Ray · January 2, 2010, 02:49 PM

One of the KelTec or Kahr 9mms would be the ultimate for me, but I make do with a P32, and likely won't change in the near future.

ATW525 · January 2, 2010, 03:21 PM

The Kahr PM40 is my choice for a 2nd gun. 6 rounds of .40 S&W in a gun that's smaller than a J frame is nothing to sneeze at.

earlthegoat2 · January 2, 2010, 07:08 PM

I see this has morphed into more of a " I carry this as a BUG" so I will chime in and say that I carry an NAA Mini 22 Mag to back up a 38 5 shot snub. I also use the same 5 shot snub to back up an HK P7 on occasion. I never carry 3 guns. I rarely carry 2.

I think the ultimate BUG would be the S&W 342 PD sans the lock.

Xanatos · January 2, 2010, 10:12 PM

Any of the full size Desert Eagles. If my bullets don't stop the threat, my 15 lb brick of a handgun thrown at them will.

ATW525 · January 3, 2010, 02:49 AM

Quote:

I see this has morphed into more of a " I carry this as a BUG"

Makes sense. After all, it follows that most who carry a BUG would carry the gun they feel is best for that purpose.

EdInk · January 3, 2010, 10:27 AM

Depending on what you do and wear either a j-frame or lcp.

IDAHOMIKE · January 4, 2010, 01:32 AM

As an Idaho resident, working in Kommiefornia, my leatherman does backup to my pocketknife. When home though, my current setup is a 4 inch 629 primary and no backup as I sold a lot of stuff during my unemploy. My ideal setup would be a CA Bulldog, old style, with the barrel bobbed and smaller grips riding shotgun to the 629 and Tuff Strips full of 44 Specials. Never got around to getting it. My former backup was a KelTec P32 stoked with Buffalo Bore FNL. Usually had a Naa mini along too.
I wanted the Bulldog, first because I dig big bores, and second because the very similar manual of arms between that and the 629.

January 1, 2010, 01:11 AM	#1
Firepower! Senior Member Join Date: February 3, 2008 Posts: 2,109	Back up handgun Which handgun do you consider to be the best as a back up gun? Please consider potency of the caliber, size, and capacity issues.

January 1, 2010, 02:26 AM	#3
JohnKSa Staff Join Date: February 12, 2001 Location: DFW Area Posts: 25,017	Unconcealed, concealed or deeply concealed? __________________ Do you know about the TEXAS State Rifle Association?

January 1, 2010, 04:34 AM	#5
Firepower! Senior Member Join Date: February 3, 2008 Posts: 2,109	JohnKSa, It really depends on how you or any individual carries their backup gun. Keeping your own preference in mind, you can discuss your choice. I used to have G26 and sold it. Now I am thinking it was a mistake. Really want a G30 this time if I can find it around. Last edited by Firepower!; January 1, 2010 at 05:14 AM.

January 1, 2010, 04:46 AM	#6
JohnKSa Staff Join Date: February 12, 2001 Location: DFW Area Posts: 25,017	My primary carry gun is concealed so a backup for me would probably be concealed or probably deeply concealed. That means for a backup I'd be looking at something like the Ruger LCR or maybe the micro-compact Kahr MK9. If I were carrying an unconcealed primary handgun I might be able to get away with a larger backup--something like the Kahr P9 or another subcompact single-stack 9mm. If I were carrying a rifle as my primary firearm then I would likely carry an unconcealed handgun as a backup. I'd pick something like a full-sized, high-capacity pistol in the Beretta 9X/Full-sized Glock/CZ75/H&K USP/Beretta PX4 size range. __________________ Do you know about the TEXAS State Rifle Association?

January 1, 2010, 10:30 AM	#10
VHinch Senior Member Join Date: April 13, 2002 Location: Northeast Georgia Posts: 374	What I carry as a BUG is a Smith 637, either on my ankle or in my weakside pocket depending on dress. __________________ “High speed isn't about gun, gear or tactics. High speed is executing the basics perfectly no matter what, cold, wet, day, night, tired. That’s high speed." -Paul Howe

January 1, 2010, 01:25 AM	#2
9Para Member Join Date: December 31, 2009 Posts: 25	Kel tec PF-9, or Kahr PM-9. The way i see things for a carry pistol, if it aint a full on 9mm or larger caliber, ill stick with a 22lr with capacity and low recoil. There's a good chance that's just me though.

January 1, 2010, 03:55 AM	#4
biohazurd Senior Member Join Date: March 29, 2009 Posts: 340	My ruger SP101 in .357 seems to fit the bill, I load her with .38+p though for carry, I also am a big fan of the CZ83 .380 for back up...

January 1, 2010, 05:46 AM	#7
9Para Member Join Date: December 31, 2009 Posts: 25	If i really felt the need for a "back up gun" in a social carry sense, i'd just carry another pf-9 in my other pocket. They are potent enough to be a primary carry, and small enough for anything you'd need an easily and deeply concealed gun for. Plus you can get two Keltec PF-9's for the price of one khar PM9.

January 1, 2010, 09:19 AM	#8
J.Netto Senior Member Join Date: April 26, 2009 Location: Elizabethtown, KY Posts: 713	If we are talking about concealment, as a Backup...Sometimes it's a 5 shot .357, sometimes it's a Glock 27. Sometimes I don't even carry a larger handgun, and I just carry both of those.

January 1, 2010, 09:55 AM	#9
gak Senior Member Join Date: February 28, 2005 Location: Aridzona Posts: 2,767	S&W 431PD .32 H&R - hip or ankle; do not feel undergunned with 6 of the Georgia Arms 100 gr jhps. Sometimes primary if ccw on the light/go.

January 1, 2010, 10:34 AM	#11
45Gunner Senior Member Join Date: August 8, 2009 Location: Boca Raton, FL Posts: 1,902	A consideration should also be the caliber. I find it advantageous to have the BUG the same caliber as the primary. I always carry two spare, full magazines. If, hypothetically, my Primary fails and I have to used the BUG, I have more ammo by emptying what I need from those spare mags. Otherwise, one may be inclined to carry another set of spare mags filled with a different caliber if the gun were different. __________________ 45Gunner May the Schwartz Be With You. NRA Instructor NRA Life Member

January 1, 2010, 11:21 AM	#12
m1thumb Member Join Date: April 15, 2009 Posts: 31	If you mean a true backup, as in you wish to carry two weapons, more than likely you will looking for something on an ankle holster. For pure comfort and fit, most compact or subcompacts in a .380 are comfortable. I wouldn't go any bigger than that for a backup. Like a previous post listing the CZ-83, the CZ82 isn't bad either (9mm Makarov).

January 2, 2010, 08:49 AM	#13
WC145 Senior Member Join Date: October 18, 2008 Location: Downeast Maine Posts: 1,836	I generally only carry a BUG when I'm on duty, however there are times that I'll carry two guns when off duty. Mine is a S&W 360J scandium j-frame that has been rechambered to 9x23 and had some other work done on it. I usually carry it loaded with Federal 9BPLE 115grJHP +P+ 9mm's, my current duty gun is a 9mm Beretta Cougar loaded with the same ammo. I do occcasionally carry a .38 Super 1911 loaded with either .38 Super or 9x23 Winchester, when I carry that I load my BUG with the same ammo as the 1911. This gun has worked out very well for me thanks to it's versatility, size, and lightweight (13oz). I generally carry it in my off hand cargo pocket. The pants I wear have a second pocket sewn to the pant leg inside the cargo pocket and it rides there perfectly. It's well hidden but secure and easy to access quickly.

January 2, 2010, 10:38 AM	#14
N.H. Yankee Senior Member Join Date: October 17, 2004 Location: Rural N.H. Posts: 1,586	Keltec P-11 9mm or one of the newer Keltec's. I picked Keltec as I have a P-11 and it has fed every hollow point I have put through it with 100% reliability and is accurate, small and lightweight. __________________ The real danger to America is not abroad but within.. Having an open mind is a good thing, but not so open that your brains fall out! Save America, abort liberalism.

January 2, 2010, 12:05 PM	#15
Twinsig Senior Member Join Date: January 30, 2009 Location: East Alabama Posts: 235	Same as primary gun IMO If you gotta have 2 why not 2 of the same? Mags o'plenty...

January 2, 2010, 02:49 PM	#16
Stevie-Ray Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2007 Location: The shores of Lake Huron Posts: 4,783	One of the KelTec or Kahr 9mms would be the ultimate for me, but I make do with a P32, and likely won't change in the near future. __________________ Stevie-Ray Join the NRA/ILA I am the weapon; my gun is a tool. It's regrettable that with some people those descriptors are reversed.

January 2, 2010, 03:21 PM	#17
ATW525 Senior Member Join Date: March 14, 2005 Location: Concord, NH Posts: 2,723	The Kahr PM40 is my choice for a 2nd gun. 6 rounds of .40 S&W in a gun that's smaller than a J frame is nothing to sneeze at.

January 2, 2010, 07:08 PM	#18
earlthegoat2 Senior Member Join Date: March 20, 2009 Location: Lowcountry Posts: 373	I see this has morphed into more of a " I carry this as a BUG" so I will chime in and say that I carry an NAA Mini 22 Mag to back up a 38 5 shot snub. I also use the same 5 shot snub to back up an HK P7 on occasion. I never carry 3 guns. I rarely carry 2. I think the ultimate BUG would be the S&W 342 PD sans the lock. __________________ I say take off the warning labels and let them sort themselves out.

January 2, 2010, 10:12 PM	#19
Xanatos Senior Member Join Date: August 20, 2009 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 132	Any of the full size Desert Eagles. If my bullets don't stop the threat, my 15 lb brick of a handgun thrown at them will.

January 3, 2010, 10:27 AM	#21
EdInk Senior Member Join Date: May 27, 2009 Posts: 3,968	Depending on what you do and wear either a j-frame or lcp. __________________ Sic Semper Tyrannis

January 4, 2010, 01:32 AM	#22
IDAHOMIKE Senior Member Join Date: November 25, 2007 Location: Gooding, ID Posts: 348	As an Idaho resident, working in Kommiefornia, my leatherman does backup to my pocketknife. When home though, my current setup is a 4 inch 629 primary and no backup as I sold a lot of stuff during my unemploy. My ideal setup would be a CA Bulldog, old style, with the barrel bobbed and smaller grips riding shotgun to the 629 and Tuff Strips full of 44 Specials. Never got around to getting it. My former backup was a KelTec P32 stoked with Buffalo Bore FNL. Usually had a Naa mini along too. I wanted the Bulldog, first because I dig big bores, and second because the very similar manual of arms between that and the 629.