Tactical advantage?

[Oldjarhead]

Is it better tactically speaking for someone who carries concealed, to carry extra magazines, or a second backup handgun?

[Glenn E. Meyer]

Both.

This is an old issue of how much risk you want to plan for.

The extra gun or mag is NOT for the 'going to a bad area' meme. That's stupid. Gun fights in nice areas are not nicer in content.

The extra mag is useful for extra ammo if you run into a more complicated critical incident than one mugger who wants your wallet. Yes, that's rare but ever using a gun is rare.

The extra mag is most useful if you get a malfunction that is best handled by dropping the mag. I recall a video by Dave Spaulding (a great trainer) - he draws his gun and mag drops out. Mags unseat. Do you want to scramble in the dirt for one?

The extra gun - sometimes the malfunction isn't fixable. Happened to me and blew a match in terms of performance time but I could finish the stage with the BUG.

So do you plan for the risks above or stay at the one mugger, wave a gun to shoo him or her away level?

You decide. I think if you carry a semi, one extra mag isn't hard.

[T. O'Heir]

Extra mags. Mind you, if you can't fix the mess you got into with one mag, you've gotten in way over your head.
Second firearms are usually carried in silly places like ankles. Hard to get at.

[Glenn E. Meyer]

I will opine, to be blunt, that you don't know what you are talking about.

Spouting cliches is not a useful contribution.

[fastbolt]

Tactical advantage?
Is it better tactically speaking for someone who carries concealed, to carry extra magazines, or a second backup handgun?

Different questions. Not really a single subject to be covered by a single "answer" that would fit or be applicable for everyone and their anticipated circumstances.

Carrying 1 or more spare magazines supports the user's ability to operate the primary pistol and keep it running if/when needed.

Carrying a secondary handgun supports the user's ability to remain armed and operational under a variety of circumstances in which the primary pistol may be unavailable, not quickly accessible, not operable or perhaps ill-advised for the specific circumstances.

For some folks having at least 1 spare magazine and a secondary weapon might be advantageous, lawful and appropriate for their mission-specific needs. Some just might like having both options (if lawful under local CCW regulations, laws, agency policies, etc).

Now, when it comes to the possible tactical employment of either type of weapon? That's another subject to be carefully considered, and one where training may be handy to support an effective use of either/both, devised to address various anticipated circumstances.

Short "answer"? It depends.

I tend to lean toward primary attention being given to the 'primary' handgun, but remember that any 'secondary' handgun (if desired or considered appropriate) may well become the 'primary' under some circumstances, and devise training & practice to support carrying/using it in whatever circumstances may be anticipated or likely.

TANSTAAFL.

[mavracer]

Wouldn't it be great if somebody could actually answer your question, thing is you wont know what the answer is til afterwards.

[raimius]

It depends on the situation and preparations of the carrier.

A belt mounted magazine is quicker to get into action than a back-up on an ankle holster or secondary "deep concealment" position, in most cases...but not all issues with the primary gun are quickly solved by a spare magazine.
...two pistols in the preferred carry positions can be pretty quick, as well.

I get the impression that a lot of people who carry a back-up probably don't practice with it enough to be accurate past 5ft or so, once they go into condition Red (or Black). Most BUGs seem to be deep concealed, sub-compact guns that are difficult to master, and most people lose most of their shooting ability under even moderate stress levels.

[Big Shrek]

Just one extra? How about six?? (Il Duce - Boondock Saints 1 & 2)
Kind of gives whole new meaning to Tactical Vest...

Ok, you can only conceal that much in Early Spring, Late Fall, & Winter...
but if you absolutely, positively need heavy firepower, go big or go home

[JimmyR]

Originally Posted by Oldjarhead

Is it better tactically speaking for someone who carries concealed, to carry extra magazines, or a second backup handgun?

I'm struggling a bit with your syntax, but I think you are asking if it is better to carry a second gun or a spare magazine.

Personally, I choose to carry extra ammunition in 99/100 cases. A BUG is often more difficult to carry, and as has been mentioned above, often leads to carry methods that are not ideal (ankle/ shoulder/ small of back/ etc.) if the primary is carried strong side IWB/OWB.

The two biggest advantages for a BUG are: 1) Arming a family member or other shooter you trust for support and 2) for a faster reload than a magazine or speed loader, especially when carrying a revolver.

[Mobuck]

I've never carried a second handgun. I DO carry extra mags. Mags are cheap so I have extras in my vest, jacket, Jeep console, ???. I'm confident that if my pistol has ammo, it will work. I also know that in a high stress situation, I'm likely to miss(maybe a lot) and running low on ammo is not in my playbook.

[hartcreek]

When I do security work I carry multiple firearms as in two or more with all the mags that I have. This could mean seven mags for the primary. Four mags for the secondary firearm and _____ mags for the third.

Had one event that turned into a real fiasco with 30 individuals running from the police.

[g.willikers]

Even better maybe, if you're worried about it, is to take a tip from the folks in the military and law enforcement.
Travel with others as much as possible.
An extra armed person or two is probably better than an extra gun or magazine.
Just thinking out loud.

[raimius]

When I do security work I carry multiple firearms as in two or more with all the mags that I have. This could mean seven mags for the primary. Four mags for the secondary firearm and _____ mags for the third.

Are you working security in the Ukraine or Syria?

How much does all that weigh?

[Deaf Smith]

Is it better tactically speaking for someone who carries concealed, to carry extra magazines, or a second backup handgun?

It's better to practice often and well and to make your shots count so you don't need that backup gun nor spare ammo.

But if you MUST have one or the other, well then if the weapon is slow to reload (say a revolver), carry a backup. But if your weapon is fast to reload, then a spare mag.

Both presume your weapon is reliable and has good ammo.

Deaf

[Nanuk]

I am in the same camp as Glenn and Fastbolt. I carry multiple reloads and a BUG with at least 1 reload.

My crystal ball never worked and I have never been able to predict how everything was going to work out.

[timothy75]

Almost every response seems to work in a commercial, catch phrase, or testament of seasoned expertise. I suggest enthusiasts looking for philosophical discussion (a good thing) take concepts one at a time, in a true false fashion without trying to steer the outcome toward a .45 is never gonna shrink answer. God Bless

[Jim243]

take concepts one at a time

In 99% of the time a single extra mag will solve most problems. A jam can be cleared by dropping the mag, clearing the chamber/ejection port and inserting a new mag in a matter of seconds. (the jammed round will usually fall through the empty mag well) This needs to be practiced to become proficient at it. But is not that difficult to do. If however the gun is totally inoperable then a bug would be a good solution. Most often a 380 carried in the middle of the back.


Jim

[Sharkbite]

he draws his gun and mag drops out. Mags unseat. Do you want to scramble in the dirt for one?

THAT is a great reason, right there, to carry a spare mag.

Rapid presentation to a valid threat. Your mag falls out because the mag release got pressed while the gun was holstered. Do you scramble around looking for that mag or just slam in the spare on your belt??

[sliponby]

If your armed and carrying a spare mag you are better off "tactically" than 99% of the people you come in contact with every day. If you feel more "tactically prepared" by carrying a backup gun, then go for it. Which is best? More than likely a matter of opinion...

[OldMarksman]

Posted by sliponby:

If your armed and carrying a spare mag you are better off "tactically" than 99% of the people you come in contact with every day.

Or some high percentage, bu that doesn't mean anything. The issue is, what are the odds that you would need the spare in the unlikely event that you found yourself in a deadly force situation.

If you feel more "tactically prepared" by carrying a backup gun, then go for it.

You can make an informed decision on the basis of a lot more than how you "feel".

Which is best? More than likely a matter of opinion...

Yep.

[Kosh75287]

.45 ACP 1911A1: 3 Wilson Combat 1911 Magazines, .45 ACP, Full-Size, 8 Round, Lo-Profile Steel Base Pad. 1 in the piece, 2 in a belt-borne magazine holder. Original factory magazine in a jacket pocket. No BUG.

Canik C-100: 2 Stock magazines. 1 in the piece, one in a belt-borne magazine holder. A 3rd magazine, intended for a full-size Cz, goes in the other recess of the magazine holder. No BUG

[Brit]

Looking into actual numbers of rounds fired, as in shootings, it seems fairly common to see numbers like 2 or three rounds fired?

But there have been instances that a 16 round capacity pistol has been fired to lock back? Now empty? I have no crystal ball, but carrying my Gen 4 Glock 19, the way I dress? Is easy to conceal, an extra 17 round magazine is a no sweat solution? To whatever could happen.

So I have always carried one of those. And a Surefire flashlight, said light has been used way more than my pistol.
But my carry Pistol is not for what is going to happen, but rather what could happen.

I have pointed guns at people, but not fired them? Hard to do when you are not carrying one? So carrying a spare magazine is a mute point? But I always do, regardless.

Once or twice, just because, I have a few of those, back pocket carried a .380, in a back pocket. It is a pain, you sit on it, bangs off things!

You hear stories of people who do not always carry? And need one, on a day they do not have one?

Could not happen to me, I always carry. And an extra magazine.

[Big Shrek]

Brit, its MOOT point...not Mute...Mute means Dumb.

[Kosh75287]

Y'might also want to review the use of question marks as punctuation devices.

[Brit]

What can I say, I only went to a Catholic School. Started at age 5, 1940, we were not too concerned about much then, except getting food, and not being bombed by German Planes.

But thank you so much for pointing out the errors in my post.

I will check more carefully in the future. (Y'might?) Another question mark? 2.

Brit.