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Originally Posted by mosesiscarryingapdw  Well that was very helpful.
The correct answer is a subcompact in whatever make and caliber your issued duty weapon is. With most firearms manufacturers, you can use the regular size mags in a subcompact model's magwell, so you can use your primary duty weapon's ammunition in your backup were the primary to be rendered inoperable or stolen away from you. Wouldn't it suck to get into a firefight with just your backup, and only have one mag/cylinder of ammunition for it? You're already carrying enough gear on your duty belt, adding even more magazines that are not for your duty weapon isn't the answer.
For example, if you carry a Glock 22, your backup should be a Glock 27. Carry a Glock 19...get a Glock 26. This kind of setup is easiest to accomplish with Glocks, though it works with other manufacturers as well. Don't forget to put on night sights like Meprolights, the standard Glock ones are atrocious. What will be your issue duty weapon?
Any modern defensive load in 9mm, .40, or .45 will be adequate for defensive purposes. .380 is a bit on the small size for a defensive round, but there are some good loads available for it, and would carry a .380 in more formal occasions if I had one. |
I followed that same school of thought for a while, then I stopped. I carried a S&W model 36 hardchromed and loaded with +p CorBon ammunition. There are lots of factors that make you go hmmm when choosing a BUG and the magazine interchangeability was very logical to me. I found out after a while that the Glocks were too awkward for me to carry, and I preferred the utter reliability of a wheel gun. I carried it in a nylon thumb-break holster on the side of my vest, velcro'd to the straps most of the time. In the winter months, when clothing was layered, I used the ankle rig. You should also consider what kind of action you are likely to encounter in your department. If I were going to work for a big department like Metro, then I would probably break down and go with the Glock. More is better in areas where you are more likely to get into a bad situation. In my case, a very small town, I felt adequately armed with my .38 as a BUG. Eventually I was armed with my Colt King Cobra as a primary and my M36 as a BUG. I have taken quite a bit of flak for carrying a wheel gun, or 2, but I know how to use them, and I feel comfortable with them. Now, If I were to start-up again with Metro, I would definitely be carrying dueling Glocks. Keep in mind that this is JMHO, and YMMV and so on....