Do you carry a Backup Gun (BUG)?

[ModernGunner]

Some times a BUG. Some times not. Some times more than one. Depends on what that 'little bird on my shoulder' tells me that day.

Everyone has their own concepts and beliefs on their personal protection, and I pass no judgment on those concepts. Folks know better than I what works best for them.

When a BUG is carried, the least 'potent' carried is a 9mm, perhaps a .45 acp. This is solely based on my own, real world, experiences.

 

[Dean C.]

Most of the time I do not carry a BUG as the odds of needing your firearm are astronomical to begin with, then the odds of your primary not working are very low also. That being said if I am going through the bad part of INDY I normally carry my HK P30 with a spare mag (because we all know HK's dont jam ) with a Ruger LCP in my back pocket.

 

[BehindBlueI's]

I do. Primarily because its easier to access in certain situations than my primary. An ankle holster sucks while standing, and a belt holster sucks while seat belted in, so having both gives you options.

 

[Cam]

I do. Primarily because its easier to access in certain situations than my primary. An ankle holster sucks while standing, and a belt holster sucks while seat belted in, so having both gives you options.

This might be one of the best points I've heard for the BUG debate. I like it!

 

[cedartop]

No. I do carry a second full size gun when travelling though. I think if someone chooses to carry one regularly that is great, though I do question the back gun being lesser of a fighting gun than the primary. If I need my back up I probably need it real bad and would prefer to have something effective that I shoot well. When I got paid to carry guns I did it like BBI suggests, as I really wanted to have access to a gun while seated in the car, and the left hand duty rig was not always the best for that.

 

[lovemachine]

No. I do carry a second full size gun when travelling though. I think if someone chooses to carry one regularly that is great, though I do question the back gun being lesser of a fighting gun than the primary. If I need my back up I probably need it real bad and would prefer to have something effective that I shoot well. When I got paid to carry guns I did it like BBI suggests, as I really wanted to have access to a gun while seated in the car, and the left hand duty rig was not always the best for that.

This makes a lot of sense. If you happen to NEED that back up gun, would you really want to be in a gun fight with a gun that isn't as good as your primary?

I'd rather have a Glock 26 or a .38 snubby as a BUG.

 

[lovemachine]

If I was a larger man, I think I would carry 2 full size guns.

 

[cosermann]

OP, here's a prior poll on the issue: - https://www.indianagunowners.com/fo...-defense/227052-who-carrys-bug-how-often.html

Why stop at 2? - https://www.indianagunowners.com/fo...-defense/236323-how-many-carry-third-gun.html

Couple prior threads:
- https://www.indianagunowners.com/fo...-pistols-who-sees-unreasonable-behaviour.html
- https://www.indianagunowners.com/forums/handguns/143028-carry-backup-gun-edc-why-why-not.html

And a video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZ29lGSPPV8

Edit: Added a few other references.

 

[Revo357]

OP, here's a prior poll on the issue: - https://www.indianagunowners.com/fo...-defense/227052-who-carrys-bug-how-often.html

Why stop at 2? - https://www.indianagunowners.com/fo...-defense/236323-how-many-carry-third-gun.html

Couple prior threads:
- https://www.indianagunowners.com/fo...-pistols-who-sees-unreasonable-behaviour.html
- https://www.indianagunowners.com/forums/handguns/143028-carry-backup-gun-edc-why-why-not.html

And a video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZ29lGSPPV8

Edit: Added a few other references.

Thank you for the links cosermann.

A lot of good points on the topic and I can see both sides. How comfortable is ankle carry exactly?

 

[VERT]

Thank you for the links cosermann.

A lot of good points on the topic and I can see both sides. How comfortable is ankle carry exactly?

I never cared for it. I worry about the gun moving around. I have heard the ankle glove with support strap is better.

 

[GIJEW]

Like most of you I don't carry a BUG but have on occasion, depending on where I had to go/work. I do sometimes reposition my EDC so that's more accessible in the car, again depending on the location.

 

[tcecil88]

I carry a BUG daily. Lately it has been my G42, but I have carried a J-Frame 042 quite a bit. The G42 has night sights, so it gets the nod most days.

 

[Revo357]

I won a glock 42 at a NRA benefit match last year and ended up trading it to my brother for a Sig 290rs. May have to look into the 42 again or wait for that single stack 9mm supposedly coming out soon.

 

[Revo357]

Better than nothing in my opinion. Small state marv, I live in Gatchel also.

Hey Marv, since my post count is lacking for now I'm unable to message you back. But I live by the store here in our little community, convenient at times

 

[9mmfan]

Normally I don't carry a BUG but when I drive out of town any distance I do. Either a 642 in an Ankle Glove or my normal EDC (G19) and it's bigger brother, a G20 on my strong side.

 

[BehindBlueI's]

Thank you for the links cosermann.

A lot of good points on the topic and I can see both sides. How comfortable is ankle carry exactly?

I carry an LCR and I'm not aware its there unless I specifically think about it. I've tried a Shield and its the same. That's about as heavy as I care to go in an ankle set up, though.

I call it a BUG/Primary as that's the common vernacular. Truly I view it more as an alternative gun than a "back up" like a spare tire. The situation dictates which I'm going for first, and much like the "use a pistol to fight to a rifle" theory, if the situation dictates I'll use my BUG to fight to my primary.

 

[Redhorse]

I've often thought of ankle carrying but I need to get a gun to first.

 

[tcecil88]

I won a glock 42 at a NRA benefit match last year and ended up trading it to my brother for a Sig 290rs. May have to look into the 42 again or wait for that single stack 9mm supposedly coming out soon.

I wish I still had my P290rs. Great little gun. Smaller than the G42 in a more potent caliber.

 

[VERT]

I never cared for it. I worry about the gun moving around. I have heard the ankle glove with support strap is better.

Bumping this for an update. I obtained a lightly used Galco Ankle Glove with strap from a friend. Tried it out yesterday. It did a good job carrying my Jframe. Overall I like the setup. I especially like being able to reach the gun whe seated in the truck. Otherwise it is hard to get to. But given the alternatives it is a nice option. If I do decide to carry this gun as a true BUG it will be on my ankle.

 

[88E30M50]

I sometimes do, sometimes don't. It depends on what I'm doing that day or where I'm planning to go. When I do, it's a Sig P238 in a pocket holster.