Reasons to Carry A Backup Gun
We've gone really far in depth about the amount of ammo you should carry, why you should consider carrying extra ammo, and the importance of using the proper type of ammunition. Something I don't feel like we've touched on a great deal is the backup gun.
More specifically, why carry a backup gun to begin with. But first, let's discuss what a backup gun even is.
What is a backup gun?
A backup gun is exactly what it sounds like — a spare gun you have on your body to go bang as a last resort. A backup gun is the “oh crap” of the concealed carry world. Meaning, you've spent all of your ammunition for your primary self-defense gun and just happen to find yourself in a shootout with a mob of angry zombies and need more ammo. Or, maybe your EDC gun decided that it was going to take a large dump on your ability to defend yourself in the form of a catastrophic, irreversible failure but the danger is still there and you still need to defend yourself. Finally, a backup gun is one which is usually in deeper concealment on your body like on your ankle under your pants.
Let's take a deeper look at each of these reasons why you might consider carrying a backup gun for self-defense.
The amount of ammunition you carry is always going to be limited by several factors. First, the number of magazines you have. Also helping to limit the amount of ammunition you can carry is the size of your waist.
You're only ever going to be able to fit so much ammunition on your body and at some point in your ventures, it makes sense to stick a different firearm elsewhere on your body – like your ankle in a backup holster.
That way, if you do find yourself up that creek, you will have five or six more rounds to fall back on, should you need them.
Another reason you might need a backup gun is because your EDC gun decided it was going to stop working in such a way that wasn't ammunition related (like a failure to extract which is easily remedied by a tap-rack). I'm talking about something mechanical where your primary gun cannot be fixed quickly in the field but the crap is still hitting the fan.
In this case, at least you've got your backup gun and a handful of rounds to help you stay somewhat in the fight.
Most people will not carry a backup gun, and it's easy to see why. It's not comfortable and to do it properly you must dress a certain way to help conceal the gun. Many people who do carry one are on-duty police officers or others who work in some sort of security related field.
This isn't always the case though. I worked with a lady once who was not a police or security guard and she carried a snubby revolver in an ankle holster as a backup to her Glock 19.
Her reasoning for this even though she also carried two spare mags on her belt, was just in case. Just in case what? Just in case her gun has a serious malfunction where it cannot be returned into the fight. Or, just in case she's in a bad situation where she runs out of ammo. Or, in case her friend has problems with his gun and can use a new one.
And situations like the above mentioned “just in case” scenarios, are exactly why people choose to be uncomfortable to carry a backup gun.
Conclusion:
Carrying a deep concealment backup gun is not for everyone. For example, I wear shorts and flip flops 7-8 months out of the year. So for me, ankle carry does not work. But for plenty of other self-defense minded Americans, it's a way of life. Maybe it is for you.
I can't answer that for you, but if you're interested in it, I urge you to try carrying a backup gun.
Leave any thoughts on this in the comments below.
Some states such as North Carolina does not permit a second back up Gun. If that has changed, please let me know.
Hey Ed, this is a good point to bring up. While I don’t recall NC prohibiting the carry of a backup gun, I’m pretty sure that some states, like New Mexico, do. I encourage everyone to read the laws in their state to stay compliant with laws.
Thanks,
Josh
I like the idea of a BUG but for me it’s hard enough for me to carry one gun, let alone two. Plus I have an ankle IFAK so my real estate is pretty limited.
I would only add that a failure to extract with a broken extractor cannot be corrected with a “Tap and Rack”, as stated, in most cases.
The decision to carry a BUG can be done situationally too, it doesn’t have to be a 24/7 choice. If that day, or in the next 3 hours, you’re going to working in a bad area, you may want the extra firepower, or not. Same with carrying extra magazines. This is not the same as your choice to carry a firearm in the first place. That should be all day every day, IMO.
Answer me this: Shouldn’t a backup pistol be of the same caliber as your carry pistol?
That way, if your carry pistol takes a crap, you can still use yor ammo in your backup.
I would take it one step further though. If I needed a backup pistol, I would use the subcompact version of my edc pistol. That way, all your magazines would work in your backup.
Just my thoughts on the matter.
Both excellent suggestions. Thank you!
I agree with the above comments. My preferred b/u is a smaller version of my primary gun. Primary at 3 o’clock, b/u in a single sided shoulder rig, plus spare mags. Or a double shoulder rig. Sometimes my 2nd (or 3rd) gun is a Ruger LCP II in my offside back pocket. During extreme cold weather if my primary is a belt gun, then I like to carry a Ruger LCR easily accessible in my coat pocket.While I own some ankle rigs, I don’t use them much, but in certain situations they can be accessible such as when you are driving.