Do you carry a BUG?

[OldTXCop]

Discussions about carrying pepper spray, knives etc... made me think about this.

Do you carry a back-up gun? Clint Smith's quote comes to mind, "two is one and one is none" when it comes to carrying. And someones sig line states "I'd rather have it and not need it.... than need it and not have it".

I used to routinely carry 3 guns when working the streets. I also carried a couple of knives, a shotgun in the cruiser, and a mini-14 in the trunk. We worked as single man units with lots of area to cover and back-up usually at least 8-10 minutes away.

As a private citizen, are things different? If you are in a life or death situation, back-up (i.e. cops) will probably be several minutes away. What if something happens to permanently disable your gun? There are documented cases of this happening. What do you do?

This has me thinking....should I carry a BUG? What about you....

[al webb]

old texas cop, in reply i think the best idea i have seen lately is the guardian angel pepper spray from kimber. it has a trigger similar to a handgun. all situations are different but the way i figure is do something non lethal if you have a choice. my carry choice is g 23. what is your opinion on this? thanks, al from winston salem,n.c.

[Novel idea]

How would a two-shot derringer do in that roll? Cobra makes some affordable ones chambered in anything from .22 LR to 9mm.

[OldTXCop]

Pepper spray is a good non-lethal weapon... but for the sake of discussion, let's say we are talking about lethal confrontations...

Would you better off with pepper spray, or a back-up gun?

The derringer is a good idea... I was also thinking about a NAA 22mag revolver, tucked in a pocket, or an airweight .38, or .380 auto, in an ankle holster, or coat pocket...

Should we be carrying BUG's, just in case?

[Stubob]

I will have to admit, that I think that peper spray is a good thing for folks that do not want to use a gun.

I have three back up guns that I really like and carry -

NorthAmerican Arms mini revolver with the folding handle .22Lr, The NorthAmerican Arms Pug,.22 Mag, and the Beretta Bob Cat .22LR

All of these I can carry in my front pocket and a .22 is a lot better than nothing. The folding handle of the .22 is great for looking like a pocket knife and is quick to get out.

I was picking up the new bond Arms SnakeSlayer IV today and the guy at the dealer had sold a Bond Arms SnakeSlayer to a customer who was going to use the .45Longcolt / 410 as a back up in Bear country.

So - I guess back up means different things to folks -

Great questions and comments about the pepper spray -

[45Fan]

I have a Bond Arms .45 colt / .410. I have to admit, I dont ALWAYS carry in as I should. But, I do have it often.

But, I ALWAYS have a spare mag in my back pocket.

OldTXCop, Thanks for your Service! :twisted:

[Onree]

LOL - I'm happy to be able to carry one gun, much less two or three! If it was open-carry, not a problem. Concealed, I can't imagine where I'd hide another gun.

Maybe I need to move up north where I can wear different clothes to better help conceal more weapons.

I can imagine a job interview too...
"So, what made ya decide to move to Ohio from Florida?!" :?
"Well, sir, to be totally honest... so I could wear all these jackets and layers of clothes to better conceal additional guns." :D
:shock: "SECURITY!! SECURITY!!!!"

[Bill of Rights]

OHIO????!!!!

Indiana has MUCH better gun laws.

I LMAO at your interview, too. :shock: "SECURITY!! SECURITY!!"

Blessings,
B

[VegasGeorge]

I know that LEOs carry back up guns. But, then again, it's their job to step into confrontational situations. And, they are definite targets in many cases. They have much higher risk and exposure than we LACs do. So, I don't think we should gage our requirements by their practices. I feel adequately protected with just my sidearm and a couple of spare magazines.

NOTE: "LAC" = "Legally Armed Citizen," and is pronounced like "lacey." Some think of it as "Law Abiding Citizen," but for us I prefer the first meaning.

[duc_fan]

Once I can afford it, I'll probably be purchasing a SIG P232 (.380 ACP, a slightly bigger knockoff of the Walther PPK). It would be for summer or dress concealed carry, but I had also thought about carrying it in an ankle rig or pocket holster when I have it's big brother, the P220 Carry, in my waistband. I have a reasonable level of confidence in my SIG (which will likely grow with more trouble-free bullets downrange), but it's still unwise to have all of one's eggs in a single basket.

[pioneer461]

To our pepper spray fans, you should know that it does not always work.

Also

If you should some day be forced into a situation where you have to shoot someone, you should know that having pepper spray in your possession at the time may come back to haunt you. In a criminal trial and when the bad guy's family sues you, the attorneys will want you to explain to the jury why you shot the deceased instead of spraying him. They will try to make you look like a trigger happy killer if you had other options and didn't use them.

If it's not a lethal force situation, leave. If it is a lethal force situation, use lethal force. Only a fool would take pepper spray to a gun fight.

[Tanzer]

Although I own a Kel-Tec P32 that makes for a great little BUG, I never carry one (sometimes it's in the car with me though). My reasoning is as follows;
I never go anywhere that I think trouble is likely. I don't have a job that requires it. I would only use a BUG if I did think trouble was likely. Then again, I'd wear a vest also.
I sometimes have more than one gun with me when travelling (I have permits in four states) This is so that my wife, a good shooter herself but without a CWP, could be my back up.

[Sky Pilot]

OldTXCop, you and I worked much alike!
Hail and well met, friend!
Like yourself I carried BUG in uniform and probably should when concealed, but now that I am an old married civilian my proifile is more that of an Apple than that of the Broom Handle I used to resemble.
It's hard enough to keep my drawers up and my belt tight with a 1911 on my side, so I try and carry the BUG on the upper body.
Depends on the weather, how much layering I have, the particular attire of the day. Many variables.

[sixy9fordmust4ng]

My sugestion....
Carry a Normal Glock or Springfield XD, then as a backup carry the SubCompact model.
The SC model is very small, light, easy to fit in places, and it takes the same mags as the full size.
So if you lose the function of your main, you have a similar backup being able to take the same mags.

[Hoot]

No, I don't carry a back up. I have several guns that could fill that role nicely, and I know a BUG is good policy for an LEO. But I can't imagine a situation wherein I would need one. The only back up weapon I carry is a cane, which is a mighty fine tool if you know how to use it.

[BikerRN]

This may be my first post, and you may get to know me from my post as I frequent this forum.

On Duty the carrying of a BUG is forbiden by policy. I'm OK with that as I have a partner and have made allowances.

On my own time I carry a Primary and a BUG as well as reloads for both weapons. I also carry a few blades too. The reason I carry a BUG off duty is, like a CCW Permit Holder, I never know what hand I will have available to draw with in an up close and personal encounter. I only carry Pepper Spray when the wife and I are walking our dogs. It's a great dog deterrant for those aggressive Fido's in the neighborhood.

Since I'm "Old School" I favor the Ruger GP100 with a 3" Barrel as a Primary and a 442 as a BUG. My other combos are the S&W 22-4 and the 442, the Glock 19/442 or the Glock 19/Kahr PM9.

Take care and stay safe everybody.

Biker