Mr. Mosin
Member
- Joined
- Jun 26, 2019
- Messages
- 2,112
One of those deep, thought provoking questions. For those of you who carry a BUG (Back Up Gun) in addition to your primary carry; is it the same caliber as your primary carry ? Larger, more effective caliber ? Or smaller caliber ? It's always baffled me (still does) about people carrying BUG's. If I'm gonna carry a BUG to supplement or replace my primary carry in case of unrepairable mechanical issue, lack of ammunition, being forcibly deprived of said main carry, or (continue ad nauseum), I'd want it in at least the same (hopefully ballistically effective) caliber as my primary, if not in an equally effective or *more effective* caliber.
Good Example- primary carry being a... S&W Shield in 9x19mm. BUG being a S&W 640 Pro in .357 Magnum.
Acceptable Example- primary (S&W Shield, 9mm), BUG (Ruger LCR in 9mm)
Bad Example- S&W Shield (9mm), BUG- Beretta 21a Bobcat in .22LR
I can understand the simplicity of slipping a Ruger LCP into a pocket, don't get me wrong... but (perfect world scenario here, you successfully put your entire magazine into a series of textbook CoM shots) if your Shield in 9mm failed to stop that 6'6" 350lb druggie with body armor and a car door for a shield, I fail to see how that little LCP in .380 is gonna do any better.
Disclaimer- nothing wrong with any of the above handguns. Platform was mainly used for ease of familiarity (and Google-ability) and said platform being chambered in a caliber suitable for demonstration.
*Checks to insure proper seal on fire, flame, roasting spit, and grill proof suit*
*Let the flaming commence*
*For the purpose of this post, a Back Up Gun (BUG) is any handgun carried in addition to an individual's primary carry piece (whether open or concealed) for the purpose of "continuing the fight" if the primary carry piece should fail, run dry, or be forcibly taken. *
Good Example- primary carry being a... S&W Shield in 9x19mm. BUG being a S&W 640 Pro in .357 Magnum.
Acceptable Example- primary (S&W Shield, 9mm), BUG (Ruger LCR in 9mm)
Bad Example- S&W Shield (9mm), BUG- Beretta 21a Bobcat in .22LR
I can understand the simplicity of slipping a Ruger LCP into a pocket, don't get me wrong... but (perfect world scenario here, you successfully put your entire magazine into a series of textbook CoM shots) if your Shield in 9mm failed to stop that 6'6" 350lb druggie with body armor and a car door for a shield, I fail to see how that little LCP in .380 is gonna do any better.
Disclaimer- nothing wrong with any of the above handguns. Platform was mainly used for ease of familiarity (and Google-ability) and said platform being chambered in a caliber suitable for demonstration.
*Checks to insure proper seal on fire, flame, roasting spit, and grill proof suit*
*Let the flaming commence*
*For the purpose of this post, a Back Up Gun (BUG) is any handgun carried in addition to an individual's primary carry piece (whether open or concealed) for the purpose of "continuing the fight" if the primary carry piece should fail, run dry, or be forcibly taken. *