Really?

[ku4hx]

I carry one; my backup is my wife ... and vice versa.

 

[MCgunner]

Yes, really. Every day, a 17 ounce .38 snub in my strong pocket, a .22LR NAA mini in a folding grip in my left pocket. Trips to town or city, .357 magnum on my hip, the .38 becomes a NY reload, the .22 stays where it is. SO, at times, I carry 3. I don't see this as stupid, odd, or anything other than practical, actually. If I carry my 19 ounce Poly 605 .357 on my belt, add the 17 ounce .38, the 6 ounce .22, I'm pretty close to the weight of a standard 1911 and the load is spread out, not concentrated on the belt.

The .22 is my always gun. I've taken numerous possums with it and even shot a few rabbits with it. It's often the only appropriate gun within reach when I need one. My guns are tools. I occasionally have need for one around the place, have shot the heads off 3 cottonmouths in the last 2 years with my .38 and I put down hogs in the trap with it. This is why I carry at home. Not much chance of seeing anyone else out here at the end of the road except my 2 neighbors. I add the .357 when we go somewhere that we'll be seeing other people.

Therefore, having a backup is a great idea. Think of it like the tires on your car. Do you not carry a spare, or at least a donut in the trunk?

I suppose I could think of the NAA mini as a "donut". LOL!

 

[AStone]

...a .22LR NAA mini in a folding grip in my left pocket.

Now THAT is a cool little handgun. I've looked at NAA before, but never seen that folder.

http://northamericanarms.com/firearms/lr/lr-hg.html

4.6 oz. Wow.

Added to my wish list (about #3). I could totally carry that one as a backup that would serve for small game in a pinch. (Squirrels in woodlands near human habitation are not very wary.)

Also, to be clear, even though I wouldn't carry a 2nd gun in a larger caliber, that's a function of where I live. If I lived in or visited one of the big ugly (sorry) cities -- NYC, BOS, Detroit, etc -- I would do so.

But I live mostly in small towns/cities -- I've had to travel a lot in the last few years -- and just haven't felt the need. (In fact, due to circumstances beyond my control that I won't discuss here, I haven't carried at all for almost five years. That'll change soon ....)

 

[entropy]

I sometimes do, but admittedly, not often. My Bodyguard 38 does make for a nice 'New York reload', though.

 

[Inebriated]

I'm a firm believer that drawing a second handgun is faster than reloading, if you have experience drawing and shooting with the support hand.

I'm also a firm believer that being able to draw ambidextrously is important.

But, I'm also a guy that knows, if he can carry two G26's or a G26 and a spare mag, he'll leave to the spare gun at home most of the time. So, I carry one gun, a spare mag, and I have a full-sized handgun in the vehicle at all times.

We all have limits of what we find tolerable and reasonable. I find a second gun reasonable as could be, but not tolerable.

 

[MCgunner]

Now THAT is a cool little handgun. I've looked at NAA before, but never seen that folder.

http://northamericanarms.com/firearms/lr/lr-hg.html

4.6 oz. Wow.

Added to my wish list (about #3). I could totally carry that one as a backup that would serve for small game in a pinch. (Squirrels in woodlands near human habitation are not very wary.)

I HAVE taken small game to about 40 feet max. The sights are very rudimentary, but allow me with enough time to place 10 shots into about 7" at a full 25 yards off a solid rest. I couldn't do this without the folding grip, not nearly enough grip for my hands.

Now, if you don't mind 10 ounces or so, look into the Black Widow. It has REAL Novak sights. Mine is the magnum model, don't have a LR cylinder, but they're available. This gun will put 10 shots into 3.5" off the bench at 25 yards for me. Mine shoots to POA, not sure what a .22LR cylinder would do in it. I'd expect it to shoot lower than .22 mag, but the .22 mag Hornady Personal Defense loads are very accurate and pretty danged impressive if you believe Hornady's gel testing. It would take small game, too, but it's LOUD. The .22LR is loud enough.

As I have both and the NAA is a second or third gun, not a primary, I carry the .22LR for the lighter weight and size since the 2" barrel and magnum frame is longer on the BW. It's about the size and weight of a pocket knife when folded. I carry it weak side figuring if I'm wrestling with a guy and need my right arm and my left arm's free, screw it in his ear and blow his eardrum out. THAT has to be distracting, don't ya think?

Another you might look at which has real sights is the Pug, shorter and lighter than the BW, but with the Novak sights. These things are very well made and a hoot once you get 'em dialed in and learn to shoot 'em. They can be quite ammo picky, so take your time with it, don't lose faith, and try different ammo to find the right recipe. I had to file the front sight down on my .22 model, but have been carrying and shooting it for about 25 yards. It is totally discrete in a pocket, needless to say. Heck, I even have the cap and ball version, the Super Companion, just for kicks, not a carry choice, but COULD be in a pinch.

One more tidbit, I change ammo out on my .22LR model weekly, especially in summer. Leave it in there over a month and you'll start getting duds from the pocket sweat moisture. The .22 magnum doesn't seem susceptible to this as it is not a heal seated bullet. I just save the old rounds and use 'em for practice after 10 weeks worth. This may be a bit of a hassle, but it needs to be done to assure reliable ignition. The little thing NEVER misfires for any other reason, very reliable.

 

[ATLDave]

For most (civilian) folks, the stacking of probabilities leads them to rationally conclude that any minor additional hassle or expense of carrying a second is inefficient. For a very small number of folks, they perceive that their stack of probabilities renders the need for a second gun not so remote as to be functionally-imaginary. That second group may or may not be making realistic assessments of the probabilities in the stack.

There is another group, surely over-represented on gun discussion fora, that simply like carrying guns. If those folks want to carry a second, that doesn't negatively impact me, so knock yourself (and your back?) out.

 

[OpticsPlanet]

Some people do...other don't

Concealed carry is really all about personal preference...

I know many that do not carry an extra mag let alone an extra gun. Once you have an experience where you ran out of ammo or you gun failed, you would probably change your setup.

Personally, I do not even carry regularly (its pretty prohibitive to do so here in IL). When I carry, I usually do not carry a spare mag. I do have spare mags in my vehicle.

Since reading the Truth on OC Spray (thread here on THR) i would be more inclined to carry OC than I would be to carry a BUG or even a spare mag.

YMMV

-Matt S.

 

[dickydalton]

...

 

[AStone]

I carry it weak side figuring if I'm wrestling with a guy and need my right arm and my left arm's free, screw it in his ear and blow his eardrum out. THAT has to be distracting, don't ya think?

<laughter> Yah.

Another you might look at which has real sights is the Pug, shorter and lighter than the BW, but with the Novak sights. ... It is totally discrete in a pocket, needless to say.

Ok, that's another winner. Really like the Pug. Only 6.4 oz unloaded. And small enough -- the BW seems a bit large and heavy for my taste. (ETA: Ooops, I overlooked that it's .22 mag. I'd rather have a .22 LR.)

One question, though: do you carry it in a pocket holster, or just in your pocket? I can see how the folder can carry safely with no holster -- trigger is covered when it's folded -- but the Pug?

ETA 2: just found this holster for it.

http://northamericanarms.com/accessories/p-accessories/p-holsters/hip-pug.html

 

[pezo]

I have what I call my detroiter. Lcr in pocket (jacket with hand on it if needed) an sp101 iwb strong side. Two speedloaders weak Side pocket ( I use support hand to reload. I have no issues) and two strips in in back left pocket or 3" gp100 strong side owb (if wearing weather clothes permits)in lieu of sp101.

 

[farm23]

I always carry my NAA Black Widow and if I go on a hike or go to town I carry something larger. I don't think I need a backup but I just leave the BW in my front pocket.

 

[Panzerschwein]

Like Clint Smith says "two is one and one is none".

I agree.

 

[MCgunner]

One question, though: do you carry it in a pocket holster, or just in your pocket? I can see how the folder can carry safely with no holster -- trigger is covered when it's folded -- but the Pug?

I don't have a Pug. My .22LR I carry in the pocket folded in it's grip. When I carry the Black Widow, I carry it folded muzzle down in my Blackhawk number 3 that I carry my bigger guns in. It's carried as a primary when I need extreme discretion. That isn't too often.

One problem with the Black Widow, I don't have the LR cylinder for it and .22 magnum is even harder to find than .22LR through this ammo drought. When I was hurting for .22LR, I resorted to practice with my cap and ball Super Companion. Now, I have upwards of 7,000 .22 rounds stashed and am practicing with the .22 again. I practice quickly deploying it from the pocket. Some thing it would be slow considering it's folded in its grip, but I drag it out of the pocket on the barrel such that it unfolds as it is withdrawn. Really works quickly, believe it or not, but it pays to practice the draw in the house unloaded as well as draw and fire on the range.