Back up guns

[Boeydafunk]

how many of you LEO's carries a BUG and what type do you carry? I am still in the running for the LEO possition in my town and if I get it, am wondering if I will need one and what kind. Was thinking about http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/w...04&isFirearm=Y this one. I know that +P and .357 will be a bear to fire, expecially at only 12 oz. but better safe then sorry. Is this a bad choice? I figure its a gun I'd carry everywhere and hopefully shoot it only ones a month at the range. I know some folks go with the .380 and what not, but if I need a BUG wont I want an instant fight stopper?
DaFunk

[TN-popo]

I think you're on the right track, but I'd stick with a S&W 442 or 642.

[CPES]

Does your deparment require you to carry a wheelgun for backup, or can you go with a semi-auto? You don't necessarily need to go with a .357 or .380 to have an "instant fight stopper", either - those loads might be overkill and cause overpenetration issues. There are plenty of hot +P and even some +P+ loads for 9mm as well as .40, so if you have the option, I'd choose an auto over a revolver.

You really can't go wrong with a XD9 or XD40 sub compact. Not quite as easy to conceal, but you have higher ammo capacity, and still quite a bit of knockdown power with +P loads. There are plenty of good IWB holsters out there, too.

If it were me, I'd probably go for a .45 - the Kimber CDP line is excellent, although pricey (what Kimber isn't, lol). The Ultra CDP II is a really nice and very compact gun, but still holds 7 rounds. A friend of mine has one, and carries it with him everywhere. He's the electrician for my father-in-law's business, and even on the hottest summer days he carried it with him to work (he has a nice truck with alot of expensive gear in it). I saw him two or three times a week wearing only a baggy t-shirt and jeans, and never once did I print his firearm.

Just my .02. You picked a nice revolver though, if you decide to go with it. I'm just partial to autos, obviously.

[spartanws6]

ge the sub if you are carrying an xd service or tactical. Nice to know that if you lose your duty weapon in a fight, get shot in the arm and drop it, etc that all those mags you are carrying will be compatable with your BUG

[MGD 45]

I guess it depends on your main carry duty weapon. When I started, I was issued the Glock .40, so I purchased a baby Glock model 27 to wear on an ankle rig. It was a good choice for me, because it gave me the ability to use my full mags on my gunbelt, should anything happen to my duty gun. This gave me much more than just six rounds to count on.

Of course, now that's changed and since I carry the XD45, I now carry a S&W Airweight J-frame .38 with +P ammo as my backup. But hey, as long as you have a second gun....it's a good start!

[danp]

I carry an old M-36 .38spl S&W. I know guys that carry 2 back-ups. One on the ankle and one on their vest. I just carry the 36 on my vest.

If SA ever gets off their collective butts and makes an XD-45SC, I'll carry that in a vest holster.

And BTW, I forgot who mentioned the SC being hard to conceal, but its really not that hard in uniform.

[Boeydafunk]

For my duty gun its either going to be a 1911 or an XD45 Tac. I was thinking about a Kahr PM40 also. I dont know much about on duty carry, just looking for a good thing to keep in reserve. Would like somthing light and very easy to conceal, yet still punchy. I am not a huge fan of the Subcompact Glock or the XD, a little thick for my style. I'm not totally opposed to them, just looking for somthing even smaller and lighter.
Thanks
DaFUnk

[hacker15]

Carry the XD .40 service as a duty gun and a Taurus PT111 Pro 9 mm as a BUG. The 9 mm (and 2 mags) gets carried in a 5.11 shirt over the vest. The shirt has two reinforced pockets - pistol on the left, extra mags on the right.
All I have to do is unbutton the middle button on my uniform shirt, reach in, and the little darlin' is right there....have not needed it on this job, but did use the BUG on my last one (but that's another story....).

[demon]

Originally Posted by spartanws6

ge the sub if you are carrying an xd service or tactical. Nice to know that if you lose your duty weapon in a fight, get shot in the arm and drop it, etc that all those mags you are carrying will be compatable with your BUG

+1 on that

If you don't want to carry a more compact version of your duty weapon, at least choose one of the same caliber so if you have a malfunction with your duty gun, you've still got plenty of ammo. If it were me and I was carrying a .45ACP duty gun, I'd probably opt for a Taurus PT145 (the tiny .45ACP auto). I've heard that if you have some Para Ord high cap .45ACP mags, they'll work in it. So if you go with a 1911 Para Ord 14-45, you can use your mags with the little Taurus.

[Mike TRT]

Originally Posted by demon

+1 on that

If you don't want to carry a more compact version of your duty weapon, at least choose one of the same caliber so if you have a malfunction with your duty gun, you've still got plenty of ammo. If it were me and I was carrying a .45ACP duty gun, I'd probably opt for a Taurus PT145 (the tiny .45ACP auto). I've heard that if you have some Para Ord high cap .45ACP mags, they'll work in it. So if you go with a 1911 Para Ord 14-45, you can use your mags with the little Taurus.

abso-frigin-lutley, in my BS opinion, carry the same ammo for both weapons.........the pros are obvious and I cant think of a con.

when I was carrying a 92F, I carried a 9000 9mm as a BUG and off duty, now I carry the XD 40 Tactical and the 40 SC.......