Profiling a Back Up Gun
Dr. John Woods 06.07.16
People interested in concealed carry are wholly focused on their primary firearm with good cause. Justifiably if you make the decision to carry a concealed weapon, then you have a lot of decisions to make. Besides the type of gun, caliber, and mode of carry, CCW patrons have to make ammo choices. And this is just the start of the process once the permit is secured.
Then hopefully a CCW license holder will pursue formal training on how to safely and effectively handle, shoot, and maintain their new handgun. They have to choose a holster and how they will carry, inside or outside the waistband or on the belt. Women will have other options to consider as well.
They have to work with factory sights or install new ones and learn how to use them. Training will need to include how to carry concealed to ensure the concealment aspect. This will also include how to draw and put the CCW weapon into action. CCW involves a lot of details and a heck of a lot of responsibility. It really is a big deal.
So, after all that is said and done, whether you are a professional such as law enforcement or other government entity or agency or just an everyday citizen, prepper or survivalist carrying live, will you then consider a backup gun? Then the whole process starts all over again, but with new and special considerations to take into account.
A “backup” gun is simply a second handgun option often carried in an ankle holster, but in other modes as well, including inside the pants pocket. In theory the backup gun is available should something happen to the primary concealed or open carry weapon. This may mean running out of ammo, dropping or otherwise losing the gun, a malfunction, or having the gun taken away.
The good news is all of the handgun offerings, from small revolvers to pocket-sized carry pistols in calibers like .38 Special and .357 Magnum for revolvers or .380 ACP and 9mm for semi-auto pistols, can serve as backup guns. Gun makers such as SIG, Ruger, Smith and Wesson, KelTec, Kahr, Walther, and others have bent over backwards to produce new guns for primary and backup carry. Just visit a well-stocked dealer or attend a gun show to see what dealers have available. You should have no trouble picking a quality backup gun.
