Does anyone here carry a backup gun (BUG) on a regular basis, out of uniform?
I always carried a BUG when I was a uniform cop, and I had to draw it twice, so I feel like it was worth the slight hassle. Both times were to arm someone else who was, for some reason, without their gun. In soft clothes, I have carried a BUG on and off over the years, but not really what I would call regularly. I’m not a big guy, and I start to run out of real estate pretty quickly. An ankle holster would be a great place to carry a BUG for me, but I have never been able to warm up to that position. I’ve carried guns as big as a G26 and as small as a Ruger LCP in a pocket, but that is hard to do with all the other stuff I seem to need to carry in my pockets. Pocket guns are best carried in a pocket holster, with nothing else in the pocket.
I’ve carried J frames in upside-down shoulder holsters, but again, too short a torso for that to work well, and frankly, even with a revolver, I prefer not to have the gun pointed up at me.
The best way I have found to carry a BUG is on my off-side hip, just behind where I would carry a spare mag. This conceals well and gives reasonably fast access to both hands, but it means that I have two belt-mounted guns to defend, and the weight on the belt starts to add up. This was a very good solution for me when I was doing higher-risk stuff as a plainclothes cop, but for off-duty use, it really is a bit much for me. I was carrying a G26 that way, with a G19 on my right hip or AIWB.
Lately, I have experimented with the LCP in that position, and though it is pretty light, it still gives me two guns to defend. A variation on that theme is to wear the LCP in a “reverse AIWB” position. Worn on the left side of the front of the body, around 10 or 11 o’clock, makes it easier to draw and easier to defend, but it is still a lot of stuff on the belt. On that side of the body, I have my badge, as well as my ever-present Clinch Pick, perhaps the best blade backup to a pistol ever made, designed by a good friend, Craig Douglas. If you are not familiar with Craig’s company, Shivworks, take a look. His training is in a class by itself.
Anyway, as you can see, I am carrying a bit of stuff, and adding an extra pistol has just not worked out well for me so far. What are you guys doing to solve this issue? For me, the Clinch Pick has been my daily choice for almost 15 years now.
I’ve never been able to make it work for me either, but I’m not in LE or the military so I kinda think it’s probably not a major concern for me. That said, I never have been able to stop thinking that if I could find a really good way to stash a 442 as a backup I’d probably start doing it.
I’m looking forward to seeing what responses you get on this one.
Yeah, I don’t know that I would carry a BUG as a civilian either, though I can see some rare occasions when I would want to. I used to read about Hackathorn carrying a 442 as a belly gun, in addition to his 1911. I don’t recall ever asking him about it, but I always pictured a bellyband type carry and then assumed it would actually be in a pocket or something.
I don’t carry a BUG anymore for similar reasons that you mentioned- too much junk in my pockets, and I’m a fairly small dude so there isn’t a whole lot of real estate. Over the years I ankle carried pretty religiously, primarily a Glock 43 then a Sig 365, with short flings with various .380s thrown in. When I worked in a very physically active NPE, ankle became my primary work carry option because I could bury the ankle rig in my work boots and never worry about it printing. But once I got a job where I could just carry AIWB, it didn’t take me long to ditch the ankle piece. I held out for a while, saying I could arm someone else with it, but then one day it occurred to me that all the people I trust to competently run a gun would already have their guns on them.
Makes sense to me, thanks!
When I was working very high risk surveillance assignments on my old job and was in a vehicle for long periods of time, I carried a G26 under my left arm in a modified (horizontal)shoulder holster as a backup to my G19 in a strong side IWB holster. This worked well for being in a vehicle and being able to draw the G26 quickly if someone rolled up on your driver’s side. This was prior to switching to AIWB (AIWB was not yet authorized per department policy).
Currently only carry a BUG (G43) in an outside coat pocket (dedicated pocket holster) during cold winter days when you actually have to zip up your coat.
Like you, I have no spare real estate and don’t want to defend two guns on my waist.
When I was doing the same, I had my primary AIWB and my M4 within reach. Real estate is always an issue for us, lol.
Based on listening to interviews with Darryl Bolke and also trying to figure out how to home carry a pistol comfortably and safely I started pocket carrying a 642 j frame in a Mika Pocket Holster. After getting comfortable with it around the house I’ve started carrying it as an alternate primary gun while carrying an LTT Elite appendix in a DarkstarGear Orion. I tend to walk around with my hand in my pocket anyway so my hand is usually on the holstered j frame as I move through transitional spaces. DB has talked and written about this a fair amount and just like he said when I put it on the clock it’s stupid fast and easy at mugging distances. In the summer I use Duluth trading shorts that have a second pocket on the right that isn’t a cargo pocket so I put the things I had traditionally carried in the gun pocket in that pocket instead and haven’t noticed any issues with loosing chapstick or my Swiss Army knife etc. I’ve been happy with the 642 in terms of weight and using the Tenicor belt I keep my pants up easily. In the winter I use Duluth Jean and move stuff around my body and use the pockets of my shirt to carry some of the things that can’t go in the pistol pocket. I also have taken to carrying a Galco ankle holster with an M&P shield in it as well in the winter. I use the flush mags. I carry medical on my ankle in the winter and the gun on the left ankle and the medical on the right balance each other. As to why I do it it’s more because I can if I’m being honest but I do find myself around other people who I do trust with a pistol who sometimes don’t choose to carry one and if I need to arm them I can. Also the world just seems a bit more sporty these days. With regards to the ankle holster and pocket holster I’ve been able to go to a range where I can move and shoot and if I’m running to a position they both stay where they are and I don’t look like a yard sale so I’m pleased with that too. I really like the Mika holster and the service from Mr Mika is top notch. He calls after you place to order to make sure you get what you need. I’ve ordered from him three times now and he’s done it ever time. The Galco ankle rig is comfortable and where I live there is enough time of year that long pants is normal that I find it ads some value and is holding up well. I wear low quarter shoes in general for comfort and they do not interfere with positioning. I’m 218 and 5 10 and getting shorter every year it seems and I typically wear untucked button down shirts. It’s how I can dress so I do. I don’t look like a tactical hobo though and my cloths don’t look baggy just comfortable for a fluffy guy. Hope this is helpful. Love the blog revamp.
Thanks for the detail, sounds like a good workable system for you. I bought a Mika pocket holster for my 442 in the mid 90’s, and he was the same back then. Glad to hear he is still in business. I have always liked pocket carry, and when I retire and have less pocket stuff to carry, I’m sure I will revisit it. A 442/642 in the pocket just works well.