Recommend a good backup / off duty handgun?

[redwing634]

I'm looking to get a gun I can use for both offduty and as a backup weapon; so physical size (subcompact most likely) is preferable. I've been told it's suggested you use the same caliber as your duty weapon (9mm), so I'm leaning that way, but I'm open to other recommendations as well.

So far the top two I've come up with are Glock 26 and Ruger LCP

[retdetsgt]

That's kind of like asking what make of car you should buy.

Just about all major gun brands are reliable, it's just what fits your hand, what you can shoot well with and what's comfortable for you to carry.

[kels]

first off, the LCP is a 380 not a 9mm.

second, if you can shoot a .38 well, a light weight 5 shot S&W revolver is
hard to beat. It is almost POLICE PROOF, sorta like a Remington 870 shotgun. LOL

Shoot the glock before you buy it. The mini glocks dont work for my big hands.
Your mileage may very.

Whatever you buy, get a GOOD holster for it. There is no use spending 500 bucks
on a gun to put it in a 20 dollar holster.

[retdetsgt]

Shoot the glock before you buy it. The mini glocks dont work for my big hands.
Your mileage may very.

Yep. I loved my Glock 21, but it was too big for some peoples' hands. When I retired and looked for a handy gun, I held a few dozen guns in my hand until I found one that was small enough to conceal easily, but still fit my hand well enough to be at least reasonably comfortable.

[Trip]

first off, the LCP is a 380 not a 9mm.

second, if you can shoot a .38 well, a light weight 5 shot S&W revolver is
hard to beat. It is almost POLICE PROOF, sorta like a Remington 870 shotgun. LOL

Shoot the glock before you buy it. The mini glocks dont work for my big hands.
Your mileage may very.

Whatever you buy, get a GOOD holster for it. There is no use spending 500 bucks
on a gun to put it in a 20 dollar holster.

Yep. I loved my Glock 21, but it was too big for some peoples' hands. When I retired and looked for a handy gun, I held a few dozen guns in my hand until I found one that was small enough to conceal easily, but still fit my hand well enough to be at least reasonably comfortable.

More good info, kels and RDS. I have a reputation for being extremely decisive.... even if 5% of my decisions suck...I make them fairly fast. I was fortunate to get that training many years ago. But boy, for some reason, I can't make a fricken decision on a handgun. I had finally settled on an unsophisticated gun to put in my purse to minimize errors in the rare event I might use it, but then Switch made a really good case for not putting guns in purses because they get lost or stolen enough to concern me. I've never lost a purse, but I do tend to lose things so that resonated with me. So here I am back at the drawing board....taking in all the advice, lol....

[Cat_Doc]

.38 well, a light weight 5 shot S&W revolver is
hard to beat. It is almost POLICE PROOF, sorta like a Remington 870 shotgun. LOL

+1. I am not an expert by any means, but common sense dictates that if you are in that deep in the mix that you need a back-up gun to save your ***, a revolver makes perfect sense. I would also venture to "assume" that most applications requiring a BUG are at close quarter combat where a simple to operate, "idiot" proof, revolver would be perfect. Stick it in the BG's chest, gut or against the head and pull the trigger until hostile action ceases.

[Norm357]

38 well, a light weight 5 shot S&W revolver

Once again, someone beat me too it. I carry one daily, and with my lifestyle, I do not feel undergunned at all.

[retdetsgt]

I have an old 6 shot .38 Spl. 2" Colt Detective special (nickel plated, I might add!) Trouble is, the person would have to be close quarters, I always had a hell of a time qualifying with the damn thing.

I have a little Taurus 945 .45 cal. I carry most of the time. After seeing so many gunshot wounds, I like having a caliber with a "4" somewhere in it. One of the guys I shot on duty was with a .38 125 grain hollow point. All rounds went through him like armor piercing. If I had a .45, I have no doubt he would have been stopped a lot quicker.

[Trip]

+1. I am not an expert by any means, but common sense dictates that if you are in that deep in the mix that you need a back-up gun to save your ***, a revolver makes perfect sense. I would also venture to "assume" that most applications requiring a BUG are at close quarter combat where a simple to operate, "idiot" proof, revolver would be perfect. Stick it in the BG's chest, gut or against the head and pull the trigger until hostile action ceases.

Hey there, Chief! Hey, did you get some good relaxation???

[Cat_Doc]

One of the guys I shot on duty was with a .38 125 grain hollow point. All rounds went through him like armor piercing.

About 30 years ago my old department changed ammo because of this very same thing. All eight rounds zipped right through the BG before he pumped out and stopped shooting.

The very first round hit him in the chest area, the second traversed under his arm pit and out the other side. He fell to the floor, but kept shooting.

The next six-round volley all went through and chipped the hell out of the tile floor. He finally decided to cross the great divide.

I'm not a big gun guy and can't remember if they went to a lighter or heavier round, but they wanted something that would stay in the BG. It worked on the next one!

[Cat_Doc]

Hey there, Chief! Hey, did you get some good relaxation???

Yeppers. Ready to go back at it tomorrow.

[Trip]

Yeppers. Ready to go back at it tomorrow.

Oh good for you! I'm glad to hear it...you really needed it!

[Creeker]

I wouldn't carry a LCP as a backup for on-duty, but I am seriously looking at Taurus' 738 TCP, their copy of Rugers copy of Kahr's(?) pistol, for last ditch personal defense, rather than going without.

The Taurus has last round slide lock and comes with a spare magazine.

Taurus International Manufacturing Inc

I just saw that Taurus has come out with a "Slim 740" firearm in .40, so I will definitely be checking out one of these soon.

Taurus 2010 What's New Catalog

[Norm357]

One of the guys I shot on duty was with a .38 125 grain hollow point.

Shoulda been carrying a +P 158 gr LSWHP.


Just sayin......

[Reconciler]

Springfield Armory




I got one of these...awesome gun.
XD 9mm subcompact