Best Back Up Weapon?

[cowboys]

In an attempt to gather as many opinions as possible, do any of you have a specific opinion concerning which weapon to carry as a "back up" under the shirt on the vest?

Thanks!

Cowboys

[Kahuna5150]

As always, the "best" of anything in the LE realm involves what is best for the person using it. I may be the best shot with a Glock 21 (.45 caliber and a thick grip) while another person may not be able to control or manipulate such a big gun. Their perfect gun might be a slim line 9mm single stack.

In my case I like the Glock model 27 .40 caliber. This is a great backup in my opinion. This is especially true if you carry the Glock 22 or 23 .40 caliber as your primary duty weapon (as the mags from your full size will fit into the small sub-compatc Glock). So if your primary Glock is gone or not functioning you still have 1 or 2 full mags of ammo on your belt to load with.

I also like the 5 shot Scadium (sp?) S&W revolver. They are SUPER light and a revolver is usually very reliable. Even a very dirty revolver will *Usually* give you 5 shots off. A semi-auto can jam.

Also you are better off carrying a backup that you can shoot accurately with. No sense in having a .44 Magnum snubby (Pit Bull) if you can't hit the paper on a full size target at 3 yards. Better to put 8 rounds of .22 or .25 ammo into a target than miss with 5 rounds of .44 caliber.

Again it will be what you can shoot the best with. I have heard a lot of people suggest the Kahr PM-9 as a backup. Small 9mm. I picked one up at a gun store to feel. It felt bad in my hand. I feel much more comfortable with the Glock 27. So pick what you feel is the best fit for you. Also your department may put a restriction on what you can carry. Some say nothing smaller than a .38 or 9mm round for backup so the .22, .25, .32, etc would be out.

Good luck and keep us posted and what you decide on!

Kahuna

[ArLawman]

GLOCK 26 for me, the mags from my dept. issue 17 fit my 26. I carry mine on the ankle.

ArLawman

[corporal716]

Don't forget to check your department policy some have strict ragulations on the subject. But like Kahuna5150 said, try to carry something with interchangeable ammunition and magazines. These days the only weapon that I know of that you can do that with is the Glock.

Years ago when most LE carried revolvers alot of guys carried the 357 as a duty weapon with a .38 stub nose backup. The .38 round works in the 357 so they only carried extra .38 rounds. In a fire fight you don't have time to read the back of the shell before you reload.

[krellum]

I also like the baby Glocks (26 & 27). Never fired a Glock until getting to my most recent agency about a year and a half ago and I was very impressed with their quality. You might also check out the Sig 239.

Kahuna's right - what's "best" is what fits best in YOUR hand, is easy for YOU to shoot accurately, and isn't so obtrusive or hard to conceal that you often end up leaving it at home because carrying it is a pain in the a$$. If your hands are small enough, your duty weapon may be another person's backup (we have several agents who carry the Glock 27 as their main duty weapon), so I don't kow if there can ever be a "best" backup as a standard.



k

[UN_Cop]

I would try and make sure my back up is the same caliber as my primary. The point is that you will be able to use the same ammo with both guns.

Just my opnion...I maybe wrong.

UN

[slam]

Your own gray matter....short of that a Colt .45 Defender.

[dmclark]

I like to Glock 27, but also think the S&W 340PD in .357 is an ideal backup as well.

[Lupey]

Any check out the Makarovs? You can get one for about 120-150 dollars. Carries 8 rounds and fires out 114gr jhp at about 1100 feet p/s. Smaller alittle on the heavy side but VERY hard to beat on bang for buc.

[TCB]

[QUOTE=Lupey]Any check out the Makarovs?...QUOTE]

I have never heard of any agency or department that would sign off on a Makarov. Anyone else heard of carrying this on duty?

[dmclark]

If you're a fed, forget the Makarov. It will NOT happen. I can't imagine any major PD going with the QC either. DM

[Lupey]

Read the post but for some crazy reason went with an off duty :( Well check out the Mak's anyway!

[paul810]

What make and caliber is your duty firearm? Knowing that we can give you some good options.

[BasementAddix]

i prefer my kahr k 9mm....a tad heavy for an off duty...but it packs a kick and holds 8...def. enough to get me out of a sticky situation... :cool:

[jm77]

My personal preference for off duty/back up is the Sig P239

[modareguy]

I'll second the Sig 239 (40 cal). I bought it a few years ago and it is one of the only guns I own that i'll never sell. It's pretty easy to conceal in the back of my pants with an Uncle Mikes inside the waistband holster and fits well in my glove box as well. Of course it shoots like a dream. Basically perfection...

[sigy]

The best backup gun is the one that's most comfortable for you and the one you shoot most accurately. For me, it's the Glock 27. As stated before, I can use my Glock 22 mags in a pinch which make it that much more useful as a backup.

[Kahuna5150]

For me, it's the Glock 27.

What's the world coming to?!?!? A "Sigy"s best backup weapon is a glock?!?! Now what will our user "Glocky" talk about his best backup weapon being a Sig? I hate when worlds collide!! :)

Actually I agree! The Glock 27 is an awesome weapon and great for backup. Course so is the Sig 239... Personally I like the glock a bit better myself.

Kahuna

[CDD]

I am was originally issued a GLock 19 & a S&W 357 snub. Now I have the Glock 19/26 combo and couldn't be happier (Well unless you offer me the 23/27). I wish we could also carry an additional pistol, particularly a J-frame snub for off-duty when the other two pistols would not be practical or comfortable. My agency allows the J-frame but I would have to give back the 26 and thats not going to happen. :D

[sigy]

What's the world coming to?!?!? A "Sigy"s best backup weapon is a glock?!?! Now what will our user "Glocky" talk about his best backup weapon being a Sig? I hate when worlds collide!! :)
Kahuna

LOL. I know, I know. I started using what I was forced to use with my department and now love Glocks to death. I even sold my Sigs. What's this world coming to! :D

[SubwayfiveO]

Glock 27.

I originally carried a G26 as an off-duty when I was with the NYPD. Then after I left, I qualified with, and tried to find the best BUG out of a:

Kahr MK9
Sig 239 .40
S&W 640 .38
H&K P7.....yes the P7

In trying all those guns, I sold the 26, and my current agency went from 9mm (S&W 6906) duty guns to the SigPro2340 .40. So I went out and bought the G27. And I love it. The thing is like a Timex.....takes a lickin' and keeps on tickin' :cool:

Just my .02