Back-up weapon ideas?

[Ranger337]

Since I am looking to get into LE and I do plan on carrying a back up weapon I would like the reccommendations of some of the experienced officers out there that carry a back up weapon.

What I would like to know is what specific make and model weapon do you reccommend and also where should I carry it?

I have read in some other posts that an ankle holster is hard to get to, hard to wear, and is not very concealed.

Just FYI I do own a Glock 27. Any ideas on how to carry it as a back up if I choose to carry it?

Thanking you all in advance,
Ranger337

[gbcop]

Uncle Mike's makes a body armor holster that is designed to be secured by the straps on your vest. My cousin carry's his glock 30 backup weapon. He hasn't had any complaint's about the location of it. But I plan on being "old fashioned" and carrying mine on my ankle.

FYI, the Uncle Mike's "Body Armor Holster" is available for $9.95 thru GT Distributor's, you can check them out at www.gtdist.com or call them at 1-800-775-5996

Item# UM-8745-x

[five-oh]

A lot of officers I know have had a pouch put on the front of their vest. The pouch flap is secured by velcro and if you need the weapon you simply rip off the cover. I carry the uncle Mike's which fastens to the straps on my vest under my arm. I carry a USP .40 compact, which is pretty big as far as a backup goes and the holster conceals it well.

[jbak]

Five-oh,
I have a USP .40 compact also, and was wondering if you've tried any other backup configurations that worked?

[ranger]

Kel-Tek P40 - it has basically the same trigger type action as the glock and is many times more concealable than your 27. cost is around 250.00.

Be Safe,
JM

[five-oh]

jbak

I tried a belly band holster but the weapon continually fell out and would be flopping around in my shirt. Off duty I sometimes use a FOBUS paddle holster which works well and is only about 20 bucks.

[Bow-n-Arrow]

If you already own a Glock 27, then look no further. Perfect.

[Ranger337]

Thank you for all of the replies everyone, your the greatest!

Bowcop, (or anyone else) do you have any ideas/recommendations on how to conceal my G27 other then an ankle holster for a patrol officer?

Ranger337

[dmclark]

I tried a picket holster by Kramer for my G27. I wouldn't recommend it was it's a little too weighty for comfort, although it doesn't "print" through even thin trousers. Another holster in the "box". Stay safe!

[dmclark]

Duh, there's no "picket" holsters...POCKET was the word I was typing for. :)

[#2398]

dmclark is right as usual!

The glock 27 is a bit bulky for the pocket configuration. For pocket use the small framed S&W snubbies in .38/.357 are the way to go here. Look at the Model 38 and others having a lightweight frame and of course slim/smooth countours on the weapon for a clean draw. These compact wheelguns are time-proven on the streets and yet a bit more concealable than the baby glocks. Check the ballistic tables on the +P .38 and .357 rounds! Impressive for a small package.

#2398

[SO548]

Like a couple of other guys mentioned, I also us an Uncle Mike's Body armor holster. I carry a Glock 26 in mine. It is very secure when worn with the vest strap over the holster. When stuff goes to poop, simply reach into your shirt, rip off the small velcro strap holding the weapon in the holster and your ready to go with another weapon. It is a bit slower than other modes of carry, but way more secure and it doesn't "print" as bad as a Glock on the ankle.

[Kahuna5150]

As someone mentioned earlier... The pouch that mounts to the front of your vest is a good option. It is called the "Bug Pouch".

Back Up Gun *BUG*

A cop invented it... I think he was from So. Cali. I have seen them for sale at lots of police related confrences as well as in the Calibre Press catalouge. You may want to check into it. No word on the dangers of taking a round in the chest when you have another gun stored there.

Personal prefs.

Good luck!

Kahuna

[Celtic Warrior]

I've had pretty good luck with a Galco Deep Cover holster. It goes in against my left front (mirror to an appendix carry) and a shirt tucks in over it. Some other makers make a similar holster (Mitch Rosen's Workman, Milt Sparks etc...) I originally hd a Glock model 27 in it but was able to stretch it to fit my model 30 - you can notice the subtle sixe difference though, the first time I sat for a long period it made my leg fall asleep - I guess by pressing on a nerve?
:bounce:

[SecretNY]

Does anyone have an opinion on whether a wheel gun or semi-auto is better for backup (e.g. more reliable, lighter, etc)?

Thanks,
SecretNY

[Kahuna5150]

Originally posted by SecretNY
Does anyone have an opinion on whether a wheel gun or semi-auto is better for backup (e.g. more reliable, lighter, etc)?

Thanks,
SecretNY

Why not ask an easier question such as something based on religion, politics, abortion, or the death penalty. :)

Seriously I think you're going to hear the typical stuff in regards to that question, (what are you most comfortable shooting, what is your departments policy, etc, etc). Personally I'll give you what I would select for myself.

I like the semi-auto for backup. I know people will argue the revolver is much better, (and in some cases, depending on where you will carry it, (In an ankle holster getting mud and dirt in it, or in your vest where it will be relatively clean) as it will not fail from being dirty, (unless it is *VERY* dirty). Most revolvers don't carry as much as most semi autos. 5 to 6 rounds compared to 7 to 10 in most semi-autos. (not a big diff, but a few extra).

The biggest reason I carry a semi-auto, (a Glock 27 in my case) is because I can slap a full size Glock 22 magazine in it. To me you are more likely to loose your gun or disable your duty gun. If you need your backup, you will only have the rounds in it, *UNLESS* it is compatible with the magazines you carry for your primary duty weapon. I think the KAHR accepts S&W mags as well, (I may be wrong maybe it's the Kel-Tec). This can be a big advantage if you loose your weapon, or it breaks during a hot situation. If primary gun is disabled and I'm carrying a revolver I'm looking at 5 or 6 spare rounds. I know you can carry a speedload or more rounds on your belt, but realistically you probably aren't going to carry two different ammos and reloading platforms on your belt.

Again I'm sold on the Glock 27, (or the 26 for 9mm). You have all of your duty belt ammo already loaded in mags for your primary, god forbid you need a back up and even worse *HAVE TO RELOAD*, at least you can slap that big mag into your backup and have another 15+ rounds to shoot with.

Just my opinion of course...

Kahuna

[SecretNY]

Kahuna, that's what I was looking for. Makes good sense. Thanks!

[Serpico6]

Go with the Uncle Mike’s Vest holster! It works well and throw a Hi-cap magazine in that Glock. No one will ever know you got it. :bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

[msu_cj_grad]

Not working anywhere (yet), but I am an avid shooter of mostly handguns. I would personally carry a 5 shot titanium or airweight .38 with a bobbed hammer for a backup. Light, small, less prone to jams, no safety. In other words, you can't screw it up and it can't screw itself up.

[Kahuna5150]

No problem SecretNY. Again it will be on what you feel is best in yoru hand and situation. Before you buy anything, I would suggest you look at the mini, (sometimes called baby) Glocks and slap a full size mag into it. Really get the feel for what it would feel like to shoot it and have a full size mag in it.

As someone else just wrote, also try an airweight or titanium revolver. When you find the one you like, you'll know. Regardless of revolver or semi-auto... I give you credit for even considering a backup. A lot of guys I know don't carry them, and I think it's silly. Not too much extra to have for that extra peace of mind.

I don't know of anyone that goes sky diving without a reserve chute, so why go to work without a reserve...

Good Luck, and let us know what you end up going with, (those of us on the semi-auto side, get extra points for converting people).

:)

Kahuna