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I'm curious as to why a lot of average citizens feel that they need to carry a primary weapon and a backup during their day-to-day business? Would it project the image to a jury that you were going out looking for a gunfight in the event you had to use deadly force to stop a threat?

I can certainly understand the aspect of if your primary weapon is disabled for some reason, but it just seems like the odds of that are extremely slim if you've built confidence in that weapon and have fired it hundreds of times without a single failure. I feel that if you have any doubts in your carry weapon, you shouldn't carry it. I can also understand the reason why off-duty law enforcement would want a backup weapon as well as they have a much higher probability of dealing with a life/death situation than the average citizen.

I'm not phishing or looking to start any sort of argument. I'm truly interested in having a discussion around the rationale of the "average" person carrying two guns. It seems to be a fairly popular practice from reading a few different online discussions. Heck, maybe I'll be convinced that I need to start carrying a backup!

2 reasons for me (I have no left hand, reloading is slower than average)

1) If a person somehow GETS my primary,

2) If my primary malfunctions (I have no left hand, drawing a second working pistol is faster than clearing a jam)

3) If I need to reload (I have no left hand, drawing a second working pistol is faster than reloading, and may be what's needed WHILE reloading)


Yeah, there are 3 kinds of people in this world, those who know math, and those who don't ... I may not be able to count how many shots I fired and be surprised on the 21st round after the slide locks back.

Honestly, I've never really considered carrying more than one. I know from reading the forums that others do, but I prefer more ammunition, which also takes up space. Helps even out the load, too, as the gun I carry is not small. I'm looking forward to hearing some of the replies from the multiple-gun carryers as well. Perhaps we should consider carrying two or more of the same weapon, so the magazines/speedloaders are interchangeable and operating characteristics are identical.

RPB wrote:2 reasons for me (I have no left hand, reloading is slower than average)

1) If a person somehow GETS my primary,

2) If my primary malfunctions (I have no left hand, drawing a second working pistol is faster than clearing a jam)

3) If I need to reload (I have no left hand, drawing a second working pistol is faster than reloading, and may be what's needed WHILE reloading)


Yeah, there are 3 kinds of people in this world, those who know math, and those who don't ... I may not be able to count how many shots I fired and be surprised on the 21st round after the slide locks back.

Thanks for the response! I can certainly understand the reloading aspect in your situation.

With that being said, I don't even see the real need to carry extra magazines for my day-to-day carry. I view it like this. First of all, the odds of needing to use my weapon in a deadly force situation are extremely small (But apparently large enough to get me to obtain a CHL and carry daily). Second of all, if I need to use it, I see it as a tool to get out of immediate danger. Thirdly, I just can't see me emptying one mag and reloading another to continue in a gunfight.

I've read numerous success stories from CHL holders and I haven't read a single one where they used a backup weapon or fully used one magazine and reloaded another to finish the job. They always seem like a very sudden situation that ends immediately upon the use of their weapon. I'm sure there are some stories, but I haven't found them yet.

oh yeah

4) I hang out with CHL friends and retired LEOs, some don't carry often, I can toss a spare/BUG to them so they can help out (or cover me) ... (Heck, in the right situation I'd hand it to my 15-year old niece even) If we are all hiding under church pews and 2 armed guys enter .... If I got hit by a bullet already, I'd instruct her, wait until he is hovering over you and yell SURPRISE

oh yeah

5) I also like the fact that there are 2 guns on different locations of my body, so whatever angle the "bad guy" is in relation to me ... I can reach for whichever "wallet" is best, without him having a clear view of my hand.

Two is one, one is none.

Gr8_Outdoorsman wrote:I'm curious as to why a lot of average citizens....

I carry 1, whenever legally possible
I suppose if I were to go buy a pocket gun, I could start carrying 2, but even then, I doubt I would carry 2 guns.

And, I never carry a spare magazine, but I have thought of putting one in my car, just having done it, nor found the need for it, to be honest.
IF I ever needed to use my weapon, and IF I was sitting in my car at the time, would be the only time it would be a benefit for me.

If I am wrong, well, I guess I will deal with those consequences, until then, I am good with 1 gun and no extra mags.

.....cause I can! seriously, once in a blue moon, i will carry my new york reload. but i'm also good with 19 rounds of .40

gigag04 wrote:Two is one, one is none.

This

I only carry one firearm at this time due to financial restraints. If I have the cash flow I would carry a 2nd.....just in case.
I also carry 2 extra magazines. Which again is just in case.
I hope I never have to discharge the round in the chamber much less the 40 rounds I carry on me. However, I believe it is....wait for it.....better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.

BUGS do have a place in self-defense. Remember, BG's already gets to choose the time and place. Having more than one gun is evening the odds.

gigag04 wrote:Two is one, one is none.

you beat me to it.

"Two is one, one is none"

Why?


This statement seems silly and I can't say that I follow this logic. One is certainly enough to get the job done as is proof every morning in the Houston paper when you read about the shootings around the city.

One is infinitely better than none....

Gr8_Outdoorsman wrote:"Two is one, one is none"

Why?


This statement seems silly and I can't say that I follow this logic. One is certainly enough to get the job done as is proof every morning in the Houston paper when you read about the shootings around the city.

One is infinitely better than none....

I'm about to move to Houston, is the crime situation there much different than Dallas?

The "Two is one, one is none" is the simplest form of anticipating failure and preparing for Mr. Murphy.

1: Guns are machines, and machines do break. Mr. Murphy has made the timing of failures into an art form.
2: In the event of an injury you may suddenly loose the ability to use your strong arm, when that happens your primary weapon may be lost or become inaccessible.