Back up gun choice.

[ChrisO]

theres only so many places you can carry the damn thing... If people don't want to disclose they don't have to, It's optional bud.

[Che762x39]

Exactly. S&W M637, Mika holster in left front pocket.

[NuGunner]

For many years I carried a Ruger SP-101 in my vest. If you REALLY needed it, it was convienient and always went bang as well as being accurate. Ankle carry has too many problems IMHO. Autos are ok, BUT they could jam when you really need it, not usually, but still possible. Hope that helps. Just remember if you're pulling out your back up, your life is probably in imminent danger and you want something that is definitely going to go bang.........your life is going to depend on it.

Piggy backing on this...Coworker explained it to me this way. If you go for a contact shot with you're backup (because at this point it will probably be a SHTF situation) you want something that will keep firing and not go out of battery.

Also if you're looking for a snubby in a 40 S&W check this out...

http://www.policeone.com/police-products/firearms/articles/5911236-Firearms-Review-The-Charter-Arms-Pitbull-40-S-W-Rimless-Revolver/

Problem is I haven't found a dealer (LEO or otherwise) that carries it.

[Elchief]

been looking for a charter arms in .40 or 9mm, alas none to be had, same for a chiappa rhino.

[retired]

Another no to ankle carry. Just as important, if not more so, is the ability to get to that bug during a fight if it is carried on the ankle. A deputy I worked with years ago pointed out a guy while we were patrolling one day and told me he had been in a fight for his life with him some time before.

The suspect was trying to remove his duty revolver from his holster (yeah, it was that long ago) and he was unable to reach his ankle gun while still fighting to retain his duty weapon. He said he finally was able to subdue and cuff the suspect. That was the last time he wore an ankle holster.

Another deputy I worked with years later had a similar situation and finally subdued his suspect too. No more ankle holster for him either.

[Unit74]

There is a reason we are prohibited from wearing ankle holsters.....A: it's stupid. B: it's not tactical. C: it's stupid.

[TrailerparkTrash]

The back up gun has to be absolutely functional when needed. I carried S&W model 42 in my pocket. I stayed away from semiauto pistols, because they need regular maintenance. My revolver served me well, it is very reliable with minimal maintenance.

This. +1

[zack_trp1911]

What about the Sig 224? It takes the 226 mags. It is pricey though. I am looking at the g27 since .40 would be free too

[RickD427]

I'll join the chorus against ankle carry. There's too many problems with retention, access, and back problems (the weight affects your gait, and that messes up your back).

LEO's have a real tendency to go too big with their BUGs. The net result is they stop carrying and that defeats the whole purpose. Every shooting that I reviewed where a BUG was used involved 1-2 shots, and they were contact shots. Compact size wins over round capacity and sights. I carried a S+W Model 60 with a bobbed hammer in my weak side front pocket. If I were doing it again, I would go with one of the lighter enclosed hammer models. The shape of a revolver worked well for pocket carry. You really can't do the same with a semi-auto. Use a pocket holster to better conceal and to keep the grip in position. It's an instinctive reach if you're ground fighting. It also keeps your strong hand available to control your service weapon.

[SoCalDep]

The most recent BUG shooting on our department I've seen involved emptying the 5-shot .38 at close but not contact distance.

I'm not against the revolver...and carried one most of my patrol career, but carry a reload and don't assume it comes with no drawbacks.

I've also carried a semi and would be very torn as to which one I'd go with. I've carried a Beretta 8045 Mini Cougar, S&W CS45, and an M&P9C, and I think my choice right now would be a Shield. I'm hoping to pick one up soon.

[NuGunner]

Continuing with my earlier post. I currently carry a S&W 442 with hogue grip. The after market grip eats up the more than avg recoil (due to the lightweight frame) and carries well on the weak side front pants pocket. I also carry additional rounds on those strippers clips, in places that I can access easily.


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[rgray]

I have a S&W 337PD I use. Not fun to shoot but easy to carry.

[Jack's Smirking Revenge]

I carry a S&W 642 in my pocket with a 6 round speed strip.

[Ron-Solo]

I would not ankle carry. I had my P230 come off my ankle in a foot pursuit one night. I went to vest carry after that. I ended up switching to a G27 from the P230 though.

No to the ankle holster. I had a S&W Model 60 come out of an ankle holster in a foot pursuit, but was lucky and got it back.

I also had a coworker that developed circulation problems because of the ankle holster.

[71MUSTY]

I have a Kahr PM-40 and a M&P40c. I love them both. PM-40 is pocketable and will work for ankle carry. A little harder to shoot because of the small grip and short barrel but a little range time fixes that.

M&P40c is a little bigger but is just plain sweet, accurate and fun to shoot.