LEO and backup firearms

[poberly]

I am starting training this weekend to be a reserve officer in my town. Reserve officers generally do more public service work like high school game presence than patrol. However, I still need to qualify with my gun that I will have on my side while in uniform. I also need to qualify with any backups that I want to carry. I never really put to much thought into whether I wanted to carry a backup or not. The more I think about it, the more I like the idea of having a backup. So, I was wondering if any Leo's on here would share what they carry as a backup and where. I've never tried an ankle holster, and the only firearm I have that is small enough would be my p3at keltec and I don't know how I feel about carrying that. This could possibly mean that I would need to purchase a new gun, which is a huge bummer (lol). As always, Thanks in advance for the insight.

 

[vitamink]

I really like the shield in 9mm. Regarding LE, if you carry a glock you may wish to carry a baby version of that caliber. Thisll give you a backup that u can use the same mags in. On IMPD 2 officers were in a chase, when the suspect bailed he shot at an officer Striking his hand and detonating his gun. The other officer threw him his glock 27 and he could then stay in the fight and had 2 mags for reloads.

 

[j706]

I encourage you to carry a backup gun (BUG) anytime you are working. I carry a J frame S&W .38 special. PM sent with more information.

 

[SpaldingPM]

+1 on the baby glock as a backup, if you are issued a FS Glock.
G27 for G22, G30 for G21, or G26 for G17

 

[8th SPS USAF]

If the pistol you carry does not have a compact brother, at lease carry one in the cal. incase you run dry with duty gun. Sig has 239
in 9/40/357 Sig, as does the Sig 224, but not as small as 239. SW MP has the 40/9 c also. SA also has smaller ones.

 

[copo]

I don't always carry my BUG but when I do its my keltec .380 in my bdu pocket inside a holster designed for there.

 

[LARGrizzly]

I carry a Glock 21SF duty gun and a Glock 30SF in an ankle holster.

 

[shootersix]

not a leo, but i know a seamstress that worked in a police uniform store who told me that she has added many a holster to the inside of the plate carrier on the bullet proof vests, i know one officer who carried a p3at and a benchmade infedel in his plate pocket on his bpv

 

[Bravo-4-2]

I don't recommend an ankle holster. As others stated above, you would ideally carry a gun that has a smaller brother that will use the same mags. At the very least, your BUG should be in the same chamber size as your primary.

 

[BehindBlueI's]

I carry an LCR as my backup. If you are in uniform, I also agree ankle carry is less than ideal. You will eventually be up to your knees in water, snow, mud, etc. Even as a Big City Cop (tm), I've been in water up to mid thigh once and knee deep a couple of times.

 

[bobzilla]

Curious.... do municipalities/police depts that do not issue a firearm allow 1911's? I ask because I never see them, but see lots of different things (sigs, glocks, berettas, Springfield XD, M&P Smith etc).

 

[LtScott14]

Had a holster sewn into a outer vest carrier was my method. Get one a little bit big (Uncle Mikes cheapie IWB nylon), so there is fabric around the edge to do so. Agree about ankle carry as less than ideal.
Back in the day, we carried a snub w/ no hammer/or bobbed in a opposite uniform pocket. (or jacket if winter) It worked. Good luck.

 

[BehindBlueI's]

Curious.... do municipalities/police depts that do not issue a firearm allow 1911's? I ask because I never see them, but see lots of different things (sigs, glocks, berettas, Springfield XD, M&P Smith etc).

Rules vary. Some departments do not allow SAO...but there are some that issue them.

 

[cedartop]

We were issued Smith 638's. I carried this in an ankle holster. Lots of foot chases and no problems. I also carried a .44 special bulldog in a pocket holster. Now I believe that dept. issues Kahr P9's as a backup gun.

 

[Mike Grasso]

In uniform we had the tailor remove the offside front pocket and replace it with a leather pouch, cut for the firearm.
Although I carried a J Frame there for years, all the arguments for a compact version of your duty weapon are more than valid, especially if it takes the same magazines.
Having taught the BUG section at the Academy and tested many a holster, please before you consider an ankle holster, borrow one, run with it, wear it for 8 hours and try to get to it quickly.
Food for thought, it was designed to be drawn while you were down and on your back. Bending over to draw it or even squatting is not a position of advantage.

 

[cedartop]

In uniform we had the tailor remove the offside front pocket and replace it with a leather pouch, cut for the firearm.
Although I carried a J Frame there for years, all the arguments for a compact version of your duty weapon are more than valid, especially if it takes the same magazines.
Having taught the BUG section at the Academy and tested many a holster, please before you consider an ankle holster, borrow one, run with it, wear it for 8 hours and try to get to it quickly.
Food for thought, it was designed to be drawn while you were down and on your back. Bending over to draw it or even squatting is not a position of advantage.

Agreed about the ankle holster. I wore mine there for easy access while seated in the car. Being left handed my duty weapon could be a bit difficult to get to quickly.

 

[poberly]

We're responsible for our own sidearm, and I planned on using my glock 22. I was leaning towards a revolver but I like the idea of using the same mags.

 

[joe138]

I have carried a back up on the vest, ankle and pocket. Each has advantages/disadvantages regarding draw, security, comfort, etc... It is good advice to borrow an ankle holster if possible before buying. Not all ankle holsters are alike. A Galco ankle glove is much better made and comfortable than the Fobus or Uncle Mikes. I also vote for carrying the compact version of the duty gun for many reasons.

 

[T755]

I highly recommend the 9mm shield. It hides about anywhere and beats a 380 anyday in terms of reliability and ballistic performance. It disappears in a slash pocket in bdu's or in a pocket in pants like mine usually is. Ankle is a poor place. I've seen more than one go flying in a foot pursuit or even a attempted grab while wrestling a resister. I'm a huge revolver guy and still carry one as a primary gun. But if it went down or ran out when I grab that backup I have 8 good rounds on board to deal with things. While there are exceptions to the rule remember most fights are over 6-7 rounds up close and very fast. There are some run and guns fights yes. BUt most times if you are yanking a backup out you are in a very bad way. Practice with it as you would your primary gun and all the mechanical aspects of the draw… fighting etc. Pay close attention to your maintenance schedule as it will be full of lint, crud and dust from carrying it under a uniform. It must go bang every time without fail with your carry ammo.

 

[VUPDblue]

I carry a G27 on my vest and a 642 on my ankle. The 642 took a swim with me when we went into water to pull a lady out of an upside-down car and got full of 38th Street swamp funk but is no worse for wear now. Like was mentioned up-thread, the 642's purpose and placement is for an "oh crap" scenario where I am down and in a position to reach it as a last resort. It's also pretty handy and within reach range when I'm seated in the car.