Your largest BUG for carry

[lovemachine]

There's a good chance I'll be able to come up with just enough money to buy a smaller gun. I've been wanting a BUG, but also just something smaller. I have it narrowed down. I'm looking at a Ruger LCP and a .38. Not sure which one I want to go with. I like the ruger b/c it would be very easy to conceal. But ammo is expensive and hard to find. A .38 is easy to find, and it's not bad priced. So the .38 you could shoot it as much as you want at the range. I think the Ruger you wouldn't want to shoot it that much. So I'm not sure yet.

What's the largest gun you'll carry for backup?

 

[sj kahr k40]

For me it depends on how I'm going to carry, the biggest gun I can pocket carry is a P3AT, but I do carry a .38 as a second gun on my waist, either one is a great choice

 

[Demo]

I'm definetly not a expert on BUGs but my personal rule is the BUG has got to fit in my front pocket. I don't ankle carry so that's that (for me).

Caliber revolves around that rule. Currently I'm carrying a Sig P238. It's thin, small, and light; however it is a .380ACP and you are right, it's not something you'll shoot every range outing.

 

[CoyoteCreekGuns]

BUG gun for me is typically my Sig P238 but it is sometimes switched out to my S&W 642 .38 Special. It just depends on the situation and what I am wearing.

 

[JoshuaW]

I have no BUG experience, but since we are on the topic, does anyone have a picture of a J-Frame and an LCP (or P3AT) next to each other? Im curious about the size difference.

 

[rmabrey]

https://www.indianagunowners.com/forums/handguns/102580-hot_ruger_rumor.html

This thread Shooter unveils the rumor of a 9mm LCP, Im holding off on buying one until this is confirmed or denied

 

[littletommy]

Occasionally I will carry my Super Red Hawk in a shoulder holster, under a winter coat, and I usually have my Taurus PT 745 in my front pocket, so that would mean my BUG is a 7 shot .45 acp. But normally, if I am carrying my .45 on my belt, or in my pocket, I sometimes carry a Phoenix arms .22 in my back pocket.

 

[OiRadio47]

S&W M&P 360. Light weight 5 shot 357 magnum

 

[Demo]

To the OP- Plainfield Shooting Supplies has a few P238s in stock this week if you want to check one out. Sometimes they are hard to find.

 

[cedartop]

Glock 34

 

[IndySSD]

As soon as my 511 holster shirts get here I'll probably be carrying my Full size 1911 under 1 arm and 2 spare mags under the other.... they will be backing up my G22(15+1) with 1 spare 15 mag along the slide and another 15xMag in my belt clipped Multitool/flashlight holder (looks like a nextel cellphone holster) on my oposite hip.

 

[hoosierfishing]

I don't find the Ruger LCP to be that uncomfortable to shoot. Especially after I replaced the recoil springs with Wolff springs. They make a difference. I got a LCP in my front pocket as I type. Getting ready to head to a family reunion and my wife doesn't even know I'm carrying.

 

[Eddie]

Ruger SP101

 

[hunterft6]

I you are going to pocket carry your BUG , the LCP and P3at are much better, at least in my opinion. However, I do also pocket carry a .38 spl when the occasion is right.

 

[trik396]

New guy to all this but been carrying a PF-9. Don't even know it's there... 9mm is cheap ammo... when not that it's my SP101 which weighs about 3x's as much. Winter clothing will allow me to carry my XD45 Tactical.

 

[Wabatuckian]

At one point in my life I carried a Taurus PT92, customized "slightly" for the work I did, backed up by an S&W M19-2 4", with a Phoenix Arms .22 pistol as a third gun (this was before small, affordable, quality .380 pieces were out).

If I were to do it again, it would be 1911 GM, bobtailed Commander sized pistol as backup, and a Ruger LCP for the in-your-face gun.

Josh

 

[glockednlocked]

Really it depends on your definition and thus your true purpose. I have often carried 2 equal size guns (think pair of 1911s our pair of glock 19s) in this roll yes my weak side gun is a "back up" but may still be full size. Day to day I find a baby glock or a 38 lite snubby fills the roll well but am not above using a 32 as a bug if I have a solid prmary on my belt. Define your needs for that time/occasion and carry as much as you can. No one ever said after a violent encounter "oh I really wish I just brought the 25 today" many times more and bigger are better

 

[SSGSAD]

3" model 85 Taurus, .38 for me.....

 

[Buckaroo]

IMO the LCP will be lots easier to conceal than the revolver. I have owned both and still have a snubnose .38 with CT grips.

I sold off my P3ats to buy a Kahr PM9. Love my Kahr and now it is my deep concealment/BUG. Personally it was a choice between small and smaller vs a more dependable caliber.

Buckaroo

 

[Josh Ward]

My back up gun is a S&W J frame