Is Carrying Two Pistols Better Than Just One?

By Luke McCoy via USA Carry

Some concealed carriers swear by it, others call it excessive. Carrying more than one handgun for personal protection has some distinct advantages and disadvantages. Do you pack more than one pistol when you head out into the world? In this article, we’re going to take a long look at the benefits and limitations of carrying a backup concealed carry handgun.

Theory: If One Gun Jams, You Have A Backup

No matter how ready we think we are, there’s always a lingering doubt that we’ll run into the dreaded “click” when it comes time to pull the trigger. In those situations, we can practice for action drills to remedy a misfire or failure to fire. However, some concealed carriers prefer to just jump to a second pistol. If you’re equipped for it, that’s certainly an option.

PRO: Immediate follow-up to a malfunction.

CON: Failure to remedy the malfunction through remedial action.

Practice: It may just make more sense to practice more with the equipment you use on a daily basis so you can develop a baseline of expectation for what that pistol is capable of. If it’s not up to your standards, perhaps consider switching to a more reliable gun.

Theory: If One Gun Runs Out Of Ammo, You’re Covered

This can especially be true for revolver lovers. When that first cylinder is expended in a gun fight, there’s not a whole lot of time to fumble around with a speed clip or a moon clip. Sometimes you want to be able to immediately stay in the fight. Having a secondary gun can definitely be a great boon.

PRO: Staying in the fight just a bit longer.

CON: It may be better just to carry spare magazines and spend more time practicing combat reloading.

Practice: There’s no way of knowing how long a self defensive gun use situation will last. It may be five brief seconds or fifteen minutes. Chances are good that if the fight goes on longer than ten to fifteen minutes, you’re going to need to have the option of reloading or switching pistols. It might just make more sense to stick with the same pistol you’re using and simply reload.

If you’re worried that one extra magazine isn’t enough, it’s still more expeditious to carry another magazine than carry a whole other handgun.

Theory: Can Hand Off A Gun To An Ally

Dire situations can make strange bedfellows. Who knows who the man or woman to your immediate left or right may be when a bad situation strikes. In a defensive gun use situation, you may feel compelled to offer aid or assistance to those nearby. Having two people equipped to handle your opponents may up your chances of surviving. Having a backup gun means you can turn one good guy into potentially two.

PRO: Immediate force multiplier.

CON: Uncertainty in tactics and training.

Practice: If you’re willing to trust a complete and total stranger with one of your firearms, then you’ve made up your mind. However, if you don’t know or are not confident in that person’s abilities with a firearm (or their understanding of firearm safety), you may be creating another liability for yourself in the short term. It may be more useful to help those in your vicinity properly use cover and concealment until they can flee than surreptitiously handing out your own lifeline.

In conclusion, carrying a backup handgun in either an ankle holster or a secondary holster isn’t the worst idea in the world but it may be a bit impractical in a defensive gun use situation. You’re probably better served training to reload, fix malfunctions, and practice tactical handgunnery than carrying a secondary gun you may never get the opportunity to use.