Carrying a backup gun comes with its own challenges. One of the biggest is when carrying on the weak side or more commonly referenced as weak side carry.

Old School Carry

When I first started carrying a backup gun the majority was from a weak side carry. At the time it seemed the best balance and those who were carrying backup guns typically carried them this manner. I liked everyhting about weak side carry, it was fast, allowed me to have weak side access and doubled as a close contact option. I first learned about this method from some true masters, an old school group of cops who routinely dealt with violent felons. What struck me the most about their preferred method was how it wasn’t optional, it was mandatory. Due to the nature of their business there was a real possibility they would go to guns. Because it was mandatory and the risk was high, there was deliberate practice and qualification to maintain this skill.

What Are The Odds

Over the years my viewpoint has changed. Not about the legitimacy of the technique, but the likelihood anyone outside of that job description would actually carry in this method. Truth be told, we haven’t seen a weak side carry method for backup guns in our classes for well over eight years. In our Concealed Carry Instructor course there is a block of instruction speficically on backup guns. Nobody has brought a weak side carry. I use to start the demonstration for this block of instruction with weak side carry. It became more of nod to history than practical application. Those I know who continue to weak side carry do so because that is what they know. That is what they have developed to a high skill level.

It Is Not Always About Speed

As I mentioned, it was fast. When executing a transition, it was by far the fastest. The problem, it wasn’t always the most accurate. Unless you invested time into not just developing, but sustaining your shooting skill from the weak side it was questionable at best to meet common accuracy standards. The flip side, most defensive gun uses occur at close range, range close enough that high level accuracy skills are not always necessary. But, should you have to shoot from behind cover and extend your range you are looking at distances that might be more challening off the weak side. Not only did you have to work weak side shooting techniques, but weak hand only shooting techniques. I still find this to be valuable practice since as an instructor it is important to demonstrate off both sides. I don’t need a high level of skill, but I need to be safe and competent.

The Utility Of A Knife

There could be times when you find yourself in a situation you cannot access your primary carry gun because your strong hand is occupied. Typically in some form of clinch, grip or entanglement. In this case, transitioning to your weak side carry can easily be brought to bear. Again, within these typical engagements you are within close range, most of the time at contact range. If you are at contact range, you can use contact weapons such as knives. I believe this is a strong argument for carrying a fixed blade weak side or midline. Should my strong hand be occuppied for whatever reason, the transition to a fixed blade at contact range is extremely effective. When you consider the difference between carrying a backup gun versus a fixed blade, the weight alone is a strong argument. Not to mention, the utility of a knife in other situations.

Contact Shots With Backup Guns

One good argument for carrying a backup gun on the weak side was should you be in contact range, making contact shots with my backup gun is real possibility. At the very least, near contact and off angle shots. Near contact can be fired from your contact or retention position. Off angles shots come into play when the threat is no longer in front of you or at the same height as you. For contact range work, the best backup gun would be a lightweight snubby revovler. Revolvers have far less potential of stoppages due to being at contact range. Truth be told, the unit I observed was carrying a 5-shot J-frame revovler as their backup.

The Better Options

What you are left with as far as carry locations for backup guns will be pocket carry, ankle carry and deep carry. The commonality about all of these carry locations is how they are strong hand driven. If carrying a backup gun is a requirment for you, but you don’t feel developing the skill on your weak hand is ideal, then staying on your strong side will be best option. You could even go so far as to carry a subcompact version of your primary carry gun to maintain familiarization. The point I’m trying to make is in today’s landscape carrying a backup gun is not frequently practiced. I believe there are a few good reasons why, the biggest being improved reliability and capacity of the primary carry guns.

I’m not overlooking other situations such as your gun being damanged, lost or your strong hand/arm is injured. What I’m saying is the fast majority of folks who are currently carrying a backup gun are carrying for a strong side draw.

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The trick to backup guns is being competent enough to use them well when you need them the most. That takes hard work and discipline, but using this 3 tips for shooting snubby revolvers well will speed up the process.

The Close Range Pickle

The first thing I discuss with anyone considering carrying a snubby revolver is do you plan on training. If you don’t, that’s cool, but it might not be the saving grace you thought. On the one hand, they are easy, but on the other, they are hard. What I mean is should you resort to drawing your snubby revolver, chances are you are in a pickle, but it is a close range pickle. So, marksmanship requirements may be less stringent. Plus, the added benefit of contact shots with a revolver can sometimes be reason enough to consider. This by no means is a pass on your shooting skill, you will still need a high degree of controllability to continue to deliver effective fire. It is controability you should put the lion’s share of your training for shooting snubby revolvers.

Perfecting Your Firing Grip

The first tip is to really look at your grip. While it is very possible you can retrograde a semi-automoatic grip to work with a revolver, you would be wise to avoid this temptation. If you are thinking it helps maintain continuity it really doesn’t. What you get is added exposure to injury and poor grip mechanics. While there are some that can shoot these well using their auto grip, they are anomiles and not the norms. Positioning on the available real estate is critical. You have to take up as much useable space, beause you don’t get that much. From there, it’s all about the friction. The more friction you can achieve the better it will help control recoil. I use an over thumb grip, but I do it slightly different than most. I literally point my thumb’s tip downwards. Most don’t get a fully downward pointing thumb, it is more angled. Not terrible, but it doesn’t allow me to take advantage of tip number two for shooting snubby revolvers well.

Shooting Strong Hand Only Provides Gifts

I subscribe to a reverse thumb grip. It is reverse in the sense, my weak hand thumb rests on top of my strong hand thumb. Because I pointed the tip of my strong hand thumb downward there is somewhat of a shelf formed by the second digit. This shelf allows me to rest my weak hand thumb more securely allowing me to apply grip pressure more evenly and consistently. Speaking of grip pressure, I apply inward pressure with my pinkies of both hands. It is very similar to my auto-grip, but not with the same grip force. I make up for it a little by applying pressure downwards from the weak hand thumb. This process produces a firm and secure grip capable of rapid fire. The bonus is when you shoot strong hand only, pressing the thumb down and pinky inwards produces great results.

Downward, Not Rearward

The last tip is the direction of the trigger finger’s movement. Contrary to the norm, I squeeze more downward than rearward. It seems odd, but the curvature of the trigger makes me change the movement direction slightly. Since it is nothing more than a lever and I want maximum leverage making this change helps. As the trigger moves rearward, the angle of the trigger’s face changes. I want to press more downward than rearward once it reaches the apex of it’s movement. It is subtle for sure, but it has made a difference for me.

I do value what a snubby revolver offers me in the form of a backup gun. I carry them more frequently currently than I have in the past partly because I have made huge strides in shooting them well using this tips.

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Experiential Experience

We are kicking off our Instructor Level Concealed Carry classes next year and I have been fielding questions related to gear lately. One of the student gear requirements is a backup gun. Students will become familiar with this option if they don’t currently employ to have a better understanding of why new shooters might choose the platform and then to speak with some authority on the subject. The most popular backup gun or the one we see the most is a 5-shot revolver. I am a big fan of these little blasters for lots of reasons. Make no mistake they are not without their challenges, but they make for a great option if you decide to carry a backup.

Why the Need

The first question you have to ask yourself is do you need to carry a backup gun. Rather than come up with a list of reasons why you shouldn’t, consider the idea for a moment. What will you carry? Yes, there are a lot of options in the subcompact and micro gun platforms, but there will be a point of diminishing returns when you consider caliber and capacity. The last thing to consider is how you plan to carry. Most backup guns are carried in a pocket rather than on the waist.

Going Easy on Yourself

A major reason why I encourage backup guns is for those instances where you want to downgrade. I’m a big proponent for being armed as often as possible. From everything to making dinner, doing household chores to other leisure activities in your own home. Carrying around you primary blaster all the time gets old when you consider their size and weight. If we are trying to increase the frequencies of being armed then you will have to consider the times when your primary is not the best choice.

Weak-Hand Access

Carrying a 5-shot revolver in a pocket holster opens up many options for you, but a major criterion for your backup gun is can you draw it with your weak hand. One reason we justify carrying a backup is should your strong hand/arm being inoperable or occupied. Drawing your backup with your weak hand and being able to effectively hit the target help narrow down our platform choices. It also limits where we will carry the backup, relegating to mainly the back pockets since front pockets are mostly inaccessible from the opposite side of the body.

Outside the Box Mentality

There are other reasons to carry a revolver as your backup. Since most critical incidents involving the average concealed carrier will occur at close ranges, sometimes extreme close ranges contact shots are on the table. The lack of reciprocating action reduces the possibility of stoppages. Pressing the barrel against the violent actor is no longer a squeamish activity, make positive contact and fire for effect. Another option is if required to do a gun pass a revolver is one of the easiest guns for a non-gun enthusiasts to use. Literally a point and shoot option. While limited in capacity, the user friendliness in this situation is worth the trade off.

Are the small framed revolvers making a come-back. The popularity of mid-sized semi-automatics as the primary carry option will not diminish. As we expand our concealed carry expertise we start to see old favorites rise up to fill fringe roles.

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Necessity is the mother of invention

My experiment with pocket carry started as a necessity when I waited longer than expected for a new J-frame ankle holster. While I knew, it was going to take a while, it took too long. It forced me to find a backup for my backup; which was good news. Enter the back pocket carry technique. I have played on and off again with forms of pocket carry over the years, but I was determined to do a proper evaluation. Hence my six-month period of performance or what I like call fun time.

No one size fits all

Those who pocket carry come in all different shapes and size as do the firearms they select. My observations are based off my size, the M&P 340 and my criterion for access. The most common position for pocket carrying a backup is front pocket strong side. I discovered a major problem right off the bat, access would be questionable under certain circumstances. Since I commute to work, sit at a desk and sit for my meals (most of the time) having access in those conditions was severely hampered with front carry. I don’t care what type of clothing, the front pockets while sitting down are almost impossible to retrieve items. Try pulling loose change from your pocket the next time you are sitting down. Notice how you end up doing a hip bridge just to get all the way down there.

Monkeys and dessert

Now, the added problem and this will fry some noodles is when you grasp the firearm, in this case a revolver the girth of your hand increases. When you ball your hand into a fist such as when you grip your firearm it makes it even more challenging. Now consider the different sizes of front pockets and the opening’s position (horizontal versus vertical pockets). At the very least it will severely degrade the quickness of a smooth drawstroke. How many of you have seen the monkey stick their hand in a hole to grab some grubs? When he grabs a fistful of delicious grubs he becomes ensnared. His closed fist is too large to fit through the hole…very similar here.

Let performance drive the train

Another issue is the depth of front pockets varies from brand to brand. The deeper the pocket the longer the drawstroke. Most back pockets are of a patch design and similar in size. The only bad observation to report is how the hilt of my snubby can sometimes poke out the top of my pocket. Usually addressed with a proper cover garment, but when sitting in public I do have to be more mindful. What I greatly appreciated was the access from my back pocket and if I was going to carry a backup access needed to be a priority. When I preformed side by side baselines of front pocket to back pocket drawstrokes the back pocket was more consistent and I found more reliable. That baseline was shot freestyle on my feet. When I conducted a similar drill from a seated position, it really wasn’t a contest anymore. A slight shift in my ass check coupled with a clean clear of the cover garment netted me a smooth drawstroke consistently.

I have grown fond of carrying two guns lately. This method offers me what many of the others failed to do, keeping things simple.

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Misguided beliefs

Sorry to break the bad news, but you are not that good. Carrying two guns means being proficient with both. I see many believe they are proficient, but how do they assess their skills. Have they been through a well-designed training program designed to sustain their good skills and improve on their weak ones? Do they have a consistent training program where they are putting rounds downrange with both their primary and backup? Do they work their integrated combatives to counter an ambush?

Core skills

One of the issues I had with the article was the assumption the shooter would not have adequate training to perform reloads or correct malfunctions. They commented on a type three malfunction and while they are time consuming the correction is trainable. If I had to look at the allocation of time, money and resources the average shooter has available are they better spent learning core skills? Core skills you ask, yes performing a reload is a core skill. Correcting a malfunction is a core skill. The late Col. Cooper is credited with the Combat Triad; mindset, marksmanship and gun manipulations. I find it odd, gun manipulations would be dismissed so easily.

Performance standards

You will notice how marksmanship is part of the combat triad and for good reason. If you decide to employ your firearm the ability to place rapid and effective hits on target is more than a core skill, it is a critical skill. I find marksmanship is one of the most demanding of the core skills. It alludes many students regardless of their perceived skill level. Students struggle with marksmanship skills for many reason, but a big one is not understanding marksmanship fundamentals. When I say understand, I mean have an intimate knowledge of the “how”. Cognitively you need to have an intimate knowledge of how sight management, trigger management and follow through work. Meeting performance standards is difficult enough with a primary, try it with a backup and you have your work cut out for you.

The ambush

Add a smaller, maybe even different platform to the equation and it is not likely to expect the same level of performance as you do with a primary. Some will comment they don’t need to be as accurate with their backup. Their justification centers around being used in extremis circumstances and I totally agree. Most self-defense situations are up close and personal. They are for all practical purposes an ambush where you as the victim have little warning. For the ambush to be effective, it needs to happen within proximity of the victim. The close range will mean your immediate action is probably not going to be going to guns. When the opportunity does present itself go with what you know the best, your primary.

The exceptions

Are there exceptions to this rule? Absolutely, carrying a backup gun is a great idea for when your gun breaks. Begging the question, why were you using it in the first place if reliability is a question. What if it disables because it was damaged in the fight? I feel this is more likely to happen than seeing the gun malfunction, especially a type three malfunction. Then again, if you choose a suboptimal primary all bets are off. There is also the strong hand being disabled forcing the shooter to draw their back up from the weak side. While very plausible is it the best use of your resources. Understanding most ambushes occur at close range wouldn’t a fixed blade off your weak side being a faster and better solution for this situation. In my experience, absolutely. Finally, the gun pass. The opportunity may present itself you consider passing the backup gun to a trusted person. That is code for your spouse or significant other. I discouraged passing a live firearm to an unknown. However, passing it to your partner is far more plausible and a good justification for a backup gun.

The bottom line, is a backup gun a good idea? Yes! The real question you need to ask would be is it worth it or are you better off perfecting the combat triad.

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