OK, for those of us who carry a backup sub-compact/micro in pocket or ankle or waistband or even as an occassional primary.

Question:
What caliber are you primarily carrying for your backup, BUG, pocket gun, etc.?

Choices:
.22 variant
.25 or .32
.380
.38 or .357
.9 or .357 SIG or .40 or .45

 

I have rarely carried a BUG, but when I have it was a 642-1 in a pocket holster.

Voted .380 because I'm more apt to grab the G42 as a backup piece in a coat pocket. But for summer carry when the G42 becomes the primary, the Baby Browning goes in the front shorts pocket. So .25 ACP is represented here as well, but not reflected in the poll numbers.

Beretta Tomcat in .32 ACP, loaded with 60 gr. Winchester Silvertip HP's.

I carry my 33 as my bug on duty and off duty. On duty it can share mags with my 31. Off duty it can share mags with my 32, which I carry 31 mags as spares.

In the event of something bad, I can toss the 33 to whoever I am with.

I used to pack either a .380 or sometimes a .38 as a BUG, but have gone entirely to 9mm, ( either a 938 or G43. )

i'll reach for the Glock 42 most of the time or the Ruger LCP for deep concealment.

I carry a G26 99% of the time IWB.
The couple rare times a year where I cannot carry IWB, I have an LCP for front pocket carry.

In my retired life, no, I don't carry a BUG. When I was still on the job, I carried a Beretta Tomcat, .32 ACP for years before finally going to an S&W 637 Airweight, .38 Special.

I didn't vote because I'm split about 50/50 between a P3AT in a pocket holster and a scandium J frame in 357 weak side on my belt.

P938

Only time I carried a BUG was on duty. It was always a S&W .38 snubby - different models, but a S&W.

I don't often carry a BUG, but when I do it's either my P232/.380 or my Taurus 85/.38, both in an ankle holster.

Currently my LCP2

If on my ankle, then it is a Smith and Wesson Model 60 in 357 Magnum.



If it is in a pocket it is a Smith and Wesson Centennial. I have several in different metals for different clothing requirements. However it is almost alwasy a stainless 357 Magnum as well, though I have been fond of the 356TSW cartridge recently.





When I have the need to carry 9MM Parrabellum in the pocket, it is a SIG P290

Kahr cw380 in a desantis pocket holster

Mine's a 9mm Kahr CM9.

But I don't think the ".9 caliber" listed in your poll would fit in a subcompact backup gun... That's like 23mm. I don't see you being able to carry even a .9 caliber single-shot Derringer on your ankle or in a pocket.

For comparison, here's a .78 caliber round next to a .50 caliber... .9 caliber would be even bigger.

These days I rarely carry a BUG around, but I've used my 238 the role, primarily because there were occasions where carrying my usual EDC was impossible and the 238 was my alternative. I figured that having the 238 along even as backup was good for acclimating myself for how it would be if my primary had to stay home.

I've also used my G43 at times, and my LCR once or twice before giving up on that relatively blob shaped revolver. The Glock is functionally more complimentary to my EDC G23 but the 238 is more versatile in that I can more easily pocket carry the SIG. For me the G43 is too large for that kind of carry. The SIG also works better with ankle carry; my skinny shins aren't conducive for strapping too large of a gun to and the G43 pushes the limits. Now if bell bottoms ever came back in style...

My EDC BUG is a Seecamp 380 in a front pocket holster.

G42 strapped to the front of my vest. Every shift.