A good back up?

[taterbug]

I want to get a back up gun for my ankle. I have a Taurus .38 revolver but I want would like to get a semi-auto. I have looked at a couple of Hi-Points, Taurus Millenium, and small S & W. Any suggestions? I want to stay with a 9mm.

[AMT8951]

Kahr makes some small, high quality 9mm's. Keltec makes a small 9mm as well.

[IMG]Kahr PM9[/IMG]

[dogcop]

+1 on the Kahr PM9. I have one as my BUG, great gun.

[taterbug]

I have actually looked at the kahr because by friend has one and it is VERY nice. I just don't like the price tag. I have a hard time paying more for my BUG than I did for my primary. I could just be talking to the wrong dealers.

[ThursCo]

Unfortunately they are a little more spendy now than they were 5 years ago. I bought a Kahr P9 when they first came out and loved it. I ended up breaking the thing (my fault) sent it back to the factory and said, "Do what you can, it was my fault and I expect to pay for it." They called me up 4 days later and said they would need to replace it and the problem was a bad spring/spring screw on the first generation frames...and I just made it worse. He asked me what kind of kahr I wanted to replace it, and he would check into a price for me. 2 weeks later I received a brand new kahr P9 covert (long slide, stubby frame) WITH night sights and the only thing I had to pay for was a $20 transfer fee at the local gunshop.

So, enthusiastic +1 on the Kahr, they are worth the money imo.

[marty33]

I carry a Glock 26 9mm in a Gould and Goodrich ankle holster. This has been a great BUG/Holster combo. It has held secure through foot pursuits, fights, falls, etc. I like the ankle holster because I can reach my BUG with either hand, from any body position whether it be face up, face down, on my side, crouching, etc. The only drawback to an ankle rig is that if you are standing you have to crouch or kneel down to draw. This is not a big deal, as chances are you will be either crouching or kneeling when the SH** hits the fan anyway. You also have to be careful in a groundfight, as a BUG in an ankle holster is somewhat exposed.

Practice is the key, I shoot my BUG from an ankle draw minimum once per month.

Plus, Glock's are a lot cheaper than Kahr's!!

[pulicords]

I loved my Glock 27 (same gun as Model 26, but in .40 S&W and carries 9 in the magazine +1 in chamber). Very dependable and weighs little in a DeSantis ankle holster. If you like to carry your BUG in a pocket, I'd stick with a Model 342 S&W (Airlite Ti) .38. Replace the pin-in front sight with a Ashley Express "big dot" night sight and the stock grips with CTC laser grips. A great back-up!

[Bing_Oh]

I wouldn't touch the Hi Point with a 10-foot cattle prod...unless you're looking for a good throwdown gun (Joke! It's just a joke!).

If you're looking for a good BUG and want to stick to 9mm, the baby Glock isn't bad. If the compact M&P's from Smith shoot like the full-size ones, they'd also be a nice option. I've heard good and bad about the Kahr compacts...there were reports of some jamming problems related to the short feed ramps.

[KenW.]

First, stick with your agency policy.

I carry a full-size 1911, and a compact 1911 for backup. I like the idea of being able to fall back using the full-size mags in the compact in a pinch.

[ofcp2]

I say go with a revovler, it wont fail as quickly as a semi-auto.
Less parts to malfunction. I carry a Taurus 605 .357 mag-2 inch barrel.
Nice piece, not to heavy. You want a bug that will do just that back you up.
There are alot of good semi-autos, XD-Glock- Kahr - Taurus.
Carry what you feel is good for you. Taurus guns have always been my choice,hell went through the academy with a Taurus PT 100 .40 cal.

Sig 220
Taurus .605

[ofcp2]

I wouldn't touch the Hi Point with a 10-foot cattle prod...unless you're looking for a good throwdown gun (Joke! It's just a joke!).

If you're looking for a good BUG and want to stick to 9mm, the baby Glock isn't bad. If the compact M&P's from Smith shoot like the full-size ones, they'd also be a nice option. I've heard good and bad about the Kahr compacts...there were reports of some jamming problems related to the short feed ramps.

Thats funny, throw down gun and boot knife, is that coke. LOL
Really I have a Hi-Point makes the best damn hammer Iv'e ever had, even pulls nails.

[Nightshift va]

It depends on what caliber you want. I carry a Glock 27 off duty but thats because I carry a 40 on duty as well. I have a Kahr P40 the Pm40 is even smaller and both are of quality but your right they are 600plus..After shooting and owning an XD Springfield Id reccomend that XD Subcompact in either 9mm or 40s&w. They are unreal performers for subcompacts and reasonable in price for now and may feel better in your hand than the blocky glock subs..I own a duty size XD40 and my next one will probably be an XD as well.

[Voirdire]

Hmm, interesting thread. I need to start looking into a weapon for my primary and backup.

[taterbug]

Looks like I have a lot of choices. I just realized that Walther makes a compact P99. I LOVE Walthers. There is a gun range close that will let you try out their used guns to see what you like. I might be going there soon to try out some of your ideas. Thanks!

[luckydog]

I want to get a back up gun for my ankle. I have a Taurus .38 revolver but I want would like to get a semi-auto. I have looked at a couple of Hi-Points, Taurus Millenium, and small S & W. Any suggestions? I want to stay with a 9mm.

Do not even think about buying a Hi-Point. I know they are cheap but is the savings worth your life? Taurus Millennium also has some reliability issues so I wouldn’t chance it with that either. What model Smith? There are some that are great firearms but they have made a few that I would feel uncomfortable with. I know it is not on your list but go check out a Kahr or a Glock or just stay with your revolver.