Carrying two sidearms

[Zak Thompson]

Howdy, all. Oddball question from a lifelong Okie, new member, long time lurker.

Should I carry a second gun in remote places? If so, what should it be? I carry a 380 now.

I spend a good deal of time in rural areas of oklahoma. Like remote-remote places and I'm often going it alone. For a city kid, this is as remote as it gets. Generally more than an hour from the closest emergency services and regularly outside cell services.

Since I'm not a large guy and I often have expensive gear with me, I always carry a p238 with a round in the chamber. I've had to fire it at packs of dogs 3 times and thankfully, my shots have never hurt the dogs but driven them away, which is the idea when theres a distance. I love dogs and simply want to be un-bitten.

so why would I want to carry anything else? Recently, several friends, family members, and a few talkative strangers have recommended carrying a second pistol for what they deemed more dangerous parts of the state. One friend told me he would keep a shotgun in the car for SHTF moments if he were me, And enough strange encounters like strangers following me for miles and miles and friends have suggested this that I'm considering it.

So, do you think I should carry a second arm? What would it be? I've considered a second 380, since I already have that ammo, but more stopping power might be nice. 9 mm? .40? 5.56 pistol? Semi-auto Shotgun?

If you have one you're trying to sell and a compelling case on adding this to my rural carry, lmk

 

[retrieverman]

I’m not a 380 fan, but I guess it’s better than a sharp stick. My suggestion would be to first upgrade your primary carry before worrying about a secondary, but yeah, a shotgun or rifle in your vehicle isn’t a horrible idea.

 

[gmar]

I’ve never personally felt the need to carry two guns but I could see where carrying two pistols could get cumbersome or could mean you’ll need to leave one in your vehicle at some point which I don’t like doing.

Personally, I’d probably get a new carry pistol like a P365 XL or Fuse or something similar. More stopping power and more than double the capacity. Then if you felt like carrying a second pistol, you could always bring your P238.

 

[MilitantBEEMER]

I am a big fan of my 9mm 365xl w/ Holosun
It gives me 12 + 1 in the chamber. With the recent craziness, I also carry a S&W 442 with 5 38 +P rounds as a backup.
When hitting the road and traveling outside of the city, I will often throw a AR pistol or rifle in the truck for just in case.

 

[Thatoneokieguy]

If I'm in my daily routine, I carry my hellcat iwb. If I go to the city or somewhere out of the norm, it's the hellcat iwb and sp101 on the ankle. My wife always has hers with her as well. But always, and I mean always, there's an AR pistol under the truck back seat in the lock box.

 

[Gunbuffer]

Keester a sawed off

 

[saddlebum]

when I wondered the wild places I always carried a Glock 29 10mm sometimes with a small 9mm in my pocket (kahr pm9) . when I was younger it was a Ruger Blackhawk 41mag and always a fixed blade knife

 

[Wojownik]

I keep a pistol on me and an AR in the vehicle. Rather have it and not need it.

 

[adamsredlines]

Idk why but I have a sliding scale?

Daily: 1 of choice...P365 in IWB or P238 in pocket, depending on variables.

"Unusual Situations": 1 in IWB holster (P365 or 1911), 1 in pocket (p238)

Travel: "Unusual Situations" loadout, plus a rifle or the MPX.

"Unusual Situation"= late night stuff, unfamiliar places, meeting people from Marketplace/Craigslist/Armslist where it's known money or valuable items will be exchanged, really crowded places, etc.

 

[turkeyrun]

I concur, not a .380 fan. I am more concerned with the wild animals in the urban jungle. EDC consists of a CZ85 9mm or 1911 .45.
When in a remote rural situation, primary carry changes to a Blackhawk SA, either .41 Mag or stainless .44 Mag on hot days. A rifle and or shotgun is always in the truck / nearby.

Carry what you are comfortable with, what your are proficient with and have a back up plan.