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Im a big guy, im 5ft 9inches tall, weigh 285lbs and wear size 40 pants. I plan on carrying a glock 17 on my hip, when my plastic comes on from austin. I dont think i will have a problem carrying another full size gun on my hip, my question ia should i? Is two full size guns too much? Should keep my 17 and instead of another full size gun carry something in my pocket or boots?

When carrying a backup gun there are a number of considerations. I would recomend you carry the second firearm in a location that you can reach when you can't reach the primary. A situation you might consider is when your driving, most people can not reach their primary quickly while sitting in the vehicle with a seat belt on. An alternate location for the primary or a good location for a backup can make a major difference.

If you can conceal two full size guns then I would day that's not too many. There are several folks around that carry multiple guns on a regular basis and at least one of them carries two full size ones. I'm not one of them, but I do carry two spare mags for a total of 37 rounds counting the eleven in the gun. weight wise my carry might be similar to what you're asking about, but the shape of the spare mags is a little different.

One issue I've wrestled with regarding carrying a BUG is the caliber. If I carry something of a different caliber than my primary then I can't share ammo.

I like the idea of both using the same mag/spare mag

you "could" carry a Glock 19 or 26 as a BUG ( I carry two 26s, the big one IWB like below, and a 13+1 round one in pocket, they work with Spare Glock 17 mags, in fact I carry my 26 with a Glock 17 mag and spacer sometimes
this is an old spacer, the Xgrip spacers are better

Glock 26 Glock 17 Mag+3 with PierceGrip PG39 20+1 rounds - Glock 19-size extended barrel
This is about the most accurate gun I ever owned, one of my 2 Glock 26 EDC guns.


Sometimes I use a shorter Glock 19 mag in the 26 for 15+3 with the PG39 extension and spacer for a 18+1 = 19 total capacity

It's not too much but the combined weight might be a negative factor.

The simple answer is that there's no such thing as too many, because you don't have to use them all.

Depending on the fight you find yourself in, there is such a thing as too few.

The same principle holds true with ammo.

The chance you'll ever have to actually use a gun is slim to none. The chance you will use a backup to that one gun is virtually nil. Personally, I have never carried a back up gun in regular clothes, because I have no plans to shoot it out with someone. I will use it to get away to call more people with a lot more firepower. If the gun makes man equal, I don't like the 50-50 chance of winning a shootout with someone. But, what you carry is not for me to decide. YOU have to make that decision, because YOU are the one who has to live with the consequences of it, good or bad.

Whatever you're comfortable with and you can do safely - go for it. (Can you draw with the other hand? Would you shoot with the weak hand? Think through these things tactically.)

Once you start carrying, you'll realize there's an adjustment period. Some spots might rub wrong or aggravate your back. Some spots might be inconvenient for sitting in a car.

I advocate carrying whatever you'll actually carry! If you find two guns to be cumbersome and go a week without carrying any gun to recover, that's not good.

I carried a Sig P229 .40 on my IWB at 4:00 and a S&W 340 PD in the right pocket on a vest during the rally in Austin. For a BUG, I usually like the snubbie on the left ankle. Honestly, though, I rarely carry two guns and have never carried spare magazines.

Hmmmm....I never carry two, but I always carry at least on spare mag, usually two. But I only have 6+1 in the chamber so if I am carrying a spare mag that still only gives me 13 shots .....maybe I need to make sure I have two from now on....

Excaliber wrote:The simple answer is that there's no such thing as too many, because you don't have to use them all.

Depending on the fight you find yourself in, there is such a thing as too few.

The same principle holds true with ammo.

THIS

I'm starting to rethink my carrying of only one -

2 is 1...1 is none...
I carry a full size and a pocket gun (2 full size guns for my frame is not practical)

I think you might be pushing it if you can't tread water with the extra weight. Unless you're in West Texas.

I carry a Glock 27 in an ankle holster and a Glock 19 on my hip, and I'm 6'2" and a 40" too, but there's not a problem wearing them like that.

I normally just carry my G27 for now until I get in better shape, but when I carry the 19 too. I bring the extra mag for the 19 instead of 27.