Gun Dog Forum

How many of you guys carry backup guns? Have been reading a few threads where people talk about problems with their guns. Do you keep a backup in the truck? Is it the same gauge as your main gun.

I always figured if I usually carried an o/u for upland I would keep a semi or pump (if I every get one) in the truck. Then switch for waterfowl.

I carry a back up gun when I'm a long way from home, but malfunctions are so rare, I don't carry one for local hunting.

I always bring two. My SBE is my go-to waterfowl gun, w/ the Nova as a back-up, since both can eat 3.5" shells. Upland, I prefer the 686, but I always bring the SBE along just in case.

I carry a youth model charles daily in my top storage never have needed it.

I just pick a gauge then grab an O/U. WDO

On a South Dakota hunt this season, my buddy gave me crap for bringing three shotguns. On the first day, it snowed and sleeted and we got pretty wet, then it got down to 5* that night. Next morning, two of my Benellis and my sporting clays O/U were all in use. A couple guys couldn't even get their trigger to fire.

One old friend carried my Montefeltro 20 and fell in love with it. I can't seem to get it away from him now.

If I'm hunting very far from home, I always take at least one extra.

Same here, I always take extras. Where we hunt, the pheasants are not difficult to hit or kill if there is no material wind. But sometimes the wind blows up in the 25 mph plus range, and they are different birds entirely. And in the end of the season they are harder to bring down. I will use a 20 or 16 quite a bit in the early season unless there is a wind. A 16 or even a 12 later, and sometimes a 3" 12 in really bad conditions. I have hunting partners who, for the last few years, have carried 20's all year, even in January. But they do a pretty poor job when the wind is high, the shots are long, and the pheasants hard to kill.

So I carry quite a few spares. I have a Truck Vault in the back of my vehicle, and usually have 6 in there.

I so far have only taken a backup on trips.

Here in NJ, if you are carrying a shell that is a different gauge than the gun you're carrying, the fine is $20 per shell - so while you may not meet up with a CO, the best bet is to stick to a single gauge.

The exception to taking a backup is deer hunting with a shotgun. I used to always pack my "Jersey Rifle" and the Mossy 835 along. If I was meeting up with some other guys for a drive, I'd use the Mossy with buckshot in the thick stuff, or take a stand on the edge of a big field with the slug gun where the shooting was more open.

But I haven't participated in a drive for years now, and pretty much use my Encore .50 cal for everything these days.

Here in NJ, if you are carrying a shell that is a different gauge than the gun you're carrying, the fine is $20 per shell - so while you may not meet up with a CO, the best bet is to stick to a single gauge.

What is the reason for this law?

I always carry at least one back-up gun. I've never had trouble with any of my guns though, just like to be safe.

I always bring a 12 gauge O/U as a back up on trips. Very relaibe and ease of finding ammo.

On a trip or where I'll be more than a quick trip back to the shop I'll carry a backup.
My primary is a Beretta 391 Urika 20 gauge, my backup is my 870 Wingmaster 12 gauge. I hate carrying 2 sets of shells and I am currently looking for an 870 Wingmaster 20 gauge.

BOSUN wrote:Here in NJ, if you are carrying a shell that is a different gauge than the gun you're carrying, the fine is $20 per shell - so while you may not meet up with a CO, the best bet is to stick to a single gauge.

What is the reason for this law?

Just another way the State of New Jermany is looking out for us.

The reasoning is that if you have a 20 gauge shell in your pocket, you're going to not pay attention at some point and load it in your 12 gauge, thus obstructing the barrel. Then you're going to load a 12 gauge shell behind it and blow yourself up.

So, they pass a law and put a fine in place so you can be punished financially. Not for doing anything wrong - but because you might do something wrong given the opportunity.

I always take two. Just bought a Benelli M2 to back up my Benelli Super Black Eagle.

These days when going on an out of town bird hunting trip I always bring at least 2 guns, usually Beretta 391 semi-autos in 20 & 12 ga. because they both fit me well. The first gun I bought with my own money was a used Winchester SxS 12 ga. I purchased when I was 12 years old for $80. I lugged it everywhere and never noticed the weight. As I get older I've noticed I like smaller and lighter a lot! So I always use a 20 ga. unless it's really windy or very late in the season when the birds are more heavily feathered here in the north. In subzero weather I always bring at least one O/U so I know I'll have a gun that fires. I've never had to use a second gun because my first stopped functioning but you just never know ........

I normally bring two, Beretta Extrema and Remington 870. I consider the 870 a loaner as a back up is not needed

How many of you guys carry backup guns?

Always.

Cousin bought 2 remingtons with the key lock, well he left the key at home and they was locked good thing we bring alond 20 ga pumps as spares and ammo. or someone would have had to sit in the truck and pout all day

if you start hunting with a mossberg 835 you dont have to worry about bringing a back up gun

tanner wrote:if you start hunting with a mossberg 835 you dont have to worry about bringing a back up gun

I have had one for years, and it is an excellent goose, duck, and deer gun (with buckshot). I haven't gotten into turkey hunting yet, but I imagine it would do well as a turkey gun too.

But I don't think it would be even my third choice for upland hunting. It would probably be my last choice.

To each their own!