I already carry way too much other stuff in my backpack and on my person, to even think about adding a back up handgun. We usually walk about an hour just getting to our stands, so the weight of what you wear and carry becomes very important. If you get soaked in sweat on the way to the stand, and then stand out in the PA. cold, it can make for a pretty miserable day in the woods. I have thought of going back to carrying a revolver in place of the Contender. but the extra power of the rifle cartirdges in the Contender gives it a bit of an edge. However, the S&W 500 has really got me thinking. I just want to wait till it is available in a 6" barrel, and I want to shoot one so I know for myself if I am capable of handling that much recoil and power. So for right now, one gun is enough for me.