No question, my second gun choice would be a handgun. I know you've pretty much ruled it out, but they have a place.

I have a few autoloaders: 1911, Glock 17, S&W 5906, S&W 3906, KelTec P9, etc. I also have a few revolvers: S&W J frame in .38spl stainless w 3" barrel, S&W Airlite in .38spl w 3" barrel, S&W Airlite .22 w 3" barrel, S&W K frame in .357 stainless w 3" barrel, etc. I guess you can tell I like the 3" barrels, they have good adjustable sights for accuracy and are still short enough to easily conceal.

If I had to pick just one, it would be a revolver. Versatility of ammo has already been mentioned, but they are also user friendly. Simplicity is a virtue, and revolvers have it in spades. I've seen countless jams with autos; you can limp wrist them, block the slide so they short cycle, failure to feed, etc. In thousands of rounds, I've seen one revolver jam. A handload with a double charge that swelled the case in the cylinder (yeah, it was my handload!).

My second second choice would be a bolt action .22. There's a wide variety of loads from hyper velocity to CCI CBlongs with a muzzle velocity of 710fps. (Take a look at ammotogo.com) The CBlongs are ridiculously quiet, quieter than many single cock pellet guns and they're pushing a 29 gr bullet compared to a 13 gr pellet. I recently got my son a Henry Mini Bolt youth .22. Small stainless steel with synthetic stock, weighs just 3 1/4 pounds. I think I've shot it more than my son. It's a hoot and a very capable, simple gun. Not the cheapest, but there are plenty of new and used .22 bolts that would work just as well.

Finally, if you're set on a pellet gun, consider an older Sheridan 5mm pump. NOT the Benjamine Sheridan, the "made in Racine, Wis. Sheridans". The Bluestreaks and Silverstreaks are not the easiest to find, they are still in demand, but they are the best. I have 2 Silverstreaks, a 1972 and a 1978. Though old, they both hold air and shoot like they were made yesterday. I shoot mine regularly to keep the brown headed cowbirds out of the feeders, very accurate and a pleasure to shoot. They can usually be found on gunbrokers.com, search "sheridan". And always keep a pump or two in the gun to keep the seals tight.

Just my 2 cents, ha ha!

lukus

Okay, I will go look to see how you can avoid the need for the background check and proof of need to get a concealed weapon carry permit by just going fishing or hunting. Color me sceptical.

Well, looking at California concealable weapon law is an hour I will never get back!

I am starting a "concealed weapon in California" thread for those who want to thrash that out.

For the purpose of this thread on what second weapon would be best to add to the arsenal, I will just say that while I would prefer a weapon not so mired in legal, political, and practical complexity or controversy, everyone has the right to make their own informed choice.

The order I would recommend for initial firearms purchasing would go something like this:

(1) .22 rifle

(2a) .38/.357 revolver (midsize to large, not small)
-or-
(2b) full size 9mm semi-auto pistol

(3a) mid power semi-auto rifle (7.62x39 or 5.56x45/.223 or 5.45x39)
-or-
(3b) 12 gauge pump shotgun

(4) .22 pistol or revolver

(5a) full power bolt action rifle (.270, .30-06, 7.62x54R, .308, etc.)
-or-
(5b) .177 caliber air rifle

(6+) where ever your heart takes you - larger bore pistols, small concealed carry handguns, additional rifles, additional action types (lever, single shot, etc.) ...

I've considered using a pellet gun as a second gun. I think it's a good option, mostly because so much ammo can be carried so easily. I think I'd sacrifice some muzzle velocity and go with a handgun version rather than lug around a second rifle.

Right now my second gun choice would be either a S&W Kit Gun or Charter Arms Target Pathfinder. The latter can be switched between .22 lr and .22 mag by swapping cylinders, which seems useful. It's hard to find CA guns in the shops, so it might be a while before I get my hands on one so I can compare it to the Kit Gun.

If I lived in an area where hunting small game with a handgun were illegal, I'd probably buy a take-down .22 like the ones put out by Marlin or Henry Arms. The lightest one I know about is the Pack-Rifle, though I've never shot one. It looks cheap: http://pakrifle.com/Pak-Rifle.html

One more idea is to use a large-caliber, 5' blowgun as a "second gun". It can double as a walking staff. Ammo is pretty easy to make, and I know it's good for squirrels, at least.

http://www.packrifle.com/pictures.html

A sub 1lb .22LR takedown rifle with Carbon shrouded Cro-Mo liner Barrel, which also converts to a small fishing rod with an MSRP of $425. This is pure James Bond or Day of the Jackel gadgetry.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PM6Q7m-HFj4

What is interesting is that there are places (NYC is one) where (with appropriate permit) it is legal to own (but not discharge etc) a .22 rifle, but it is totally illegal to own an air rifle of ANY kind. Yep, your classic 'Red Ryder BB Gun' is totally illegal in NYC, as is a 'wrist brace sling shot' and a lot of other things, and they actually fall under the same paragraphs of the law as more major violations (like carrying an unlicensed firearm)

Maybe this should go a little further down the list than "second in the arsenal", but it looks fun to eventually get! And it's AirSoft!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbBrKZ4m30w