[cookekdjr]

What is your walking gun?
I had a recent injury that caused me to stop lifting weights for the next few months (lets just say I can't resume lifting till well after the surgery) but I am still able to walk for exercise. Each night I try to walk 20-30 minutes.
I live in a nice in-town city neighborhood, but in my present condition I can neither run or fight very well, so I'm always packing. I've been carrying one of the following three guns each night:
1. S&W 431PD .32 mag j-frame. This thing weighs less than a pound and is the easiest to carry. I can fire it repeatedly through my jacket pocket without a jam if i have to. The downsides are the low capacity (6) and no night sights. But its very easy to slip this into my jacket pocket and forget about it.
2. SIG p232. Weighs a little more than the S&W, but has night sights and higher capacity (7+1). Plus I shoot it much better. I know that I can hit whatever I need to with this one, although its a small caliber. It doesn't fit a pants pocket as well, and I can't do the jacket pocket shooting thing (well, maybe the first shot then it will jam). But still I like it.
3. Glock 19. With all this firepower (15+1) I feel like I'm walking down the street with an AK-47. :evil: This one is only good for a holster or (as I often do) slipping it in my jacket pocket. Much heavier than the other two, its still ight enough to carry in a coat pocket with comfort.
So, those are my walking guns. What gun(s) do you reach for when you go walking? Also, tell us where you walk (city neighborhood, suburban subdivision, country road, pasture, wilderness, etc).
Looking forward to your replies,

David

[Mandirigma]

Don't have a prefered walking gun, just depends on the day and how hot and humid it is. Either a 1911, or glock 33.

THOUGH, when I'm out mountain biking I throw my G33 into my camelbak and deliberately pull the bullet thats normally kept in the chamber.

[mattw]

I'm not old enough to CCW (only 20 years old) so I don't have to worry about the size of my walking gun becaus I don't conceal it (we've got 3 acres with alot of snakes and crap).

Mine is a 5" Springfield Armory Loaded 1911A1

[Redneck with a 40]

I live out here in rural Colorado, the homes are scattered around, usually 1/4 mile apart. When I go walking, I carry taurus mil-pro 40 S&W. Its easy to conceal (I have a Colorado CCW), holds 10+1, and it will take care of any problem I might encounter. However, the chances of that around here are slim to none, this area is full of good people, who help each other out every day.

[El Tejon]

Usually my Les Baer TRS, but that's my carry gun.

While hiking in the full rage of summer I sometimes just take my Kahr P9.:)

[Jackal]

Taurus 445 .44spl 2" snubbie. Packs a punch, in a small package that just happens to be super accurate.

[JoeG52]

S&W340 with CrimsonTrace

[redbone]

Summer = P3AT
Winter = could be anything in the safe. Most usually a 2" J-frame.

RBH

[10-Ring]

My walking gun is either my Jetfire in the summer and my G19 in the cooler months.

[enkindler]

Summer: S&W 360SC (357 Mag)
Winter: XD40SC (40 S&W)
Fishing: Charter Arms Bulldog Pug (44 Spcl)


The pug is cheap, so I don't care as much when I fall in the water :)

[vero1]

2" model 60 in pants pocket just about anywhere I go. If it's colder and jacket weather then it's usually a commander in a inwb holster.

[dogloose]

Keep walking... and good luck with the surgery. You are correct to carry all the time... I do as well. Depending on your clothing, often governed by climate, any of the guns you mentioned can work. My best advice is to get the appropriate holster that provides any and all of the following: covers trigger guard, provides easy accessibility, supports the weapon comfortably and securely. Virtually any quality handgun can serve its intended purpose if it is held at the ready by the appropriate holster.

I carry my Glock 19 IWB with a FIST ultra-thin Kydex holster. This works best with a "gun" belt (1 1/2" and stiff) and an outside cover garment. Usually in cooler or cold weather.

I also carry a Seecamp .32acp in a FIST ultra-thin Kydex pocket holster. This works anytime... even wearing shorts (hot weather) or sweats (with a pocket of course!) I can even carry the Seecamp at the same time as the Glock... in the front pocket of jeans... and I sometimes do!

I also have a lightweight S&W J-frame that does not get as much use... but is very light and can slip into a pocket in an Uncle Mike nylon sidekick pocket holster when needed.

I never feel under-gunned when I am out as long as I have my situational awareness and the confidence from consistent training.

Hope that gives you some ideas.

[Lou22]

I'm lazy when it comes to carrying. I carry anything that will fit in a pocket and is reliable and I'm reasonably accurate with. Out walking I carry my Kel-Tec P3AT (in shorts) or Kahr PM9 for larger pockets. Sometimes in the summer when I am wearing my baggier shorts I carry the Taurus PT145. It's amazing how well that relatively big gun will not print (though i can still tell it's there).

Lou

[tinygnat219]

Same thing I carry everyday: Taurus MilPro 145C.

[ArchAngelCD]

1. S&W 431PD .32 mag j-frame. This thing weighs less than a pound and is the easiest to carry. I can fire it repeatedly through my jacket pocket without a jam if i have to. The downsides are the low capacity (6) and no night sights. But its very easy to slip this into my jacket pocket and forget about it.
The .32 Magnum is a potent round. Do you really think 6 rounds is really considered "low capacity"? If you need more than 6 rounds to protect yourself then you probably need an AR or a AK. The small Kel-Tec pistols are only 6 & 7 shooters too. Really, 6 rounds of .32 Magnum is better than a .32 auto or a .380 auto IMO. The .32 Magnum packs just as much punch as a .38 Special but in a slightly smaller package. (and 1 extra round over the 5 shot .38 Sp J frames)

If I already owned a S&W 431PD .32 Mag I would carry it 24/7 without a worry. I carry a 5 shot M638 all the time.

[Ala Dan]

Well, it could be a S&W 642, Colt Agent, Seecamp LWS-32, or even a new
KEL-TEC P3AT .380. Just depends on the "dress code" of the day~!;) :D

[cookekdjr]

The .32 Magnum is a potent round. Do you really think 6 rounds is really considered "low capacity"? If you need more than 6 rounds to protect yourself then you probably need an AR or a AK. The small Kel-Tec pistols are only 6 & 7 shooters too. Really, 6 rounds of .32 Magnum is better than a .32 auto or a .380 auto IMO. The .32 Magnum packs just as much punch as a .38 Special but in a slightly smaller package. (and 1 extra round over the 5 shot .38 Sp J frames)

If I already owned a S&W 431PD .32 Mag I would carry it 24/7 without a worry. I carry a 5 shot M638 all the time.

Well, my perspective is probably warped by my job. I've seen so many gunfight crime scenes where the "victor" had to use a large number of shots that I'm always wondering if X shots is "enough". You are probably right.
-David

[ZXD9]

For neighborhood walks I carry my SW642 snubbie. Fits nice in the pocket but will take care of any critters that decide my leg looks tasty.

[bpisler]

3" S&W 65-3 on the hip or my KT P-11 in my
front pocket,sometimes it's both.

[ACP230]

I usually carry a Smith M649 in .38 Special.
Sometimes I carry another snub .38 too, often a Smith M38.
It's not a bad idea to have a gun available to either hand.

I am working up to carrying a BHP or Colt Commander and a snub revolver. Or, a couple of short Smith .357s. Still need more holsters and some different clothes.

[Bobo]

Kel-Tec P-3AT.

[azredhawk44]

Is a 1911 clone made by Charles Daly, carried OWB, most of the time.

If the 1911 is particularly dirty from the most recent range trip then it gets supplanted by a Ruger sp101.

My walking area is suburban phoenix. Typical potential threats I have seen are coyotes that might decide to attack my dog (I walk my dog at night and have seen a couple in the last year), and one time I have been approached by a couple of random punks who might/might not have wanted to attack me. More than likely the dog dissuaded them if the steel on the hip didn't.

I have a Glock21 and a Springfield XD9... they never get carried. The G21 is too big unless I plan on carrying in a "big" way, and the XD9 is basically the girlfriend's at this point. She likes it alot.

[Coyote Hunter]

Here in central Kentucky, I carry a .45 LC single action with a 5 1/2 bbl if open carry, and a .45 LC Uberti sheriff's model with the 2" BBL and no ejector rod for concealed. I use silver tip ammo in the Uberti. With the birds head grip, it is very concealable in a coat pocket, or my favorite is a pair of carpenters jeans from carthart and just putting in the right front pocket. (I do have a CCW permit).

Before all the double action and auto fans wonder, I have extensive experience with both, as I am a retired police officer. I've carried Mod 19's, 66's then S&W 645 and a Glock 19 for duty weapons over the years. I've carried Model 36's and Model 60's as well as a Walther PPK and my Glock 19 for off duty. As a "civilian" now, I am with a cowboy reenacting group, have a passion for 19th century firearms, so I am more proficient now with the single actions than autos. I also find an old Colt SA in a holster is less intimidating to any city folks who come this way, and the local officers don't feel them a threat. Besides, when I went to go by a Taurus or S&W .38 2", I found the price was pretty high, but low and behold, here was the Uberti that wasn't much larger or heavier and instead of 5 .38 round, I could carry 5 .45 rounds. Made sense to me....:)

[Vern Humphrey]

I do a lot of walking and riding here in the Ozarks. Most of the time I carry a Colt Woodsman .22 LR. Sometimes I carry either a Colt SAA in .357 (usually loaded with powder-puff .38 Special loads) or a Ruger or Colt in .45 Colt.

In town, I carry an M1911 (in my case a Kimber Classic) and sometimes a Colt Detective Special.

[Crimp]

When I go walking, I always take my lady with me. Lady Smith in an IWB that is.

[Anna's Dad]

Summer - Kel-Tec P-32
Fall - Kel-Tec P-32
Winter - Kel-Tec P-32
Spring - Kel-Tec P-32

Ok, I'm in central florida and there's just not that much difference between the four! I'm in shorts and a t-shirt every day!

[tnieto2004]

KEl-tec p11

[innerpiece]

Gun: Kahr CW9 with 147gr Win SXT.
Knife: CRKT m16-13

comfy reliable package for carry..

[ArchAngelCD]

I would tend to agree with those who are recommending the Kel-Tec P-32 or P-3AT except for the fact he already owns a 6 shot .32 Magnum. Like I said above, the .32 Magnum is more powerful than the .380 auto and by far more powerful than the .32 auto. The P-32 holds 7 rounds and the P-3AT holds 6. Buying either one of those pistols would be a downgrade from what he already owns.

These numbers are from the Federal Site. (reloaders, please don't tell me how you can match the .32 Mag because not everyone reloads)

.32 Auto (7.65mm Browning)
65 gr Hydra-Shok 925 fps @ 123 ft/lbs

.380 Auto (9X17mm)
90 gr Hydra-Shok 1000 fps @ 200 ft/lbs

.32 H&R Magnum
85 gr JHP 1120 fps @ 237 ft/lbs

Even the 95 gr 9X18mm Makarov @ 1000/211 doesn't equal the .32 Mag and the only advantage the .38 Special +P has is the heavier bullet. The numbers don't lie so why buy something else? (unless you just want another handgun which I have no problem with LOL) Look back and you will see he already said he really likes his .32 Mag.

[Handyman]

I do a lot of walking and mostly take my 2.25" SP101 loaded with .38 +p 125 gr. jhp , usually a speed strip in a pocket , my trusty 3" blade Buck lockback knife that I've had since the early 1970's and a walking stick . IMO a good walking stick is a better non lethal defence than pepper spray for agressive dogs or people . Sometimes during the colder weather months I'll carry my GP100 loaded with 357 125 gr. jhp .

[Snarlingiron]

Glock 19 + Surefire G2

[B.D. Turner]

Taurus Ultra Lite .38 in an unkle mikes pancake holster and a nylon belt that holds a spare 20 rounds of 158gr RNL.

[Vern Humphrey]

Now that I come to think of it, I don't have any walking guns -- they all have to be carried.:D

[Katana8869]

Either my G30 or G26 with a +2 magazine extension. I live in a subdivision in central FL. and I usually walk at night so my flashlight, knife and OC spray generally come along as well.

[EdLaver]

i had been using a glock 29 (still do occasionally) but I recently switched to my newly purchase XD sub-compact in 9mm with pierce grips.

[happy old sailor]

my little everyday everywhere gun, the P32

the way i practice shooting through a jacket pocket is to go over to the salvation army and pick up some cheap used jackets and shoot the pockets out of them on a silhouette. no more distance than a BG would appear or threaten me. minute of BG is plenty accurate. for no jacket carry, i wear my shirt tail out and slouch around with my hand in my pocket and my hand
on my gun. and, with the jacket pocket carry, practice with your hand pressed down leaving an empty space above the gun to clear the slide or hammer if in action.

everyone has their own way of doing this . its a what works for you deal. having a gun is the plan. dont leave home without it.

[jbeltz7]

+1
S&W340 with CrimsonTrace

[shark40sw]

Smith and Wesson 640 or Glock 23 with a Kershaw Leek on my right pocket. Not to mention my big old lovable Rottie dog.

[Run&Shoot]

At a minimum a .38 S&W 642, but usually my G23. After seeing how many Rottweilers, Pits and Dobies are around and that some owners are pretty lax about letting them run loose, I started to carry the G23 with DoubleTap 165 gr. more frequently. Little chance that anything would actually happen in our quiet suburban neighborhood, but I figure I might as well carry the best I got. the 642 is pretty much just summer pocket carry.

[Legionnaire]

"Every day, everywhere" gun is a P32. Other summer walking guns are a Kahr PM9 or (if wearing a sturdy belt) a Ruger SP101 carried with a Clipdraw. Throw on a jacket, and the options increase dramatically!

[dlcrouch]

i walk with my wife most nights and she sets a fairly brisk pace - 16 - 17 minute miles. I've been considering carrying my XD9 in a comp-tac paddle, but was thinking it would rub against the love handles a bit. Would a belt holster work better?

[Smith357]

It all depends on where I'm walking.

In the hood it would be my 3" S&W PC 66 .357 with 180 grain XTPs
In the woods it's my 6" S&W 686.
In bear country the 870 with slugs.
In Baghdad it would be an M14

[Hotdog386]

Usually a S&W M642 or a Charter Arms Bulldog but sometimes a medium or large frame revolver in a shoulder holster.

[Srigs]

I have a couple...
1. Kel-tec P32
2. Kel-tec P11
3. S&W 60

Depends on what I'm wearing and which holster I have.

Another good solution is Smartcarry because it moves the weight to your hips evenly across the body and then you can carry a larger gun.

[Hanzerik]

My new one in 357 Mag:
http://hanzerik.no-ip.org/~erik/uberti1873.jpg

[MJZZZ]

Around my neighborhood I walk or bike with a .380 Colt Govt in a shoulder rig or coat pocket. Walking around the property on my 40 acres it's my RIA .45 at 3 o'clock. Mike Z

[jack the toad]

Depending on the season and attire, I will either have a S&W 642 in a pocket holster or Glock G27 on my belt.
And like American Express, I never leave home without it.
On occasion, when feeling special, I may pack a 1911.

[Hokkmike]

I only carry when I think the situation might warrant. My town (neighborhood) is small and friendly - but when I do its my Bersa .380. It would seem funny walking around with my AR or AK.

BTW, even my wife has not known when I have my pistol with me.

[orionengnr]

Depends on the season.
This time of year, Kahr P45.
Summer (about 9 months of the year around here) Kahr PM9.

But I am looking at better IWB holsters and someday I may be able to say:

45 every day...

[PX15]

FWIW:

I live in the country in SE Ga.. The chances of my running up on a "gangbanger", or criminal of any type where I live are very slim.. In fact, my chances of running up on a rattlesnake (in summer) is about the only threat I have concern about.. Even then unless you step on the critter it'll just slither off..

I'm an old fart, and in my advancing senility, I just try not to kill things anymore.. There was a time when I would drive 50 miles with my 12ga. High Standard Pump riot shotgun to shoot a rattlesnake, but now, unless it's in my yard, I would probably just let it go.. Of course if it scared me I might shoot it just because.

Having said that we do have numerous "feral coke cans" in the woods hereabouts. So when I'm out walking in the woods, (or my wife and I are out on the county roads in her golf cart) I always take along my Firestorm FS22.. It's a nice little PP/PPK lookalike, surprisingly is very accurate, and so far extremely reliable. I just load up 10+1 rds of WW's cheapest value pack ammo, and I'm good to go.

This sucker is deadly on those attacking coke cans.... :D

Now, when I'm out of my personal comfort zone I carry either my Walther P99c/AS (9mm), or my Sig P239 w/CT Lasergrips, or my S&W 638 Airweight Bodyguard, also w/CT Lasergrips. I have absolute faith in all three, and if it's in the daytime I like the P99c/AS, but if low light or nightime conditions prevail I prefer one of the Crimson Trace Lasergripped firearms..

Best Wishes,

J. Pomeroy

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a73/Laserlips/100_6389.jpg
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a73/Laserlips/100_5295.jpg

[1BLINDREF]

My walking and almost always gun is a S&W 642 with crimson trace grips. At 15 oz its perfect :D If I'm walking in a mall or other higher risk area, my Sig 229 in a strong side Galco gets to go with me.
Good luck with the surgery.

[whited]

winter = HKUSPf (.45)
summer = G26

[Black Majik]

Same as I usually do, HK P2000 V3. Unfortunately, I don't have the luxury to pick any gun I choose to carry, so the P2K is the lightest of the bunch that I can...

[redneckdan]

my favorite gun for walk-about is a 6" k frame stoked with 158 keiths @ 1600fps...then again, my walk about is usually miles from any sign of civilization.

[Autolycus]

I remember reading about a mall ninja who carried 6 Glocks when he went for walks. Anyone got a link to that?

[Radjxf]

I'll be the oddball here. When walking around the property or in winter time, it's a S&W 1006, adj nite sites, Bar-Sto bbl loaded up with DoubleTap's Hornady XTP 180gr @1350fps. Should stop most 2 or 4-legged critters.
Otherwise, the trusty Colt Commander goes with me.

[Cheeseybacon]

I pocket carried a Colt .45 for about 3 days before coming to conclusion that it was extremely bad bad idea. I've since got myself a Glock 26 and a Desantis Nemesis pocket holster and that is a MUCH better system. I usually wear cargo pants or fairly baggy jeans so it fits perfectly in my pocket.

[IndianaBoy]

Sig P225

[koja48]

Springfield 1911-A1, walking, running, driving, in/around the homestead . . .

[Jacka L Ope]

Kimber Eclipse Pro II .45ACP

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a62/lakcaJLOpe/KimberEclipseProII.jpg

[Brian Williams]

I typically use a S&W 642, many times with the 940 cylinder installed making it a 942. I also use any of the following S&Ws; Model 65 with a 4" pencil barrel, Model 13 3"HB, Model 60-4 3".

[Run&Shoot]

Brian,

Is your swap of the 940 cylinder in the 642 anything more involved than just replacing the cylinder? Is accuracy still decent? Sounds like a great idea.

Lastly, where do you get replacement cylinders? Do you order straight from S&W?

[camper]

Depends, but usually either a Colt Mustang 380, PPK in 380, or PM9.

[BenjaminR]

Just received my CCW permit yesterday, which was perfect timing because my local gun shop just got all the carry gear I wanted. Today I drove, walked, and took pictures around town packing my Springer GI 1911 with a Chip McCormick 10rd mag and no-one seemed to notice. I was carrying it in a Galco Concealable Belt holster under a button up shirt. It was perfect and very comfortable. My only complaint is the leather creaks a little bit when I move. :uhoh:


-Benjamin

[usp9]

Seecamp goes on an almost daily walk with me.

[Hardtarget]

Walking around the neighborhood...accent on HOOD...my every day ccw.
If I'm on a walk in the woods it's either of my Colt Diamondbacks...the .22 or the .38 special. I like revolvers
Mark.

[Sylvan-Forge]

I carry what I feel I'm the most facile with at the time.
Lately it's been the Makarov. Walks take place in the woods and sometimes my neighboorhood in the burbs.

[TOADMAN]

Glock 26 or S&W 642.....

[Mad Magyar]

Walther PPK in .380....I tend to walk far and carrying a .45 was to cumbersome in a shoulder-rig....

[Super Trucker]

S&W340 with CrimsonTrace

Same here.

I can fire it repeatedly through my jacket pocket without a jam if i have to.

Make sure your jacket is flame retardant before you start blasting from the pocket.

[doc2rn]

S&W 642 Centurion with crimson trace.

[wanderinwalker]

It's a toss up between the Glock 17 and the Ruger 22/45 MK III. I like the Ruger for it's slimmer shape, more rounded edges and the fact that my ears dont ring (as badly) after perforating the odd Coke can or piece of tree stump. I'm less worried about having to deal with people and larger critters, more concerned with skunks, porquipines, etc. that the dog might find. Oh, and sometime I might humor the pup when he puts a red squirrel up a tree! ;)

[Skipper5]

Sig 239 9mm, or Sig 229 9 mm, both with new Hogue
Wood grips....and Kahr PM9...so two handguns...one usually left in the car... and one at 4:00 IWB