Handgun for daily walks/runs

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I walk/run 3-5 miles a day. I always carry a handgun with me for wild dogs and/or bad people. I carry in a de santis belly-band style holster. I normally carry my wife's 642 for this purpose but I'm getting tired of constantly getting it out of her car and putting it back. I want to get a firearm dedicated for my walk/run so I don't have to switch things up all the time.

I am struggling between a cheap 380 (i.e. Taurus tcp or similar) or another small snubby (642/lcr/poly85) etc.

If you were to dedicate one of these guns for this purpose which would you pick and why. And I'm not too interested in other types of guns right now - they simply get too big for me to carry for this purpose.
 
I am fairly equal with both the pocket 380s and the snubbies. I guess I would prefer the 380 but am worried about sweat affecting the reliability.

I could also get a snubbie with a hammer (637, lcrx, poly 85) to get the accuracy of a single action if the situation allows.
 
I have a 442 and a LCR357. I like the 442 best for pocket carry. I like the LCR357 for the trigger and softer grip making shooting 38 spcecial fun for longer shooting sessions. I could never decide whitch one to carry so I carry both.
 
I have used both for those purposes and can say the 380 is more comfortable. I use the Taurus TCP today. I have also owned the KT P3AT and the Taurus blows it away. Much nicer to shoot, reliable and costs less. For $200 the Taurus is a best buy in my book. Might even by a second one and carry 2 at times.
 
I would handle The Four from KelTec. P32, p3AT, PF9, P11. Decide what you are comfortable with.

Why?

I have owned two of those four and both have been 100% reliable.

You should be able to pick up any of them for under $300...in fact I wouldn't pay more than $260.

If sweaty exercise causes the springs to rust and break, I'd rather find out on a $230 P11 than a $600 Kimber Solo.

All are flat profiles that should conceal well even in exercise clothes. The p11 is the worst of the lot and it is only 1.1" wide.

While the .32 and .380 are marginal, they will work if you do your part. The 9mm isn't marginal.

Fwiw I have carried both the p3at and p11 while hiking and exercising (sweaty) without problems so far.
 
I walk most everyday 3 to 7 miles in the foot hills dependent on my mood and weather conditions. That said I don't run. The EDC is a S&W MP9c in a belt slide holster.
 
I take my wife's little dog out for a walk most evenings. I put a NAA black widow in my pocket, in case of coyotes. ..never had to use it, but it's there if i need it, super small & lightweight. If i were worried about human thugs, i'd pack something bigger, or better yet, move. :D
 
A cm9 is only slightly bigger than a small 380. Its lite weight, dependable, and accurate.
As far as a .380 i would say the kahr p380. If you don't want to put out that kind of money, kahr also has the cw.380 thats just as small and reliable. The cw is at a lower price point.
 
I use a Kahr PM9. At night I strap it to my bicep using an ankle holster. During the day I have my dog carry it inside one of his harness pouches.

stmvEF


https://flic.kr/p/stmvEF

He's always on leash if there is a gun on board. He's about 39" tall at the withers, so people give us a wide path.
 
For daily walks I would go with a KelTec P3AT in a .380 auto and a S&W Model 638 or 642 in a .38 Special revolver. I also use the DeSantis belly band holster.

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For cycling, I'll sometimes carry an LCP in a pocket holster in my strong side jersey pocket. For running I haven't found any method of carry that's truly comfortable over longer distances.

While the LCP would be a great choice for its light weight and thin profile, it does need a wipe down after exposure to sweat to prevent rust.
 
Last edited:
You already have a 642...

Seems to suffice for you.

Get another.

Your wife will already have familiarity with it should it ever be the gun she "grabs".

I prefer revolvers for just the scenario you describe. I don't care to be coping with the action of a small semi-auto - should I need to - if I've been running plus, I prefer to have one or two rounds of snake shot up first.

Todd.
 
rskent said:
If you like a 642 why don't you just get a 642.
Cheep, reliable, you already know it carries easy.

One question, can you get good hits with it?
Click to expand...

LOL, nobody really gets "good hits" with a DAO revolver with a 2'' barrel !! :D
The first defensive use on a CCW is as a deterent, hopefully just drawing a pistol is sufficient to defuse the situation. The OP is just out jogging, not carrying big bags of cash to and from an armored car, so running gun battles from 20 yards ain't really a concern. If the OP is ever going to be justified in shooting someone in this scenario, they'll be almost within arms reach, in which case this type of pistol is just fine.
And a 642 is one of the two pistols I rotate in my EDC, I think it's nearly ideal for the OP's needs.
 
I have a shield I use for that purpose. I know it's a little bigger than what you want but I find it accepable. I have a hard time going with 380 when 9mm is almost the same size as far as the pistol frame goes. I have been wanting a small smith for awhile though but haven't found a good enough deal yet.
 
MIL-DOT said:
LOL, nobody really gets "good hits" with a DAO revolver with a 2'' barrel !! :D
Click to expand...

Why do you feel this to be the case?

I have a 2" model 37. 12oz of .38sp. It will hit bowling pins at 25yd if I do my part. Double action.

There is a perception that little guns are inaccurate. Maybe some are, but as a general rule I don't think so. They take practice.
 
The TCP periodically goes on sale for $170.00 + $6.00 shipping.

Most of the reviews I've heard on it are positive.

How can you go wrong with that?

If it gets a spot of rust on it - who cares? It is only 30 bucks more than a Hi-Point :D - just apply a little oil and rub the rust out. Anyway it won't rust if you wax it occasionally, or wipe it down with a light coat of oil.
 
I have both the Taurus TCP .380 & Ruger LCR 38. I am more accurate with the LCR & it's not much bigger. But, I paid $125 more for it than the Taurus.
 
Just chiming in to reinforce earlier comments. I have a S&W 642 & a Kel Tec P3AT that I use for EDC. The Kel Tec's are like a Bic pens: they work fine, are inexpensive, & don't impress anyone; the Ruger LCP & the Taurus have better finishes. With the right holster, a Shield or PF9 should work almost as well.

I treated the blued slide of the P3AT with Johnsons Paste wax (remove the slide from the frame & the barrel/recoil rod/springs, heat the metal to about 100-120 degrees, rub on wax, let cool, clean wax residue & buff - avoid getting wax in firing pin channel, though) and have had no rust problems on the blued slide in 3 years of sweaty pocket carry. It does get shot and cleaned monthly, too.
 
You don't indicate where you are from, but if anything other than dogs and muggers are likely, then I recommend a small revolver, which has NOT been magnaported or some such. Maybe you'd want to carry a snake load or two, which cannot be fired from a semi-auto or vented barrel. I carry my SP101, but your wife's 642 may also be suitable.
 
When you need a gun, you need a gun. Depending on state limitations, I'm a fan of glock 19 or Glock 30. Good size and capacity and power.
 
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