How & What to carry when running

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Hammer-52

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I'm a runner and a gunner. I have my CHL and I like to run. I've started training for a half-marathon (13.1 miles) and I'm thinking I should carry some protection when I'm out running. I'd be as much worried about 4-legged trouble as 2-legged trouble. Any ideas on what to carry (I want it fairly light)and how?
Thanks
 
I like a belly band, you might need to sew in a retention strap though.

You could also go with a fanny-pack, I've seen one on sportsmansguide.com with a water bladder that could work for jogging, not the best-looking way to carry though.
 
Might I suggest two ideas:

1. A small-med. camelback. It is basically a waterbladder fitted inside a smallish back-pack. The idea being that you will have hydration on those long runs, the extra weight will help train for the real thing (when you are running w/o the extra 2-5lbs), and you can fit anything reasonable in the thing: mace, sap, small or med fram 9mm, etc.

2. this: http://www.511tactical.com/index.asp?dept=3&number=40011 It is a moisture-wicking "body-armour" type shirt with specially padded compartments made to fit a gun. As they are designed into the garment, they look natural, no bulges if you choose an appropriate piece. I have a super-light smith and wesson 340pd revolver i keep in there. Because it is padded, it does not rub and chafe your body like you might expect. And there is a compartment on either side (ambidexterous)-the draw is something like an under-the-shoulder holster.


*a note on the choice of gun. You may have heard that shooting one of these will instantly jellify your wrist; I can only say that while unpleasant to shoot thousands of full load 357s, I can handle 38+ps to regularly practice. YMMV, please refer to the 340 M&P and 640 threads in the revolver section of the forum. The chief benefit to such a gun is it is only 12 oz. when you are carrying something in a T-shirt for 13 miles, that counts for something.

Cheers and good luck in your training!
 
I have a treadmill now, so I don't worry about it so much, but I used to run outside 6 miles/5 days a week. When I started, my main carry gun was a full size stainless 1991 in an IWB rig. That seemed to spend enough time digging into my side and I don't think you would appreciate it any more with your increased mileage.

I also had a Colt Pocket Nine and made a plastic holster for it based on an article I read in Combat Handguns. You make a paper pattern based on your gun and then cut the thing out of a gallon jug and staple rather than stitch, then cover with duct tape. They made them for pocket holsters, but I fitted a belt loop to my belt and it was quite secure. Of course this is mainly for small guns since a jug is only so big, but given all the sweating I was doing, the plastic holster and stainless gun worked out well. You can probably find something in kydex for whatever you choose, but at the time, there weren't many options available for a Pocket Nine.

At any rate, your body will let you know what is too heavy, sharp, or whatever after a few runs.
 
oil your gun everyday like with clenzoil or breakaway.

i pour oil through the crevices or openings almost everday.
 
oil your gun everyday like with clenzoil or breakaway.

i pour oil through the crevices or openings almost everday.
Click to expand...

On some guns too much oil is a very bad thing. A ruger p345, for example, will collect residue/grit/crud/lint between the trigger bar and frame if any oil is present there, and eventually this will prevent the bar from springing back to position, which makes the gun inoperable. Not something you want to happen on a defensive weapon.

Most guns will only need a small amount of oil in a few places to work properly. Read your manual or contact the manufacturer to find out about your particular weapon.
 
Hello! Try a Kel-Tec P3AT (.380) and just throw it in a pocket holster (in your pocket). Too easy. The darn thing weighs 11oz loaded? Its really rediculously light and slim and packs a decent punch.

:)
 
B yond said:
rrruuuuunnn said:
oil your gun everyday like with clenzoil or breakaway.

i pour oil through the crevices or openings almost everday.
Click to expand...

On some guns too much oil is a very bad thing. A ruger p345, for example, will collect residue/grit/crud/lint between the trigger bar and frame if any oil is present there, and eventually this will prevent the bar from springing back to position, which makes the gun inoperable. Not something you want to happen on a defensive weapon.

Most guns will only need a small amount of oil in a few places to work properly. Read your manual or contact the manufacturer to find out about your particular weapon.
Click to expand...
I would guess that is his way of preventing corrosion. Constant sweat exposure will even rust stainless if lax about cleaning. Blued steel - forget about it.
 
Something with retention's very good. Stainless/nickeled/tennifered couldn't hurt. I'm thinking that IWB could get painful. OWB might be an option - lots of retention rigs.
Shoulder holster might work for you. A vertical rig, maybe one of Ken Null's SMZs... with a snubby or other lightweight gun.
 
Training for a long run can sure take you through a lot of places.

Because of the greater likelihood of attack by four legged critters, I carry at least a 9mm (e.g. Kahr PM9). I also carry Fox pepper spray.

Because of sweat, my weapon of choice has a polymer frame and I use a kydex holster. - I ruined the finish of a Taurus revolver after a hot July week of running while in Florida.

I wear the pistol on a belt under my running pants. The pistol is at about the 1:30 position. Shirt tail is out.

I have used a smart-carry holster with a Seecamp but it's a pita to have to wash the sweat out of the holster after each use then wait for the holster to dry. Haven't tried the smart-carry with a larger pistol; I think that retention during a long run might be a problem.

Also Kahr users might note that the Gunmate (Uncle Mike's) nylon pancake holster fits a PM9 like it was actually made for it and is very comfortable for running when worn on a separate belt under my clothes. Other than the pancake, I wear a Comtac C-TAC.

Larry
 
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i carry my gun sometimes mexican or felony carry so my gun is next to my sweating body with no holster. i only use clenzoil or breakaway, since they are a one step cleaner and lubricant. don't put oil on the ammunition though.
 
WOW!!! A lot of great ideas. I like the low cost of a belly band so I'm going to order one of those. The 5.11 shirt sounds good and might be an option though I might need a few of them. I have a five shot stainless S&W .38 so I'll try that first while I look for a good price on a Kahr or similiar.
Thanks. I'll give feedback on what I go with.
 
fanny pack? Maybe that would be the best mode of carry.

There is also this, ain't a gun, but would work.

4_27500.jpg
 
Kel Tec P3AT

I carry a Kel Tec P3AT in the waistband simply with the pocket clip. I also carry a Swiss Wallet in the waistband for ID and CHL license. I carry my phone in an armband (doubles as MP3 player).

I also sometimes use the smart carry if it's cool and I won't be sweating too much. However, I like to carry a bigger pistol in the smartcarry because it's easier to get it out and just as comfortable to carry.

Sometimes I carry pepper spray in my hand if concerned about dogs, etc.
 
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