Jogging, trail running with firearm

[Madcap_Magician]

I use an Elite Survival Systems Marathon Gunpack for outdoor runs with a S&W 632, my cell phone, driver's license, carry permit, and a credit card. I've never done more than ten miles with one, but after the second or third run with it, I was solidly used to it, and you hardly notice. It looks like a slightly bigger-than-typical hydration belt and does in fact have two small hydration bottles. I have more than 400 miles with this belt, and it's pretty solid.

 

[Armybrat]

KelTec P32 is super lightweight, and 7+1 is better than a sharp stick.

 

[W.E.G.]

Just get older.

It will break you of that "running" bad habit.

 

[Rexster]

I used to use a Michaels of Oregon (Uncle Mike’s) belt pouch to contain an S&W J-snub, which I hand-carried as I ran laps around a wooded park. To equalize the arm workout, I would switch hands each lap. Another option, for an out-and-back run, at other locations, I would switch hands at the turn-around point. This pouch is no longer available, but, there are plenty of similar-sized nylon fabric pouches on the market. This was a zippered pouch, made to wear on a belt, not a “fanny pack” or sling bag. If I remember correctly, I eventually started using a length of para cord, as a “dummy cord,” in case I were to stumble and drop the bag.

One could opt to carry a balanced load, in the other hand, rather than swap the one bag, back and forth.

A small sling bag could be hand-carried, similarly. The strap could pass over one shoulder, but instead of the bag being allowed to bounce, freely, a hand supports its weight. I have not remembered the brand name of the bags I have used, in this manner.

I no longer run hard enough to need a special set-up, while walking or scrambling about, because I do not induce enough of a “bounce” for long enough to be a bother. Any running I now do is breaking into a run, for short periods, while walking.

Typing this makes me feel old.

 

[jstert]

My experience is polar opposite. I found Remoras to be one of the absolute worst ways to carry, maybe only second to just sticking a naked gun directly into the waistband. I actually had a gun fall out of one of these and slide about 10’ across the grocery store floor, in front of 2 or 3 other people. Somehow none of them noticed, and as soon as I got home that POS went directly into the trash. Live and learn I suppose.

similar experience with a remora holster inside my belt and a bond arms derringer. i was (thankfully) amazed that nobody noticed. the concrete floor fared worse than the b.a. derringer. since then i use a remora for jacket or cargo pants pocket carry only.

 

[RetiredUSNChief]

I just entered the world of micro pistols with a S&W Bodyguard 2.0 TS and I'm thoroughly impressed so far.

Empty, the pistol advertises as 9.8 ounces.

If you assume a .380 cartridge weighs in at approximately 150 grains, the 10 round magazine would add about 3.4 ounces for a total of 13.2 ounces. The 12 round magazine would add about 4.1 ounces, for a total of 13.9 ounces.

That would leave you with the matter of how to carry it, which I'll leave up to you since you know what you wear while running. But with a pistol that weight in between 13 and 14 ounces fully loaded, this would leave you with a variety of choices.

 

[Enfieldier]

I was charged by a dog pack while cycling in an urban area. I hit the front dog with a shot of pepper spray and it skidded to a stop and then the other dogs turned on it. Another time in roughly the same area I came across a man being pursued by another dog pack. He climbed up on top of a parked car to escape. I deployed the pepper spray again and a couple of dogs went frantic from the spray and the others ran off. Pepper spray is my first choice, SW 442 the back up carried in a hip bag.

 

[Terry G]

With regard to pepper spray, and to dogs...

I carry pepper spray on every run, and have emptied several cans over the years. It worked every time, but then there are the owners, and my typical experience has been that you might as well spray them first - running has taught me to hate dogs and everyone involved with them, and even if you spray a dog that is actively disemboweling you, the owner will still freak out.

I've found - to my total surprise - that yelling "No! Bad dog! Go home!" works amazingly well almost every time, and most dog owners will then be apologetic rather than angry.

Didn't a pack of Pit Bulls just attack and kill a jogger? Or was it a guy on a bike? I recall they arrested the Woman owner. In any case I would prepare for them.

 

[.308 Norma]

I was charged by a dog pack while cycling in an urban area. I hit the front dog with a shot of pepper spray and it skidded to a stop and then the other dogs turned on it. Another time in roughly the same area I came across a man being pursued by another dog pack. He climbed up on top of a parked car to escape. I deployed the pepper spray again and a couple of dogs went frantic from the spray and the others ran off. Pepper spray is my first choice, SW 442 the back up carried in a hip bag.

I may have told this story before. When I was about 12, I was riding my bike over to "Johnson's Ditch" (the local swimming hole) to go swimming. Before I got there, I was just starting up the last hill when a couple of medium-sized mongrels came charging out of someone's front yard to tear at my pants legs and terrorize me. And I was going up the hill, so I couldn't go fast enough to outrun them.
The dogs eventually got bored (I guess) and quit chasing me. But I've always believed in "getting even." So, when I got to the top of the hill, I stopped, picked up a few fist-sized rocks, and went back down that hill at full tilt!
When I got close to that house, here the two terrorists came again. And I let fly at the lead dog! The rock hit the asphalt between his front feet, bounced up and hit him right between his hind legs!
I'll never forget that scene. That dog immediately sat down, and while howling, started dragging himself around with his front feet - like a cartoon dog. The other dog just stopped and looked at him - apparently wondering, "What's the matter with YOU???
At any rate, those two dogs never bothered me again. I'd sometimes see them sneak off and go behind the house when I rode by on my way over to Johnson's Ditch to go swimming. I've always figured that I did a good deed for all of the bicycle riding kids in the area.

 

[.38 Special]

Didn't a pack of Pit Bulls just attack and kill a jogger? Or was it a guy on a bike? I recall they arrested the Woman owner. In any case I would prepare for them.

Probably. I don't even try to keep up any more. Doubtless the pit bulls had always been the sweetest things, and the owner was yelling at the jogger to stop bleeding all over her dogs.

 

[zeke]

At last, an advantage to aging out. Not real worried about jogging or trail running

 

[Skil]

With regard to pepper spray, and to dogs...

I carry pepper spray on every run, and have emptied several cans over the years. It worked every time, but then there are the owners, and my typical experience has been that you might as well spray them first - running has taught me to hate dogs and everyone involved with them, and even if you spray a dog that is actively disemboweling you, the owner will still freak out.

I've found - to my total surprise - that yelling "No! Bad dog! Go home!" works amazingly well almost every time, and most dog owners will then be apologetic rather than angry.

They sell compressed air for dog training that turns them immediately. Just a quick press and release the dogs will lose complete interest in you.
There’s a certain brand that’s better, I’ll find mine and post it here.

 

[halfmoonclip]

As a sort-of aside, I'll note that I bought a Smith & Wesson 340PD specifically for the application. It weighs essentially nothing, and still packs considerable horsepower. It's utterly miserable to shoot, of course, but I find that weight is so critical while running that it cancels out nearly every other issue. I had been wearing a subcompact Glock and it made me miserable. The 340PD is utterly perfect for the task.

Light is the magic; have a 340SC, to the same purpose.

My only concern is sweat, but just oil the before and after and give it a good coating.

A buddy's wife carries an LCP for jogging; she had it at camp. She fired it, and got one shot off....the slide was pretty much rusted in place.
I gave it a picnic table cleaning and oiling, and it resumed working (!).
So yeah, close to the body adds issues.
Moon

 

[johnjohn]

I found a water pistol loaded with household ammonia works pretty well to deter dogs.

 

[Varminterror]

I'm running less now, and doing so in an area where I'm less compelled to carry, but from 2012 through 2019, I ran around 10,000 miles carrying a Ruger LCP in a Nathan brand Hydration Belt.

I've also done a couple thousand miles jogging over the last ~15 years with the same pistol in another custom holster velcro'd between the front flap and the adjustment side-bands of a 5.11 Tac-Tec plate carrier. I COULD relatively discreetly OC the pistol on the molle of the plate carrier, but wedging the pistol between the layers for CC is more discreet. Without the plates, the carrier is still more comfortable than a chest rig, and can less obviously carry the pistol.

 

[GE-Mini-Gun]

I know you mentioned not wanting a chest rig, but I would look at the Hill People Gear Runner’s Kit Bag, not cheap and you might be able to find an Amazon model cheaper…just a thought. From what I’ve seen and read the draw time is faster than what one would expect from a chest rig, not blinding fast but, fast enough.