Lightweight Pocket Auto - For Running

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westtx28

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On my run today I came pretty close to being attacked by a dog. I carry a small can of pepper spray just for such a thing and gave him a dose. I've never had to do that before but was surprised how little it did. I got away unscathed but it scared the hell out of me. You should see the spike on my heart rate monitor.

Anyway, I think I want to carry a pocket auto but weight is a big issue. Every ounce matters. I'm looking at Bobo's pocket auto comparison chart and Kel-Tec and the Ruger come in the lightest. There is also a titanium Taurus that is light.
Kel-Tec .32 - 10oz loaded
Kel-Tec .380 - 11oz loaded
Ruger LCP .380 - 12oz loaded
Taurus 738 (Titanium) .380 - 11oz loaded

My questions are:
1. Does the Kel-Tec .32 provide enough punch? Remember my primary concerns are large dogs.
2. Are these guns fine getting a little wet every day? Not soaked just damp from sweat and splashed water.

Please let me know your opinions.

Thanks.
 
It's going to be more about shot placement than .32 vs .380. Both are fairly low power rounds, just get which one you feel most comfortable with and can place your shots well, even when your heart is pounding, as if you were out running.
 
Love my LCP. The easiest carry piece I have ever owned by a long shot.
 
I run regularly and I carry a KT PF9. 9mm in a .380 size. Sometimes I will carry a FEG PA63 9mm Mak but it is actually heavier than the PF9. The PF9 is 14OZ while the 63 is 24oz.
 
I have been looking for the same thing. I am leaning toward the LCP, but it will be soaked with sweat for about an hour per day. (try not sweating buckets running 5-7 miles in Atlanta :) ) I am thinking I will have a rusted out LCP in no time.
 
I don't own any of them did have the keltec 380. But Gov Perry really likes his ruger after shooting the coyote why he was out jogging. I'm saving for the ruger the right size and a good company. Out of those pistols either one of the 380 will serve you well. The Ruger can also be had with crimsontrace lazer light.
 
I've got to say that legions of LEOs have been carrying airweight S&W .38's as backups, in every environment known to man, for decades. The sweat won't bother them. Check one out---I don't know about weight, but stopping power won't be a problem.
 
IF YOU WANT A AUTOLOADER ONLY: DISREAGARD THIS POST.

hmmm, have you consedered a NAA mini .22mag with pocket hoster?
Weight: 5.9 oz. unloaded (about)
the only real problem is that 1. its not what you intended
2. its single action only
 
I run and have carried my Sig P238 on occasion (a local couple was robbed at gunpoint in the very same park -- at 4:30 in the freaking afternoon, with kid in tow no less--) when running. It fits in a typical runners' fanny pack (small, thin models for keys, etc.).

Doesn't wear or chafe after 3-6 miles, hardly noticeable.
 
Weight is going to be a big consideration. A few ounces here and there might make the difference in you having it on your person or being left at home. As far as I know the k/t .32 is the lightest pistol made. The lcp is bigger and heavier. I'm not impressed with the performace of the .32 acp or the .380, but it beats nothing.

If you can carry a revolver (airweight) I highly recommend a .38 with standard wadcutters. I have shot my share of critters with the .32 with pretty dismal results, even with corbon ammo and ball really sucks, but the .38 with wadcutters generally puts them down much quicker.
 
I agree that the Kel-tec PF9 offers substantially more power in a marginally larger package over the other kel-tecs. It's still really flat - as flat as the 32 or 380 - but with more punch.
 
I have a P3AT and it's amazing how small and light it is. It's also amazing how unpleasant it is to shoot. The .32 might be a better choice -- you will actually practice with it.
 
Thanks for all the input everyone. This has been quite helpful.

Zanad, I had not considered one of those NAA mini-revolvers. I kinda like that idea and it is very light.

HGUNHNTR, You're correct on the sweating issue. I'm in Texas. Everything gets wet. Even the stuff in my pack.

I think the .38s are going to be a bit heavy loaded. I do pretty long runs and you really feel those extra ounces, especially when carrying water and stuff.

I worry a little about the shot placement issue but when that dog came after me today by the time I realized what was going down I sprayed him with my pepper spray at only a few feet.

My struggle is I want something with enough punch to just get the hell away. I guess you just never know how much it's going to take. All I know is I don't really care what defensive weapon is the neatest or coolest. It just has to be effective and the pepper spray was not.
 
I own a Kel Tec P-32 and a P-380. I carry the P-380 as a back up gun. When I took both to the range the P-32 shot well and recoil was very manageable. The .380 was more difficult to control but I still managed to keep all the shots on paper at 20 feet. I like the fact that the P-32 has a slide lock built in and you can get 10 round magazines for it. There is defense ammunition out there that makes the .32 more effective but it ain't no .45 by any stretch of the imigination. (Check out RBCD ammunition under their personal defense section). I was actually thinking of parting with my P-32 for lack of use. I just don't get a chance to take it out enough. If you are interested in it, I can PM some details. It is a chrome slide version BTW.
 
If you can find a Seecamp, get one of those. Its overall quality is readily apparent, and your life is worth the extra amount of money you'll have to pay.
 
I'm a genuine, full blooded softy when it comes to dogs and all I'd like to do here is urge a little extra restraint in shooting one. I've never been bitten by a dog in 59 years and fancy myself as somewhat having a "way" with them. I've never had to shoot one in SD.

Unless a dog is wild or running with a mean pack, every dog in the world knows what patting your leg and come means. When I used to run, several would come to the road and raise hell at me. I never stopped and just kept running and said, "C'mon. Let's go." After a while I had quite an entourage.

Definitely a YMMV situation, but most dogs just do what dogs do and don't really want to bite you. Everybody knows the old "sensing fear" thing. It's pretty much true. So stopping and shouting, waving arms etc. just fires up the dog a little more.

Some dogs are kind of dumb too, please don't kill 'em just cause they're stupid.
 
I had not considered one of those NAA mini-revolvers. I kinda like that idea and it is very light.
Click to expand...

I have both the Ruger LCP and the NAA Mini Magnum with the 1-5/8" barrel. I like both guns for different reasons. The LCP is durable, reliable, and has 6+1 capacity of .380. But it is 12 oz. loaded.

The Mini Mag comes in at about 7 oz. loaded. When you're running in the heat for long distances, this 5-6 oz. difference is a big deal.

While all guns take practice to get familiar and accurate with, the Mini Revolvers take A LOT of practice.

I used to have NO faith in the Mini Mag. For a while, I was only shooting .22LR through the convertible cylinder, and my accuracy was awful. I added the wood boot grips (which extend the grip down about another 1/3", which makes a big difference). I put the .22WMR cylinder back in and went shooting last weekend with a bunch of CCI .22WMR ammo.

Maybe I was just shooting it incorrectly when I first got the gun, but this time, I was impressed. I actually shoot it better 1-handed. From 15' away, standing, I can casually put 5 rounds into about an 8" circle with 1 hand. This is not great, and I could do MUCH better with more practice and a lot more concentration, but it renewed my interest in this tiny gun. Some members on THR report some pretty astounding accuracy with their Minis.

.22WMR has been killing coyotes for a long time. For protection from medium sized dogs, it might be a good choice. In a short barreled pocket pistol, .380 may be a better cartridge on larger threats, but you can't beat the Mini Mag as a 7 oz. pistol that you can hide in a closed fist.
 
nitetrane98 - I appreciate your comments and I agree. I am a dog owner and lover as well. I'm a longtime runner and am quite use to having dogs run up on me barking. That's why I made the comment that my primary concern is to just get away. The reality is I probably wouldn't pull the trigger until it bit me or was clamped on.

Zanad got me to looking at one of those NAA mini .22mags and I actually thought about putting snake shot in it but was hesitant to mention that because I thought I would be called an idiot.
 
I had not considered one of those NAA mini-revolvers. I kinda like that idea and it is very light.
Click to expand...

The reason an NAA mini revolver is acceptable as a defensive instrument is because it is a gun, and other people recognise it as such, and will be duly intimidated. Unfortunately, most dogs do not know what a gun is, and if a dog is large and vicious enough to pose a serious threat, shooting it with a short barreled rimfire is likely to simply make it more upset. .380 is the lowest I would go, and even then I would be wary.
 
Aren't those NAA .22 Magnums exceedingly loud? I mean earsplitting, almost like a .30 carbine revolver. The noise might deter the dog as much as the bullet. (of course that means you'll have to fire it, not just wave it at the attacker like might work on a human)
 
I agree with nitetraine. I also have a way with animals but dogs in particular are easy to read and manipulate. If you're not a threat you're not a threat. I've had some mean dogs be at worst indifferent to me just by acting right around them.

Also some dogs are weird and don't know how to act without putting on a big show which may make their wanting to play or interact seem like aggression. Just sayin.
 
JMOfartO:

The difference in weight between the 32cal and 380cal. Keltecs is so marginal as to be of no consequence... IF an extra 2oz more or less makes the difference between what you can run with, or not, you should start running in a safer location and don't bother carrying a concealed weapon at all.

I have the Ruger LCP, WITH the CT Laser, and I have a Seecamp LWS380..

If extremely tiny is your prime requirement the Seecamp is King.. But honestly, the thin/light LCP, especially when equipped with the excellent Crimson Trace Laser is a very, very good choice too.

The extra weight of the Laser is not much, and using the laser the Ruger LCP can be a tack driver at self defense distance.. This combo will serve equally well should you have to defend yourself against dogs and the like.

I had a P32 and it was excellent. I just don't see carrying a 32cal. anything when a 380cal pistol of the same approximate weight and size is available.

For those who scoff at the difference between the two rounds as being of no importance I like to repeat what I read in some gun mag someplace.

"A small round can never get larger, but a larger round will never shrink"..

I place 32cal. rounds and 380rds side by side and for me it's obvious that bigger is better...:)

Or, it's certainly NOT less powerful or effective than a 32cal. round.

Just personal opinion, no offense to those who disagree.

Best Wishes,

Jesse

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