Running Armed

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Gus Dddysgrl

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Hi everyone. It's been a long time since I've been around. Sorry. I've been busy. One thing I've been busy with is attempting to run. :eek: crazy, I know.

Now I often run at 4:30/5 AM. I also live in the city. Many friends ask my if I feel safe running at that time in the city. :rolleyes: Often I do since I usually run with a friend and her Rottweiler. :scrutiny: However, recently our schedules don't line up, and I'm running on my own. :(:(

I have my CC permit and consider carrying while on my runs. This leads me to my question for this forum.

What's the best carry option for carrying while running or working out? I have a Keltec 9m and a Glock. I have other handguns, but those are the ones I would prefer to carry.

Thoughts on holsters or other carry methods while running are welcome. :D

Leigh
 
Which glock do you have?

I usually carry a Glock 19, but when I work out I tend to go with a j frame in a belly band at the appendix position. Wear it low so the grip is just barely above your running shorts. It stays in place and is light enough to not really notice (plus my belly band has a good pocket for my wallet/phone :D). The reason I ask what type of Glock you have is that this would work for a G26, would probably be ok for a G19 if you wore it at 12 o'clock, but probably wouldn't work for a G17.

Something else I've been looking into is Smart Carry which I've heard does well while running/lifting (and is also good for deep cover when not exercising).
 
I have a belly band holster mainly for those times when I'm out walking (no more running with my old knees), and I'm wearing lightweight shorts with no pockets and a T shirt. Works great with a small .380, like a KelTec P3AT or a SIG P238. If I have pockets then I have several different pocket holsters to choose from work well at concealment.

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I haven't found anything yet comfortable on long runs. To be fair, I haven't tried the belly band suggestion, although that's because I've noticed it tends not to come from those who actually run regularly.

Instead I'll have pepper spray strapped in the hand, or on a longer run it'll ride in the front pouch of a fuel belt. A bright light would is also easy to carry in the hand, something lightweight and hardy enough for striking with the bezel. I also recently got my hands on a Ka-bar TDI knife, which might ride along easily depending on a person chooses to run in.
 
1st choice - Armband holster.
2nd choice - Wrist pouch.

Bellyband chafes. Fannypack flops around. Ankle holsters are hard to get to. IWB only works for very light guns while running. Finally, there will be trade-offs with carrying while running.

I run but only on a treadmill at the club and yes, sometimes I do carry there because I don't want to leave my gun in the locker.
 
I run/walk with my dog. I pocket carry a 642 air weight in my right side pocket and compared to everything else I carry it doesn't bother me one bit.

I lock my house doors when I leave, so I carry my keys (which weigh about as much as my 642)

I bring my wallet, because I bring my wallet everywhere I go. I just do.

I bring my phone, in case someone needs to get in contact with me or vice versa. You never know when there could be an emergency (or good photo opportunity!)

I also bring a plastic bag and paper towels in case I have to pick up after my dog. These don't add much weight but do add some bulk, so I keep the bag in one pocket of my cargo shorts and the paper towels in the other.

Maybe it looks a little silly that I jog with cargo shorts. I don't care. I wear a good belt and I'm just used to it. If anything, the extra weight helps me burn a few extra calories :D
 
pistolwear.com has some nice belly-band style holsters that are immensely comfortable and ideal for use while running. I have the "Trump Card Subcompact" and carry a Ruger LCP on occasion (when traveling in a state where I'm allowed to carry).

I wear mine around my waist at about 2 o'clock, within the waistband of my running shorts.

For me, anything bigger than an LCP throughout my normal 5-6 mile run is too uncomfortable. It tends to bounce and simply doesn't make for a pleasant experience.
 
Even in running shorts all you need is a good belt and IWB holster. I wear the belt inside the shorts. Comfortable enough. I'd be a lot more uncomfortable with out my pistol.
str1
 
Run...what is such activity? Is that what you do when these gals are not being pleasant to you?

On a more serious note...running is tough with a handgun unless it is very well secured. This certainly does not mean bouncing around in a pocket. Strapped to the body is the only way to go...So compression shirt holster was my best solution when I was trying to take up the act of jogging.
 

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shooter1 said:
Even in running shorts all you need is a good belt and IWB holster. I wear the belt inside the shorts. Comfortable enough. I'd be a lot more uncomfortable with out my pistol.
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I run on occasion, and this is what I do. Go this route, and you can carry pretty much whatever you want, and it'll be secure and not bouncing or swinging around.
 
Another vote for Pistol Wear, I carry a Kel Tec PF9, I've been using it for nearly two years, works great. Also keeps my sweat away from the gun, I run 3 days a week.
 
I'd go with a good kydex(not leather) belt and a comfortable IWB hip holster. Then put your gym clothes over everything. Leather sags when sweaty, so you want kydex to keep it in place.
 
The best device I have found for running while armed was not designed to run while armed. I got a very cheap workout belt, from Walmart of all places, that can carry 4 small water bottles. 2 of the bottle detach from the belt and there is a pouch in the middle. The pouch was designed for carrying a cell phone or other music source. The pouch can only hold something small like a Taurus TCP or NAA. But it worked really well for me when I had either gun.
 
Any chance a new gun would be a possibility?

For things that involve physical exercise, and especially running where even a relatively light firearm could throw off balance, I have a lot of love for the 340PD using a Galco pocket holster loading lighter recoiling .357 mags. The weight of the firearm loaded in one pocket is roughly the same weight of all the other things I carry in the other when running, keeping me well balanced.

At least for me, the 11 ounce weight of the 340 (or similar snubnose revolvers) versus the 22+/- ounce weight of a G26 turned out to be a huge difference...and a heck of a lot more than the numbers themselves suggest. Between the hammerless design, Hi-Viz sights that can be useful in closer quarters, and the ability to maintain reliability in environmental extremes (like when I soak it in sweat), I feel the capabilities match up well to this type of application. Additionally, since a blindsided attack seems likely when running, in the event I go down and am unable to draw, I like how I can fire it while still inside of my pocket. This setup is also really nice for hot summer days where even a compact firearm can cause a lot of heat-->sweating. I'm just thrown this out there...
 
I can't imagine running with a holster that was not centered and very secure to your body. I had to run with a 1.5 lb. radio back in the day that I wound up carrying in my hand while I ran. All of the holsters were too floppy. Some people run smoother than others. YMMV.
Get a nice 26" bull barreled rifle of some kind and hold it over your head while running for a good workout.
 
jlr1962 said:
I can't imagine running with a holster that was not centered and very secure to your body. I had to run with a 1.5 lb. radio back in the day that I wound up carrying in my hand while I ran. All of the holsters were too floppy. Some people run smoother than others. YMMV.
Get a nice 26" bull barreled rifle of some kind and hold it over your head while running for a good workout.
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+1
Don't ever run unless somebody is chasing me, or if my kid is bolting out the door. Anyway the rifle PT suggestion is valid. I used to use my surplus SMLE for calisthenics in the den until my wife said it looked crazy. Nothing gets the heart pumping like jogging in place w/ wood and blued steel!
 
Thanks!!

Thank you all for your suggestions. Looks like I'll be headed to a few local stores to see what fits best. It's probably a good time for a holster update anyways. :uhoh::cool:

And yes 4:30 is when I get up, and we run at 5. Moms who have kids to get to school and stuff to do during the day, we run when we can and that's at 5. :D:evil:

Working on speed so I can get away and don't have to use my gun. So try to keep up. :neener:

Leigh

PS I'll be sure to post pics of what I decide to get. (and pics of my carry piece.) ;)
 
When I used to run outside, I used a Smart Carry and it worked very well for that purpose. I would run in Houston at 4:30AM.

My primary concern with the Smart Carry was that its location in the crotch would interfere with my running. I did not find that to be the case, though I am admittedly a pretty poor runner to begin with. I do think there might be a slight increase in sweat accumulation under the holster, though I found that was more pronounced the few times I used it for a daily carry and less noticeable when wearing shorts.

Unfortunately, I once had occasion to draw my weapon (a S&W 6906 at the time) while running, as I was getting shot at (all poorly aimed misses) by criminals who were breaking into cars. I had no trouble drawing from that holster quickly and smoothly, even with the massive adrenaline dump. Thankfully, I was far enough away (probably 150 to 200 feet) that running from the situation was the most appropriate course of action. I did not return fire for lack of a clear targets and due to safety considerations.

I have since used the same holster with a Glock 26 and a S&W 442 with no issues. I like the Smart Carry for running but not for daily carry.
 
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I'm a fellow 4:30 am runner as well. My wife gets the treadmill, so that means I have to hit the streets.

I just run through our subdivision and back, so I don't feel the need to go armed with my pistol. Plus I'm a 200lb man. If I were to carry, I would probably do my lcp or BG380 with a clip draw/techna clip installed. I think it would stay put if I tied my shorts tight.

On my runs, about the only thing that I MIGHT have to worry about is neighbor dogs. I certainly don't want to shoot someone's pet. None of the dogs I have seen appear to be vicious, but I also don't feel like getting a bad bite and needing to hobble 2 miles back to my house. Instead, I pack a cheap 12" baton in hand. It doesn't bother me running, and it's probably good enough to give Fido a love tap or half speed jab to dissuade him from taking a plug out of me.
 
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