Something so small I can carry it in my hand

[skywarrior]

I do a lot of running in the early morning hours, before dawn. I have a S&W model 642 which is a great CC gun but just too large to carry on a run. I am looking for something really small that I can actually just carry in my hand while running. I saw something about a real small .410 derringer that probably would work. Anyway, if any of you have ideas, please let me know.

 

[Erich]

I'm a criminal defense lawyer. I'm not telling you what to do and I don't represent you, but I would absolutely freak out if any of my clients were to propose running around with a gun in hand. Buy a proper holster, that's my advice, amigo. Smartcarry works great under running shorts. Or a bellyband.

I've got guns small enough to fill the bill you describe (and I don't know of any .410 derringer that's significantly smaller than your J-frame), but - dude - you can't go running around with a gun in your hand. You'll shoot your eye out. If you're lucky . . . . Otherwise, someone may shoot you (including Officer Friendly) or you may stumble and shoot your yarbles off. That would be most unfortunate. Buy an appropriate holster.

 

[The Big D]

I do a lot of running in the early morning hours, before dawn. I have a S&W model 642 which is a great CC gun but just too large to carry on a run. I am looking for something really small that I can actually just carry in my hand while running. I saw something about a real small .410 derringer that probably would work. Anyway, if any of you have ideas, please let me know.

Say what??? Please heed Erich's advice, above, and don't go running whilst toting a "shotgun" in your hand.

Good grief, where do you run? Change your route (or move!) if you feel the need to run with a gun in your hand.

Be safe.

 

[vero1]

Bond Arms makes a .410/45 lc derringer, but they are not lightweight by any stretch of the imagination. Not real cheap either! + 1 on using a holster though.

 

[ColbyBruce]

The manufacturer 5.11 makes a shirt with sewn in holsters under both arms, available in crew or V neck, around $50.00.


http://www.abnarmysurplus.com/images/511tactical/holsterShirt_sized_black_lg.jpg

 

[Erich]

I've got one of those 5/11 shirts - I wouldn't use it for running. But better that than running with a gun in hand!

 

[MgoBlue]

Running with a gun in your hand would fall under the column: Brandishing a firearm! Please, don't do it.

I have a Seecamp that in its pocket holster is well protected from body sweat, but I would never consider running or walking with it in my hand. Things happen and hands open up. The last thing I want to do is to test the trigger safety on any firearm by dropping it!

 

[David Sinko]

I do a lot of long distance running, much of it in brutal heat and cold. I am thoroughly addicted. Anyway, when I carry a gun it's usually a J Frame in a belly band. I have a Bianchi that has been modified with extra velcro. These belly bands will stretch with age and hard use and the extra velcro is necessary to take up the slack and keep them tight. With proper loose fitting attire I can conceal the J Frame when it's 100 degrees and high noon. I have learned to always wear a shirt; I almost dropped dead of heat exhaustion a few times when the temperature was around 100 and I went shirtless. And if you're wearing a shirt, you can conceal a handgun under it. Extreme cold is a different matter entirely. When the temperature is way below freezing I always carry a fixed blade knife under a sweatshirt. There are times it's so cold and I'm so numb that I don't have the dexterity in my fingers to unlock my car door or turn the key in the ignition. In this case there's no way I'll be able to fire a handgun so I carry the fixed blade knife in a modified shoulder holster. I think a good fixed blade knife is far more effective than a .22 mini revolver or even a derringer. The largest handgun I ever carried concealed during a run was a Glock 21 in the belly band during a 12 mile run. It was at night with a friend who happens to be a very attractive woman. I used the Glock in a match earlier that day and it was all I had available when we went for the run. If somebody had attempted to molest her while we were running I'd never be able to live with myself, so I took it along. If she saw the bulge in my pants, she must've thought it was something else as she never said a word about it.

So there you have it, how to run with a gun. I have also run with a gun in many gun hostile states. I'm a cop, so I can do it legally. But the cops who pass me when I'm running don't know that I'm a cop and they apparently don't know that I'm carrying, so I guess I'm pretty good at it. I, too, would advise NOT carrying a gun in your hand. There are other alternatives that work very well.

Dave Sinko

 

[flop-shank]

Good advice above.

Use a holster. An airweight J frame such as you have is small and light. I would suggest not using anything smaller and lighter, but if you're determined to, the Kel-tec P3AT and P32 would be worth considering. Once again though, I wouldn't want to have to defend myself with a .380, or .32.

 

[Grayfox]

There ya go!

 

[pete950]

How about using a fanny pack!!!!!!

Pete

 

[walnutred]

Forget the handgun, carry one of these: Google Image Result for http://www.swords24.eu/images/products/en/Cold_Steel_Assegai_Spear.jpg

I bet people leave you alone.

 

[MTKTM]

How about using a fanny pack!!!!!!

Pete

I agree with this. Find the smallest fanny pack you can get that will fit your gun and use that. I used to run, don't anymore, but do bicycle a lot, and find that a small fanny pack is the way-to-go. Problem with running might be the bounce, but if the pack has a decent belt and the gun is very light it shouldn't be a problem.

 

[Capt Steve]

Running???

Running??? Running??? What's all this talk about running? If some one said "Run for your life your ass is on fire and your head is catching" I'm pretty much a dead man....walking. (o; Seriously though I was never a runner but spent lots of time in the water and still do. So what should I carry when swimming laps? I mean some of the old timers here (actually older than me), get cranky if you stray into their lane and I want to be able to defend myself.

 

[Mike-4]

Running??? Running??? What's all this talk about running? If some one said "Run for your life your ass is on fire and your head is catching" I'm pretty much a dead man....walking. (o; Seriously though I was never a runner but spent lots of time in the water and still do. So what should I carry when swimming laps? I mean some of the old timers here (actually older than me), get cranky if you stray into their lane and I want to be able to defend myself.

A Smart Carry for your speedos?

 

[MTKTM]

I got to thinking about this a little more and recalled that I did try carrying a 442 when running a number of years ago. A standard nylon fabric fanny pack was kind of bouncy due to the motion of jogging or running, making it pretty uncomfortable, even with a light-weight gun. I then found a small neoprene fanny pack, I believe it was intended for something like a Walkman (and those have been obsolete for a looooooonnnnng time now) that was smaller, fit snugly, and didn't bounce with the 442 on-board, plus it seemed less likely to get soaked through with sweat than other options. The only thing I didn't like about it was that it was about 4 1/2" wide at the widest portion and felt kind of hot when running in warmer conditions, but it worked fairly well. I'll bet there's all sorts of carrying devices out there for runners in specialty shops or catalogs/websites, and that something could be adapted to carry a gun.

 

[cjw3]

A Kel-Tec .380 or .32 with belt clip attached worn in a comfortable spot on the waist would be about as light and simple as it gets. A sweat resistant finish and/or thorough waxing would be advised.

 

[hobby-gunsmith]

If you are looking for belly-gun that will do the job is the North American Arms .22 LR mini revolver. They are a proven winner and have a lifetime warranty. I have owned one for years and with proper cleaning, they will do the job. I carry one during my 3 mile walk or when I need something for a quick trip to the gas station or store. The company also sells a pocket holster and a clip on belt holster or you can use it in a fanny pack. But, by no means should you run with a gun in your hand. That is a quick way of getting shot by the police or spending some quality time in prison for open carry of a firearm. Check the firearm laws in your state. Be safe.

Nick

 

[MTKTM]

Sorry to keep chiming in here, but this is a subject somewhat near and dear to me. As I mentioned, I ride a bicycle a lot, used to run, and also walk for fitness, and weight/bulk issues are fairly critical for all of these activities. I've mentioned the carrying methodology I consider best previously, but now to the gun. The 45/410 derringers are pretty big, probably approximating your 642 in weight although might be a little bit less bulky, but it's not an optimal choice. I think that one of the ultra lightweight guns, the 340PD or the 442, one of the J-frames in alloy as opposed to the all-steel 6xx J-frames is your best bet. The Ruger 5-shot revolver, I think it's called the LCR, or the 380 semi-auto LCP would be good choices. So would one of the fine Seecamp semi-autos if you can find/afford one. All are light weight, under a pound loaded. You do need to be pretty vigilant about cleaning and lubricating/rust-proofing your gun, whatever one you choose, because the salty sweat tends to pour when doing these sorts of activities. I've actually contemplated keeping my gun inside of a zip-lock bag, but that's going to slow things down should you ever need it.

 

[Larry from Bend]

My Answer

When I want to carry a gun in situations that call for light and tiny I carry the blue one on the lower left. It's a Kel-Tec in .32 ACP. It's not very powerful, although it IS reliable with hollow point or ball ammo. I can hit an 8"x10" sheet of paper @ 15 feet with it pretty much every time. I believe it weighs 6 oz. I have an equally tiny belt holster for it, but it usually resides in a pocket.