Ankle Carry

[Tearlachblair]

I recently had the idea of carrying my backup (Taurus 85) in an Uncle Mikes Sidekick ankle holster. For those of you who carry a piece in an ankle holster, how do you carry it? How high on your leg do you put the gun? What kinds of pants do you wear with it? Right now when I put it on I think it looks like a brick under my jeans. Oh, and pics are always appreciated ;-)

[grimjaw]

I tried it a few times with a Beretta Bobcat, and felt that even that gun wasn't small or thin enough to conceal to make me comfortable. A supersubcompact is the only thing I'd consider, and even then I think I'd rather put it on a chain around my neck.

jm

[6Covered]

I carry on the ankle about half the time during the work week.

I have used a Renegade Ankle holster for about the last 10 years. I'm on my second one. Got one on the left ankle as I type. I have a Taurus 85UL stoked with CorBons. Sometimes when dressed Business Casual it's the only way I can carry. Is it my first choice as a method of carry? No. Is it as good as on the hip? No. Do I have a weapon with me? Yes.

Took me about two solid weeks to get used to it. I had several other brands before I got talked into the Renegade. It made a big difference. YMMV.

6

[strat81]

I carry a Glock 26 in a DeSantis Apache ankle holster with calf garter. It conceals well with the proper pants such as khakis or boot cut jeans. Mine rides just above my ankle - the garter keeps it in place. Whatever you choose, be sure it is THICKLY padded. If not, your leg will be raw after a day or two from pointy metal gun parts wearing into your flesh.

I'm at a desk 8 hours a day in business casual attire and this is the most practical way for me to carry short of going to a mouse gun (Kel-tec P3AT and similar) or off body carry.

I'd prefer to carry on my hip, but the tuckable holsters I've tried just didn't work well for me. Ankle carry sure beats leaving it at home!

Regular cut jeans aren't the greatest for pocket or ankle carry. Some brands are better than others with pockets... you might want to consider a pocket holster if you have the room. If not, IWB on the hip or at the appendix generally conceals well. Buy a quality rig and you'll be good.

[Headless]

The galco ankle glove is very comfortable with a light gun such as an airweight S&W...comfortable enough to forget about at times. Most comfortable was behind the ankle bone slightly, at just above shoe level.

[351 WINCHESTER]

Ankle holsters give me a rash.

[Spenser]

I've used Galco's COP ankle holster for quite awhile. It works very well with a g27 and a Sig 232. It usually rides right above the ankle, a little to the back on the left leg. It works better with dress pants and no more than ankle-high boots.

Since it's winter and coat weather, I can get away with hip carry. When it warms up again, I'll be back to the ankle rig.

[Myles]

Once upon a time, I regularly wore on my ankle. It does take some getting used to, although you may find that normal taper-cut jeans will be more likely to print and slow your draw.

As a right-handed person, I tended to keep mine on the outside right ankle, although on occasion and dress, I might switch to inside left. Personal preference, and what you train with. I've heard arguments both ways, and used both, depending on circumstances.

I found that after a couple of weeks, it became second nature and I was less self-conscious about it. Best worn with slacks, khakis, or boot-cut jeans, in that order.

To disparaging posters - no, you won't fit your hand-cannon in there, but I was always discretely armed. Always. You cannot always carry a full-size, and better armed with anything than nothing.


[Edit] About the holster - I recommend heavy padding. Mine was a thumbbreak leather holster, heavily(!) lined with fleece. Very comfy.

[Breakdaddy]

I sometimes wear my XD9 SC as a bug in a galco ankle glove. Super comfortable even after hours of wear but there are certain pants I cannot wear without noticeable printing.

[Quilbilly]

I carry my airweight in the uncle mikes sidekick. I dont even use that goofy strap thing that goes under your knee. The whole thing sits on top of my shoe. I just wear the right jeans to it doesn't show. I like it to ride as low as possible while still keeping it secure and hidden so I can get to it quick.

[Erik]

I carry pistols as low as possible without the bottom pretruding from beneath my pant leg regardless of the type of pants. I favor Renagade and the Alessi ankle holsters of those I've tried.

[Robert Hairless]

Before you commit to it get something of roughly the same length and thickness, tape it slightly above your weak side ankle, and roll down the leg of your jeans to cover it. Then stand up.

Close your eyes for a few moments, open them quickly and imagine you see Godzilla coming at you from about 7 yards away. He has a knife and wants to kill you. So draw that gun! Fast! Do it fast!

How did you do? :)

[230RN]

I got an inexpensive Uncle Mikes for small auto, left ankle, to experiment with the concept of ankle carry.

I found:

1. It pays to wear long socks. Adjustment of the Velcro(TM) is critical to comfort, lest the scratchy Velcro(TM) irritate you. I also had to round off one corner of the Velcro(TM0 so that the adjustment wasn't quite so critical.

2. My Detective Special fits in it perfectly (even though it was for "small auto.")

3. Carrying it on the inside of my right ankle, butt facing forward, worked best for me. It is less obvious this way, too.

4. I got splashed by a car and had to "den up" (men's room stall, paper towels) to dry the gun off and put a plastic bag around it until I got home. (No damage resulted.)

5. By actual honest to gawd experiment, I found that it was quicker to access the gun by dropping my pants rather than hauling up my pants leg. No joke.

6. I was toying with the idea of opening up the inside seam of my right pants leg on that particular pair of pants and putting Velcro(TM) in there for quicker access.

7. Once you get used to it, you can actually forget you have a gun there until you move quickly. Driving or sitting or standing around with a cocktail in hand, it "disappears" from your mind. However, I have no intention of chasing bad guys down alleys or climbing chain link fences to apprehend them.

8. It is not my preferred method of carry for a primary gun, although I still ankle carry as the primary defensive weapon on occasion. And...

9. "Got gun?" "Yes."

[nelson133]

I carry a S&W 442 as a backup in a Renegade holster. Got used to it very quickly and hardly notice it now. I was turned on to the Renegade on THR and it has been excellent.
Ankle holsters are a big plus for carrying in a vehicle.

[YZR]

+ 1 for Headless' comments about the S/W 642.
I either carry it with a Galco ankle rig or a smart carry, depending on my wardrobe. It's light enough to forget about with either method.
If you carry via ankle just make sure your britches are long enough.

[Robert Hairless]

Ankle holsters are a big plus for carrying in a vehicle.

I agree.

[SwampWolf]

Or in a restaurant, church, office or other sitting positions. Yes, ankle carry is slow on the draw but sometimes it's the most feasible way of being armed when the only other realistic option is being unarmed. If somebody has the drop on you, feigning a heart attack and falling to the ground while drawing the gun is one stategy. Certainly, accessing a gun from an ankle holster while seated at a table is one of the least obvious draws available.

Most other carry options are superior to ankle carry when speed of the draw, size of the weapon and comfort are considerations. But I feel it does have its p;ace (albeit limited) among the many other ways usable for toting a handgun for self-defense. Ankle carry is one method that I include in a whole range of options I consider when deciding on how I'm going to carry a handgun concealed on any given day.

[gruesomenewsom]

I have a desantis model 44 ankle rig for my airweight. its comfortable enough, well padded, and your boots can slide right over it to turn it into a boot gun, but my work pants run kinda small and I am a man of rather large legs/ankles, and found that pants no matter how baggy will still show the butt of the gun. But like I said I got fat legs

[GBExpat]

The only pistol that I will ankle-carry is my Kel-Tec P3-AT in a Polite Society holster.

http://www.politesociety.com/ankle.htm

Under Levis it is all but invisible.

O'course, with no safety strap you cannot do any running, but a strap is an easy add.

[bikerdoc]

what works for me is that i usualy wear cowboy boots and a r-handed iwb holster clips into the v of my r boot and its very comfotable to carry a taurus 605 3 inch all day