Ankle Carry of M&P Shield?
- Thread starter HGM22
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I have that exact setup - no problems, other than the previously mentioned systematic check / cleaning of accumulated lint (it will probably get dirtier than you imagined).
Didn't take long to become totally oblivious to it.
BTW, after hounding Pearce Grips for 6 months or more, they finally got around to making a pinky rest for the Shield, and it really ups the comfort level of the grip, as I just hate dangling pinkies.
Plan2Live
Member
Really? I know someone who carried a M&P Compact on her ankle daily for years before the Shield came along and she switched over to the Shield. Lots of folks claim to ankle carry the baby Glock. Heck, I can even find ankle holsters for my Sig 239! Now that's stretching it.
I am seriously looking at the Shield (9mm) as a backup gun and will probably carry the backup on my ankle. My primary carry is a 9mm so I like the idea of commonality of caliber. Right now it's down to the Shield and a Kahr PM9. I plan on a trip to the range and shooting both before I decide.
I hate to beat a dead horse but I wish they offered the Shield without the manual safety.
herrwalther
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Very doable. Glock 26/27/33 is often considered the "standard" size firearm for ankle carry and the shield is just a touch smaller in every dimension. Biggest advantage you would notice carrying the Shield over the G26 is the Shield is a single stack with lower ammo capacity compared to the G26.
Largest firearm I have ever ankle carried was a full size SR9. Bulged a little but weight wasn't too noticeable until I ran with it. Stepped down to the SR9c or AMT backup when I still did ankle carry before stopping altogether.
Largest firearm I have ever ankle carried was a full size SR9. Bulged a little but weight wasn't too noticeable until I ran with it. Stepped down to the SR9c or AMT backup when I still did ankle carry before stopping altogether.
Wreck-n-Crew
Member
Just keep in mind clothing choice to accommodate the holster an it is doable. This is your backup right?
I think the shield would be on the "upper end" of what you would want to ankle-carry size-wize. It's subjective, to be sure. I once read someone that claimed to ankle carry a Desert Eagle, but that could have been "I did this one time so I can say I did it" or just in jest. While you can go wider (J-frame cylinder will be wider, as will a double-stack, I don't think you want to go much bigger than the Shield.
OP, if you don't mind my asking, why did you select ankle carry over carrying IWB, OWB, belly band, or in the pocket? I have a LCP I pocket carry (my least favorite and most carried gun, both because of the size) and that's how I would probably carry a Shield.
OP, if you don't mind my asking, why did you select ankle carry over carrying IWB, OWB, belly band, or in the pocket? I have a LCP I pocket carry (my least favorite and most carried gun, both because of the size) and that's how I would probably carry a Shield.
Jack19
Member
I carried a Glock 19 on my ankle for years. A Shield should be no problem in a well made holster.
I can highly recommend the Lou Alessi Ankle Rig. Expensive, but very secure and, most importantly, comfortable.
http://www.alessigunholsters.com/ankle-holsters/
I can highly recommend the Lou Alessi Ankle Rig. Expensive, but very secure and, most importantly, comfortable.
http://www.alessigunholsters.com/ankle-holsters/
I tried carrying a PM9 on an ankle holster a few years back.
I have bad knees, and I found that having that weight changed how I walked, causing my knees to hurt. The leg with the holster weighs more. As you walk your normal stride, I found that the leg with the holster moves faster than the other leg. After 30 minutes or so of this, I would get knee pain. Ankle carry just ain't for me
I have bad knees, and I found that having that weight changed how I walked, causing my knees to hurt. The leg with the holster weighs more. As you walk your normal stride, I found that the leg with the holster moves faster than the other leg. After 30 minutes or so of this, I would get knee pain. Ankle carry just ain't for me
To those asking, this would be a primary carry method for some time. I like ankle carry because I will mostly have the weapon in my car. This affords me two advantages: it will be easier to draw while sitting seated in my vehicle, and it will be easier to take off and hide without being noticed (must leave the gun in car at work). Outside of work days I believe IWB will be best but I cannot afford a holster and belt at the moment.
Eventually I'd prefer to have the Shield as a back up gun on the ankle and a LCR in a pocket holster as the primary but that is some dollars and time away.
Eventually I'd prefer to have the Shield as a back up gun on the ankle and a LCR in a pocket holster as the primary but that is some dollars and time away.
Madcap_Magician
Member
Oh come on guys, Ah-nuld Schvartzenegger carried a Beretta 92 in an ankle holster in Kindergarten Cop! We should all be able to at least do a Glock 19! 
Not judging, but if your not in LE. What has happened in your life that would cause you to think you need a backup gun in a ankle holster. I don't understand this mind set, as an everyday civilian where do you live that would cause you to need 2 guns.
I carried a Walther and a chiefs special in ankle holsters for over 20 years. It was the only way I could remain armed while running my business and dealing with hundreds of clients all day. You get used to anything if you decide on doing it that way.
The way I did it was to wear a boot, but a low boot, the butt of the gun sat on the edge or rim of the boot thus still making it quick and easy to get the gun out, but giving me better stability. "Only one gun at a time on the ankle, depending on what I was carrying".
With low shoes, the gun would pop out when you sat down. The boot would prevent that and also make it almost impossible to see with black or brown boots and a rubber grip on your gun.
My area was often hit by robbers back in the 70-80's when we only took cash, and were the first to start taking plastic. Now it really isn't that big a concern. Restaurants, hair salons, health clubs, back then had piles of cash laying around. Now, maybe 10 % pay in cash, if that. A good pub could easily have 20-30 grand laying around over a busy weekend. Many paid the help in cash also, so the night deposit was not nearly as large as the days take, most cash businesses would take the cash as "their money" and checks and CC's, got deposited along with enough to pay bills.
Even with full sized Larry Mayhems I could get a snubby or a walther in there, by wearing the holster up high.
The way I did it was to wear a boot, but a low boot, the butt of the gun sat on the edge or rim of the boot thus still making it quick and easy to get the gun out, but giving me better stability. "Only one gun at a time on the ankle, depending on what I was carrying".
With low shoes, the gun would pop out when you sat down. The boot would prevent that and also make it almost impossible to see with black or brown boots and a rubber grip on your gun.
My area was often hit by robbers back in the 70-80's when we only took cash, and were the first to start taking plastic. Now it really isn't that big a concern. Restaurants, hair salons, health clubs, back then had piles of cash laying around. Now, maybe 10 % pay in cash, if that. A good pub could easily have 20-30 grand laying around over a busy weekend. Many paid the help in cash also, so the night deposit was not nearly as large as the days take, most cash businesses would take the cash as "their money" and checks and CC's, got deposited along with enough to pay bills.
Even with full sized Larry Mayhems I could get a snubby or a walther in there, by wearing the holster up high.
climbnjump
Member
Well, how about this... You are in and out of a vehicle all day and you carry IWB at, say 5 o'clock. If you need to draw while IN the vehicle - with seat belts, etc, - it might be difficult to get that out of the holster while a backup in an ankle holster is readily available.
That isn't paranoid, but just positioning tools where they can be easily brought to bear.
And what are the chances of that?^^^^^ I have seen these post's over and over and over again. One guy was looking to carry a Snub 686 in a ankle holster. I understand about being prepared, and I sure understand about going armed. What I don't understand is the need for caring a backup pistol if your not in LE. Now gym made since, but it was not a BU it was the only place he could carry in a dangerous situation. I believe most and if this is not you then don't be offended. Most people who do this has seen tooooo many Rambo movies or are not informed enough.
Jack19
Member
Some of us have been in gunfights, and Mr. Murphy lives at gunfights. A back up, even a small mouse gun, may save your life.
To make this a useful discussion, people who post about ankle carry & pistols should share how big they are physically and their pants size (or ankle diameter, etc.)
I think that the ability to ankle carry really depends on your physical size equally as much as the size of the pistol.
For example, I wear 30-32 waist jeans with 30 inseam. I'm not tiny, but there's no way I could carry more than a KT P32 or Seecamp on my ankle due to my build. No way I could even fit the MP Shield on my ankle, or even get it past my pants cuff.
I think that the ability to ankle carry really depends on your physical size equally as much as the size of the pistol.
For example, I wear 30-32 waist jeans with 30 inseam. I'm not tiny, but there's no way I could carry more than a KT P32 or Seecamp on my ankle due to my build. No way I could even fit the MP Shield on my ankle, or even get it past my pants cuff.
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