Ankle Carry

[GoBrush]

I work for an employer that I prefer not know I carry. I usually dress in dockers and golf shirts and I am thinking about Ankle carry to make sure there is no accidental sighting.

For those that have or do ankle carry. If I get a high quality ankle holster with a thumb break do I need to worry about my weapon falling out while jogging (not running) up stairs?

I pretty well know the downs to ankle carry can you guys share the up side?

The biggest up side I can think of is that I will carry more and therefore will rarely be without.

What are your thoughts?

 

[RyanM]

With a thumb break you won't have to worry about it falling off, but unless you're using a very light gun, it'll take awhile to get used to the weight. You'll also want to make sure the holster fits very well, or it'll be very uncomfortable, in many ways. If it's too tight, it cuts off circulation, if it's too loose, it bounces up and down and rubs your ankle raw, etc. It may be best to try and find a local holster maker with really good customer service, so that you could have it fit to your leg, and have it adjusted if it's uncomfortable.

 

[Preacherman]

I'd suggest pocket carry as a better alternative to ankle carry. The gun will be far more accessible in your pocket, and you can get surprisingly compact and powerful guns for the purpose (e.g. Glock 26/27/33, Taurus PT145, etc., as well as the "traditional" snubnose revolver). A pocket holster will help to hold the gun in an easily-accessible position, and prevent it "printing" too obviously.

If your pocket is too short to conceal the gun properly, lengthen it by cutting the bottom open, adding an inch or two of additional cloth, then sewing it up again.

 

[Pilgrim]

You will want to wear what is called "boot cut" trousers lest kneeling down to pick something up will cause the trouser leg to ride up and over the holster and pistol. Make sure the inseam is long enough.

You will also have to break yourself of the habit of crossing one leg over the other when you sit down.

Pilgrim

 

[Jeff White]

I carried my BUG in an ankle holster on duty for many years. Besides buying boot cut pants, you'll need to buy stretch socks so you can pull one up over the ankle holster so it doesn't show when you sit down.

If you buy a good quality holster you shouldn't have to worry about losing the weapon. I never lost my weapon in a foot pursuit.

I also found that the type of weapon made a difference for me. I could carry a revolver (Colt Agent, SW 36) without being uncomfortable, but no small auto I ever tried (SW 3914, Walther PPK, Glock 36) was comfortable. YMMV.

I'm moving this to Handguns where you might get more resonses.

Jeff

 

[orangeninja]

My personal opinion? Don't do it. My professional opinion? Don't do it. Just about 20 or so months ago I observed an officer that I was walking behind loose his little .38 out of his ankle holster and he had no idea.

I pointed it out to one of our Lts. who kindly pointed the oversight out to him.

You'd be better off buying a snub, and sticking the thing in your pocket. Your pocket not deep enough? No problem, buy pleated slacks (the extra bulk hids he imprint better) and have the pocket lowered about 2 inches. You can be talking to someone or walking to your car with your hand on your weapon and nobody knows about it.

Personally I just discovered the joy of pocket carry and use a Taurus CIA all steel .357 magnum (with magnum shells) in my pocket for jeans and even uniform slacks. It feels like a wad of keys, but doesn't stick you. Not bad.

 

[RUT]

Tried ankle carrying a few times.... hated it!

 

[Checkman]

I've been carrying my BUG in an ankle holster for almost five years without any trouble. For me it's the only practical way to carry it. I use a Galco ankle hoslter and I have found it to be very comfortable. Since I'm an investigator it's the only way to go. I find that I don't notice the weight anymore and I have yet to lose my S&W when I'm going up stairs or chasing somebody.

 

[Zen21Tao]

Get yourself some thunderwear

 

[M2 Carbine]

I wear Wellington style boots all the time. I carry a Kel Tec P-11 in a ankle holster. The holster fits inside of the boot with the pistol grip above the boot. It makes for a nice secure carry.

 

[Biker]

I wear engineer boots most of the time and I can easily and securely carry a Taurus 450 all day and not even be aware of it. Of course, I've been doing it for years. It makes for a slow draw, but I'm always armed. BTW, I buy my jeans 2' longer than I would normally wear. It helps quite a bit.
Biker

 

[Scot Ish]

If you want a high quality ankle holster get the Lou Alessi Ankle Rig. The "down" to ankle carry is the speed to which you can get to the weapon. This can be overcome with practice and an appropriate choice of clothing.

I frequently carry a Glock 19 on my ankle at work; it simply goes away in Lou's holster. No one ever knows it's there and I have maybe the best fighting 9mm on tap with 15+1 rounds. I wear baggy trousers that fit well over the weapon.

It all depends on what you're willing to do to conceal the weapon you choose. Don't let anyone tell you that you have to sacrifice a real fighting handgun for a mouse gun on your ankle; it just isn't true.

 

[isp2605]

I won't address whether you should or not. If your boss says not to and you decide to anyway, then don't cry about the consequences if you get caught. Life is full of choices, choices have consequences.
Now to address carrying on the ankle...
I've carried either S&W 49 or 649 in ankle rigs since 1975. That's absolutely everyday carry as a backup. Neither the 49 nor 649 are lightweight J frames. It took about 2 weeks to get use to the ankle rig. After that it was where it didn't feel right if I didn't have the rig on. I have run with it, chased guys, climbed thru windows, over fences, waded thru creeks, thru mud and snow, in and out of cars, crawled thru backs of semis, knock down-drag out fights, done kicks with it on, etc. I've never lost it yet. If you're going to carry in an ankle rig get a good rig. it doesn't have to be the most expensive, just what is comfortable for you. What's comfortable for me may not be for you.