Ankle Carry

[jester5167]

Summer is coming up and I think this year im going to try out ankle carry. I never wear shorts.... I just dont like them. In the fall/winter/spring I wear an over-shirt that covers my GLOCK 19 very nicely, however in a T-Shirt it doesn't cover it all that well. I have an IWB hostler but its uncomfortable when sitting.

So I wanted to try out ankle carrying mostly because it gives me a reason to buy a new pistol. Im looking for something larger then a .22, other then that im open to any suggestions. Im not even sure if I want to go auto or revolver, I went and looked at both in my local shop a few days ago but nothing jumped out at me. What have you guys been happy with or disappointed with?

Also what do you guys recommend for an ankle carry hostler, I found an uncle mike one that got good reviews over on galls.com

Thanks as always everyone!

 

[Czar]

I have an Uncle Mikes which I use. I ditched the legging and the retaining snap (they velcro to fit, but just get in the way) since the 2in wide strap seems to hold securly enough around my boot (Mephisto or Red Wing lace-up boots). This holds my CZ75-Compact very securely yet not so tight to prevent drawing. Under my Baggy SilverTabs, even my friends who know I carry have a hard time telling if I have my little friend.

That being said: I've practiced how long it takes to go from a casual standing position to draw and fire, and it is a long 4.5-5 seconds without stress.

I'm sure there's better to be had for ankle holsters than an Uncle Mikes, but mine is still holding up. If I had to replace mine I would probably go with same model.

I hope this helps!



Czar

 

[Larryect]

Kahr PM9 works well or an air-weight Smith and Wesson .38 Special. Galco ankle glove holster. I think Glock 26 would also be a good candidate.

Be aware the draw would be very slow and not very surreptitious. I have found myself doubting my choice when I encounter a situation that I would feel more comfortable being able to have my hand near the gun. But is is a comfortable method of carry.

 

[351 WINCHESTER]

Sometimes I carry a .38 snub in my ankle rig. The biggest problem is after wearing it for too long I get one heck of a rash. Besides ankle carry is too slow to get your gun out. Impossible if you're moving. Have you looked at the little kel tec's? I have 2 of the .32's and they work fine. Granted a .32 isn't very powerful, not nearly so as a good loaded .38 snubbie. Get yourself something that you can conceal and feel confident with and try and stay out of bad places and never ever blow your horn at a redneck.

 

[nemoaz]

I ditched the legging and the retaining snap (they velcro to fit, but just get in the way) since the 2in wide strap seems to hold securly enough around my boot (Mephisto or Red Wing lace-up boots).

By retaining snap do you mean the thumbsnap? If so, that's poor advise. Have you ever run with it? No way that generic Uncle Mike's holster will hold your weapon in place when exercising vigorously. I guess you are relying on the tighness of the pant leg to hold the weapon in place.

My father used to carry a small J frame in a Bianchi on his ankle. It's a formed holster and he lost the pistol twice, once in a grocery store. He also occasionally just stuck his pistol down his belt for the then ubertrendy Miami Vice look... and lost it down his leg in public. There just no way to look cool doing that. It's amazing how load Smith and Wesson on tile is.

I have tried and tried, but I just cannot draw my handguns rapidly enough from an ankle holster to feel comfortable with it as a primary carry location. Maybe it had to do with my carry guns G26 and P2000sk not really being ideal for ankle carry. I am however pretty happy with the Bianchi Ranger ankle holster.

 

[blitzen]

I carry a S&W airlight in an ankle holster and love it. There are times when you have to take your jacket off and take off your main weapon. I use an Uncle Mikes by the way.

 

[IlikeSA]

I have an Uncle Mikes as well. It does take some getting used to the extra weight on your leg. As mentioned above, drawing it is relatively slow too.

 

[jeepmor]

never ever blow your horn at a redneck.

That's some good advice, I'll second that.

I've been considering ankle carry, but I live in the PNw (frequently not unbearably hot) and my IWB holster with my 45 is frequently carried with just an untucked T-shirt.

After thinking about this same issue for a few days I have decided against it. CCW is fine and dandy, but reaching for your ankle pistol during a bank robbery or such would be rather conspicuous. Your hands in your pocket on a KelTec or Kahr PM40 size pistol would only be noticed by someone who knows what their looking for, not some bank robber trying to get everything done in 3 minutes and scoot out of there.

Carrying a pistol IWB at 4:00 is right next to your wallet should someone decide to mug you. Think about it, if some guy says, give me wallet and he's waving pistol or knife in your face, it's pretty easy to pull the pistol out and have said mugger think you are complying with his demands and digging out your wallet.

 

[Czar]

By retaining snap do you mean the thumbsnap? If so, that's poor advise. Have you ever run with it? No way that generic Uncle Mike's holster will hold your weapon in place when exercising vigorously. I guess you are relying on the tighness of the pant leg to hold the weapon in place.

Yes, I mean thumbsnap and I've jogged it out a few times and it hasn't budged once. I don't carry while exercising. Generally, I don't have a cause to move faster than walking speed. I didn't mean to imply that it would work for everyone, but it does work for me.

Generally, I have the main strap secured fairly tightly around the hightop of my boot which increases the pressure around the weapon holding it in place. It may be a generic holster but properly sized, it maintains a firm grip on the weapon without being restrictive. My pant leg does nothing to hold the weapon in place as my jeans are baggy-fit which aid in the reduction of printing.

Since Jester asked about different ankle carry systems, I'll take some photos of my setup and post them, pictures being worth a 1000 words and all...

 

[mb419]

I started with a Kel Tec 9mm in an ankle holster, but then moved up to a Glock 27. I carry in an ankle holster about 95% of the time. So far, it is the only truly comfortable way that I've found to carry.

You never have to worry about what to wear to cover your weapon, whether you're printing, or if your jacket is going to fly open, or whatever.

With it being comfortable to carry, you are also more likely to actually carry a pistol, which is the most important part of having a CWP. With a shoulder holster or a hip holster, there were lots of times when I thought "I just don't feel like messing with this today".

Give it a shot.

 

[gggman]

I carry a S&W 342 pd in a Galco ankle glove. I find it very comfortable. The 342 is only 11 oz. , so I barely know it's there. It's my "always there' weapon, whether or not I'm carrying my SP101 on my belt. I've been carrying it for years, and never been "made".

 

[Emptymag]

This will be my first contribution to the forum...

When I can't carry on the hip due to type of clothing being worn, I carry a Colt Pony (.380) in a Galco Ankle Glove.

No need to debate the drawback of carrying on the ankle... I only do so when no other option exists.

I can wear the Galco all day with NO discomfort due to the design and sheepskin backing. I've looked at lesser ankle rigs and you get what you pay for. Honestly, If I owned the company, I'd offer a money-back comfort guarantee... I like it that much.

I don't think you'll need to give up "firepower" in order to carry this way.
A Kel-Tec 3AT weighs 8.3 oz.
A Glock 26 (9mm) weighs 19.75 oz.
My Pony (.380) weighs 13 oz.

Carrying the Kel-Tec in an ankle holster is just silly IMHO.
My Pony is barely noticeable at 13 ozs. so I'm thinking a G26 would work as well.

Hope that helps.

 

[Rumble]

Ankle carry is the best "deep-cover" carry I've done. Despite it's obvious drawbacks, it is the one I'll turn to for maximum concealment. My "ankle-carry" gun is a snub .38.

 

[logical]

I have both a nice Ron Graham ankle holster and several front and back pocket holsters for my rohrbaugh R9s 9mm but frankly I've never found a time when one of the pocket holsters didn't seem like a better choice.

 

[Czar]

CZ75 Compact + Uncle Mikes Sidekick Size 1

The first is me just standing there (Red Wing lace-up boots & Baggy Jeans)

The second and third is how my gun sits on my leg.

The fourth is the gun in holster layed out.

 

[Czar]

These 2 pics show are a closer up of the holstered gun and how the gun sits in the holster. As you can see for a "generic" holster, this on fits my gun quite nicely wiht the only extra/ unnecessary play forward of the trigger guard (which would be helpful if I had any accessories there).

Towards the rear of the trigger guard, the last maybe 1-inch goes back up forming a pocket which helps stabilize and lock the gun into place which in my case deminishes the need for the thumb strap. This is a call I made for how I carry, YMMV!

I hope this helps in your thought process.





In retrospect, I might add that I've found high-top footwear to be the best base to velcro the holster around since that keeps a layer of insulation between my skin and a sinched down strap. Carrying like this is out of the question for tennis-shoes in my case.





Czar

 

[bluetopper]

I carry a Makarov in an Uncle Mike's nylon ankle rig. Very comfortable. It suits me because I rarely wear a jacket of any kind.
I also just ordered a NAA .22 Mag., 5 shot derringer that I'll try in my back pocket.

 

[FLA2760]

I find ankle carry great for my P32 BUG.