Ankle Carry

[civileng]

I am looking at ankle carry as means to carry my ccw weapon. I am either going to buy a G26/27 or a S&W 642. If anybody has EXPERIENCE carrying these on a daily basis, your advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.

 

[highfive]

Civileng I carry in my ankle sometimes (it will depend on clothes of the day) I usually carry there a Bersa 380 or a snubnose revolver which will be a Rossi 38 spcl or S&w 642. All I like the way they feel there. Happy hunt

 

[Coronach]

I carry a 640 (the heavier, all-steel version of the 642) in a Galco Ankle Glove. In all seriousness, I frequently forget it is there. My wife has laughed at me sitting and surreptitiously (or so I thought) reaching down to check. With your alloy 642, it sould be even more pleasant. It took me about three days to get used to the feel.

The Galco rig (I got the version with the calf-strap and no thumb break, since the 640 is hammerless, but with the retention screw) is very secure. I'm a cop and have been involved in many a scuffle and foot chase, and the holster has never once slipped, given way, or coughed up the gun. It is a good, solid rig. It is as reliable as the day I bought it (in 1999), and I've probably worn it almost every day since then. Seriously. I can't think of a day in which I never had it on, though I'm sure there were a few- ok. I was laid up with the flu for a day, once. There you go. I'm sure there were a few more.

I promised myself that when this Galco gave out, I would spring for a "real high quality" rig, like an Alessi. Maybe one day we'll see if I go back on my word. Right now I see no reason to upgrade.

Mike

 

[scubie02]

what sort of advice were you looking for? I have a Renegade ankle holster for j frames and have carried either a 642 or a 32 mag version (forget the model number right off) with no problems

 

[sgphoto]

I regularly carry a Makarov in a Galco Ankle Glove w/calf strap, 4-5 times a week. I forget it's there.

Very secure. Perfect for khakis or dress pants. Jeans tend to have legs that are too tight.

Steve

 

[jlrhiner]

I am sometimes forced to carry my Mdl 36 in a Fobus ankle holster. (Because of clothing choices). It does take some getting used to, as previously stated, after a time, you won't know it's there.

 

[massnee]

I carry a g27 in a galco ankle glove all day...every day. I sometimes forget it is there.

 

[1BLINDREF]

I carry a S&W 642 in an Desantis Apache Ankle rig every weekday for at least 10 - 11 1/2 hours a day. At around $35.00 you can't go wrong.

 

[isp2605]

I carried a blued 49 and then a 649 everyday, all day from 1975 until last yr when I retired. As Coronach said you get use to it. In fact if I left the house without my ankle rig on it felt strange.

 

[mb419]

I also carry a Glock 27 in an ankle holster almost every day, and it's one of the best ways that I've found to carry one. You'll almost forget that it's there. During the summer though, I've started to carry it in the cargo pocket of my camo shorts. The camo pattern helps to break up the outline of the gun, and no one even looks at you. You can feel it though, bouncing against your knee. Oh well, at least you know that it's still there!

 

[Joe Sacco]

Having once stood with my hands in the air and a Walther P-38 stuck on the end of my nose because my partner couldn't get to his ankle holster I strongly recommend against ankle carry. Bending over or going on one foot in a crisis situation invites all sorts of troubles. Back in the 1970's the NYPD noted some officer shootings where cops who had had their service revolvers taken away ended up shot in the head. Analysis showed the common thread was they had their back up guns in ankle holsters (they apparently instinctively bent over and got shot). Just one old guy's 2 cents. Best, Joe


PS The rest of the story is the perp, who was seriously coked up, got distracted and got his skull fractured and did 5 in the Danbury Club Fed.

 

[usp9]

I carried a Charter Arms Undercover in a ankle holster when I was younger, back in the late '70s. I must admit I never forgot it was there. I only carried there because I had to, but I never liked it. It is hard to get to, forget a quick draw, hard to hide all but the smaller guns, and constantly "there". I'm not trying to talk you out of it, just to say not all ankle carry was fine. As soon as I could I went to a more comfortable and accessable belt holster. If you're going to wear one, my advise, buy the best you can.

 

[isp2605]

The advantage of ankle carry is when sitting in a squad car. Often you can get to your ankle gun quicker than your duty gun on your belt. While ankle carry isn't ideal it is a better option than no 2nd gun and it is very well concealed.

 

[Richard Simmons]

How does one get a gun stuck in their nose because their partner couldn't get to his/her gun fast enough? What happened to your gun?

 

[Joe Sacco]

We went to an apartment with an informant to negotiate a deal, no dope or buy money present. Supposedly all very friendly. Unbeknownst to us the informant owed the perp money and he thought we were coming to strong arm him. Soon as the door locked he drew down on us. The informant was behind me, between me and the door, and my partner was on my left. The perp was focused on me and if my partner was belt carrying could have had a chance to draw thereby maybe getting a stand-off or popping the guy.
Needless to say this was in the days before written ops plans etc.( winter 1975) and we had no back up. I had a Seecamp-ized Combat Commander stuck in my belt under a snapped up down vest and a borrowed size regular small zipped up field jacket. I was definitely a "large" at the time, but it was one of those New York days that started out mild and ended up freezing so a snatched a buddies coat as we left the office for what we thought was going to be a 10 minute meet, I looked like a sausage. But I had no chance from the get go, he had the drop on me.

 

[Richard Simmons]

Sounds like a bad deal all around (had you partner been able to pull I'd imagine you'd have been the first one shot), though it doesn't sound like a situation your average CCW holder is likely to encounter. More likely a VA Tech type incident or a Lubby Cafeteria, Utah Mall or San Ysidro McDonalds where an ankle carry shouldn't be a negative.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

For the ankle carriers: do you carry your only gun this way? It doesn't strike me as being a very good idea. For a backup, sure.

 

[Richard Simmons]

Yep pretty much. Sorry you don't think it's a very good idea but then again nothings perfect in everyones mind. I know guys who don't think it's a very good idea if you don't carry two guns and a reload for both. Everyone has an opinon.

 

[Joe Sacco]

Hey Richard, All this stuff is just guys talkin'. You've gotta do what works for you. Remember, the first rule of a gun fight is have a gun. Big gun, small gun, caliber, how you carry it is all academic. In fact, having the gun isn't even as important as a fighting mind-set (but it's a real close second). Take my word, it's a REAL bad feeling when everybody else has a gun and you don't.

Whatever you choose, practice, practice, practice. Best, Joe

 

[Richard Simmons]

I know Joe. Just weary of all the "experts", most of whom have never used a firearm for self defense and probablynever will but still feel obligated to tell you what your doing wrong or how you don't have a big enough caliber or don't practice the right way, etc, etc, etc. It would be so much nicer it they just told folks what they do and why they do it instead of passing judgement on someone or something they really no nothing about. Of course it is the internet wo I shouldn't take it too seriously though there are a lot of folks looking for good, accurate information and not a place to stroke their ego.

 

[Joe Sacco]

I understand. I apologize if I pontificated. Comes from having kids. I didn't have my first conscious thought 'til I was 35, before that I thought I was immortal. Now,like the man said, "The older I get the faster I was." Best, Joe

 

[DavidVS]

In reply to The Lone Haranguer,

I often carry my only gun in an Galco "cop series" ankle band. There are three caveats...

First, this most often happens at work (synagogue or community college) in a setting where I will most likely offend someone to an extreme degree if they find out I am carrying, even though I am carrying legally, responsibly, and for the overall community's protection. For my body shape the ankle carry is far more thoroughly concealed than IWB carry, and given the historical safety of both workplaces this is a trade-off I choose to make. You have the right to disagree, of course.

Second, at work I spend a lot of time sitting at a desk. This makes IWB less workable and ankle carry more workable, at least for my body shape.

Third, I'm not carrying to defend myself. Theologically, I trust God to defend me, but feel it is responsible to carry in case God wants to use me as part of how he helps defend others (my congregants, students). In that mindset a slower draw is acceptable. This is especially true at the community college: if, Heaven forbid, that college ever has its first shooting it's probably not starting in my classroom, and I'll have plenty of time after hearing a shot to draw my revolver and begin escorting my students out of the building according to school policy and procedures. Again, you may disagree with this mindset.

As a final note, ankle carry is also, for me, by far the most comfortable. I've learned to fold a paper towel and tuck it under my sock before putting on the holster. This extra bit of moisture absorption allows me to ankle carry all day, and, as others have noted, I soon stop noticing the holster or gun.

 

[Checkman]

I carry in an ankle holster. It isn't always ideal, but as others have noted sometimes it's the only option if you want to be armed. It's an imperfect world.