Ankle Carry

[Skribs]

I'm mostly a IWB/OWB/pocket kind of carrier. I typically wear pullover sweatshirts (lately switched to a synthetic jacket, but oh well) and don't like the idea of cross-draw, so a shoulder rig wouldn't suit me, and I've avoided an ankle holster because I primarily wear shorts and tennis shoes as opposed to pants and/or boots.

However, I've started to get a little more interested in ankle carry since someone mentioned it's the easiest method to draw from while driving (seat belt makes it hard to get from the belt or pocket). Of course, I'm not planning on changing my attire at this time, so I don't know how much weight that would hold.

So, my questions here are:

1) Do you typically ankle carry on your strong-hand side or support-hand side?
2) How do you conceal it, or do you just OC with it on your ankle while wearing shorts? (The later is a possibility for me).

If it helps, I'd be looking at something like a Shield or XDs, or possibly a M&Pc for ankle carry.

 

[SharpsDressedMan]

Check back on a seach at THR. There have been several related ankle carry threads with loads of info. http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=648085&highlight=ankle+holster And many more.

 

[kcshooter]

I carry my BUG on the inside of my weak side ankle, but I carry concealed strictly, so in the rare occasions that I wear shorts, I don't carry that way. I'm in pants 99% of the time.

If you're OK with open carry, I don't see a problem, it is a lot better when seated and driving, which is my main motivation behind carry in that method. (That may even have been my post you're referring to.)

 

[rcmodel]

I never could warm up to it with a similar weight S&W snubby.
It's like duct taping a brick to one leg, so you walk with a limp for the first week and your leg gets sore under the holster.

Then, if you do need the gun in a real hurry?
Laying flat on your back with your leg waving in the air is the fastest way to get too it.

Probably a viable way for a cop or someone to deep-carry a small BUG, because he will probably be flat on his back already if he ever needs it.

Myself, I'd rather not be in that position in the first place.
Or hopping around on one leg trying to draw while being attacked either.

rc

 

[Skribs]

It might have been KC, I honestly have no idea.

Rc, while standing, I wouldn't have too much trouble getting it out, and its an easy reach while sitting down.

 

[basicblur]

If it helps, I'd be looking at something like a Shield...

Well I can help ya there!?
I've been looking for something a little more concealable for summer carry, and recently bought a SHIELD and DeSantis Die Hard Ankle Rig.

Not enough real world experience with it yet, but so far it seems like a nice rig.
I wear in on the inside of my left leg (right handed) and so far, OK.

After getting the Die Hard, I figured I might as well try DeSantis' Neoprene Double Ankle Mag Pouch - tried it on the inside right leg, but too much banging going on with the SHIELD on the left leg. Looks like I'll have to use the double mag rig on the outside of the right leg?

BTW - prices on DeSantis much under MSRP at Optics Planet, along with free shipping and easily found 5% discount codes.
(ASC20121, opiv5of, bx5md9t4, efb5rc, bx5sm9n, bx5sm9g4, 5% off orders over $50 using code THRFORUM, etc)

 

[kcshooter]

Yeah, it takes a week to get used to, but didn't the gun on your hip take a few days (or more) to adjust to also?

It's a lot easier to get to when seated than a BUG pocket gun, and I carry my main gun at about 4:30 position IWB so when in a seat belt, it's tough to get to in a hurry.

It is a BUG, but in my vehicle, it does become my primary. When I'm not seated or driving, my main gun hopefully will keep me from needing the other one, but if I do, the best way to draw, for me, is:
Grab left pant leg with left hand
Step out with pant leg captured and pull up pant leg. (stepping away partly exposes the gun and lowers my upper body closer to the gun I need to grab)
Grab gun and fire.

It's not fast, but it's not slow either. I can also do it without needing to look. Practice, like anything else, is important too.

For a primary gun, I wouldn't recommend it. But for a backup, it's a viable option, if you can get used to it.

 

[basicblur]

...or do you just OC with it on your ankle while wearing shorts?

Well thanks for painting me that mental picture! (I'm gonna spend the rest of the day trying to get it outta my head).

Well, maybe if you wear those shorts and ankle rig with socks and Birkenstocks?

 

[Skribs]

I actually wonder how the DeSantis wallet holster would work for a Shield/XDs?

 

[Striker]

I only ankle carry in Mess Dress/Black Tie attire.

I prefer a Galco holster, inside weak side with an airweight J frame for this type of carry.

 

[scaatylobo]

BUG,

I carry a BUG in the ankle rig a good deal of the time and have done so for 30 years.

First as an armored courier,then as an LEO.

I still carry a BUG and that is often the way I do so.

I have carried so many different guns in that manner that I hesitate to list them all.

I use a pocket carry with cargo shorts [ on now ] as ankle is a no,no in my state as far as OC goes.Besides I think it looks silly.

I practice the draw at the range and draw to shoot often.

Right now its the S&W 360 snub at 9 ounces,.357 magnum - loaded with +P GDHP.

 

[dogrunner]

Ankle carry's OK I guess if you don't have an aversion to doing the one legged chicken if the need for a piece suddenly and urgently comes upon you!....Then too, trying to run with one of the things is problematic at best........I recall one of the D's I worked with drop kicking his model 60 into a major roadway when it came loose during a pursuit. I also saw another drive a plus p thru his lower foot when he grabbed and yanked under stress!

If you are, and intend to remain relatively sedentary, then it'l work, but to just adopt the method less some very real consideration of it's limitations is a very bad mistake. Of all the carry methods I am aware of, ankle is the one that absolutely demands practice in order to realise any practical application.

 

[Texan Scott]

do you just OC with it on your ankle while wearing shorts?

LOL... preferrably with sandals and knee-high colored socks...

 

[Skribs]

Between my history with trampolines, biking, tae kwon do, and gymnastics, I have absolutely no qualms about my ability to stand on one leg for the two seconds it takes to grab the gun.

ETA: Texan, you posted as I was writing. I typically wear cargo shorts with white crew socks (yanked up) and black tennis shoes.

 

[harrygunner]

One doesn't stand on one leg to draw, unless you're in a phone booth or a closet.

Mr. Ayoob presented text and photos in a magazine in the late 90's.

1) Place your weak foot out and ahead of you about two feet. (I practice placement considering I might need to move my weight rearward over my strong leg to kick with the weak, or to move forward to the weak to kick with the strong foot, karate style.)

2) Keep your eye on the perp and grab your weak pant on the inside near your knee and pull up, exposing the gun.

3) Keeping your eye on the perp, reach with your strong hand to draw the gun.

I suspect Mr. Ayoob might have lost the copyright in the divorce he discussed publicly. Too bad, the section about ankle carry was part of a comprehensive lesson on general carrying, the best I've ever read in one place.

The other thing I do, on his recommendation, is to wear a thin sock inside a regular sock. I wrap the holster around the thin sock, then pull the regular sock over the bottom of the holster. This way, if my pant leg rises while sitting, others, see sock instead of holster.

 

[Skribs]

The other thing I do, on his recommendation, is to wear a thin sock inside a regular sock. I wrap the holster around the thin sock, then pull the regular sock over the bottom of the holster. This way, if my pant leg rises while sitting, others, see sock instead of holster.

Might work for shorts, it'll obviously print but I can see it working.

 

[harrygunner]

Disclaimer: My post was for general edification and is not to be construed as endorsing ankle carry with shorts.

 

[Onward Allusion]

Skribs
Ankle Carry

Ankle carry on weak side, inside ankle/leg. IMO, it is only useful in a BUG situation or for draw while sitting in a car. I would not use ankle carry as a primary method.

 

[coolluke01]

I've been ankle carrying a Glock 26 with a +2 mag extension for months now. Galco Ankle glove holster works great.

I got used to it right away. The weight is not an issue at all, I don't really notice it there much and it doesn't affect the way I walk at all.

For me it's the only way I can carry during the day. It's more comfortable than IWB and you can easily get to it while seated.

 

[Onward Allusion]

Skribs
I actually wonder how the DeSantis wallet holster would work for a Shield/XDs?

It depends on how large you are and how big your back pocket is. For me, I'm 5'11" - 180lb and wear a 33" to 34" waist. I can't carry anything larger than a P32, P3AT, LCP, Guardian, or Seecamp in my back pocket w/o having any bit of it peaking out of the back pocket on a pair of jeans. I tried with a P-9 and a P-11 and it barely fits my back pocket and the grip juts out with a DeSantis Superfly. As for front pants pocket, forget it. I can't even get it in.

 

[Skribs]

Onward, the DeSantis Wallet Holster is a holster designed for wallets or similarly sized objects to go on the ankle. They have a few different non-gun ankle holsters, one for cell phones, one for wallet, etc.

I don't even carry my wallet in my back pocket.

I wouldn't carry my primary in an ankle rig, but I'd definitely carry a BUG there, XDs/Shield/M&Pc is BUG material IMO.

 

[kcshooter]

Ankle carry's OK I guess if you don't have an aversion to doing the one legged chicken if the need for a piece suddenly and urgently comes upon you!....

...because you have no idea how to properly execute the carry method you chose.

It ain't rocket science, but yeah, it isn't for those with IQ's in the 70's either.

Of all the carry methods I am aware of, ankle is the one that absolutely demands practice in order to realise any practical application.

I can't think of a single one that doesn't.

OK, maybe in-hand carry.

 

[X-Rap]

I can't think of a carry position that leaves you more vulnerable during the draw than that of the ankle.
If it were a bug and one assumed to be on the ground fighting or behind cover it would be a different story.

 

[buck460XVR]

I use a Bianchi Ranger Triad for ankle carry with an Airweight J-Frame. I carry it on the inside on my weak side. I use this method when driving a car or riding the Road King makes IWB or pocket carry difficult. I also find at times when I'm not riding or driving that probably 70% of the time I'm seated anyways. IMHO, when it comes to CCW holsters, none are perfect for all scenarios. I practice drawing from the ankle rig while seated and dropping down from a standing position. I do not have to hop like a chicken and find it is just as fast as other methods of carry once you practice and get used to it. The triad is so comfortable that most times I forget I have it on. The weight of the J-frame is less than the weight of my work boots. I have also wore it while trompin' up and down the hills while turkey/deer hunting and while working construction. It has yet to "fall out" or hurt my leg. It is however, not a holster for those that like to wear those "skinny leg" fashion type jeans, but for cargo pants, Chinos, carpenter jeans and boot cut jeans it works well.

 

[basicblur]

I actually wonder how the DeSantis wallet holster would work for a Shield/XDs?

Not familiar with the wallet holster, but why not use the right tool for the job (a holster designed for the gun)?

A few points (on multiple subjects):
1. AFA the DeSantis Die Hard Ankle Rig - it has a retention strap, which should prevent ankle guns from "flying off" etc. It also has a nice piece of sheepskin on the inside to help with ankle comfort. Nuttin' to do with comfort, but it has a different lining than any of my other holsters - a bit soft, light tan color (my rig is black), and appears like it would be easy on the gun's finish?
2. As someone earlier stated - if you're going to use one, it doesn't take long to learn how to use it, and one of Ayoob's books I have (Probably The Gun Digest Book of Concealed Carry) covers the subject rather well.

I don't know where folks are getting the chicken dance thing from?

For the heckuvit, I Googled Ayoob Ankle Carry and quickly came upon this article: Ankle Holster Carry - The good, bad & ugly.
It's even got five scrolling pix for those who don't want to take the time to do a little research and read a bit.

Just blew through the article, but it appears while being favorable towards ankle carry ('specially if the other option is going unarmed), it also appears to be a bit dated? I notice he talks of using a revolver with an ankle rig - there's a lot more stuff to choose from these days than the article would lead one to believe? (like new lightweight single stacks like the SHIELD).

Can we please do a little homework before throwing stuff like the chicken dance out there?
This reminds me of all the 'Net experts telling of all the reasons not to use a light / weapon light (or lasers) at night, when it was obvious from their posts they had NO IDEA of how to use a light for SD.

C'mon folks...do a little research (Google is your friend)!