Ankle Holster Carry

[Red State]

How many of you out there use an ankle holster as your primary means of carry and concealment? What holster and gun do use?

Just from poking around the threads, it seems like IWB is the most common, but maybe my perception is wrong..............

 

[RubenZ]

IWB and OWB are the way you'll find most carry.

I'm thinking of getting a Ankle setup when my CHL comes in. Check out the Kel-Tech guns and the guns from KHAR.

Check them out:

http://www.kahr.com/PA-1_9mm_pm.html

http://www.kel-tec-cnc.com/p3at.html

 

[Czar]

I carry my CZ75 compact in an Uncle Mike's ankle holster. I posted pictures in another thread. I would prefer IWB as a primary means, but I haven't gotten a decent IWB holster yet.


Czar

 

[Ragnar Danneskjold]

I'll wear an ankle holster if I ever get far enough along in my LEO career to where I think a BUG is a good move. Until then, my CCW IWB will suffice.

 

[scubie02]

I use an ankle holster only when clothing or situation etc preclude me from carrying my usual primary in a belt holster for some reason or simply make that seem like the best option for the situation. I use a renegade and generally carry a j frame, but will probably get one for my kahr pm9 at some point as well. For me I wouldn't want to go alot heavier or bulkier than one of these guns or something in that class, otherwise people will probably eventually start calling you by nicknames such as "gimp" or some such thing...

 

[Cannonball888]

I use an ankle holster only when clothing or situation etc preclude me from carrying my usual primary in a belt holster

Same here. Work attire makes IWB imposssible for me.

 

[AK103K]

I've used a number over the years, and have found that this one from Desantis to be the most comfortable for (long) day long wear.

http://www.desantisholster.com/044.html

It has padding that is very comfortable against your leg, and a strap long enough to allow you to wear the holster over a boot (GI Matterhorne). The over the boot is definitely the most comfortable for long wear.

Uncle Mikes has no padding, or at least the ones I tried didnt, its been awhile. They were the most uncomfortable holsters I've tried. I also have a Galco with a sheepskin like lining that is borderline OK, but not near as comfortable as the Desantis.


If your planning on using this as you primary means of carry, you really need to think about a couple of things.

You really need pants with a full cut, and better yet, baggy leg. I normally wear Carhart type pants that are full cut, and they can still be tight. You also dont want the leg to taper at the bottom, for obvious reasons.

Make sure your pants are long enough. This may not be real noticeable standing, but once you sit, it can make a major difference. Some wear a second sock over the holster, but I've never found it to be comfortable or to really work, as I was always having to fiddle with it.

Getting out of your car can also be hairy at times. An ankle holster is a lot easier to get to in the car though.

Shorts wont work to well for concealment, but sure do make it a lot easier to get to your gun.

You really need to practice getting to your gun and think about how you will under every imaginable situation. Consider and increase your distances to the target. You may have to r u n n o f t until you can get to a place you can. Contrary to what you might hear, it isnt as slow to get to as you might think, but its definitely slower than most other methods of carry, and tends to put you in not so great positions. On the otherhand, it can be a good position too, depending.

Keep in mind where your gun is going to be. You will need to keep a close watch on it and keep after it cleaning wise. It will get a lot more dirt and crud in it than it would on your belt. Water hazards are a hazard too. Its also in a spot that tends to get banged up too. More of a give away issue than anything else though.


All that said, I usually only use it for a backup. I normally carry IWB, which I believe is the most comfortable and concealable way to carry any size handgun.

 

[230RN]

Just to try out the concept, about two years ago I got an Uncle Mike's Small Auto for the left side (being right-handed.

I actually found that wearing it on the right side, on the inside of the ankle, worked best for me.

But I found, just by trying things out, that my Detective Special revolver fit in it better and made for better "grabbance" than the .380 for which it was intended.

Wearing it this way left the butt pointing forward.

On this particular holster, one had to be careful in alignment of the Velcro (TM) straps because any overhang led to irritation from the rough Velcro(TM). You will also probably find yourself having to make an adjustment or two after moving around a bit, like walking to the car.

Wearing a sock that went halfway up my calf, but not so far as the wide elastic band just under the knee made it much more comfortable. Actually, after a while, at least during ordinary walking, it seemed pretty stable and secure, although if you paid attention, you could of course feel it moving around. I'm pretty arthritic, so I figured I wasn't ever going to dislodge it by climbing chain link fences or running down alleys after bad guys.

I concur on the vulnerability to water and dirt. I got splashed by a passing car once, and had to find someplace I could dry it off. I finally used a plastic bag from a nearby 7-11 to wrap the gun in for the remainder of my trip.

One must also keep in mind the poem about the last three drops going down your pants.

I've also been concerned about sweat soaking into the material of the holster, drying off and leaving the salt embedded in the holster to cause corrosion later. I have not yet rinsed the holster off to remove the salt, but so far, no rust has appeared. I do wipe the gun down every time I pick it up, though. Just a habit.

I also concer with the slooow speed involved in bringing the gun to bear. Ecept with really loose-legged pants, it was actually faster to drop my pants to grab it than haul up the pants leg. No joke. I kid you not.

I'd prefer a hammerless revolver or auto with an ankle holster since the hammers do tend to catch on the pants cuff or other folded-over parts of the pants in unlimbering the gun. However, I do not have a hammerless firearm at this point to confrim this thesis.

The much-maligned belly pack is of course a lot faster, but if you're just going to the movies or erranding around town, it's not bad. It's not my preference, but sometimes it just works better than anything else, concealment-wise.

At least you have one with you.

 

[1BLINDREF]

I carry a S&W 642 in an Desantis Apache ankle rig every day to work. I'd prefer to carry IWB or OWB (a Sig P239 or P229) but I can't take a chance on getting "made" at work (not allowed to defend myself at work ).
I wear it for anywhere from 10 to 11 1/2 hours a day. It's comfortable and I forget I'm wearing it. At $35.00 you can't beat it.

 

[springmom]

Not me. I have enough trouble not tripping over my feet.

A friend of mine, a Harris County sherriff's deputy, does carry that way when need be) but he's welcome to it.

Besides, it requires slacks or jeans, long ones. Not in the Houston summer.

Springmom

 

[zoom6zoom]

Not always the primary, but a 642 in a Galco Ankle Glove. Very comfortable.

 

[strat81]

+1 to the DeSantis, I use mine with the calf strap/garter. Work attire precludes other methods of carry for me. A Glock 26 rides in it and is very comfortable. I usually wear khakis for work and they conceal fine, as do boot cut jeans.