Ankle Holster-Practical or Not ?

[MedWheeler]

I carried as such for years as a cop (back-up gun) and got to where I could run, drive, fight, and do whatever with it without it ever coming loose or bothering me. However, I really didn't like to carry my gun (.38 snub the first few years, then a Walther PPK/S) that way off duty. It was a slower draw than I liked, and I just never got good at it.
I did recently come across my old rig (it's been nearly 20 years since I left the job) and figure I might try it out as a BUG-rig for my one-night-a-week pizza delivery gig, though I will continue to carry my PF-9 on my hip in its ITB rig.)

 

[scaatylobo]

last choice

I carried a BUG in ankle for a few decades [ about 3 ] but it was the last choice for a BUG as it required me to use 2 hands and kneel to get to that gun.

Also consider that part of my year is spent with snow on the ground and that could be a problem if it got in the barrel or just rusted the barrel.

I still use a ankle rig as I am now retired and during the day in a public park [ etc ] I feel less threat than say a city street at night.

So the ankle rig is only for LOW threat scenerios or BUG stuff = imnsho.

 

[Erik M]

I have used an ankle rig for a BUG, but never for a primary carry position. I don't want to have to kneel down to draw my primary.

 

[Cosmoline]

Clint at TR teaches some interesting ankle holster draws while on the ground.

 

[harrygunner]

No need to raise a leg or kneel.

I'm right handed, so, I extend my left leg ahead of my right and bent a bit. Then, I use my left hand to grab the left pant leg at about 1:30 and pull up. This way, the back of the pant leg clears the revolver grip. Then, I grab the gun with my right hand. Eyes stay on target.

Mr. Ayoob published a photo of the technique in a magazine in the late 90's.

 

[killchain]

I debated this problem and ended up going with the front pocket over an ankle holster.

It's much quicker for me, and I am in a work environment that is non-permissive. No one has asked once what's in my front right pocket.

 

[LAK]

I think it has merit as a "driving in a motor vehicle" carry (or anywhere you are seated most of the time), and as a "last ditch" second gun location.

Major cons;

Relatively slow and awkward draw, body off-balance during draw, upper body low to the ground - vulnerable.

Holstered gun on ankle profiles badly when the wind is blowing the wrong way.

----------------------------------

Je Suis Prest

 

[JellyJar]

I lived in Houston TX for 26 years. During that time certain EPA agents gained the authority to carry handguns to enforce EPA laws for the first time. If I remember correctly, the first EPA agent shot and killed was leaving a popular downtown restaurant when he was assaulted by an armed robber. The agent was carrying a revolver in an ankle holster and "went for it". He did not surrive.

For 13 years I worked in an old Furniture store not far from this restaurant. We often had Houston Police Officers working off duty as security guards. One in particular, always carried a S&W Airweight J frame as backup to first his Model 27 and then later his Model 29.

I don't believe that ankle holsters are good for primary carry but can be life savers when used for BUGs.

BTY...I believe that that particular officer could have taken on the whole Hell's Angles gang singlehandedly using only that J frame and his growl and come out on top without a scratch.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

As a place for a second gun, I can see it. Under no circumstances will I use one for my only gun. "Please, Mr. Badguy, don't shoot, stab or bludgeon me while I kneel down or hop on one leg so I can get my gun out."

 

[Snowy Rivers]

An ankle rig certainly has its drawbacks, Buttttt the points made have merrit.

An ankle rig is great if as was mentioned, you are in the heavy presence of "Muggles" (Those who dont like guns)

For gals with a purse that can be snatched, a perfect choice under the Jeans.

I have put several of my Lady students into Ankle rigs.

Its not perfect, but with practice you can use it reliably. Just remember its limitations.

As a backup for an officer in a car its great.

I have worked in the "Do Jo" with other trainers and we have experimented with the ankle rig.

If you have been knocked down, you can do a lot with an ankle unit.

The need to kneel is not always a bad thing.

I will not get into a thrashing match over all the ins and outs here but there are good points, Bad too Butttt, make the best of it if this is the only good option you have.

People dont go around looking at pant legs and shoes to see if they can spy a gun. This is a good thing.

A long "T" Shirt worn outside the pants on an otherwise well groomed individual immediately tells me that it may well be hiding a gun.

Pant legs routinely lay on top of the shoes and can cover some fire power without drawing any attention.

And on a 90+F day, a fellow with even a light vest that hangs below hip pocket level just says, "I am hiding some hardware under this vest"


Being absolutely discreet is impossible.

Hell, half the people in my town know me on site and definately know I carry.

The local gang bangers have found out the hard way a couple times, as I have introduced them to it, as I called the cops to come and haul their stupid Butts off.

No hard pro or con arguement here, some good points, some bad points.

Snowy

 

[agtman]

Back in the '80s, a vice cop in South Florida carried one of these in an ankle holster ...

Can't imagine what that would feel like during a foot-pursuit in the real world.

I've tried a Bianchi Triad - but I agree, if you're going to do it, choice of pants are critical.

 

[lemaymiami]

I might as well chime in here since I did carry my primary weapon (early hi-cap medium frame S&W 9mm, then Sig Sauer P229 40 cal) for many years in an ankle holster. In the early years I used the style that had the extra 'garter belt' support, later on went to just a well padded single ankle holster. I've been out of that world now for fifteen years but here are the reasons that I learned to live with that ankle holster and the relatively large size sidearm that it held...

I found that the difference between your daily carry and an "off duty" weapon were a significant disadvantage if you actually needed to use that weapon. All your training, all your memorized routines involve that daily carry... In a serious confrontation (and I managed to have one or two...) a five shot 'j' frame or other easily concealed weapon is an invitation to a very bad time. As I've already stated I learned to live with that ankle holster, even with the drawbacks everyone has so clearly mentioned. The slow draw is clearly offset by the ability to appear un-armed until you have an opportunity to change the situation. There is one drawback that hasn't been mentioned and I live with it.... Any doctor can easily see which ankle the weapon was on - even fifteen years later since I have what appears to be varicose veins on that one place.

The other reasons for what I've described have to do with living and working in south Florida for many years. My years in law enforcement were from 1973 to 1995 and all in Dade county. Rarely in those years did I ever encounter opponents who were lightly armed... heavily armed was the rule rather than the exception. Bad situations were quite likely to involve more than one opponent. I was very lucky in those years and only had to use a weapon one time in many encounters, but the possibilities were enough to keep you up at night.... By the way, in my experience a handgun is what you use because you couldn't get to something heavier....

 

[agtman]

I might as well chime in here since I did carry my primary weapon (early hi-cap medium frame S&W 9mm, then Sig Sauer P229 40 cal) for many years in an ankle holster. In the early years I used the style that had the extra 'garter belt' support, later on went to just a well padded single ankle holster. ***

I found that the difference between your daily carry and an "off duty" weapon were a significant disadvantage if you actually needed to use that weapon. All your training, all your memorized routines involve that daily carry... In a serious confrontation (and I managed to have one or two...) a five shot 'j' frame or other easily concealed weapon is an invitation to a very bad time. As I've already stated I learned to live with that ankle holster, even with the drawbacks everyone has so clearly mentioned. The slow draw is clearly offset by the ability to appear un-armed until you have an opportunity to change the situation. There is one drawback that hasn't been mentioned and I live with it.... Any doctor can easily see which ankle the weapon was on - even fifteen years later since I have what appears to be varicose veins on that one place.

The other reasons for what I've described have to do with living and working in south Florida for many years. My years in law enforcement were from 1973 to 1995 and all in Dade county. Rarely in those years did I ever encounter opponents who were lightly armed... heavily armed was the rule rather than the exception. Bad situations were quite likely to involve more than one opponent. I was very lucky in those years and only had to use a weapon one time in many encounters, but the possibilities were enough to keep you up at night ***

Those are all great points. Thanks.

 

[david58]

I haven't really considered it practical for me - my ankles are simply too long and skinny for a rig to work. Laugh if you will, but my long ankles will barely keep socks up. You should have heard the abuse I used to take as a soccer referee in days passed...

I think a pocket rig will be the trick, but still debating the BUG concept and just what and how. My primary today is a 1911, but I am going smaller and more capacity, and am looking at a "tuckable" holster. The summertime vest is a dead give-away, as is the open untucked shirt over a tee (especially when the guy is wearing tactical pants, has a crew cut, etc etc). An FBI friend uses a tuckable holster, and if you didn't know he was carrying and where to look, you'd not know he was carrying.

 

[lemaymiami]

concealed and ready....

Lots of differences depending on where you live and the clothing styles for one season or another. Down here in paradise one of the best choices for concealed carry is a simple Guayabera shirt that's designed to be worn outside the pants. For those that have never seen Cuba's contribution to fashion.... think of the comfortable lightweight shirts that every barber wears at work. Buy a size larger than normal and you're able to wear vest and a few surprises fairly well concealed. I was one of many that lobbied to be allowed to wear them to court as well. Can't say that worked out very well but we tried....

Funny thing, in the fifteen years since I left police work I haven't carried a weapon one time even though I've kept my permit valid...

 

[theory]

A nice P3AT or Ruger LCP on the ankle would be a fabulous backup gun.

 

[Kentuckiana rifleman]

I will join the side of the people who don't use ankle holsters. I personally do not like having a weapon that I might have to depend on near the end of my leg. I personally only use hip, upper leg, and rig mounted holsters. On top of which I do care to bend down to grab my pistol when rounds are flying around, for some reason I feel like I'm taking my eyes off my target and am rendered useless for a few seconds. MGD 45, I watched your vid and found it informative. I will probably give the this type a holster system one more try.

 

[ObsidianOne]

I just finished reading Massad Ayoob's book on carrying concealed. He argues that the ankle holster, if it's something that works for you, is great for a BUG, but not at all for a primary due to the requirements of getting to the gun in a time of need. Last resort gun only.

Another fine point he makes, is the gun is subject to dirt and grime buildup, more than you'd think, and semiautos don't perform here as well as revolvers.

 

[mikerault]

I use an ankle holster for a S&W BG .38 special as a BUG. My primary is a XD9mCD in a IWB kidney carry Super Cross Tuck

 

[ChCx2744]

I was in a foot pursuit with a G26 in a Blackhawk ankle rig a year ago; I caught the perp, but I didn't look pretty afterwards. The holster was twisted the other way and loosened up so much that it was clapping around everywhere. If you get an ankle rig, make SURE it is very secure and is able to hold retention after bursts of sudden sprinting, jumping, falling, climbing, etc. Also, it doesn't hurt to have some sort of retention strap either, you can very easily lose a gun from an open top ankle rig.

 

[Kentuckiana rifleman]

I think that the most ankle holsters were originally used for was to keep the pistol hidden if someone were to receive a pat down, not like the ones TSA gives so many people everyday, rather when some security guard halfheartedly scans you. I'm not trying to sound like some armchair general saying that it's the gospel and should never be used I'm just applying what it looks like and the two times I've tried wearing them.

 

[Rexster]

Daily carry? No, not currently.

Specialized circumstances? Yes, usually for a secondary weapon. If nothing else, an ankle rig is a good place to insert one's front or cargo pocket gun while driving. When about to exit the car, and walk much, discreetly move the weapon from ankle to pocket. Reverse when getting into the car.

I long used ankle carry for a secondary weapon when in a police uniform.

I have Alessi ankle holsters for the Seecamp, J-frame, SP101, and SIG P245, which fits my P229 pistols fine. The latter two are obviously used only when wearing certain pants.