Can someone expand on why you don't want to wear one for long distances?
Reasons I don't use a drop leg for hiking:
-It can be uncomfortable on the legs over longer distances. The straps can cause chafing, and they require periodic readjustment as they work their way down, vs. a good holster on a gun belt which will generally stay put even with a lot of movement. This won't be a factor for most day hikes, but moving over 10 miles on foot through mountainous terrain over a period of 72 hours while wearing over 50 lbs of gear is what I'm talking about. If you're not doing that, you don't need a drop leg. Even in that case, many will choose a chest-mounted rig on their plate carrier or body armor.
-Many people mistakenly believe that a drop leg is a faster rig. They can be comparable to belt carry for speed with practice, but will not be faster for most folks, even with training. The beltline is closer to the endstate of a good shooting stance and is inherently faster because of it.
-Just because it bears repeating, the purpose of the drop leg is to get your pistol clear of your body armor.
-Very subjectively, if I see someone wearing a drop leg without a reason, that person's going to get a second glance. It's similar to if I show up at the range to find a group of acne-ridden teens dressed in black trench coats blowing ammo downrange. It may not be fair, but it conveys a black belt in mall ninjitsu. The reason I've honed this generality is that folks in and out of uniform downrange who habitually wear drop legs when they have no reason to, and other options are available, tend to be a dangerous sort - highly motivated and enthusiastic, but in an uninformed way because they don't get outside the wire much if at all. Not as bad as the ones who wear a shoulder rig down to the knee, but still worth keeping an eye on.
Having said all that, if you decide to do it:
-The most common newb error with a drop leg is to wear it out of reach. The pistol should still ride where you can grip it without having to lean heavy to one side. In fact, it should be adjusted to get clear of whatever you need it to get clear of, and no lower.
-Practice your draw.
-Like most holster types, the cheap ones that will fit any pistol tend to be of lower quality, less comfort, and either slower on the draw or lacking retention. If you're going to do it, spend the money and get a Safariland, 5.11 Thumb Drive, or Blackhawk Serpa that's designed for the gun in question.
-Have a thick skin, and understand that the odd glances you're getting from others on the trail may have nothing to do with the fact that you're carrying a gun, and everything to do with your chosen method of carry.
