MCgunner
Member
Alloy .38s have been around since the 50s. My Taurus 85SSUL is 17 ounces. The Glock 26 is a brick in an ankle holster. At least the muzzle is pointed at the ground, and not at your boys in a pocket. I don't trust "safe action" for any, but IWB/owb in a stiff holster that fully covers the trigger and I don't own one for that, either.
Kel Tec is my choice. I've owned, carried, and fired a P11 for 16 years. It did have a broken extractor after over 11,000 rounds (quit keeping a count a few years back), but KT sent me a free replacement. It's been quite reliable at 1/3rd the price of a Rohrbaugh and is rated for limited +P to boot. I carry 115 grain +P in it, practice with standard loads. It's 14 ounces unloaded, very nice on an ankle. It's a true DAO, too. BUT, I pocket the gun. I own a UM's ankle rig that it works with, but never use it. The PF9 is two ounces lighter and a little less wide. The P11 is only an inch wide, the PF9 is a single stack and well less than 1" wide.
If you think the original subcompact, the Kel Tec, the one all others copy, the trend setter, is a POS, then spend a few hundred more and get a Kahr. They're good guns, too, and appeal to the rich and famous a little more owing to price. Some folks don't care so long as it's the most expensive out there. The Kahr isn't the MOST expensive, but it'll appeal to those with champagne tastes and a cold duck pocketbook.
I do kinda like revolvers for this sort of back up carry, too. My 85SSUL is 17 ounces, a 642 Smith is 19 ounces. Hell, a Smith 340 is only 12 ounces. Go light and go right. The ankle is a dirty environment. Keep the gun clean.
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