What 9MM Bug For Ankle Carry?

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Shield, G26 (good choice if your primary is a larger Glock 9mm) or even a S&W 940 (it's a j-frame, but 9mm).

I have only carried a S&W 642 on in an ankle holster twice, the way my ankles are shaped does not work to well for ankle carry. It concealed well, just hurt, I may try it again with a better holster like the one from alessi (the price tag just keeps me from trying them, but most people love them).
 
Compact carry 9x19mm pistols....

For deep carry, Id suggest these sub-compact 9x19mm pistols;
The Beretta Nano 9mm, the Glock 26, the Kahr CM9, the SIG P250 sub-compact or the P290RS 9mm, the PX4 Sub-Compact, the HK P2000sk DA/SA format, the SIG P239 DAK/SASII 9mm.
The Glock 26 is robust & well engineered. It's been in use since the mid 1990s.
Some models like the HK P2000sk, the PX4 Sub-Compact & the Glock 26 can take full size(12-16rd) 9x19mm pistol mags. You can tote a fully loaded duty size magazine or two, then recharge your sub-compact if needed.
Id always carry at least one spare magazine with any firearm. You may not need it in a armed citizen event but it's good to know if a violent felon is behind cover or there are multiple subjects(which is now more common).

Id also only use high quality, factory ammunition too. 9mm loads that cycle & function in sub compact models. Rounds like the Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel 124gr +P JHP, the Corbon DPX, the Glaser Safety Slug(silver), the Corbon PowRball, the Ranger T/T Series 124gr JHP +P, Winchester PDX1.

The Federal "Guard Dog" round is not ideal. It falls way short in the personal defense area(s). It can feed & cycle in guns like the Nano or Kahr CM9 but I would feel confident with it in a carry gun.

Rusty
www.shopcorbon.com www.sgammo.com www.natchezss.com
 
Glock 26 is often considered the standard size for ankle carry. Depending on your size you will probably want to go with something smaller like LC9, Pico, Nano etc. Would not recommend trying to ankle carry something bigger.
 
I think the best combination of size and weight is the Rohrbaugh R9:

Rohrbaugh R9
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 2.9 in
Length: 5.2 in
Height: 3.7 in
Slide Width: .82 in
Width at thickest part of pistol: .95 in
Weight: 13.5 oz, magazine 1.6 oz
Capacity: 6+1 Rounds

Here is the whole list:


Boberg XR9-S (Shorty)
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.35 in
Length: 5.1 in
Height: 4.2 in
Width: .96 in
Weight: 17.5 oz
Capacity: 7+1 Rounds

Kahr MK9
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.0 in
Length: 5.3 in
Height: 4.0 in
Slide Width: .90 in
Width at slide stop: 1.0 in
Weight: Pistol 22.1 oz, Magazine 1.9 oz
Capacity: 6+1

Kahr PM9 / CM9
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.1 in
Length: 5.42 in
Height: 4.0 in
Slide Width: .90 in
Width at slide stop: 1.0 in
Weight: Pistol 14 oz, Magazine 1.9 oz
Capacity: 6+1

Double Tap Defense Douple Tap
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.0 in
Length: 5.5 in
Height: 3.9 in
Width: 0.665 in
Weight: 15 oz Titanium, 13 0z Aluminum
Capacity: 2

Kimber Solo
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 2.7 in
Length: 5.5 in
Height: 3.9 in
Width: 1.2 in
Weight: 17 oz
Capacity: 6+1 Rounds

SIG SAUER P290
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 2.9 in
Length: 5.5 in
Height: 3.9 in
Width: 0.9 in - 1.1" w/slide catch (roughly the same width as MK9, Kahr lists the width of the slide only)
Weight: 20.5 oz w/magazine
Capacity: 6+1

Diamondback DB9
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.0 in
Length: 5.60 in
Height: 4.0 in
Width: 0.80 in
Weight: 11 oz
Capacity: 6+1 Rounds

Kel Tec PF-11
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.1 in
Length: 5.6 in
Height: 4.3 in
Width: 1.0 in
Weight: 14 oz
Capacity: 10+1 Rounds

Beretta Nano
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.07 in
Length: 5.63 in
Height: 4.17 in
Width: .90 in
Weight: 17.67 oz
Capacity: 6+1

SCCY CPX-2
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.1 in
Length: 5.7 in
Height: 4.0 in (without mag extensions)
Width: 1.0 in
Weight: 15.0 oz
Capacity: 10+1 Rounds

Kel Tec PF-9
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.1 in
Length: 5.87 in
Height: 4.3 in
Width: .88 in
Weight: 12.7 oz
Capacity: 7+1 Rounds

SIG SAUER P938
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.0 in
Length: 5.9 in
Height: 3.9 in (not counting magazine w/extension)
Width: 1.1 in
Weight: 16.0 oz
Capacity: 6+1 Rounds

Ruger LC9
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.12 in
Length: 6.0 in
Height: 4.5 in
Slide Width: .90in
Weight: 17.10 oz
Capacity: 7+1

Remington R-51
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.4 in
Length: 6.0 in
Height: 4.5 in
Width: .96in
Weight: 20.0 oz
Capacity: 7+1

Smith & Wesson Shield
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.1 in
Length: 6.1 in
Height: 4.6 in
Width: .95in
Weight: 19.0 oz
Capacity: 7+1

Glock 26
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.46 in
Length: 6.29 in
Height: 4.17 in
Width: 1.18 in
Weight: 19.75 oz w/o magazine
Capacity: 10+1 Rounds

Walther PPS
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.2 in
Length: 6.3 in
Height: 4.4 in
Width: .90 in
Weight: 20.0 oz
Capacity: 6+1

Springfield Armory XDs
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.3 in
Length: 6.3 in
Height: 4.4 in
Width: .90 in
Weight: 23.0 oz w/empty 7rd magazine
Capacity: 7+1

Bersa BP9CC
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.3 in
Length: 6.35 in
Height: 4.8 in
Width: .94 in
Weight: 21.5 oz
Capacity: 8+1
 
At 13 ounces, maybe the DoubleTap has found it's niche - people who want a small and light nine for ankle carry.

The Aluminum DoubleTap fully loaded is only going to weigh 14 ounces :)
 
Glock 26 is often considered the standard size for ankle carry.
Where is this written? :confused:

I've seen far more J-frames used for this purpose, especially of the 442/642 Airweight models ... But if we're talkin' strictly 9mm's, the plastic Rugers and Kel-Tecs, might be a bit more comfortable -- if that is one's goal. Frankly, I'd go with reliability and accuracy, plus a metal frame which provides a somewhat softer shooting, easier-recoiling pistol.

For me (and this is only my preference), if it's gotta be a 9mm, I'm going with the pistol that's rocketed to the top of my sub-compact 9mm pistol list, the SIG P-938 Extreme. Yeah, it gives up 3 rounds to the G-26, costs more, but is actually smaller, comes stock with SIGLite nightsights and those awesome G10 "Extreme" grip panels, frontstrap checkering and is capable of superb accuracy (at least mine is).
 
Boberg 9mm....

I looked over a high end compact pistol called the Boberg(check correct spelling).
I think the small gun maker sells pistols in .40S&W & .45acp too. ;)
It's well made & a semi-auto(striker fired) design. It looks like it fits in a pocket or ankle rig but these limited ed firearms are not cheap. :uhoh:

IMHO, a simple Glock 26 9x19mm or a Walther PPS or the SIG P290RS 9mm would be fine for ankle carry. Light, easy to clean/field strip, good sights.

Rusty
edit; www.Bobergarms.com
 
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The Borberg is a short but tallish pistol, and pretty heavy at 17.5 oz empty:

Boberg XR9-S (Shorty)
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.35 in
Length: 5.1 in
Height: 4.2 in
Width: .96 in
Weight: 17.5 oz
Capacity: 7+1 Round

The Kahr MK9 is another pistol that is small but on the heavy side:

Kahr MK9
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.0 in
Length: 5.3 in
Height: 4.0 in
Slide Width: .90 in
Width at slide stop: 1.0 in
Weight: Pistol 22.1 oz, Magazine 1.9 oz
Capacity: 6+1
 
CM9?....

What are the stats for the Kahr CM9?
It seems like a sub-compact 9x19mm.
Also any price ranges(USD) for the Boberg pistols?
 
Whatever you are comfortable with. Just don't skimp on the holster. Make sure you get a well padded holster that you can really tighten up without cutting off the blood to your foot, lol
There are a few that have a separate calf band that helps hold them up. You may want to look into that. I used to wear a "half boot" that held the bottom of the holster in place at all times, also pulling your sock partly over the gun and holster works well for extra concealment.. and far better support.
The worse thing is when you cross your legs and the gun flops out of your pant leg. Although the sock can get in the way of a fast draw, there is always a trade off.
 
Ankle rigs....

I've never owned or used the ankle style before but I've heard & read a lot of + buzz about the DeSantis Comanche holster. That & the custom styles from leather shop; Ken Null. I'm not sure if Null is still around. Author & EP specialist; Leroy Thompson wrote he was impressed with Null's ankle holsters.
G&G made a holster popular with troopers & patrol officers. The ankle holster fit snug on the duty boot. Galls.com or PoliceHQ.com might sell them.

I've also heard sheepskin works well against the skin & absorbs some of the shock/grit/sweat.

Rusty
 
What are the stats for the Kahr CM9?
It seems like a sub-compact 9x19mm.

The whole list is here, going up to the Bersa BP9CC

But here is the PM9/CM9 again:

Kahr PM9 / CM9
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.1 in
Length: 5.42 in
Height: 4.0 in
Slide Width: .90 in
Width at slide stop: 1.0 in
Weight: Pistol 14 oz, Magazine 1.9 oz
Capacity: 6+1

The CM9 will probably weigh in around 19 ounces fully loaded ( between 18.60and 19.12 depending on what grain bullets are used).
 
Old Dog said:
Where is this written?

Just from personal experience. I know police officers who carry G26 as an ankle or BUG on duty. Look at most ankle holsters and it will probably have G26 somewhere in the fit guide. Sure you can try and be like Arnold in Kindergarten Cop with a 92FS in an ankle holster, it just probably won't be very comfortable or easy to run with if needed.
 
When I go to work tomorrow, I'll check in with those who carry back-up guns ... Of course, ankle carry is pretty scarce these days; those who do carry a second piece normally carry a small gun in a pocket or on the vest ... We do have one guy we've nicknamed "Sonny Crockett" who actually uses an ankle rig, though.
 
Arnold used a Beretta 92 in Kindergarten Cop. :D

I'd probably start with an XD-S or a Kel-Tec PF-9, personally, but there are a lot of good choices out there. I would lean toward a single stack for better concealability, but many of the others are thin enough to use if you're more comfortable with one.
 
Give it 2 or 3 days, either you will love it or hate it. I could never carry anything bigger than a walther or a snubby down there. It hit against the bone and drove me nuts, the small ones didn't do that. I stll have mine someware, it was expensive but very well padded, one of the brand names.
 
I like the G26, loaded with Winchester Ranger +P+, 115 grain, HPs.
 
I carry a G26 on my ankle when on duty, I also have a PM9 if for some reason I had to use that instead.
 
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