What's the biggest auto-loader you've ankle-carried?

[Mitlov]

Due to workplace attire that doesn't lend itself well to IWB conceal-carry (wool slacks and a button-down shirt, but no sportcoat or other covering garment), I'm considering ankle carry for conceal-carry. I'm considering both the Remington R51 and the Glock 42. In terms of actually shooting, I think I'd prefer the R51 (single-action trigger, metal frame, 9mm)...but the 20-oz weight seems to me a bit heavy for ankle carry. The Glock is two-thirds the weight, and the brand has a deservedly-good reputation for reliability, and the trigger feel should be nicer than a heavy DAO trigger...but .380 seems to be a lot more rare and more expensive than 9mm.

So, in that context, who here ankle carries or has in the past, and what's the largest/heaviest autoloader you've ankle-carried, and how was the experience?

 

[2wheels]

My Sig P238 is the only gun I've tried to ankle carry, and it's a pretty small/lightweight gun. I don't particularly enjoy ankle carry, at least not with my gun/holster combo (cheap Uncle Mikes holster). I just don't like having that weight on one ankle or having to make sure the holster is tight enough that it won't move around, which gets uncomfortable. That, and I don't like drawing from an ankle holster, definitely not the quickest draw method.

A lighter gun or better holster could make it better I guess, but unlike you I'm normally not constrained in the methods I can use to carry so I'm not worried about it.

You've also got to make sure your pant legs are loose enough that they don't make it obvious you've got something on your ankle, and that you can pull them up to get to the gun.

 

[jjones45]

I would suggest maybe kangaroo carry or belly band holster options over ankle carry, but that's just me. I tried to ankle carry a secondary weapon once and just couldn't get comfortable or confident it wasn't going to print or I would be able to effectively deploy it in a stressful situation while under attack. Once again this is just my opinion. If the gun is small enough and you have a good holster you should be fine though. Maybe a walther ppk, bersa thunder, or kahr line of guns would fit your needs as well. Almost any gun you can pocket carry you could ankle carry

 

[CPO15]

RIA 1911 Compact .45 in a nylon ankle holster, but not for long and only around the house. I would have relied on it for car carry, but the limp down the driveway was killing me.

 

[CDW4ME]

Long time ago, I ankle carried a Colt Mustang Pocketlite and it was torture.

 

[ritepath]

I can't stand loose fitting socks.

 

[AK103K]

I carry a Glock 26 in a Desantis ankle holster pretty regularly. Ive never had any problem doing so, but it wasnt my first go at ankle carry either. Ive also carried J frame Smiths, SIG P230's, and Walther PPK's in the same place for a number of years before the Glocks.

The added weight at the end of your leg is a little disconcerting at first, but you soon get over thinking your limping.

I wear Carhartt type jeans most of the time, which have a full cut leg, so hiding the gun isnt really a problem. Its not hard to access it either, standing or kneeling. Dress pants are usually an issue either, but the weight of the fabric does make for a slightly different draw.

Of all the guns Ive carried this way, the 26 is the only one that is most like a full sized gun, and shoots like one. I normally carry a 17 as well, and using its reload, I can hand my wife the 26, and she basically has a 17 as well. They really are pretty handy somewhat little guns.

 

[SharpsDressedMan]

S&w 3914. That was the largest. I currently, and frequently, carry a Colt 1903 .32. Holster is by Kramer, and it hides it very well.

 

[herrwalther]

Ive gotten away with carrying my Ruger SR9c in an ankle holster. Felt like I had a weighted workout band on my leg though.

 

[TennJed]

Curious as to why you are looking at two guns that haven't even hit the shelves yet. Maybe look into guns that have been proven

 

[Mitlov]

Curious as to why you are looking at two guns that haven't even hit the shelves yet. Maybe look into guns that have been proven

I'm not really excited about anything out there right now, unless I'm missing something.

* Anything with a right-handed thumb safety is off the list for CC since I'm left-handed. I can't use it, and I can't easily make sure it's off when I draw.

* I don't like the long heavy pull of a DAO pistol. I shoot trap and/or skeet weekly, and I'm used to a quick, clean trigger break. In a panic, that's what I'm going to expect the trigger to do. When I try shooting a DAO gun, unless I stop and think about it, my first shot hits the dirt in front of the target because the long heavy trigger feel is so unlike what I'm used to. So I'm focused on either a SAO pistol (first choice) or a striker-fired pistols with exceptionally good trigger feel (second choice).

*I don't want something so light that it's painful to practice with regularly (Ruger LCP), but I also don't want something so big and heavy that I can't effectively conceal-carry it (I'm 5'6" and a small-framed guy).

I've loved the Beretta shotguns I've shot, so I was excited for the Beretta Nano, but poor reliability reports and a universal conclusion that the trigger is mushy turned me off.

The Sig P238 has, by all accounts, the trigger I want, but the safety's on the wrong side. The Sig P938 is the best on the market right now, but I've read bad stuff about its reliability.

If I'm missing some options, by all means, let me know.

 

[USAF_Vet]

I'm looking at getting a Kel Tec P32 for ankle carry, or an NAA mini. Of course, these would be a back up to my main carry.

 

[el Godfather]

Desert eagle!

 

[uzimon]

Glock 19 in a cowboy boot on the streets of downtown houston

 

[sigma 40ve]

I have never ankle carried.

However, some lying blowhard I work with says he carries a Kimber Raptor on each ankle and in a left and right IWB rig when he isn't at work. LOL!!!!!

 

[PabloJ]

Due to workplace attire that doesn't lend itself well to IWB conceal-carry (wool slacks and a button-down shirt, but no sportcoat or other covering garment), I'm considering ankle carry for conceal-carry. I'm considering both the Remington R51 and the Glock 42. In terms of actually shooting, I think I'd prefer the R51 (single-action trigger, metal frame, 9mm)...but the 20-oz weight seems to me a bit heavy for ankle carry. The Glock is two-thirds the weight, and the brand has a deservedly-good reputation for reliability, and the trigger feel should be nicer than a heavy DAO trigger...but .380 seems to be a lot more rare and more expensive than 9mm.

So, in that context, who here ankle carries or has in the past, and what's the largest/heaviest autoloader you've ankle-carried, and how was the experience?

Let me help before these boys lead you astray.
Hints>>>you will need right & left hand holsters very well fitted to the gun you choose. The gun will need to be of appropriate size and <16oz fully loaded.
Have you ever wondered why Uncle Mikes grips for J frame RB revolvers were called 'Boot Grips'? Well,.... now you know why.
The perfect weapon is small light frame revolver.

 

[Tomac]

S&W M&P9c w/flat baseplate. I'm sure it created a noticeable bulge but no-one ever said a word.
Tomac

 

[GBExpat]

What's the biggest auto-loader you've ankle-carried?

Kel-Tec P3AT

 

[VA27]

P7M8 until some one offered me more than I paid for it, and then a G19. Once you get used to the weight (it takes about a week) it's not a problem.

 

[decoy562]

Desert Eagle 50 cal pistol.


I've never ankle carried. Seems like it would be uncomfortable to me.

 

[SharpsDressedMan]

It does take getting used to, but darn few people ever look at an ankle when casing you for a weapon. If you wear cowboy cut jean and a trim t-shirt, they just assume you are unarmed.

 

[rhweb32]

I've carried a a glock 29, glock 19, smith and Wesson 642, and now a glock 26. Ankle carry was miserable until I picked up a lou alessi ankle rig a few years ago, now the 26 seems about perfect.

 

[Vodoun da Vinci]

Glock 26 and Colt 1903 Model M in .32 acp recently. In days gone by, Beretta .22's, 25's, .32's and .380's.

VooDoo

 

[skoro]

KelTec P32, and just once. I got an ankle holster included as part of a larger purchase, so tried it on with this little lightweight and decided that it just wasn't for me.

 

[Mitlov]

Let me help before these boys lead you astray.
Hints>>>you will need right & left hand holsters very well fitted to the gun you choose. The gun will need to be of appropriate size and <16oz fully loaded.
Have you ever wondered why Uncle Mikes grips for J frame RB revolvers were called 'Boot Grips'? Well,.... now you know why.
The perfect weapon is small light frame revolver.

I've shot a S&W Airweight. Kickback was brutal in the hand and my accuracy with it was truly abysmal. I've never shot worse with a single other gun in my life. And even the smallest snubnoses seem to be at least as big and heavy as the new Glock 42 and substantially larger than most .380 pistols. I'm a strong believer in "to each their own," but I don't think me and snub-nose revolvers get along. I wanted to like 'em, but after shooting that Airweight, I just don't.