1. Is it uncomfortable?

2. How do you keep the holster from sliding down your leg?

3. Does the gun bang against your other leg?

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Retired Career Security Guard

Not once you get used to it. It is more odd than uncomfortable.

just like switching from a skinny watch to a dive watch or vice versa
Your ankle is already at the bottom of your leg, it can not slide down
It depends on how you walk. Most people using a "Good" ankle holster will not experience this.

I have carried a Smith and Wesson J-frame in a Galco Ankle Glove, about 95% of the time, every day since 1980

A friend who's a retired LAPD Detective told me the story about how he was in a high school and rapidly descending the stairs to answer a radio call. His chiefs special which was in an ankle holster, suddenly went flying down the stairs ahead of him!

He quickly retrieved it and told the shocked students who witnessed it not to worry... he was conducting a drill to test the security of the holster! LOL

That was his last time using one.

Me? I don't use them. Don't see the need.

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Stay protected my friends.

1. With a quality rig, no. But I've been wearing one on and off for 33 years. You tend to get what you pay for, so a $15 rig from the gun show might be less comfortable than a $75 holster from a major maker.

2. A properly fitted ankle holster will ride low and not move around much.

3. Rarely, if ever, unless you're shuffling in very tight quarters.


My ankle gun is a Smith and Wesson Model 60, 5 shot .38.

For me, that is a manageable size and weight for an ankle gun.

Anything much bigger, like my Glock 26, seems just a bit too much.

These are only my opinions and preferences, but they come from having carried an ankle gun while in uniform and in plain clothes over a 33 year (so far) LEO career.

Good luck in your search!

I wear shorts most of the time.. talk about noticeable..

Something similar happened to me in 1980 when I chose to save money and buy myself a cheap ankle holster.

I immediately replaced it with a Galco Ankle Glove and everything has been secure in the almost 4 decades since then

Tried an ankle holster once. I didn't like it, I didn't like the fact I had to bend down to get my weapon, and that was when I was younger and more flexible. I wear slip on shoe so I don't have to go anywhere near my ankles.

Wore 'em for many years on and off the job. That ship has sailed.

I keep my firearm on my waist or in a pocket. Mostly AIWB.

If and when you need your firearm, you'll want it quickly. (If it's for a backup, fine.)

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642-1, M&P15 TS

As noted above, good ankle holsters work. Renegade is probably the best, although I found a Galco in a gun-store junk box for $5, which was almost as good. Excellent shape, properly-fitting modern leather holster attached to the same kind of elastic, fleece and velcro as used in the Renegade. You should wear a sock under the holster, and I consider it best to wear one over the holster and all but the butt of the gun, as well. The gun should probably be positioned at about 4:00 o'clock on the leg, or wherever it is most comfortable.

Although I first started using a Renegade with a 2" M37 bobbed-hammer nickeled SB (with Tyler), probably one of the best guns for ankle carry, I eventually found that at least a Renegade is quite capable of carrying safely and securely even a 2" bobbed-hammer Detective Special.

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Formerly Model520Fan

I have 3 different Ankle Holsters. One for a Berretta 3032 Tomcat, it uses a fitted leather holster in a Velcro and elastic band. One for a J-frame S&W, it has the same setup. and a universal junk setup that will work with a 2 shot derringer or a Kel-Tec or similar pistol. It is fare at best!

With the fitted holsters, I have worn them for 8 hours at a time, and never had problems or failures of any kind. I wear it on the inside of my left ankle and had no problem with leg fatigue or it rubbing against my other leg. It is accessible while driving my full size pick-up, and never tried in my wife's car. My pocket carry isn't!

I like ankle carry for long pants weather, BUG or even BUG #2! My EDC is where it always is!

Ivan

I bought my first ankle holster over 35 years ago, a Jackass Leather (predecessor of Galco) for a Model 60 S&W. Since then I have carried a Model 60, Model 342ti, Model 940, Kahr PM380, Kahr PM 40, and now a Sig P365. I have even, on a limited number of occasions carried a 3 inch 1911 in a Galco Ankle Glove.

Ankle holsters take a bit of getting used to and patience in deciding how to properly place it on the ankle depending on the gun carried. I also use the optional calf strap to aid in securing it.

I carried a J frame revolver of one type or another for many years as a backup gun to my issued semi auto (or K frame revolver in the early days). I have never lost it, never had one come loose and often I would forget that I had it on.

Many say that they are dangerous and in a bad situation would be difficult/impossible to retrieve the gun. I find that it is better to have it on one's ankle than to leave it at home or in a vehicle. Luckily I never had an occasion to draw from the holster in a shooting situation, but in the one shooting situation I was in where I had to fire my weapon, I did not have a back up weapon and later wished that I had.

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Bill

I wore an ankle holster for my back-up for many, many years. First for a J Frame and later for a Glock 27. I always wore boots on duty so I ran the lace from the boot through the loop on the holster to help keep it in place. I never had a gun come loose even the night I got in a foot pursuit and had to cross a creek. If you do go the ankle holster route, make sure you train hard with it or you may not be able to access it when you need it. I used to wear mine during off duty qualifications from time to time. I got so that I could beat many of the other officers who were drawing from belt holsters but that was many moons ago......

If I was meant to carry a gun on my ankle, my arms would be hooked to my knees.

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Eccentric old coot

1. It can be with the wrong holster and firearm choice.

2. Get the right holster and firearm

3. See #2


I carried a S&W Model 49 in a Renegade Cozy Pardner holster for years, (even carried a Model 38 a few times and that was even nicer). It was a perfect combo. Even though it's no longer my daily carry option I liked it so much I purchased another holster just in case I ever need it, (the holster is no longer made and I believe the maker is no longer in business).

It was so comfortable it got to the point I'd almost forget I had it on.

Even though you didn't ask allow me to offer some positives to ankle carry as your bound to get many negative comments, many from folks who have no actual, first hand experience.

Ankle carry is not perfect for every firearm, person or situation but, if you sit at a desk it's very accommodating. Easy to reach and unlike waist carry you never get you firearm and or holster banging on or getting caught on chair arms.

You can remove your outer garment when ever you want. T-shirt or suit jacket, all the same. If you need to take care of business where better to have your carry piece? It ain't flopped over on the floor which can be a filthy situation and you'll never leave it in the stall like some folks have done.

To me it makes perfect sense for a BUG and a lot of the time for your main carry. I've read about folks using it with a Glock 26 or 27. That seems like it would be much less comfortable than an j frame.

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BCCI Life Member #2068

I carry a 442 in a Gould&Goolrich neoprene ankle rig every day. Took a little getting used to but now it's very comfortable. Very secure....doesn't really move at all.

It's totally concealed which is necessary at my job/required dress. I practice...a lot...drawing from a standing position. With time it's "reasonably" fast. Way faster than running back to the truck!

Try it...it's just another option that may fill a self defense need and allow you to carry when you otherwise can't.

If you hate it....well.... I'm sure you have a box of "didn't work" holsters like the rest of us!

1) Not uncomfortable at all with the right holster. When I ankle carry, I carry a S&W 642 in a Galco Ankle Glove. Great holster, very comfortable. I plan on getting one for my Glock 26.

2) Not sure about the sliding down part, since its on your ankle. I prefer to wear ankle high boots when I ankle carry. I've work it with dress shoes and had no issues. They do make straps which would go above your calf and support the holster.

3) Have no issues with gun hitting other ankle/leg.

I carry a 342Ti in a Galco(not sure if it’s an ankle glove or not; it came with a Chiefs Special I bought). I wear pull on engineers boots for work and the light J frame fits nicely down into the boot. Not really ankle carry, more like calf carry, but it’s very secure and very stealthy. Most of the time I forget it’s even there. I’ll not win any quick draw competition with it, but if I sense trouble, I can move it to a pocket. Not ideal, but I’m way better prepared than the guy with a gun at home or back in his vehicle.

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USS Brewton FF1086
SWCA#3597

I carried the S&W Model 15 snub for many many years, concealed under my flightsuit. Since the AF regs only specified concealed. I picked up a cheap nylon ankle holster, had the elastic calf strap which was too short, but with some crude stitching, sewed it to fit my leg better.

I carried on the front of my boot, not on either side. With the weight of the gun it worked much better there.

EDIT to add: The holster was fastened around my flight boot, not my leg. The calf strap was around the top of the sock.

I tried one a few times during my LEO career but found it uncomfortable, likely due to my skinny ankles/legs. Also, every time I sat down my trouser cuff rode up exposing my “concealed” J frame. Now that I’m in my 70s and walking w/a cane this rig is relegated to my holster drawer.

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Old Cop
LEO (Ret.)

A business partner was in Ecuador for a meeting with a client, the client's lawyer arrived and after introductions sat down and crossed his legs, as he did a revolver slipped out of his ankle holster and clattered across the tile floor. Everyone was shocked at first but had a good laugh after. My partner wound up with the order so all was well.
Steve W

The most useless carry condition known to man.

1. Yes
2. Wellington Boots
3. Not if you're bowlegged enough . . .

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Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

Tried an ankle holster a few times for my PPK/s BUG. Just couldn’t get used to it.

Over the years I’ve tried a few ankle holsters.

They have uniformly been uncomfortable and a couple were down right miserable to use.

None were very secure and they all were no handier than carrying a gun in a suitcase, unless I was seated: then the gun was almost as accessible as a gun in a waist holster.

Inside the leg or outside

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Retired Career Security Guard

Has anyone ever seen someone open carrying on their ankle ??

I carry a Kimber Micro 9 In a Galco Ankleglove. It is very comfortable and never hits my other leg. Ankle holsters should be worn tight so won`t slide down. The Ankleglove has a retention strap so gun can't fall out. I have also carried a S&W J Frame same results. Like most carry methods spending enough to get the right holster makes all the difference between a safe comfortable carry versus an uncomfortable carry where your gun comes flying out.

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I invest in Lead and Copper!

No. See below for most useless carry conditions.

LOL! Very funny.
Of course... the first picture is NOT "carrying",
and the second one....well, I'd rather carry with an empty chamber than in an ankle holster. I can chamber a round faster than I can retrieve a gun from an ankle holster.

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Stay protected my friends.

If you must: Outside on your strong side, inside on your weak side, there are advantages and disadvantages to both, in addition to the general disadvantage of ankle carry . . .

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Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

1. Yes
2. Get a good quality holster and make sure it is firmly attached.
3. Yes, but not constantly.

When it comes to ankle holsters, at times, they are the best option. When discussing modes of carry we all know there are optimal means of doing so. Unfortunately, when we have these discussions, there are some that come here and assert that if you are not in Wild Bill Hickock mode all the time, then you either suck or are inadequate. Having multiple options allowing you to carry in a manner which is adequate FOR YOU, in situations where you otherwise might not carry, is a good idea.

We all know that on this forum and others we have those who wouldn't think of attending any situation without a full-sized weapon with a minimum of two 17-round reloads. There's nothing wrong with that. Here's the thing. Choosing what is right for you is the right thing to do. Carry as you please and don't be one of those people who feels they need to "Carry At People".

I think the trick to ankle carry is to use a low weight handgun. Carrying my 342Ti with an ankle holster is hardly noticeable. I have tried the Chiefs Special in its place and it is way more obtrusive. And having a boot to keep it from sliding down like Muss pointed out makes a lot of difference.

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USS Brewton FF1086
SWCA#3597

I have occasionally carried my 642 in a DeSantis Apache inside my
left ankle when driving. It is more comfortable than a crossdraw
driver holster. The sheepskin against my skin is nice. It is easy to
reach when seated in the vehicle.

Attached Images

SAM_1060.jpg (85.5 KB, 18 views)

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In Omnia Paratus

I carried a S&W 49 and then a 649 everyday as a second gun in an ankle rig for 27 years. These are not lightweight guns. I've carried it the same way for many more years off and on and still do on occasion now that I'm retired. I've always carried inside on my left ankle. I'm right handed.
It takes a couple of weeks to get use to the extra weight on your ankle but after that it's noticeable when you don't have the ankle rig on. I've carried it in that position thru a lot of tough conditions, in all kinds of weather, crawling thru windows, thru brush, wading creeks, running up and down stairs, and never once had it come loose or out.
Ankle carry is not my preferred method of primary carry but it worked great sitting in a squad car. When you're seatbelted in and a radio console next to you then your primary belt carried gun can be very difficult to get to easily and quickly. An ankle gun is much quicker to get to in that position. It's also pretty easy access from a kneeling position or squatted down behind cover.
The trick to easy ankle carry is get a good holster that is snug and held on secure. The best ankle rig I had was a nylon Top Line which is no longer in business. Carried that holster for 20 years until I was climbing over a barb wire fence and a barb cut the nylon. The gun stayed secured but I ended up with a cut over the cylinder. It has a 2" wide Velcro ankle band. It also had a pouch that held 6 rounds in a speed strip. I had one for a PPK that had a pouch for an extra mag. After I tore the Top Line I ended up with a Bianchi which I've never liked as well. It's secure but it uses 2 1" wide straps which are not as comfortable as the 2" Top Line.

Attached Images

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	BIANCHI.JPG (54.8 KB, 23 views)

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183rd FBINA

That or walk on all fours like an ape.

When I was on the job I sometimes carried a PPK/s or a S&W 36 in an ankle holster, sometimes a clip in boot holster. My biggest complaint was for me anyway, it was hard to run so armed. Did have the clip on boot holster come out once when running.

For most uses though, it should work. Drawing the weapon can be difficult with tight pants, or if you are not very flexable. Seated in a car though, it can be pretty quick. For the most part I belt carry, with a backup (LCP) in my pocket.

Larry

Bought a ankle holster that was on sale for about 1/2 price .. tried several times to wear it around the house and found ..

!. No it was comfortable TO ME ..
2. Straps keep the pistol in place ..
3. No doesn't hit the other leg ..
4. Pants leg needs to be large enough for it to fit some jeans pants legs are too narrow that the pistol prints quite badly ..
5. No I don't ankle carry !!

1. Not uncomfortable once you get used to it but gun weight needs to be considered. My ankle holster time was with an air weight J frame.

2. As noted, your ankle is at the bottom of your leg...

3. Never noticed gun hitting other leg and think if legs were that close together, walking would be a chore...

I will add that my ankle holster time was in an undercover mode but will stress that ankle carry puts your gun very far away if it is needed. Was always glad when seasons changed and jacket pocket carry was an option. As far as a backup carry, I would rather carry an extra magazine then an extra gun. Easy to get lazy and leave a backup at home.

Two things have kept me from carrying via ankle holseter -

1. At a few LE trainings and conferences I've seen officers sit and cross their legs or ankles, or adjust the length of their trousers as they sat, and apparently not realize they have just exposed their ankle holster. Didn't seem like a good "concealment" strategy to me.

2. While assisting a partner officer with serving a warrant, the bad guy bolted, my partner tackled him, got twisted around in the brief scuffle, ending up atop the BG's back, facing the BG's feet, with my partners ankle holstered gun much closer to the BG's hands than to my partners hands (which were about three feet away at the BG's small-of-back). I drew my gun and warned the BG not to reach for my partner's gun (not a great angle for me to have to take a shot, but better than allowing him to reach for my partner's gun). This one really made me uncomfortable with ankle carry.

1. Relatively, for the first week or so.

2. Boots. Wellingtons in uniform. Western in plainclothes. Sorel in winter.

3. No. See #2.

Worn in the inside of the left ankle I found it very easy to access when seated. Carried my BUG (or BUG #1), a Colt Agent, in it for all but UC assignments. Then it was my primary. It is never going to be a quick-draw proposition, but a former coworker swears I drew and fired two rounds into a rattlesnake while in the air from my initial jump. I really don't recall but suspect I may have bounced between shots.


I had a nylon holster with Velcro closure and a suspender strap that fit above the calf. The Velcro ( both leg straps and the safety strap) was still working 10 years later although the muzzle had worn a hole in the end of the holster. Don't recall the maker, but when I tried to find another a few years ago they were out of business.

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I need ammo, not a ride.

Thanks very much for all the answers. I'm still thinking it over. If I were to ankle carry it would be something LC9 sized

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Retired Career Security Guard

Precisely my wise-acre point

Hmm...ankle or empty? I can definitely chamber faster than I could get to the ankle. But I know I have zero chance of trying to chamber one-handed, while I could probably get to an ankle holster--awkwardly--with one, even if I couldn't do the Big Step And Kneel.



But it's sort've an artificial choice, since we choose ankle holsters for concealment, and empty chamber because we either can't obtain a pistol that's safe/practical to carry loaded, or because we don't understand how guns work and they scare us.

**Side note: yes, there are pistols that are so poorly designed and built that you need two hands to get their miserable safeties disengaged, so carrying them with safety-off with an empty chamber is way faster and more practical.

I'm a truck driver not a lawman. I carry a 637 in an Uncle Mikes ankle holster. Very good option for me. Quick draw doesn't matter because if I know I'm headed to a gun fight I stay home. I wear western style work boots so the gun rides in the top of the boot and stays secure. Like has been said, most times I don't even know its there. In the 7 years I've had concealed carry an Uncle Mikes is all I've used. I'm on my second one. I started with an M&P9c, then a 9 Shield. The compact was heavy and awkward, the Shield much better and the Airweight, perfect. Just my experience, hope it helps.

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Do it outdoors

That's the trouble with gunfights. You never really know when and where one is going to assemble . . .

(Edit: If I know I'm headed to a gunfight, I stop and get the rifle out . . . )

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Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

Carried a very light weight revolver in a holster I had made to fit
inside a pair of deep scalloped top cowboy boots. Agreed that it
is slow to get into action, but it beats not having a gun if needed.
Recommend not wearing a tight fitting pant leg.

I carry a handgun for a living and ace qualifications twice a year but every time I thought I was going to a high potential of a fire fight, the AR or the 870 was immediately drafted into action.

Here in Arizona, ankle carry is open carry...and it looks as funky as it feels.

I sometimes ankle carry a Kahr PM9 in an Uncle Mike's ankle holster. I like it because it has a support strap for above the calf and has a thumb break.

Answers to your questions:

1. It's not really uncomfortable as long as you don't make the strap too tight.

2. As I noted, the Uncle Mike's ankle holster has a support strap that goes around your leg above the calf. This keeps things in place.

3. No, it doesn't. If I'm wearing dress socks, I will sometimes wear a second sock over the top of the holster to keep the holster concealed should I cross my legs or my pants leg rides up.

Everything in your post above is 100% however. It's can be applied to virtually every form of carry ever devised by man. We're these uniformed officers wearing a sidearm? If so exposing an ankle rig only exposed their BUG, duty side arm was already in plain sight. From my personal experience, an ankle holster is about the only form of concealed carry I haven't seen exposed at one time or another by an inadverdant or unintentional action.

As far as going hands on with a suspect goes I'd wager the majority of officers disarmed in a physical confrontation loose their side arm from their holster 1000 times more than from an ankle rig. As I said. Both instances are applicable just not solely to ankle carry.

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BCCI Life Member #2068

I did title my post "If it's good for you, go with it" and in the narrative only gave two of the reasons I have chosen not to ankle carry. Anybody else may ankle carry at their pleasure with no problem from me.

At the trainings and conferences I referenced, it wasn't uniformed officers I was talking about, but the "civilian attire" officers I was talking about. Sorry I didn't mention that. I've never seen my chief in anything other than a suit. He carries his "duty" handgun in an ankle holster and I've seen him on a couple of occasions inadvertently expose his ankle gun while sitting/seated. He still prefers ankle carry for himself, and I'm fine with his decision - he's the one that needs to be comfortable with his carry decision, not me.

In that warrant service above, duty handguns are normally in retention style holsters and close to the officer's hands for additional handgun retention defense. I haven't seen an ankle holster with anything more than a thumb-strap for retention (often not even that) and in this case the ankle gun ended up some distance away from the officers own hands and very close to the BG's hands - it made me uncomfortable, and my partner uncomfortable also after I pointed it out to him.

"I'd wager the majority of officers disarmed in a physical confrontation loose their side arm from their holster 1000 times more than from an ankle rig."

I agree with you (maybe not the 1000 times, but I don't know for sure so I'll go with it), but then every uniformed officer I've seen has had a handgun on their duty belt, but I only know a few who carry a back-up gun on their ankle. Sheer numbers alone would make a snatch from a duty belt many, many times more likely. I wonder how many BUGs have been taken from under a uniform shirt or from a uniform pocket, like I prefer, versus from an ankle holster?

Bottom line? If it's good for you, go with it. I don't mind at all.

You take care now.

They are a great option for deep concealed carry.As many have said the right quality holster is a must.I have carried an old cobra and a detective special in a don Hume and a 442 in a desantis at various times and by far the 442 was the easiest,do to it’s extremely light weight and hammerless design. I have never lost a holster or weapon carrying this way.If you choose to carry on the ankle make sure the pants you wear have a large enough leg opening to allow quick access to your weapon.Its not the right option all of the time but it is a good option to have.