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  #51  
Old 03-18-2017, 08:29 AM
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WHY JIMMY DOES NOT USE A ANKLE HOLSTER:

Years ago when I was younger (seems like I have always been old) I carried a Colt Cobra 2" as a BU in a ankle holster. One night attempting to arrest a wanted person who did not want to go to jail, we began fighting. We fell to the ground with me on the bottom and the arrestee on top. As we rolled on the ground my pants leg pulled up exposing my BU. The arrestee reached and grabbed it and rose up to his feet and aimed it at me. I was able to draw my issued Browning P-35 and fire twice. I missed but two bullets going past his head decided him to flee the scene. I recovered the Colt where he had abandoned it along his escape route as I ran after him. The next morning I located him and took him into custody.

Lessons learned:
1. never use a ankle holster again
2. never use a service pistol with small sights where it is difficult to pick up the front sight in dim light.
3. I am not ten foot tall and bullet proof.
4. I should have listen to my Mother and became a firefighter.

Last edited by jimmyj; 03-19-2017 at 12:04 AM.
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  #52  
Old 03-19-2017, 08:09 AM
The Preacher The Preacher is online now
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My $.02...which ain't worth much. There are some of us who, for whatever reason, can't carry any other way. We need to be dressed appropriately, shirttail tucked in, don't always wear a jacket, and the tuckables often print, get "untucked", bulge or are just plain uncomfortable. That being said, at the very least a "good" ankle holster is one of the few options that enable one to always have a weapon close by. Surely at the bottom of the list of carry options, but it's an option non-the-less.

The Preacher (Who does indeed carry on a daily basis a 9mm shield in an ankle holster)

Last edited by The Preacher; 03-21-2017 at 07:20 AM.
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  #53  
Old 03-19-2017, 12:31 PM
MarkB MarkB is offline
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Thanks. You have given me a lot of very good advice, both pro and con. It is a highly personal decision based on my lifestyle and intended use. I'm still not sure which way I'll go but I will be able to make an informed decision thanks to all your help. You have given me things to consider that I had not thought of before.
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Old 03-20-2017, 05:38 AM
Biggfoot44 Biggfoot44 is offline
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I used an ankle holster for a BUG for a number of years. They have their pluses/ minuses like any other deep concealment method.

The good news is ease of access from seated. Also reasonably ambidextrous if needed.

They can be quicker than you would think, but requires being stationary to draw. Main.reason I consider them unacceptable for Primary carry.

When you first try one it will feel strange and uncomfortable. You have to commit to a two week trial period to make an informed decision.

I mainly used the propriety LFI version , mfg by DeSantis. Very secure, and comfortable enough that more than once I literally forgot I was wearing it.
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  #55  
Old 03-30-2017, 01:15 PM
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I use a Renegade for my 442 and it fits my Colt Cobra also..it's worked fine for the past 18 years. I'm more concerned with having a gun on me than needing a QuickDraw ever since I moved out of Tombstone, AZ
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  #56  
Old 03-30-2017, 01:26 PM
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Btw. The Renegade is no longer available but the wilderness tactical company makes a pretty decent homage rig. Also check out the Galco ankle glove. The main difference is the Renegade/wilderness uses a pouch while the Galco uses a molded holster. The former tends to conceal a bit better but either should do fine. Stay away from cheap nylon rigs. Your ankle will thank you. Do a search here of ankle holsters and you will see I know of what I speak.
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Last edited by sipowicz; 03-30-2017 at 01:28 PM.
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  #57  
Old 04-09-2017, 05:34 PM
win9639445 win9639445 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sipowicz View Post
Btw. The Renegade is no longer available but the wilderness tactical company makes a pretty decent homage rig. Also check out the Galco ankle glove. The main difference is the Renegade/wilderness uses a pouch while the Galco uses a molded holster. The former tends to conceal a bit better but either should do fine. Stay away from cheap nylon rigs. Your ankle will thank you. Do a search here of ankle holsters and you will see I know of what I speak.
I still use my original Renegade that's about 16 years old now. It works great and is very comfortable even when wearing for 12hrs. I also have one of the modern Wilderness Tactical versions of the Renegade. The version they made is of the all nylon Renegade holster. It's made of better/stronger materials vs the vintage originals. When I wear a suit or dress clothing I use the vintage Renegade as it's less bulky but with casual clothing I use the Wilderness version.
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  #58  
Old 12-20-2017, 08:24 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cantshootstrate View Post
I've carried a BUG in an ankle holster as an LEO for 28 years. Currently, it's a G43 in an Desantis holster. Previously it was a G36 in an Alessi holster, a G27 in an Alessi (same), and initially a Smith Model 37 in a different Alessi.

Quibbling about equipment does not address tactics, and there's a lot of good advice in this thread.

You'll have to practice to access an ankle gun. That does not include going for it during a "High Noon" fictional shootout (aka neckbeard fantasy). It does include a good "getting off of the X" response to a threat and getting to a place where you can fight in the most unfair manner possible.

Important safety tip, if you're going to practice drawing with an ankle gun, you need good knee pads and to be able to take the holster off to re-holster the weapon after each drill.

Having taught concealed carry, there's nothing wrong with a BUG tool in a well trained and practiced survival toolbox.

If you've got access to a quality trainer who teaches sound tactics, I'd invest in training.
Well said...
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  #59  
Old 12-20-2017, 09:34 PM
ImprovedModel56Fan ImprovedModel56Fan is offline
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[
Quote:
Originally Posted by Florida J Frame View Post
Don't put words in my mouth (or post). I didn't say is wasn't OK nor did I suggest limiting anything. I simply asked why the OP thought it necessary?
You misunderstood. HE was asking US for advice on whether or not it was a good idea. It seems to me that you were challenging him.

As it happens, there is a VERY good reason to carry a second gun on the ankle. That is that it is much easier to draw a gun from the weak-side inside of the ankle than almost any other place, when seated, particularly when seated in a car. If you try drawing a gun while seated in a car, belted in, you will see what I mean.

To the OP: an ankle holster is the very best choice for a second gun, except when almost all your exposure is while in a car. Then it is probably the very best choice for your FIRST gun.

Last edited by ImprovedModel56Fan; 12-20-2017 at 09:37 PM. Reason: Clean up software-generated errors
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  #60  
Old 12-20-2017, 10:14 PM
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Shortly after I went on the bench. one of the local detectives came by the house and told me he had heard there was a contract out on me, and that I should start carrying. Lent me a model 15 when he found out that I didn't own a handgun. Second amendment started to have some personal meaning.

I usually walked to work, when I was assigned to the local courthouse about 1 1/12 miles from my house. In cooler weather, I usuallly wore a Bianchi X-15 shoulder holster witlh the S&W M 15. Off-duty, wore a pancake with the M 15.
In non-coat weather, I carried either an S&W airweight bodyguard or a Model 60 in an ankle holster with the auxiliary strap above the bulge of the calf. And I practiced at the range 3 nights a week, learning to draw and shoot from the various holsters and various positions. Only had to draw from the ankle rig once under duress, and was damned glad I had practiced to the point that once the decision was made to draw, no further thought about the process itself was required.
The key here is practice! There's some good advice in the posts above.
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  #61  
Old 12-21-2017, 05:58 AM
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I like the DeSantis Apache shown below. Especially the sheepskin
padding. Very comfortable. As said many times above the ankle
holster is great if you are seated for long periods of time like in the
vehicle for instance. There are better places to carry for all around
backup.
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  #62  
Old 12-21-2017, 07:42 AM
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I stopped using an ankle rig after my J frame popped out in the middle of a fight, inside a house, making an arrest. After that I pocket carried my B/U gun.
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  #63  
Old 12-21-2017, 02:15 PM
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They make my ankle itch so they are a no go for me . I have tried several all did me the same . Holster one and pocket carry the bug . My Colt is usually in my hip pocket and the small auto is in the right front pocket . Works for me .

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  #64  
Old 12-21-2017, 02:37 PM
gen3guy gen3guy is offline
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I live in Arizona. Ankle holsters are "open carry".
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  #65  
Old 12-21-2017, 03:45 PM
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They have a limited niche, within which they may be priceless. I carried my BUG there for many years in LE, until I got too old and stiff for that to be workable. For those unpleasant circumstances in which someone walked up to the car and I hadn't the necessary S.A. to perceive them and be out of the car ASAP, I could pull up the trouser leg and have a gun in my hand with reasonable discretion. I sometimes still do that when traveling - I wear a laced boot and use the (Galco, I think) ankle holster that laces into the boots laces in addition to the velcro.

I admit I am not generally a fan, but admit that there are times when the ankle rig is the least bad option.
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