Hello, does anyone have experience with an ankle holster for a38spl (non +p) j frame airweight?
I know many feel that is not the best carry position, but I find all other locations to intrusive on my life style and would like to try it.
If you have experience with that combination, please give me your p.o.v. How comfortable?
What rig was used?
How long did you use it?
Would you recommend it?
Anything else that may help me decide what rig works for that unit.
Thanks in advance for your time.

Look at Renegade ankle holsters...great people, and a super quality product.

http://www.renegadeholstersdirect.com/page2.html

__________________
God Bless Our Troops.

I use an Apache ankle holster for a J-frame pretty often when I am wearing a tailored suit. They are super comfortable. I used to have a Galco Ankle Glove, but found that it printed pretty badly.

Here's a thread for you.......

new to ankle holsters: advice on quality makers sought

__________________
Ogy

This is what I use when I ankle carry. Have worn it for days at a time, it's that comfortable. Gun stays secure even when hiking in the woods. Not expensive as some others either, I think I paid $45 with free shipping for it at the time.

Model 4750  Ranger™ Triad™ Ankle Holster Bianchi Leather Holsters

Not going to be much help as I am not an advocate of ankle carry for a number of reasons. Getting to the gun is first and foremost. At its best it is awkward. Not many are proficient at doing so. To me it is over-rated in all regards just like a tuckable holster is as well.

To use it most times you will have to take your eyes off of the assailant which is never a good thing.

To draw you must either have incredible balance to bring the leg with the gun on it up to your hands or must take a kneeling position to do so, neither of which seems like a good option in a confrontation.

Just my humble opinion...a high quality IWB/OWB with a high quality belt usually will do a much better job..........

Most of us that carry concealed have learned to dress around the gun....we usually have several holsters for the same gun as different occasions have different requirements.

I use IWB most of the time, OWB on some occasions, a shoulder holster on some occasions, and pocket carry a M36 frequently.

Might work for you as well......

Randy

I carried a couple different ankle holsters during my LE career. They were a good way to carry a back-up weapon but (in my opinion) they do not serve well for to carry your primary defense weapon. Growr states the argument well and that is my experience. It does not matter what brand you use, when things get tense you DO NOT want to take your eyes off of the action or jeopardize your balance to retrieve your weapon.

Don’t take my word for it. Buy one, try it, and then decide for yourself. But do so before the need to have a weapon in your hand arises for real. In about a 1-year period I had three occasions when I needed a weapon in my hand. Twice I had a Walther .380 ACP in an ankle holster and once I had a Government .45 ACP in a belt slide holster. That last event convinced me to change my mode of dress and use strong-side belt holsters from then on.

Good luck.
Frank

i have a bianchi i will send you for only cost of shipping... not for me. i would rather carry IWB, shoulder, OWB, or in my mouth rather than ankle... just my honest opinion. many will say its a great way to carry a BUG, but its not for me. let me know and i will get this holster out to you asap.

Same here, I never have been able to wear an ankle holster to my satisfaction and I've really tried to like them.

__________________
- Change it back -

This is exactly what I was going to post!

I am not a big fan of ankle carry, however it does fit a need sometimes. In contrast though I would not recommend it for any extended length of time. Also, not good for long car trips (won't do that again ever). But of the few that I did try (Fobus, and both Galcos) it was a lot more concealable, stable, and comfortable (as much as it can be).

__________________
NRA Certified Instructor

I tried ankle holsters briefly as a young cop. The first thing I noticed was how I felt like I had one ankle weight on. Made running difficult. Then, making sure the ankle band was tight enough to keep the whole thing from rotating around as I walked made it uncomfortable. Even a "calf strap" attached didn't help.
And the only viable means of drawing is to kneel. You have to be a good distance from your threat if you're going to go into such a dis-advantageous position... might as well retreat from the scene first.
I suggest looking at one of those pouch-style waistband holsters that are worn under clothing, such as the SmartCarry, if a "normal" waistband rig won't work for you. You can even conceal them under a pair of shorts, but the gun is still readily accessible at your waistband. Just something to consider.

I like / use ankle holsters, also because of the way I prefer to dress. (Squidsix, I did not know that Chiefs wear tailored suits - I'm impressed. BTW, nice Model 36.)

You have to practice your draw, like others have said. You can learn to draw without your eyes leaving the threat, but it takes practice. An advantage to this is that you are moving down and laterally which can make it harder for the BG to acquire you in his sights. Action beats reaction.

To balance the weight, I use an ankle mag pouch on the other leg, and fill it with 4 speed loaders.

If ankle rigs are for you, here is a tip - pull your socks up over your gun. In time it will stretch the socks (but it makes it easier for momma to sort), but will make the gun virtually invisible. Have only ever been made once, and that when I was at a friend's house, didn't care if I printed, and he is a former Youngstown narc.

S/F,

RAS

I use a Desantis 044 leather ankle rig for my 442 .Sometimes its the only way I can carry especially since Ive retired and 1 gun is better than no gun.It gets more comfortable the more you use it.Also the grip size on your gun can make a big difference as to how comfortable it can be.

I carry my 442 in a Renegade all the time...amazingly secure and comfortable. Tried my Colt DS today just for fun...have to say, it was very comfortable even with the extra 8 ounces...btw, I am more concerned with just having a gun on me than a fast draw...no law says you can't take it off your ankle and throw it in your pocket if you feel you'd like it closer on a trip back to your car at night....

__________________
Thirty characters. Exactly...

I ankle carry a lot and actually prefer it. I carry a model 36 in a WRB nylon ankle rig. I have on occasion carried a Ruger sp 101 .357 but it's a bit heavy. Ankle carry is not a fast draw set up. You have to be aware always. It,s great in a restaurant and I like it for driving. 1200 miles and I was not a bit bothered, unlike another poster. So it,s really an individual comfort level and choice

And they're great for public restrooms....nothing to take off and an easy draw from as sitting position..

__________________
Thirty characters. Exactly...

For the reasons others have stated I would never carry my primary in an ankle holster. NEVER.

However I have been using an ankle holster on some occassions for over 20 years.
I had it custom made to hold a 1911 Commander or Officers model upside down. That way I can access the handgun with out pulling up the pant leg.

It also carries an extra magazine.

Its design makes it comfortable to wear even up to 12 house or more a day.

I do not wear it if I am doing a LOT of walking, but if I am going to be mostly standing around or sitting, and want to have 2 or 3 guns on me I wear it.

But never use it for my primary.

Here's another tip for ankle holsters...try them with high top sneaker...the extra height makes it even more comfortable...

__________________
Thirty characters. Exactly...

I'm in line with Growr and gruntdeputy on this. I learned about disadvantages many years ago.
I was jumped off duty by a BIG guy that I had previously arrested,who recognized me. I ended up with him on top of me,and suddenly had the epiphany that I could not get to my ankle carried J frame if I needed to. But guess who COULD??

All he would have had to do would be to reach back with his right hand and pull it and shoot me in the head.
Of course this fact activated my survival response even more and I was able to get him off me and pound his gourd real good until help arrived. The fact that he was drunk probably helped too,but at least I'm here to tell about it.
Lesson learned.

__________________
Blessed be the Lord,my Rock

I carry a S/W J frame like you and have for years. I use the Galco Ankle Glove ankle holster. Molded perfectly for the weapon and a solid thumb break. I run with it, wear it with duty pants and civies and never have had any issue whatsoever. Nice lambswool lining and you can get an expander to go over boots if you like.

Galco holsters; Holsters; Gun holster, pistol holsters, western holsters, shoulder holsters, leather holster and Glock holsters

So true. I almost always wear my Galco Ankle Glove while wearing my
Red Wing boots that are the same height as high top tennis shoes.

The bottom lip of the holster fits down into the top of the boot collar a little
and keeps it from slideing down, or twisting around my leg.

__________________
Ogy

Great minds...yada yada yad...

__________________
Thirty characters. Exactly...

Thank you all for the insight and information.
I am not a L.E.O. or "young and restless'.
I expect I'll never have to use this weapon as I do not frequent places known to be trouble some.
I have tried a few other carry options and found them to be less than comfortable or require the need to over dress.

I hope this works, I feel ankle carry is still better than leaving it home if it is ever needed.

[QUOTE=Rocketman1974;136453559]I used to live on City Island..a pretty safe neighborhood in the north Bronx....my dad was a cop who carried whenever he went out...one night, after dinner, he decided to take a walk up to the main avenue...this one time he decided to leave his gun off his hip. As he turned the corner from our block, some punk ripped an aerial off a car and came at my dad screaming how he hated cops. My dad instinctively went for his gun, which wasn't there...luckily, he kept his hand on his hip and bluffed him, telling him to drop the antenna or he'd blow his head off. It worked....but my dad never left his gun home after that night.

__________________
Thirty characters. Exactly...

Recently I had a somewhat similar, although nowhere near as serious, reminder to always have a gun with me.

I've live-trapped 5 Raccoons & 2 Feral Cats near one of our Pole Barns over the last 6 wk's or so and every night I check the trap a couple of times. Even though it's only about 50 yd's over there I usually slip on my fanny pack that has my gun & spare ammo in it, just in case.

A couple of weeks ago I picked up my fanny pack before a "trap check", thought about it for a second and said, what the heck, leave it here this time.

I get about 20-25 yd's from the house when I hear a couple of Coyote's, which sound like they're right where I'm heading for. Since I'm outside many times throughout the night, usually hittin' a cigar, I hear Coyote's all of the time but this time was different.

This time, instead of a yappy type of bark, they were making a, low, deep, gutteral growling sound mixed in with a different sounding, low pitched, "yap." The hair immediately stood up on the back of my neck & arms and I stopped, reached down and thought, uh oh, maybe I better go back and get "something." I did.

I have never felt the need for having a gun in my hand while checking the live trap, but when I went back out there I did. Knowing that if the first 2 rounds of .410 000 Buck out of The Governor didn't drive any frisky Coyote's off that the remaining four, 45 Colt 250 gr. Speer GDHP's would probably be enough to deal with them made me feel a little better about being out there.

Since then I've been a good boy and never leave my toys in the house when going outside to play.

__________________
Ogy

I have tried all brands of ankle holsters oover the years for my backup guns at work and with out a doubt i have to say the REHEGADE is the most comfy one of them all...imho...

Here is my 1960's vintage leather lace up ankle holster for a Model 36. It was worn by a NYPD Officer as an off duty and undercover gun. This holster is extremely comfortable, it's the best ankle rig that I have used. I do not know who made it, it came with the gun. If anyone knows who may have made this, please let me know.

Attached Images

Mod 36 holsters (1024x577).jpg (147.7 KB, 66 views)

I've had an ankle holster for my J frame for years but rarely use it. I find it awkward at best, & somewhat uncomfortable (very skinny ankles despite being a big guy). It seems to work best on a long car trip and when we stop the gun is transfered to my pocket. One thing to consider is when you sit down your trouser cuff will ride up over the holster every time. Someone suggested wearing an extra sock and pulling it over the gun - not a bad idea.

__________________
Old Cop
LEO (Ret.)

As many have said it's not the best method of carry (it's ok if you sit at a desk all day or spend a lot of time driving) but you're still better off strapping your gun to your ankle than leaving it at home. I'll give another vote for the DeSantis 044. I often carry my 442 in it and it's very comfortable.

My "life style" gets intruded upon so often that I wouldn't notice the difference.

No one has said it yet, but Gould and Goodrich makes a good ankle holster. I had one for my PPK that I used for the last t 10 years and it works great. i have one on order that will be here next week for my S&W 368 w/ the 2.5" barrel

An ankle holster may be THE best concealable position for a gun while driving, which is how some people spend much of their lives. It may be a pretty poor position for the primary firearm, but the primary firearm may be almost unavailable when seatbelted into a car.

Just because a gun in an ankle holster isn't often worth much walking down the street doesn't mean you shouldn't wear it, any more than you should leave your belt-holstered gun at home because you're driving to town rather than walking.

P.S. Well, some might argue in favor of a shoulder holster rather than an ankle holster. That can be very good if you can dress for it.

There are a number of cons with an ankle holster. That being said, sometimes it is the only practical option. The Galco Ankle Glove is fleece lined and has the option of a garter belt. If I'm wearing cargo pants or jeans and an untucked shirt or sweater I can go IWB or OWB. But if it's business casual attire such as trousers and a dress shirt, ankle carry a viable way to go. After the initial weight awareness, you will get used to it and it's not an issue.

I carry a 337 AirLite in a Galco AG12 for BUG because I spend a good amount of time in a car and its easier to get to and less obvious than trying to go to the waist. It also works pretty well when sitting in a restaurant. I wear mine on the inside of the right ankle with the butt facing forward. It requires a type of twist draw but it conceals better that way for me and is easier to reach while seated. You MUST keep finger off trigger during the draw. I started doing this as a young LEO in the 70's. I don't like ankle carry as my primary carry if only carrying one handgun. You must put in lots of practice on the draw. If there is a place to safely do it, live fire from the ankle can give you an idea of the reality of having to go for your primary on the ankle from a standing position. You must be in fairly good condition with excellent balance and flexibility to do it with any sort of speed.

I am not sure I buy the idea that having a gun is better than not, no matter what the situation. Having a gun in the mix can make things worse if you can't retain it or use it effectively. If I were to use ankle carry as primary, I would get in some practice running away very quickly with it on. You are going to need some distance and time to get it into action. Losing your balance while attempting to draw can result in shooting something you don't want to...such as yourself or your companion. You will need to employ some hand to hand defensive skills to be able to get enough distance to get to it. Ankle carry complicates things considerably when simple is best in an ultra stressful situation involving lethal force...There's no "do overs" and don't expect any mercy if you are too slow or clumsy.