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Ankle Carry
- Thread starter Smoke
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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
Protected One
Member
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.
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.
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!
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!
bigggbbruce
Member
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.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!
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.
blues7
Member
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.)
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.)
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.
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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Ivan the Butcher
Member
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
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.
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.
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......
Richard Simmons
Member
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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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!
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!
Steve_in_PA
Member
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.
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.
Mainsail
Member
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 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.
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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.
Stevens
Member
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
Steve W
