I struggle with comfortable concealed carry in business casual dress. Wool slacks with a blazer, or a suit, or just khakis and a button down, etc. Properly tailored clothes and lighter fabrics make it impossible to pocket carry anything but the smallest semi-auto. Tuckable holsters don't work. I have never seen anyone pull it off without looking like they have a tumor. Custom, convenience, and Charlotte, NC weather dictate that the blazer or suit jacket will come off at some point. Not comfortable leaving a gun off body in a briefcase unless I can have eyes on it at all times. Not practical. So, explored ankle carry and....it works.

I'll say that ankle carry has largely solved my problem. Took a lot of trial and error. Bought, tried and quickly retired 5 different ankle holsters before settling on the one that works best for me...the Wilderness Renegade (elastic, not leather) for J Frames. [Thanks sipowicz for the recommendation]

The Wilderness Renegade elastic is among the least bulky options. Many leather holsters bulge, are awkwardly floppy or have a big thumb break that prints. By contrast, the Wilderness Renegade holds securely with elastic adding minimal bulk. The holster pocket is secured top and bottom to the elastic band so that it does not flop out (like the DeSantis). The elastic band is adequate length. The sheepskin padding is comfortable and dissipates heat. And, most important for me it is a straight drop. I have muscular calves and the forward canted ankle holsters positioned the revolver grip over a bulge. The Wilderness Renegade allows the entire revolver to ride below the bulge and thereby facilitates concealment.

I carried AirLite J Frames (342, 337, and 340PD) this way for two weeks straight. Did not notice the holster after about two hours on the first day. It is completely comfortable. This is not my preferred or primary carry method but it's necessary for deep deep concealment in non-permissive environments. Also, I spend a lot of time seated or driving. Could get to it quickly if standing. Not sure why I never bothered to try this before.

It’s not as pretty as some on the market but it works great. Also, I added the speed strip pouch (it’s an option) to carry a reload.









* I have an Alessi on order and looking a Price Gun Leather ankle holster to explore other options.




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I often carried a J-frame in an ankle holster as a backup before I retired from law enforcement. On rare occasion, I've carried a J-frame in those holsters as a primary where there was no other option than to go unarmed. While the gun can be a bit of a pain to get to, with practice it can be done pretty quickly.

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Dave Frost

Thanks for this very informative and useful post.

I had the Galco ankle glove for my Model 36 - all elastic. Worked great until I got dragged by a car and had to sort it out with my Sig 220. I didn’t realize I had lost the little gun until a few hours later. It took some doing to get it back. I used leather holsters with a secure snap after that.

If you don’t plan to get dragged by a car (a plan which I would strongly advocate) then that setup is probably fine.

I like ankle carry. Most times my spidey-sense would have me slip the gun put of my ankle holster and into my waistband or pocket.

Once when I was on leave visiting the folks I had to go to Kroger’s to get some Pedialyte for a sick kid. It was late and the lot was empty when my wife and I parked. When we came back there was a car with two guys in it parked right next to us in the otherwise empty lot. I went to the trunk of our car, put my foot on the bumper, and moved the .38 from my ankle to my waistband, and then put the stuff in the trunk. The driver had opened the door to his car, but stopped and said to his pal: This MFer is strapped. We drove off without problems.

You’ll hear commandos say “Ankle carry is a good way to carry a gun without being armed.” More T-shirt wisdom, and worth nothing.

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Rule of law, not a man.

I carried an agency-issued G26 as a BUG in a leather Alessi ankle holster for the last five years of my career. I got used to it very quickly!

I've been retired for a year and a half now and my EDC is my own G26 in the same Alessi holster (unless I'm in cargo shorts when it's warm out - then I pocket carry a different gun). The Alessi still holds very secure.

Nothing wrong with ankle carry.

In my 30's... I was thinner then... I was able to conceal my 3" M36-1 in a Bianchi IWB #3 pistol pocket with factory targets with slacks, a nice dress shirt & a weather appropriate sweater for a nice preppy look. I needed to blend into an nice event.
The OIC came by to check on me... and asked me if I was armed. Well, yes, actually.





I never found an ankle holster I was happy with.

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NRA LIFE
Reserve Officer 9yrs

If you are not familiar with the BUGbite ankle holster I'd suggest checking it out. It's a sort of footless, tall sock arrangement made of neoprene with a zipper at the base & a velcro strap at the top. It works well, wears comfortably, and for me it securely holds a J Frame with room for a speed strip on the reverse side.
This is a fitted holster, comes right or left handed, and 5 different sizes to truly fit your calf. Measuring to get the correct size is critical so measure twice and purchase once. I've tried pretty much everything available over the years and this is my hands down favorite. When it gets dirty, throw it in the wash. I'm a satisfied customer but as always, YMMV. Tony

I carried various J-frame revolvers and Walther PPKs in ankle rigs over the years, especially during the 10 years I worked narcotics.
Like the Original Poster, I still carry a Centennial that way when I have to wear a tucked in shirt and no jacket.

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John

I have carried in an ankle holster for over 35 years. Originally a Model 60 in a Jackass ankle holster (predecessor of Galco). Later I carried a Walther PPK/S in a no name holster. This did not work well. I went back to a revolver, a Model 342ti in a Galco Ankle Glove and carried it as a backup/off duty for years. Then I changed to a Kahr PM 40 in the same type, Ankle Glove. Until recently I carried a 940 in the same holster. Now I carry my Sig P365 in the Kahr holster (fits like it was made for it).

I have no issues with suits or dress slacks. I found that with jeans I have to buy boot cut to hide the gun and facilitate easier draw.

An ankle holster is something that one has to get used to. Recently I bought a Seecamp 32 and have been pocket carrying it and feel funny not wearing the ankle holster.

An ankle holster will never be as quick/easy to draw from as a belt holster, but it is much better to have it on your ankle than at home when you need it.

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Bill

When I wore a uniform, I carried a variety of small handguns in several ankle / boot holsters.

I never cared for the way it felt when I walked, and was always worried about losing a gun when I had to run.

BUT, I will concede that ankle carry can be a good choice when concealability is compromised, and not a lot of walking / running is involved.

Larry

I have also found the Wilderness Renegade GTG. During the warm weather months when it is difficult to conceal my S & W Model 13, 3 inch or my Glock 19-5, I opt for my 340PD on my ankle with a speed-loader in my pocket. I find this works for me when going in harm's way. The holster holds it securely and once on the ankle, it does not move. Draw is smooth and quiet.

With this weapon/holster combination, I find that you need to practice, then practice some more. This includes drawing from ankle holster to simulate actual circumstances where you might be called to employ the firearm. I was told once, "Train as you fight".

Some may denigrate the J-Frame Smith. Just remember, "It's not the arrow, it's the Indian".

HTH.

JPJ

And let me tell you that if are chubby, or your hips are stiff, or your knees don't bend like they used to, an ankle holster is a looooooong way off! Jus' sayin'. YMMV and obviously does.

OTOH, I have carried everything from a tiny Beretta .25 ACP 950 BS to a 2" snubby K-frame .38 to a 9mm Walther CCP in a pocket holster and to this day NOBODY has "busted" me. And that's years and years and years of pocket carry.

Don't they make countless numbers of pocket holsters that make a gun bulge like a wallet?

An officer I worked with carried 3 guns (that I know of.) His duty revolver, an ankle gun... and a tiny 22 auto. He used to get a ribbing about carrying an extra set of cuffs in an old style cuff case. He confided in me that there wasn't cuffs in there... the 22 fit in there like it was made for it.
Hiding in plain view.

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NRA LIFE
Reserve Officer 9yrs

Tuckable holsters absolutely DO work!

I typically wear business casual clothing and mostly carry tuckable IWB. Moreover, I lived (and live) in what many of you consider ‘unfriendly’ states...New York, Maryland, and Massachusetts. Have carried in all 50 states. Carried for now more than forty-four (44) years. ONLY WAS I EVER I ‘MADE’ AND NEVER QUESTIONED WHETHER I HAD A TUMOR.

If you think tuckable holsters don’t work you don’t know how to wear one.

Proof? For the last four (4) days I have been in Baltimore, MD, in very popular venues with many thousands of folks in the immediate area and at times found myself engaged in face-to-face casual conversations with on duty police officers. All the while I was wearing shorts and a polo shirt with a Glock 43 in a Remora IWB.

Not trying to argue but making inaccurate statements is counter productive.

Be safe.

I carried my 642 in a Galco Ankle Glove as a BUG for the last 15-16 years of my career. Never lost it despite fights, foot chases, fence jumping and various other athletic events. As a means of off-duty or now retired carry, on the ankle is my least favored method but one that I'll fall back on occasionally.

When I wore the uniform, I ankle carried every duty day. Saved my bacon more than once. I don’t now, because I wear shorts all the time. . .

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Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

I had the same problem as the OP, wearing a suit with the jacket oftentimes off. Also, a belt gun was hard to get to under the black robe when I was on the bench, and I seldom had armed security in the courtroom. I settled on the Wildnerness Renegade about 8 years ago and carried it mostly with a S&W 342. Occasionally, I carried an old Detective Special. Problems solved! I could take the suit coat off and in the courtroom the gun was easier to access than any belt gun. Since I was sitting, all I had to do was lift my left leg and the gun was in my hand. No black robe to be gotten out of the way. I still carry most days and often on the ankle. i’ve gotten so used to it that it seems strange not to have it down there.

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Everybody could shoot

When you just can't pack your favorite howitzer...


A 22 is better than a rock...

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NRA LIFE
Reserve Officer 9yrs

I'll carry a Kahr PM9 in an Uncle Mike's ankle holster when wearing my tuxedo because that suit isn't really cut for any other style of carry. Outside of that, I'll carry the Kahr in a FIST pocket holster because I make sure to buy pants (including jeans) that have a "full cut.