Ankle Holster suggestions, please.

[Rugskipper]

My son is going to get his CCW pretty soon, and has expressed a desire to carry his 642 (which the old man is coughing up) in an ankle rig. I've always pocketed mine with a Mika so I have zero experience with ankle holsters. I've seen positive reviews on the Renegade and Galco products, but I'd appreciate more info. He wears dress pants or khakis and polo or dress shirts tucked in. I think he's afraid of printing with the flimsy nature of dress pants, and he manages a retail store, so I can certainly understand his concerns. Thoughts, suggestions, sources and prices, please.

 

[sgtvilla]

I use a galco ankle rig and it works great for me. They come with a velcro strap for retention and in my opinion are unnecessary. the gun holds pretty well in the holster without it and it would only slow down your draw from a rig that its super slow already.

I fold the velcro strap on the inside and never use it. I am considering cutting it off. other than that.... galco makes me me happy.

 

[The Big D]

Someone please tell us why an ankle holster is a good idea.

Be safe.

 

[photoman]

Someone please tell us why an ankle holster is a good idea.

Be safe.

Sitting in a car.

 

[ColbyBruce]

I owned a Bianchi ankle rig once upon a time. It was a 5H holster on a sheep skin lined leather strap held together by Velcro. Mine was for a S&W J frame. The holster stuck out a good bit, did not hug the leg at all. It was hot and uncomfortable in the Georgia summer. I swapped it to a man in Barbados for a magazine for a CZ 527 .22 Hornet.

I have borrowed and worn ankle rigs made by Alessi, Rybka, and Ken Knull. These were far superior in design to the one I owned. A ankle rig is difficult to reach for most folks. Your son might explore other carry methods as well. 5.11 makes a T shirt with sewn in holsters under both arms which might work for him.

You are a good man for buying the CCW for your son. My son gets one or two a year from me, and tries to get more. His motto: "It doesn't hurt to ask for it, dad might give it to me".

 

[ACP230]

I have an Uncle Mike's ankle holster for the Beretta 21A. It works pretty well but doesn't get used much. I usually pocket carry. I did use the ankle holster on a long car trip and it did put a gun within easier reach when I was in the car with a seatbelt on.

Chic Gaylord said in "Handgunner's Guide" that ankle holsters also work if you get knocked onto your back on the ground.

 

[rock doc]

I recently bought the Renegade for my 642. I usually use a Nemesis for pocket carry, but I wanted some flexibility on how I carry it. The Renegade is very comfortable and holds the 642 very securely and close to the leg.

 

[Rugskipper]

I recently bought the Renegade for my 642. I usually use a Nemesis for pocket carry, but I wanted some flexibility on how I carry it. The Renegade is very comfortable and holds the 642 very securely and close to the leg.

Where did you find it?

 

[sgtvilla]

Someone please tell us why an ankle holster is a good idea.

Be safe.

- driving
- carrying in class A uniform
- Back up weapon
- discreet carrying when somewhere with people overly sensitive about weapons, or where you are "not supposed" to be carrying... (we've all done it wether we admit it or nor, at lest once)
- many other reasons I can't think of... having an open mind to many different options of one subject makes people more skillful and knowledgeable.


In the case we are discussing, his son work at a store or a business where I'm sure he deals with customers. A hip holster may not be as discreet as an ankle holster, therefore its a good idea for him.

 

[Old cop]

While I have an ankle rig I seldom use it (LEO 30 yrs. & currently retired). Every time I sit down the cuff of my trouser leg rides up exposing some or all of the holster & gun. Anyone working retail would be better served with pocket carry.

 

[hittman77]

My suggestion is to try pocket carry. I too really, really wanted to make an ankle holster work. I dress for work similar to what you described with your son. Didn't work for me. I just couldn't make it work or feel comfortable.

I carry a small .380 in front pants pocket and never looked back. Wish I had back all the time and money I wasted on making the ankle thing work.

 

[Shorty4T]

I carry both a J Frame and a M&P compact in Galco ankle rigs. The Ankle Glove will do fine with the 642, I carry a M60 in mine. As long as you get the correct length on the tousers there should be no riding up of the cuff. There really is no need for the calf strap offered for these holsters, they are very secure and comfortable for all day carry.

I started carrying ankle rigs for the discression factor, I'm often at customer locations and just don't care to have the discussion with most of them. Ankle holsters certainly have a place, it just isn't for everyone.

Cheers,
Sam

Where is Sip's boney leg...he always shows up on these threads

 

[rock doc]

Where did you find it?

I bought mine here:
Renegade Products at Adco Firearms. The place to get AR15 parts machinging and tactical accessories.

 

[Beretta682]

I carry a 342pd as a backup in an Andrews Custom Leather ankle holster made by Sam Andrews. When not carried as a backup I have a Tyler T-grip and Barami hip grip which enables me to carry it in my waistband, even with jogging shorts.

 

[safearm]

- driving
- back up weapon (to belt gun)
- discreet carrying when somewhere with people overly sensitive about weapons, or where you are "not supposed" to be carrying... (we've all done it whether we admit it or not)

These are the exact reasons why I routinely carry in an ankle holster. I use Uncle Mike's. I have two: one for a Ruger LCP, which really carries in the pocket better than anything else, and one for a J-frame, which I carry a lot in an ankle holster.
The Uncle Mike's holsters have a calf strap that keeps the holster from sliding down to the top of your shoe, they're secure, and if they get dirty, they're easy to clean. The velcro lets you adjust to exact size, whether it's your leg, ankle, or the position of the safety strap/thumb-break. The price is reasonable, I think the last one I bought (for the LCP) was $29.95.

 

[jtpur]

Someone please tell us why an ankle holster is a good idea.

Be safe.

An ankle holster is easy to conceal. It is lousy for fast draw. It is great when in a vehicle. It is great when in a restaraunt. It is great when you want to dress in clothing that will print if the gun is on the hip.

It is great because one has his gun with him instead of at home. No gun, no holster, no ammunition, is perfect. All guns, carrying devices, ammunition and other accessories are compromises.

Sometimes I have an ankle holster to tote my model 36, or my Ruger SP101......sometimes, I carry a Keltec in my front pocket, or even my hip pocket... Sometimes I carry my Sigma, sometimes I have and IWB holster, sometimes a hip holster strong side. it depends on where Im going, what Im doing and what Im wearing. Hope this helps answer your question.

 

[Bell Charter Oak Holsters]

Ankle holsters were great hideout rigs for a back up gun back when fashion typically concealed the gun and rig. Back in the 60's and 70's when bell bottoms were popular or even earlier (40's and 50's) when clothing was styled to afford one the ability to hide a Howitzer they were very practical.

We stopped making them in the late 80's or early 90's because sales no longer justified promoting them. Today I think small autos in .380 or 9mm would work fine with most contemporary fashions, but the ankle holster has always suffered limitations of one sort or another by virtue of their design which is the typical tradeoff of most deep concealment products in one manner or another.

The best ankle rig being made today in my opinion, is by Mike Taurisano of Tauris Custom Holsters. There are several other makers whose products look very well made like the Andrews rig show in this thread, but I have no first hand familiarity with them. I think your son would be well served with a few different styles of holsters for different applications. Perhaps an IWB and a pocket rig and then he can determine which works best for him, his clothing and the weapon he will be carrying.

Cheers;
Lefty

 

[The Big D]

I know, I shouldn't have posted my question.

However, I have carried almost every single day for more than half my life...and that's a long time. I CCW strong side IWB/OWB 99% of the time and have never been "outed" for printing.

My problems (actually not my problems since I don't) with ankle carry are many. You cannot cross your legs w/o exposing the gun, it's almost impossible to access quickly, and you place yourself in a very vulnerable position whilst drawing it.

Perhaps it is useful in a vehicle but I find a shoulder holster works best then.

All that said, to each his/her own...and the only good place for a handgun is on one's person.

Be safe.

QUOTE=jtpur;135771659]An ankle holster is easy to conceal. It is lousy for fast draw. It is great when in a vehicle. It is great when in a restaraunt. It is great when you want to dress in clothing that will print if the gun is on the hip.

It is great because one has his gun with him instead of at home. No gun, no holster, no ammunition, is perfect. All guns, carrying devices, ammunition and other accessories are compromises.

Sometimes I have an ankle holster to tote my model 36, or my Ruger SP101......sometimes, I carry a Keltec in my front pocket, or even my hip pocket... Sometimes I carry my Sigma, sometimes I have and IWB holster, sometimes a hip holster strong side. it depends on where Im going, what Im doing and what Im wearing. Hope this helps answer your question.[/QUOTE]

 

[jimmyj]

Carrying in an Ankle Holster - NO!!
For deep CCW - consider Pocket Carry.

 

[chief38]

I ankle carried for about 15 years, and one day I just found it too uncomfortable. That is when I switched to pocket carry in a DeSantis Nemesis, and then graduated to a Kramer Horsehide Belt Scabbard when applicable. Between the Kramer & the Nemesis, I have now obsoleted my other 20 or so holsters for my Chief's Special carry gun.

Now that I do not carry on the ankle anymore, I can't believe I ever did! Too slow and too awkward to get the gun into action. Gets wet in the rain & snow, shows when you are driving - hard to keep discrete, and good luck if you ever have to run!

regards,
chief38