BUGBite Holser

[Faulkner]

I saw the BUGBite Holster advertisement in American Rifleman. I've tried several but have only had one ankle/leg holster that actually worked satisfactory and that was a Galco Ankle Glove for my S&W 442. The Galco is expensive, but when you need an ankle rig it will ride comfortably all day with most activity up to and including jogging (though I don't recommend jogging with a ankle rig).

The only problem with the Galco Ankle Glove is it is form fitted for a specific firearm. I was looking at ordering another one for my Ruger LC9s when I saw the BUGbite ad. It is not gun specific which I thought was a plus and the price seemed reasonable.

I went on line and checked out the order process, measured for the correct size for my leg and placed the order. Ordering was easy and the package showed up a day or so quicker than estimated. I tore open the package and I tried it on and it, seemed to fit as described. It is designed to ride over your calf, which I suppose should have been a clue for me to consider before I ordered. I've never had an ankle or leg holster work that does not ride on your ankle. My experience has been if it does not start out riding on your ankle it will be before too long.

The BUGBite fit comfortable and snug enough when I first put it on. My Ruger LC9S slid right in and I loved the magazine pouch on the other side, but after less than 30 minutes of walking to my car and the from my car to my office it had already slid down to my ankle and was flopping around under my pant leg. Not good. I thought maybe both the pistol and magazine in the holster was too much weight, so I removed the magazine and re-adjusted the BUGBite. A short time later, same thing. I tried moving it up higher on my leg, just under my knee. I tried moving it to the forward or backward on my leg. I even tried it on my other leg. Same thing, it would eventually slide down to my ankle and flop around as I walked.

I double checked to make sure my pre-order measurements were correct and that I'd ordered the right size. Yep, I fell into the "B" size and that's what I ordered and that's what I had in hand. I run and ride bikes so although I don't have monster calves it's not like I have bird legs.

I wanted to like it . . . I tried to like it . . . but, it's going in the box with the other holsters I tried that didn't live up to expectations. So if the BUGBite representatives stumble across this post I want you to know I really like the idea, it just didn't work for me.

 

[Faulkner]

Fortunately, I was able to sell my BUGBite holster to someone who wanted it more than I did. Maybe it'll work better for them.

 

[APS]

Yeah that looks like you can barely get one finger around the grip to pull it out. Under stress? You'll be like Cleavon Little "excuse me... while I...whip this out"

 

[Erich]

Thanks for the informative review. When I had to wear a knee brace for a while, I wondered if this concept would work. I came away thinking it would depend on the calf of the wearer - sounds like that's the case. Seeing these advertised in American Rifleman got me wondering again, so I'm grateful for your review.

 

[TinMon]

Yep - Thanks. reviews are always appreciated!

 

[Whitwabit]

I had to wear a boot for a stress fracture and it had a wrap around I thought about trying to convert to a holster but found it would fit too high up on the calf and would be next to impossible to retrieve it with any kind of speed .. I wear boot cut jeans and the pants legs were just too tight ..

This looks to have the same problems .. would love to find a comfortable ankle holster for my Sig P238 .. thought a calf height holster would suit me but would have to find an old pair of elephant bell bottom jeans from back in the 60's for it to work !!

Does anyone make a holster attached to neoprene like a wet suit that you could slip over your foot and ankle and thus stay in place .. would come in different sizes according to your calf size .. would be much like an ankle support bandage but wiht an holster attached to the top part of the ankle ..

 

[Oldgoalie]

Thanks so much for the review. I too saw the ad in American Rifleman, and was calling up the info on the product. I was sitting here close to ordering one to see if it would work for me. I was also thinking of showing the ad to my wife, for her Glock 43.

After thinking back to my days as a LEO, and the discomfort of trying to hide a J frame, as a backup weapon for a patrol shift, and reading this review, I think I'll save the money. I too have a box full of holsters that just don't work. We will all keep looking. I was hoping that someone had come up with the better mousetrap.