Is an ankle holster useful???
- Thread starter MarkB
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I wear cargo shorts 10 months out of the year...probably not a good idea for me.....
I used one for many years with various S&W snubbies and Walther PPKs.
Very useful for what I needed it for, mostly undercover narcotics work or to tote a backup gun as a regular detective.
YMMV
Very useful for what I needed it for, mostly undercover narcotics work or to tote a backup gun as a regular detective.
YMMV
Tried one decades ago.......
Can see where it would work for the Judge in court....... where your primary is a bailiff or two.....
Long story and a sore spot with me. Hard as it might be to believe in this current age, I never had an armed bailiff. Not once in 21 years. While we occasionally had an armed police officer in the courtroom in criminal matters, that was not the norm, and we very rarely had even that in civil hearings including divorce trials. Anyone who has spent time in the courts knows those are by far the most dangerous cases. The nearest regular armed help had to come from the detention center across the street, and that was at least 1 minute away. That, my friend, is an eternity! That's why I carried. Bottom line, if something really lethal happened in that courtroom we were on our own. We were lucky, that's all. Apologies for hijacking the thread, just wanted to explain why I grew to like the ankle holster.
jringo8769
Member
Well i have used a ankle holster now for about 11 years and personally if u have the right one there is nothing better
I personally like the galco ankle glove as they seem to me to be the most comfortable and i can wear it all day no matter the weight of the gun
I have tried many other brands and have found u get what u pay for
Cheap ones are very loose or way too tight
I bet i have had at least six different brands before i got the one i liked if u decide to buy one my recommendation to u is try them on before purchase
A good ankle holster should last five to ten years cheap ones will be nothing but aggravation
I wear mine on my left ankle and no matter if i carry my heavy detective special or my lightweight agent it does not bother me at all
I also use the horsehide pocket protector from galco
God Bless,John
Sent from my LGL41C using Tapatalk
I personally like the galco ankle glove as they seem to me to be the most comfortable and i can wear it all day no matter the weight of the gun
I have tried many other brands and have found u get what u pay for
Cheap ones are very loose or way too tight
I bet i have had at least six different brands before i got the one i liked if u decide to buy one my recommendation to u is try them on before purchase
A good ankle holster should last five to ten years cheap ones will be nothing but aggravation
I wear mine on my left ankle and no matter if i carry my heavy detective special or my lightweight agent it does not bother me at all
I also use the horsehide pocket protector from galco
God Bless,John
Sent from my LGL41C using Tapatalk
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+1. "Top Line Div. of AB Industries" Still have it, still works. Carried a Colt Agent in it. The strap does not secure my 642 properly.
Worn on the inside of the left ankle it was accessible with either hand. When seated or kneeling it was an easy draw. Otherwise more like Hackman in French Connection. They probably went out of business because the darn things never wore out.
It was ok when I was young and able to bend quickly to retrieve my gun. But now I'm to old. I carried in an ankle holster with a BUG when I was a LEO. Sometimes with a CA Bull Dog 44 or a Star PD 45. I'm long retired now and I don't carry a BUG, but I can understand why someone sound want to. I'm strictly a defensive carrier now do I just carry big bore and enough ammo. One thing I noticed back then. Don't try to run with an ankle hoster. That's why I changed and started carrying it in the Velcro flap of my bullet proof vest.
TeaDub
Member
I have ankle carried a BUG for over 25+ years. Most of that time as a LEO, but I continue the practice when working in a LGS/Range since I have retired. IMO, ankle carry has it's uses as primary carry when attire makes belt or pocket carry problematic. Likewise when driving.
I'm very picky on my holster choice. My Desantis model 044 has stayed put while running, climbing fences and getting hands on. Others not so much.
Training with the draw is critical. A lot of training. Muscle memory lets me to know where to grab the pants leg allowing a smooth draw without looking. A short step back with the off leg and there it is. There are drawbacks. You need both hands (for speed) and it is still slower than belt carry. BTW, I also carry my defensive knife clipped to my off hand pocket for more options.
If you feel the need for a second gun, ankle carry is a valid choice. YMMV.
I'm very picky on my holster choice. My Desantis model 044 has stayed put while running, climbing fences and getting hands on. Others not so much.
Training with the draw is critical. A lot of training. Muscle memory lets me to know where to grab the pants leg allowing a smooth draw without looking. A short step back with the off leg and there it is. There are drawbacks. You need both hands (for speed) and it is still slower than belt carry. BTW, I also carry my defensive knife clipped to my off hand pocket for more options.
If you feel the need for a second gun, ankle carry is a valid choice. YMMV.
hostler
Member
Some people carry a BUG instead of a reload.
I bet most people who carry a gun regularly also carry an extra mag or a speed loader/speed strip. Not much difference in carrying a reload than carrying a BUG. If you really think about it with an open mind, carrying a BUG makes more sense (tactically) than carrying a reload.
I bet most people who carry a gun regularly also carry an extra mag or a speed loader/speed strip. Not much difference in carrying a reload than carrying a BUG. If you really think about it with an open mind, carrying a BUG makes more sense (tactically) than carrying a reload.
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WHY JIMMY DOES NOT USE A ANKLE HOLSTER:
Years ago when I was younger (seems like I have always been old) I carried a Colt Cobra 2" as a BU in a ankle holster. One night attempting to arrest a wanted person who did not want to go to jail, we began fighting. We fell to the ground with me on the bottom and the arrestee on top. As we rolled on the ground my pants leg pulled up exposing my BU. The arrestee reached and grabbed it and rose up to his feet and aimed it at me. I was able to draw my issued Browning P-35 and fire twice. I missed but two bullets going past his head decided him to flee the scene. I recovered the Colt where he had abandoned it along his escape route as I ran after him. The next morning I located him and took him into custody.
Lessons learned:
1. never use a ankle holster again
2. never use a service pistol with small sights where it is difficult to pick up the front sight in dim light.
3. I am not ten foot tall and bullet proof.
4. I should have listen to my Mother and became a firefighter.
Years ago when I was younger (seems like I have always been old) I carried a Colt Cobra 2" as a BU in a ankle holster. One night attempting to arrest a wanted person who did not want to go to jail, we began fighting. We fell to the ground with me on the bottom and the arrestee on top. As we rolled on the ground my pants leg pulled up exposing my BU. The arrestee reached and grabbed it and rose up to his feet and aimed it at me. I was able to draw my issued Browning P-35 and fire twice. I missed but two bullets going past his head decided him to flee the scene. I recovered the Colt where he had abandoned it along his escape route as I ran after him. The next morning I located him and took him into custody.
Lessons learned:
1. never use a ankle holster again
2. never use a service pistol with small sights where it is difficult to pick up the front sight in dim light.
3. I am not ten foot tall and bullet proof.
4. I should have listen to my Mother and became a firefighter.
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The Preacher
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My $.02...which ain't worth much. There are some of us who, for whatever reason, can't carry any other way. We need to be dressed appropriately, shirttail tucked in, don't always wear a jacket, and the tuckables often print, get "untucked", bulge or are just plain uncomfortable. That being said, at the very least a "good" ankle holster is one of the few options that enable one to always have a weapon close by. Surely at the bottom of the list of carry options, but it's an option non-the-less.
The Preacher (Who does indeed carry on a daily basis a 9mm shield in an ankle holster)
The Preacher (Who does indeed carry on a daily basis a 9mm shield in an ankle holster)
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Thanks. You have given me a lot of very good advice, both pro and con. It is a highly personal decision based on my lifestyle and intended use. I'm still not sure which way I'll go but I will be able to make an informed decision thanks to all your help. You have given me things to consider that I had not thought of before.
Biggfoot44
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I used an ankle holster for a BUG for a number of years. They have their pluses/ minuses like any other deep concealment method.
The good news is ease of access from seated. Also reasonably ambidextrous if needed.
They can be quicker than you would think, but requires being stationary to draw. Main.reason I consider them unacceptable for Primary carry.
When you first try one it will feel strange and uncomfortable. You have to commit to a two week trial period to make an informed decision.
I mainly used the propriety LFI version , mfg by DeSantis. Very secure, and comfortable enough that more than once I literally forgot I was wearing it.
The good news is ease of access from seated. Also reasonably ambidextrous if needed.
They can be quicker than you would think, but requires being stationary to draw. Main.reason I consider them unacceptable for Primary carry.
When you first try one it will feel strange and uncomfortable. You have to commit to a two week trial period to make an informed decision.
I mainly used the propriety LFI version , mfg by DeSantis. Very secure, and comfortable enough that more than once I literally forgot I was wearing it.
sipowicz
Member
I use a Renegade for my 442 and it fits my Colt Cobra also..it's worked fine for the past 18 years. I'm more concerned with having a gun on me than needing a QuickDraw ever since I moved out of Tombstone, AZ
sipowicz
Member
Btw. The Renegade is no longer available but the wilderness tactical company makes a pretty decent homage rig. Also check out the Galco ankle glove. The main difference is the Renegade/wilderness uses a pouch while the Galco uses a molded holster. The former tends to conceal a bit better but either should do fine. Stay away from cheap nylon rigs. Your ankle will thank you. Do a search here of ankle holsters and you will see I know of what I speak.
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win9639445
Member
I still use my original Renegade that's about 16 years old now. It works great and is very comfortable even when wearing for 12hrs. I also have one of the modern Wilderness Tactical versions of the Renegade. The version they made is of the all nylon Renegade holster. It's made of better/stronger materials vs the vintage originals. When I wear a suit or dress clothing I use the vintage Renegade as it's less bulky but with casual clothing I use the Wilderness version.
66 shooter
Member
Well said...
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As it happens, there is a VERY good reason to carry a second gun on the ankle. That is that it is much easier to draw a gun from the weak-side inside of the ankle than almost any other place, when seated, particularly when seated in a car. If you try drawing a gun while seated in a car, belted in, you will see what I mean.
To the OP: an ankle holster is the very best choice for a second gun, except when almost all your exposure is while in a car. Then it is probably the very best choice for your FIRST gun.
You misunderstood. HE was asking US for advice on whether or not it was a good idea. It seems to me that you were challenging him.
As it happens, there is a VERY good reason to carry a second gun on the ankle. That is that it is much easier to draw a gun from the weak-side inside of the ankle than almost any other place, when seated, particularly when seated in a car. If you try drawing a gun while seated in a car, belted in, you will see what I mean.
To the OP: an ankle holster is the very best choice for a second gun, except when almost all your exposure is while in a car. Then it is probably the very best choice for your FIRST gun.
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Shortly after I went on the bench. one of the local detectives came by the house and told me he had heard there was a contract out on me, and that I should start carrying. Lent me a model 15 when he found out that I didn't own a handgun. Second amendment started to have some personal meaning.
I usually walked to work, when I was assigned to the local courthouse about 1 1/12 miles from my house. In cooler weather, I usuallly wore a Bianchi X-15 shoulder holster witlh the S&W M 15. Off-duty, wore a pancake with the M 15.
In non-coat weather, I carried either an S&W airweight bodyguard or a Model 60 in an ankle holster with the auxiliary strap above the bulge of the calf. And I practiced at the range 3 nights a week, learning to draw and shoot from the various holsters and various positions. Only had to draw from the ankle rig once under duress, and was damned glad I had practiced to the point that once the decision was made to draw, no further thought about the process itself was required.
The key here is practice! There's some good advice in the posts above.
I usually walked to work, when I was assigned to the local courthouse about 1 1/12 miles from my house. In cooler weather, I usuallly wore a Bianchi X-15 shoulder holster witlh the S&W M 15. Off-duty, wore a pancake with the M 15.
In non-coat weather, I carried either an S&W airweight bodyguard or a Model 60 in an ankle holster with the auxiliary strap above the bulge of the calf. And I practiced at the range 3 nights a week, learning to draw and shoot from the various holsters and various positions. Only had to draw from the ankle rig once under duress, and was damned glad I had practiced to the point that once the decision was made to draw, no further thought about the process itself was required.
The key here is practice! There's some good advice in the posts above.
