M&P Full Frame - Ankle carry?

[wkywthunter]

Am I just completely crazy to think about carrying a full frame on my ankle? Is there even a holster that would be sufficient for this?

Have any of you carried a full frame M&P in a ankle holster?

How do you carry your full frame M&P concealed?

Looking for suggestions here. I have a Blackhawk Serpa Level II concealment paddle holster that I love, but it's quite a bulge to conceal in the summer.

 

[Mule88]

By the time you'd get it free to shoot from your pant leg, you probably would already would have a bullet in your head.

 

[MotorCityGun]

Am I just completely crazy to think about carrying a full frame on my ankle? Is there even a holster that would be sufficient for this?

Have any of you carried a full frame M&P in a ankle holster?

How do you carry your full frame M&P concealed?

Looking for suggestions here. I have a Blackhawk Serpa Level II concealment paddle holster that I love, but it's quite a bulge to conceal in the summer.

Hmmm, you say that summer wear poses a concealment problem for you, yet you're looking to carry your pistol around your ankle in the summer...huh? Don't you wear shorts in the summer? And, have you tried strapping your current holster/gun rig around your ankle to test out the feel/weight?

I would suggest that you take a look at your CCW wardrobe before lugging around a full sized pistol on your ankle.

 

[Stu454]

I would get a better hip holster before attempting to carry a full size M&P on your ankle.

Unless you're wearing Smokey and the Bandit bell bottoms someone could spot your gun from the ISS.

 

[Kanewpadle]

Dress around the gun. Or buy an M&P compact.

Most people I know have more than one carry gun for that very reason. A full size for cooler weather and a compact for warmer weather.

I pocket carry a M&P 40 compact in summer weather.

A j frame is always a good choice too.

See this thread for some ideas.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/concealed-carry-self-defense/140515-ccw-clothing.html

A full size on the ankle is a bad idea. You may have to run to cover and try to access your gun at the same time. You might be concerned about ligament damage also.

The gun is just too big to be carried effectively on the ankle.

 

[ken158]

Dont spend much on that ankle holster cause it will only lay in a drawer after you try it once - I have been carrying on the job for many years and a model 60 is about tops weight wise. Not to mention that if you ever need it - it is a long ways away...

 

[aggieshooter]

I would have to agree that your ankle is a long way to go... I carry my M&P45fs at 5 o'clock in a Bianchi minimalist (OWB) and can conceal that under a fairly light polo.

In a situation where I'm running for cover and attempting to defend myself, I don't know that I want to be bent over grabbing at my foot... But thats not meant as a criticism towards those that have trained and found it an effective concealment method, I have never done it so I don't have any grounds to knock it.

 

[silvercn]

I have the Crossbreed-Supertuck.
I conceal both my M&P9mmFS as well as my M&P45c.
Summer, Winter, etc etc...

If I have no shirt on and swim shorts... gun is at home.
this is the only time I dont carry... on the boat... wakeboarding.
anyother time the Crossbreed works GREAT!!!

Crossbreed Holsters > Home
check them out....
I can post pics of my BERSA Thunder9 UC, as well as the M&P 9FS and M&P 45C in the Crossbreed holsters.... Then work great for me...

 

[Fate]

I have the Crossbreed-Supertuck.
I conceal both my M&P9mmFS as well as my M&P45c.
Summer, Winter, etc etc...

I can post pics of my BERSA Thunder9 UC, as well as the M&P 9FS and M&P 45C in the Crossbreed holsters.... Then work great for me...

Pics would be nice of the M&Ps. Do you use the same Crossbreed holster for both of your M&Ps?

 

[NE450No2]

I would never use an ankle holster for a primary handgun, but I have for a second or third handgun.

Many years ago I had the Eagle company, the one that makes bags and gun cases, make me an ankle holster for a 1911 Commander. Which means it will also hold an Officers Model.

The holster carries the pistol upside down, so I do not have to raise up my pant leg to get to the pistol. It also carries a spare magazine.

Once you get used to it, it is fairly comfortable to wear.

 

[silvercn]

Pics would be nice of the M&Ps. Do you use the same Crossbreed holster for both of your M&Ps?

Here is my S&W M&P 45c in my CROSSBREED.
My S&W M&P 9mm FS is in the safe at work. (sorry about that)

For the record the CROSSBREED -supertuck holds 3 seperate guns.
1. S&W M&P 45c
2. S&W M&P 9mm FS
3. GLOCK 17 FS

* I also have another (seperate Crossbreed -supertuck) for my 'Bersa Thunder 9MM UC'

 

[silvercn]

I would never use an ankle holster for a primary handgun, but I have for a second or third handgun.

Many years ago I had the Eagle company, the one that makes bags and gun cases, make me an ankle holster for a 1911 Commander. Which means it will also hold an Officers Model.

The holster carries the pistol upside down, so I do not have to raise up my pant leg to get to the pistol. It also carries a spare magazine.

Once you get used to it, it is fairly comfortable to wear.

A Full Size 1911, UPSIDE DOWN in an ankle holster!!!
Holy Lord....!!!!! Thats where they get that ganster limp!
Not to mention, the gun is pointing straight through your crotch and through your core....... not for me...

 

[Shorty4T]

Dont spend much on that ankle holster cause it will only lay in a drawer after you try it once - I have been carrying on the job for many years and a model 60 is about tops weight wise. Not to mention that if you ever need it - it is a long ways away...

Oddly enough the M&P Compact actually rides better than the M60 that it replaced. I carried my M60 in a Galco Ankle Glove and it was very comfortable. Galco doesn't make the Ankle Glove for the M&Pc but do make the Ankle Lite for this pistol. To me the M&P rides much better than the 60, it has to be the way the weight is distributed.

Loaded with 10 rounds of 180 gr Hydra Shok the M&P40c weights 30.2 ozs.

Cheers,
Sam

 

[Bigeyes]

Am I just completely crazy to think about carrying a full frame on my ankle?

This! Sorry, just my honest personal opinion. If you want Ankle carry, there are lots of better choices out there than a Full Frame.

BE

 

[wkywthunter]

Thanks for all of the good responses. Special thanks to SILVERCN for the pics! (They're worth 1,000 words...)

Due to financial restraints, I don't have the collection of handguns that some of you have. The FS MP40 is my only option right now, and most of the time it gets left at home because I dont feel like I can hide it well in the paddle holster, in my summer wear.

And I don't wear shorts... I always wear jeans with either a polo type shirt, t-shirt, or button-up short sleeve. However, I prefer loose fittting jeans, so I figured I could probably conceal an ankle holster pretty well. I havn't had my CCDW license very long, and my instructor actually recommended ankle holsters. Only he had a small .38special revolver in his...

I would like to, and PLAN TO expand my collection in the very near future, but like I said, the MP40 is the only option I have at the present time. I figured if it comes down to either not being armed, or having to reach to my ankle, the second choice is more acceptable.

However, maybe I just havn't tried enough holsters out... I'm 6'1" and 225 lbs. Surely there's something out there that I could effectively conceal the FS in.

Again, thanks for the examples. Would love to see more.

 

[wkywthunter]

SILVERCN, how does the crossbreed feel when sitting? Say, in a restaurant while you're scarfing down your favorite trim of beef with a baked potato and iced tea?

 

[Walker45]

I know I am a bit late, but yes... you are crazy for thinking you could ankle carry a FS or compact. Maybe a M&P340/342/360, but anything else is just too heavy and bulky for ankle wear.

IMHO

 

[silvercn]

SILVERCN, how does the crossbreed feel when sitting? Say, in a restaurant while you're scarfing down your favorite trim of beef with a baked potato and iced tea?

I wear it all the time. I get off work and take my duty holster off and put on my Crossbreed.
I wear it at home and when I go to the supermarket for the little lady.

Really no need to take it off...
My only complain is that I am one of those guys that wears loose cloths
and it requires that I wear my pants like they were designed to wear them.

I wear mine at 3o'clock, and as far back as 4o'clock.
Both work fine while sitting and driving, etc, etc. For the record, I am 6' tall and 198lbs.......
tryin to stay below 2 bills...

hope that helps!

 

[MotorCityGun]

1. The FS MP40 is my only option right now, and most of the time it gets left at home because I dont feel like I can hide it well in the paddle holster, in my summer wear.
2. I always wear jeans with either a polo type shirt, t-shirt, or button-up short sleeve. However, I prefer loose fittting jeans, so I figured I could probably conceal an ankle holster pretty well.
3. and my instructor actually recommended ankle holsters. Only he had a small .38special revolver in his...
4. I figured if it comes down to either not being armed, or having to reach to my ankle, the second choice is more acceptable.
5. However, maybe I just havn't tried enough holsters out...

I've numbered parts of your post to respond to.
1. No offense, but it sounds like that not a whole lot of (fore) thought went into your gun purchase. There are other concealable holsters besides paddle-type holsters. IWB Holsters Concealment - Master Of Concealment.com
2. Your logic of an ankle holster doesn't make much sense since your selection of clothing is almost ideal for IWB type holsters.
3. Your instructor was correct in his preference for an ankle holster with the appropriate sized gun. Did you mention to him that you were thinking about carrying a FS .40 on your ankle? I doubt very much if he would have recommended this to you.
4. Expand your thinking beyond "it's ankle carry or not carry at all". There are many other options! Eg. Belly bands, small carry-alls, hidden pockets in clothing, etc., etc. Do your research.
5. Exactly...

 

[Walker45]

I agree with most of MotorCityGuns reply, I believe if you want to ankle carry you need to adjust your weapon and or mind-set.