Thigh holster

[Mickymac87]

Never used one so I'm curious has anyone used a thigh holster? I have a MP .45 and I was debating on getting a thigh holster for it. However I hear mixed things. I do a lot of hiking so I though this might be a good alternative.

 

[walkin' trails]

Make sure you get one that has good retention, for example, Safariland. I haven't found the drop leg holsters all that practical unless you're assigned to a military unit or SWAT team. For my tactical rig with my M&P 45, I went back to a hip holster on my tac belt because I normally carry every day in a hip holster and reach there first. The drop leg holsters are nice when youre wearing heavy body armor and/or chest rig/tac vest that interfears with your hip holster. The rest of the time a standard OWB is easier to live with.

 

[hardluk1]

Don't see a practical use for one specially in the woods in general . To many things to beat on your handgun. . Get a holster that retains it on your waist where it has some protection in a natural position for CC . Short of being on your land most other forest land will be concealed carry out side of hunting season. Guess CC?

 

[K Frame Keith]

I've used a few over the years and found them very uncomfortable. The only reason to use one is to clear heavy body armor or equipment. I prefered the handgun on the belt or carried on a vest mounted holster when wearing heavy armor.

 

[Smoke]

Short of being on your land most other forest land will be concealed carry out side of hunting season.

Open carry is LEGAL in the majority of states in America could you please clarify the above statement?

 

[DocSunShine]

They suck, only reason you'd even consider running one is if you're wearing full kit with battle belt and plate carrier and even then there are better solutions.

 

[Ron AZ]

Mickeymac87,
No but a belt holster that accomplishes what I think you want. It only runs a little bit lower than a standard belt holster, but offset from belt to get it out of the way of pack waist belt. I got it to carry a handgun with me bowhunting.

As you know, pack waist belts and shoulder straps can interfere with normal belt holster carry and shoulder rigs. My packs have pockets etc on the belt so there was no real good place to put it on the pack waist band itself except in the front with appendix carry, which I did not care for while hiking. Other suggestions were chest rigs, but I have my binos there.

So the holster I used, and which fit the M&P Pro CORE with an optic, is the Comp-Tac International. To achieve this you want it mounted in the "drop offset" configuration (there are a lot of choices). This also works very well when you are wearing a jacket, a pack and holster/gun are all outside the jacket to deploy quickly. It rides very stable there and has good retention (Kydex fit to your gun). Also, this way if you drop your pack, you still have the gun with you.

I will attach a several photos. If you have questions, pm me.

 

[BudMan5]

I am a retired senior Infantry NCO. Drop leg holsters, thigh holsters, etc really suck if you're actually running and gunning. Other than making someone think they look uber cool, they are worthless. First time you have to hit the ground wearing a leg holster will convince you to what extent they really suck.

Sorry pretty opinionated against leg holsters. For hunting, an Alaskan hunter style or the military M3 holster would be a much better choice

 

[Ron AZ]

Mickeymac87, I've only got 2 more pictures so I went ahead and posted them here.

 

[Mickymac87]

Hey thanks everyone as usual I always find the best information when I come on here.

 

[Biggfoot44]

I saw the thread title, and my mind imeadately went to Thigh Holsters , as in worn under a skirt or dress, rather than Drop Leg holsters.

A friend occasionally use one (drop leg) for specifically hunting in tree stand while wearing a long coat. No he didn't have a long hike to the stand.

 

[hangnoose]

AS USUAL

Much depends on personal preference, what you are carrying/wearing, the size /wt of the gun, & the quality of the rig matters A LOT here. The low riding hip holster like Ron from AZ? pictured is a good compromise. FOR ME, I have enough of myself around my waist and don't care for waist carry, especially if wearing binocs/daypack/jacket, and they often get in my way from getting into my front pants pocket. My Stainless Sig 220 is a great gun but if worn on the waist/hip is heavy and hurts my lower back & throws my alignment/balance off. The same gun in a Safariland thigh holster that has great retention is much more comfortable for me, but has the drawbacks mentioned of: scratching rifles/shotguns, getting tangled in vines/brush, getting rubbed in the dirt if you get on the ground, and looking like a swat team wannabe or mall ninja. ANY STYLE CAN SUCK FOR SOMEONE.