Using ankle carry

[AC_32]

I find myself carrying my 638 in an ankle glove daily. While I i I have a FIST OWB & an Uncle Mike's #3 Pocket Holster, I ankle carry everyday due to the style of dress my work requires (Tucked in shirt & Khakis). While I understand this method maybe us not ideal, I've not found any other method of carry that works. I am sitting quite often, which makes it easier to access the ankle holster.

I prefer my 638 to my LCP. For me it's KISS simple I suppose. Is there another method of carry I may be missing? Are there others out there that use their ankle holster as their primary means of carry?

Thanks for your thoughts.

 

[keith44spl]

Ankle carry of a snub save my bacon once...From a suspect tryin' to swing an ax at me.

Always been glad I worked at making the draw from that little rig.


Su Amigo,
Dave

 

[AC_32]

Thanks Dave. I appreciate your experience.

Clay

 

[Kanewpadle]

Dave has a good point. Ankle carry definately has to be practiced.

You could pocket carry too.

 

[Bombsaway]

I usually carry a 442 in a Desantis Apache rig as a backup, but when I need deep concealment (like church services, where you never know when someone is going to hug you and put their hand right on your hip), then it becomes my primary.

 

[offduty]

Ankle carry better than no carry!

 

[sipowicz]

I use it daily...works for me.

 

[cjtraining]

I have carried a back up gun since 1970 in an ankle holster. The first rig I had was a Bianchi and a M37. The Bianchi served me well for thirty four years. In 2006, I changed to a Galco Ankle Glove and a M638. I wish I would have found the Ankle Glove many years ago. It is by far the most comfortable ankle holster I have used.

 

[chief38]

I ankle carried for many years prior to switching over to belt and pocket carry. It's OK, but there were too many draw backs.

Gun is difficult to get to quickly and smoothly.

Gun will get wet at times in the snow and rain.

Gun could fall out if it gets banged, hit or knocked into.

Uncomfortable after a while.

A P.I.T.A. to drive with.

That said, it's better than a knife.

 

[AZretired]

I agree with Chief38, but manytimes I find it is the best option.

 

[jimmyj]

Hi:
I DO NOT like ankle carry!
The reason:
The only time in my career I lost my weapon was from an ankle holster.
Attempting to arrest a suspect, push came to shove and a fight devoloped.
While rolling around on the ground (at night) the suspect was able to get on top of me.My pant leg had pulled up over the ankle holster. The suspect was able to reach and pull the Backup revolver. He broke contact and pushed himself to his feet. I was able to draw my service weapon and fire two quick rounds. The suspect dropped my backup and and fled the scene.
I found my backup and later the suspect.
I abandoned ankle holsters after that incident and started using "Belly Band" holsters for my backup.
Jimmy

 

[sipowicz]

Gun is difficult to get to quickly and smoothly.

Gun will get wet at times in the snow and rain.

Gun could fall out if it gets banged, hit or knocked into.

Uncomfortable after a while.

A P.I.T.A. to drive with.

That said, it's better than a knife.

I agree it is not very fast...but I'm more concerned during the day with having a gun on me than needing to draw if fast. If I'm leaving a restaurant at night and want to feel more secure, I just go into a bathroom stall and throw it into my pocket for the walk to the car...

Snow and rain? Since, I'm in Cali, I don't worry about snow...and as long as I stay out of deep puddles, no problem with rain.

If it's a good rig, like the Galco or my Renegade, the gun will not come out if it's banged or you need to run.

As for comfort, I find that it works best with an airweight. Heavy guns will get uncomfortable on the ankle after a while with any rig.

As for driving, I find ankle best for this...easiest way to access the gun while siting...just curious though, why is it a PITA to drive with it? If you are wearing it on your non-pedal leg, and don't have a clutch to deal with, it shouldn't get in the way...

 

[jtpur]

I ankle carry a lot and when working plain clothes as a cop I carried ankle 99.9% of the time. Had to get it out once when some bad guys thought we were rival bad guys and ran us off the road and blocked us in while we were surveilling them....the guy with the tire iron thought it best to not try to win the gun fight that was about to happen..be aware of your surroundings and an ankle carry is very good deep concealement...you wont win a fast draw but you have something handy to get too especially if you sense it before it happens

 

[1 old 0311]

It IS slow in certain cases but when driving a car it is about the quickest thing going. I had a 340PD that I wore in a ankle holster but it was so light I kept 'bumping' it to make sure it was still there.

 

[NE450No2]

I would NEVER ankle carry with my Primary. I only consider it for my No 2 in Special circumstances or for my No3.

I do have a Special Ankle holster. It is designed to carry a 1911 Commander or Officers Model. It carries the gun upside down, cocked and locked.
you do not have to lift up your pant leg to access the handgun.
It also carries a spare magazine.

It is very comfortable to wear, but I used it in only those situations where a foot chase was not going to happen.

 

[sipowicz]

I wouldn't want to run with a .45 and spare mag on my leg either...I think these rigs work best for sub pound j frames and small autos...and they don't generate much momentum if you have to run so there is less chance of it coming out at the wrong time.....but I imagine a Colt Commander and spare mag generating over two pounds on your leg might...

 

[Blue19]

jimmyj, thanks for that story. Can you share what ankle holster you were using and if it had a retention strap?

 

[AC_32]

Thanks for the great info. Ankle carry has been my staple, primarily due to my work dress. I've experimented with pocket carry and a FIST OWB holster, but continue to have printing problems. I would like to find a comfortable IWB option for both winter & summer months.

 

[clarkstoncz]

Anyone using a J frame ankle holster for Ruger LCR?

there is an article with a guy using a LCR in a ankle glove, but I don't
know which model, or if it will work with the stock hogue grips or not.

 

[cwo4uscgret]

Personally I can't think of any reason why I'd need to ankle carry someone gave me a nice ankle rig, I tried it, and didn't like it.

Although I am a Federal LEO we are not allowed to carry any backup guns...if I could it would be on a holster attached to my vest, under my shirt.

Off duty I use a variety of OWB, IWB, pocket, and Shoulder holsters depending on the gun carried and the time of the year.