TexasCHLforum.com

Do any of you use ankle holsters?
If so:
How often?
Are they your primary carry or back-up?
What are their advantages / disadvantages from your perspective?
Do you practice drawing from them?
How much trouble are they to conceal?
Is it a generic or one fitted for the gun?

Thanx,
TraCoun

I use a Galco Ankle Glove fitted for a Glock 26. I used to wear it daily in scrubs and got pretty fast with some practice. I find it very easy to conceal in baggy clothing such as jean or scrubs. Tight tapered jeans would definitely slow down the draw, but I know you don't dress that way.

Taking a knee is by far the fastest way to get to the gun unless you are in the optimal position for an ankle holster...driving. I also enjoy wearing an ankle holster when going to a movie. You can get to your gun with minimal motion from your upper body.

An optional calf strap can be purchased for the holster (I bought one and never took it out of the package). I do not wear one on duty because I am afraid I would lose the gun in a run or going over a fence. I have never worried about that while going about my daily business. It is not the fastest way to carry a gun, but it sure beats not having one. I have one you can borrow for day to test drive your Glock....just let me know.

Jason

TraCoun wrote:
Do any of you use ankle holsters?
If so:
How often?
Are they your primary carry or back-up?
What are their advantages / disadvantages from your perspective?
Do you practice drawing from them?
How much trouble are they to conceal?
Is it a generic or one fitted for the gun?

Thanx,
TraCoun

I have one.
Only when deep conceal is a must.
When I have my J-frame in an ankle holster I neve call it my primary. I may have to call it my "only one" but that is not a good "Primary."
Advantages
Easy to conceal, hard to get busted,

Disadvantages:
Slower draw than belt, or shoulder, evidently reaching for something if BG is watching, impossible to draw in a grapple, cant draw & move at same time, draw is off balance & compromised position at best.
Definately my last resort for CC.

I do practice. Proper work they are not near as slow as most folks think but not quick or easy. AS Jason stated above, Right knee down, extended step out w/ left foot, this should expose holster enough to unsnap & draw.
No real trouble to conceal. Just cant cross your legs.
Fitted & Generic nylon. Actually the nylon is lighter & just as comfortable w/ my J-frame UL.

TraCoun wrote:
Do any of you use ankle holsters?
If so:
How often?
Are they your primary carry or back-up?
What are their advantages / disadvantages from your perspective?
Do you practice drawing from them?
How much trouble are they to conceal?
Is it a generic or one fitted for the gun?

Thanx,
TraCoun

I have this one http://www.officerstore.com/store/product.cfm?pID=4231. It a Desantis, basically a wide elastic band. My problem is that I have fat calves. If I put it on where it's comfortable, it slides down and becomes loose. If I put it on lower down, it usually ends up with the barrel poking my ankle and the thumb break pressing into my skin. Having said that, I do wear it. I use it on Sundays (becase a certain person in church knows what the black metal clip on my belt means and has made comments) when I wear cowboy boots. The boot holds the holster in place.

There is a support strap that might solve the problem but since I only wear it for the one purpose I'm not spending the extra $15. Also the reason I didn't spend $80-90 on a better model.

At work an ankle glove with a kahr p380.


Sometimes off duty this is my primary carry. Usually to a bar (if not drinking), sporting event, or something like a wedding.

The Galco Ankle Glove with the calf support strap works well with boot cut jeans or scrubs. My 642 revolver is secure and I can get to it pretty fast from the seated position I typically am working in. I also am working leaning close to patients and don't want anyone to notice a holster on my strong side next to them. The Galco is comfortable for long periods of time too.

Do you guys really see a difference with the calf support? I find the stretchyness of the the holster to be plenty - especially around a duty boot, but even when it's just around bare leg.

I haven't tried it, but the calf support looks too "busy" to me.

I dont use the Calf Garter on either of mine. As you say the stretch on the one I use is good for me. I dont wear western boots any more either.

I have one and use it sometimes, not much though.

I have one — a father's day gift from my son, mind you — which I use on rare occasion to carry a 642. The problem I have with it is that it tends to make one lower leg look wider (left to right, but not front to back) than the other, unless I'm wearing really loose fitting pants. That said, it is fairly comfortable... ...although you have to consciously try not to walk like you have a limp, what with one leg now weighing more than the other.

The Annoyed Man wrote:I have one — a father's day gift from my son, mind you — which I use on rare occasion to carry a 642. The problem I have with it is that it tends to make one lower leg look wider (left to right, but not front to back) than the other, unless I'm wearing really loose fitting pants. That said, it is fairly comfortable... ...although you have to consciously try not to walk like you have a limp, what with one leg now weighing more than the other.

You just need to even it out with one on the other side TAM!

Worn em for many years, virtually always with 6" laceup boots, no calf garter and Levi 517s (boot cut). 4" wide elastic with S&W 340 (loaded: 15 ounces) or (custom) 5" wide elastic with Kahr PM-9 (loaded: 19 1/2 ounces). Anything heavier is a no go for me, but with these, I can almost forget they are there.

The Alessi ankle holster and the Renegade Cozy Partner #50 http://www.gmstactical.com/copabyremo531.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
were the only two that were recommended at the snubby class. I'll be getting the Renegade soon.

The advantages that people from the class mentioned were that they could draw while seated, negates the worry of bumps & hugs, comfortable while sitting down, and a good place to carry your second gun. I think there could be some issues drawing the pistol from the ankle holster based on peoples flexibility, balance, and amount of practice time. This is where a 642/442 really shines because of the lightweight and shape of the pistol.

Since I am such a lovable old Teddy Bear, at church and other functions where hugs might be expected, I carry a 442 in a Renegade ankle holster.

To my great relief, so far no one has attempted an ankle hug.

The reason I use the garter is to be sure the holster does not try to work it's way down far enough to be noticed if my scrub pant's cuff rides up while I am turning back and forth in my chair. It's just insurance.