Hip holster vs. Thigh holster?

[Sikvenum93]

[esy]

I currently run a hip holster but the draw is uncomfortably high and my duty belt is getting rather crowded. I was given an adapter for my current holster to make it a thigh rig. I was told that it made drawing easier but retention from a bad guy could be an issue because you can’t put as much weight and squeeze your body down onto the weapon.

Does anyone here run a thigh holster and are there any long term drawbacks?


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I have a drop holster for my range belt/SHTF belt, but not my duty belt. I run a mid-ride belt loop for my holster, and most companies make low-ride loops for their duty holsters. I run Safariland holsters and the low-ride runs about 1.5”, I believe, lower and that may be a good enough compromise for you. I’d check that out.

[hey_scooter]

Moving around in vehicles is not ideal with a thigh rig. But to be fair I'm a big guy.

Look into some hardware that drops the holster down a couple inches or so. I believe the correct term for this is Drop Offset Holster (DOH) hardware or adapters or some such. It will add hardware to allow the attachment to occur at the hip, however it will drop the holster down to allow for an easier draw. This is more common for folks that want their draws to more easily clear armor or something, however can make the holster stick out more.

Good luck.

[Atomic Donut]

https://www.safariland.com/products/holsters-and-gear/holsters/duty-holsters/hardware-and-accessories/model-6075ubl-low-ride-universal-belt-loop-23188.html#sm.0000vvim6u4nif7zt8r10clig3zr2

[Sikvenum93]

[CBR_rider]

I have a drop holster now; it's okay. Don't like that it gets knocked around in the car more (but on the other hand seatbelt doesn't get caught on it like is would on my hip holster every now and then) and don't like that it doesn't always sit exactly in the same place.

Draw is definitely different and lower; some of my friends say they are a tad faster with it.. I've had mine for about a year; not sure that I am any faster than before. I would say try a drop for your hip holster before switching over but it appears you have already done that.

[IrishJoe3]

Sikvenum, drop legs suck during foot chases. And they tend to pull your duty belt down. I prefer wearing the holster on the belt, unless I'm wearing my police state gear that makes that impossible, in which case obviously I have to wear a drop leg.

[esy]

[BarrettM99]

The lower the holster, the sloppier and less trained the officers seem. I’ve seen some ridiculously low and loose rigs. Sad but true.

I run a safariland ALS I modified to be just low enough to clear gear. If you put some thought into your gear layout, it works fine. And you don’t look like an inexperienced but overzealous security guard.

[oddjob]

I always carried on the hip. If I had to do it all over again I would carry a swivel holster. I'm sure my back would agree. I used a thigh rig and I couldn't stand it. It bounced around and would move around my thigh. Now this was 10+ years ago and I'm sure things have gotten better.

My preference is swivel, hip and lastly thigh.....as of 10 years ago.

[Sikvenum93]

[Sikvenum93]

Sikvenum, drop legs suck during foot chases. And they tend to pull your duty belt down. I prefer wearing the holster on the belt, unless I'm wearing my police state gear that makes that impossible, in which case obviously I have to wear a drop leg.

[micro911]

Usually, my regular belt holster was fine when I carried any pistol without a weapon light. With the light, I had a hard time drawing my pistol because the light was getting caught on the holster. I got an about 3 inch drop extension and that solved the problem. When I had to run, it did not bother my legs like some other drop leg holsters.

[code_blue]

One of these threads came out some time ago and some folks here recommended using the ZAK Tool belt attachment as the QD to the dropleg panel.

I ended up finding a company, Down Range Gear, that adapted their QD swivel parts to the Safariland shroud. I tested it on my range rig and my late Sergeant tested my system in the field. He liked it and ordered a setup for himself. The MOLLE panel slides onto 2.25-2.75" duty belts without issue. The swivel prevents binding during movement and seated positions.

It is also important to utilize the single strap shroud because the dual strap is obnoxiously long and rides too low. You pretty much need adjust it to the point where it clears your chest rig and no further. The leg strap should be all up in your crouch. The single strap shroud is tighter and prevents shifting of the system, although you still need to wear it fairly tight.

Otherwise, the Safariland low adapter (I think it's the 2" drop) is what I'd use. Some folks have even adapted a leg strap to the low adapter to mimic a drop leg. I've seen a few folks use a dropleg for their tasers on their weak side. Maybe they have better alternatives.

Down Range Gear dropleg adapter:






My range rig with smaller, single strap shroud and QLS to swap systems:





I also run the 2" drop plate on my other range belt depending on what were doing.

[hmvan]