ankle holster suggestions

[probie]

Hi all,

I have an LEO buddy that's looking for an ankle holster to fit his ruger 380 LCP. I'd like to surprise him with a good quality / good comfortable fitting one so he can use out in the field both on and off duty (he's a lefty if that matters). Any suggestions on brand, features I should look for, shops in the San Diego area or websites to visit to shop are appreciated.

Thank you in advance for your time.

[retired]

I can't give you a recommendation, but I would like to tell you of an incident to pass on to your buddy; he might change his mind. This is coming from a former leo who used to wear one off duty (me), but stopped after being told the story.

I worked with a deputy once who showed me a guy mowing his lawn. He said the guy wouldn't be alive if he hadn't carried his back up on his ankle. Turns out he had got in a fight with the guy on duty and it ended up in a fight for his gun.

He said he thought he was going to lose the fight and be killed, but he finally was able to subdue and cuff the suspect. He said if he had carried his BUG in his pants pocket, he would have retrieved it and shot the suspect. He stopped wearing an ankle holster after that.

Just something to think about. I know I did and I stopped carrying it that way off duty. Never carried it on duty that way; always in the pocket. Off duty I began carrying it IWB.

[BigDogatPlay]

The DeSantis Apache rig is one of the lightest and most comfortable.

Having said that, I don't recommend an ankle holster for on duty wear. Several of the others here do not either. I've tried ankle rigs, as have others here, and some of us have found faults. I carried in my body armor for many years.

For something as small as the LCP, I'd give some thought to DeSantis Nemesis carried in the weak side pants pocket assuming his duty gear is carried in such a way as to allow access to the pocket. Radios and batons have a habit of getting in the way.

[1911su16b870]

The Galco products are also excellent.

[Ron-Solo]

I had a S&W Model 60 fall out during a foot pursuit and once had a suspect fighting with another deputy grab my leg (with ankle holster) while he was on the ground. A shot to his head with a sap make him change his mind before I had to shoot him.

Also ankle holsters can cause circulation problems later in life.

PLUS, what Retired said.

[tyrist]

Ankle holsters are bad news for on duty and I recommend against it.

[Jonathan Doe]

I have never liked ankle holster, and never used one.

[scarry scarney]

boot lock

have him check out the G&G boot lock. It laces into the top eyelets of service boots. very stable.

[retired]

I didn't mention it, but in reference to what Ron said about circulation problems, a classmate (now deceased, RIP Roy) used an ankle holster for awhile. He ended up getting gangrene due to a circulation problem caused by the holster, but they were able to fix the problem.

[probie]

Ack, thanks guys for your insight. I see a lot plain clothes around using them around here so I figured it was common practice to wear/use one. I'll rethink this one and ask him point blank.

Thanks again.

[flyer898]

I carry daily in an ankle holster and have for many years. I am wearing it as I write this in fact.

Below is my response to a private message on this topic. Carrying of a back-up gun by law enforcement is a totally differnent issue: I have a CCW and I do not generally have to chase anyone or wrestle with them.

The issue was practical deployment from an ankle holster.

"Too slow is a matter of perspective; it is a lot faster than going back to the car for my gun. It is quite accessable from a sitting position, either in a restraunt or in the car.

It is also faster than one might think. I have trained for two different draw strokes. One I simply bend at the waist and raise my pant leg with the weak hand and draw with the strong hand. I am able to get a round in the kill zone on an IDPA target faster than some who are using belt holsters. The second is to pull pant leg with both hands as I go down on one knee and draw and shoot from kneeling position.

The holster is an elastic ambidextrous model of unknown brand. I bought it at the Cow Palace gunshow back in 2003. I have not been able to find another like it and I would really like one. This one is showing its age.

The other guns on my permit are a Light Weight Commander and an HK P&M8. I consider either too heavy for ankle wear (although my old boss used to carry a full size .45 in an ankle rig). My S&W 337 weighs 14 oz loaded. Add the holster and 10 rounds of extra ammo in two Bianchi speed strips and the total on my ankle is just over a pound. I sometimes forget it is there and have to reach down to make sure I have it.

I want the gun to be with me when I need it and since I never know when I am going to need it I want it with me always. Speed of deployment is a training issue. I practiced my draw stroke untiil it became natural; not trying for speed, although with practice it becomes quick.

Another thought is that when things go from condition white to orange the gun can be moved from the holster to the pants or jacket pocket. Walking back to the hotel after a show in San Francisco last year is an example. Gun not needed, but jacket pocket was better than ankle for the 6 block walk. Without the ankle holster gun would have been in hotel room.

[Annonymous]

I was just talking to a LEO today who told me a story about how his BUG fell from his ankle rig during a fight. Could have been real bad if the gun ended up with the bad guy.

[sahera819]

ankle holster

I carried an ankle holster for several years. There are better places to carry a back up. Alot of agencies are going to the 511 uniform. They make a holster specifically designed for the cargo pocket. I have buddies that also carry in their vest pocket. Just my .02

[Ron-Solo]

I carry daily in an ankle holster and have for many years. I am wearing it as I write this in fact.



Another thought is that when things go from condition white to orange

I doubt very seriously that you will find too many cops who feel the need to carry 24/7 in thier own house.

I think it verges on paranoia personally, and maybe you need help.

"Condition Orange?" Seriously? Sounds like "Armchair Commando" talk to me. Like people who talk using radio codes during a normal conversation. Scary.