Recommend me an ankle revolver please

Can't go wrong with a Ruger LCR and a Galco ankle holster.

http://www.lapolicegear.com/gaanglho.html

Good luck and stay safe.
Sam

That is one area I in which I have no experience. I did have an inside the belt holster sort of become an ankle holster. It was one of those that was held in place by the texture of the holster only. Didn't work, the gun slid down into the top of my boot, which caused considerable bulge and bound the bottom of my jeans.

Had to drop my pants around my ankles to retrieve my gun. Sure got some quizical looks from my wife!

Bob Wright

I've owned both the J frame as well as a LCR both functioned very well,I prefer the Smith on this one for se reason I could never warm up to the polymer revolver. WTS for an ankle gun you can't go wrong with either

I don’t use or intend to use an ankle holstered gun, but the S&W 637 that I’ve had for 2+ years now as my primary carry gun could definitely fill the bill. It’s light and has been accurate and reliable.

DaisyCutter said:

I'm retiring my Glock 22/27 combo soon due to a department shift away from 40SW. I picked up a Glock 41 for my duty sidearm and now I'm looking at ankle guns. 45 ACP is too big for an appropriate ankle piece, which has led me to snubbie hammerless revolvers.

I'm thinking something small & light in 38 spl. I know S&W makes a j-frame, but there are many many derivatives, and even other manufacturers, and new models & materials to consider. This is for on-duty ankle carry and off-duty emergency use only. It need not be fancy or highly accurate, just functionally intuitive, lightweight and reliable, primarily. Price is a factor, but secondary.

My revolver experience is limited to a Superblackhawk and Redhawk I handload for. I have no pocket revolver experience. Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks.

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The S&W M642 and M442 are Centennial frame J frames which can shoot .38 Special +P ammo and weigh only 15oz. I carry a M442 daily in my front pocket and on rare occasions in an ankle holster. You will never know you are carrying it in either place.
http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...57912_757798_757797_ProductDisplayErrorView_Y
http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...57912_757910_757787_ProductDisplayErrorView_Y

You might want to add a set of CT Laser Grips too.
If you are looking for a lighter revolver you can always buy a .357 Magnum S&W J frame which weighs only 13oz. You probably won't want to shoot magnums through it but since you're a LEO you just might need to sometime.
http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...57912_757798_757797_ProductDisplayErrorView_Y

Good luck finding something that will work well for you, be safe...

Sneakyholsters.com ; Glock 36? M&P Shield?....

I'm curious to know if a Glock 36 .45acp isn't allowed or available? That's compact and .45acp. It has the same controls & design as the larger 41 .45acp model.
I'd add that a S&W Shield in .40 or 9x19mm could be a better 2nd gun or back-up than a older style J frame or LCR revolver.

If you really want a good snub, a 5 shot S&W 638 or 442/642(no security lock) could work. The .38spl +P LCR can also work great as a back up.
Good ankle rigs include; Ken Null, Galco, Bianchi & the new firm: www.stickyholsters.com . You can tote a ankle rig then convert it to a IWB or body armor holster with add-ons. Police & military get a discount too.
Bodyguard & author Leroy Thompson says the ankle rigs from Ken Null are first rate. These leather designs are not cheap & you might need to wait a few months.

Rusty

I have a S&W 337 J-frame 38 +p with the Al frame and Ti cylinder. Weight under 12 oz unloaded. Sounds like a good candidate to me. I use it as a pocket gun for quick trips.

I would think a lightweight S&W J frame, like a Model 442/642 or 638, or a Ruger LCR, would do quite nicely as an ankle holster gun. Let us know what you end up with ( both gun and ankle rig), and how well it works out.

The J-frames are great but I prefer the Ruger LCR. Better sights and trigger IMO.

I like my S&W 637 in my Bianchi Triad ankle holster. Retains very well, even when doing physical activity. Most days I forget it's even there.

SEDurbin said:

Can't go wrong with a Ruger LCR and a Galco ankle holster.

http://www.lapolicegear.com/gaanglho.html

Good luck and stay safe.
Sam

Click to expand...

I'll second this recommendation.

VooDoo

Since you have more experience with the Rugers I'd suggest the LCR.

The S&W 642/442. (preferably without the lock.)

If you are used to carrying a G27 on your ankle a all steel j-frame would be easier to shoot.

Have used the Galco ankle glove a little and like it, but I know others who don't, so YMMV.

Hope this helps.

ankle gun

I have ankle carried a Kahr P9 Covert for over 10 years and found that the narrow single stack 9 carries well there.

The P9 Covert, unfortunately is no longer made due to the PM9, which is.

I've only tried 2 ankle holsters to date. A Lou Alessi which is comfortable but just didn't seem to cinch tight enough and a relatively cheap DeSantis Apache which does keep the Kahr secure enough to run, climb and do anything physical ( at least what I've done).

I have no experience with those models which have BRT's so cannot comment.

Side to side with Glock 32.


Lou Alessi.

Desantis Apache


Mitch Rosen Clipper for IWB


Kytac Pockit Lockit for pocket carry.



I have ankle carried this gun for 12 to 14 hours with no discomfort and almost forget its there. Downside is capacity with 6 + 1 for the flushfit mags and 7 + 1 with the regular mags.
I have carried (2) 7 rounds mags in a front pocket, also with no problem except eventually wearing a hole in the pocket.

What I like about the gun is the 3 1/2" bbl and the grip length of a PM9. Bbl length doesn't impede concealability as grip length does.

Ankle carry is probably the least optimal method of carry yet assures me that I have a gun when deeper concealment is needed however it does take a fair amount of practice to present quickly as is a few seconds slower than belt carry.

I would have to think a PM9 would carry about the same and like the Kahr.

For me, a gun in the boot would be a major annoyance. I would go as small as is possible...naa mini?

ruger lcp would fit nicely right on the ankle,and if accidently popped out of the holster while running,etc,you won't cry as much if it gets damaged as you would a ss smith.

ankle

I apologize for not having noticed you asked specifically for revolvers.

My bad.

WestKentucky said:

For me, a gun in the boot would be a major annoyance. I would go as small as is possible...naa mini?

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As I said before, many times when wearing the 637 in the Bianchi ankle holster, I forget it's there. I am a carpenter by trade and there are times when I wear it all day at work. Carrying anywhere else on my body comfortably is impossible because of the tool belt, crawling into cabinets, laying on my back and being in other awkward positions. I also like an ankle holster when riding in the car or riding the Bike. I too thought I'd be swiping the gun with my other foot or walking bull legged around it, but that is not the case.

SEDurbin said:

Can't go wrong with a Ruger LCR and a Galco ankle holster.

Click to expand...

While I agree with the LCR recommendation I don't agree on the Galco ankle holster. I carried my KLCR in a Galco but sold the holster a couple of weeks later after trying a coworker's Renegade. The Renegade is so much better in every way possible so I ordered one myself and have had no problems carrying the heavier KLCR (17oz unloaded) for about a year now. The lighter LCR would be even nicer to carry I'm sure. I often carry another KLCR in a front pocket in the warmer months or a CrossBreed OWB holster in the winter. I'll probably buy an LCR with CT laser grip some day to use exclusively with the Renegade ankle holster.

I know that this is the revolver forum but wouldn't a flat compact semi auto in .380acp fit a lot more flat and be more comfortable as a result? As I recall there's a few sub compact semis that have a full double action trigger so they are super safe for carrying around and have the same "draw, point and pull" manual of arms as a DA revolver.

Not saying you should go one way or the other. But I'm curious why you're specifying a revolver over just making it a general question.

I carry a Ruger LCR in a Desantis ankle rig with the support strap. The LCR is easier for me to carry with the crimson trace laser grips as they are a little smaller than the standard Hogues.

DaisyCutter said:

I'm retiring my Glock 22/27 combo soon due to a department shift away from 40SW. I picked up a Glock 41 for my duty sidearm and now I'm looking at ankle guns. 45 ACP is too big for an appropriate ankle piece, which has led me to snubbie hammerless revolvers.

I'm thinking something small & light in 38 spl. I know S&W makes a j-frame, but there are many many derivatives, and even other manufacturers, and new models & materials to consider. This is for on-duty ankle carry and off-duty emergency use only. It need not be fancy or highly accurate, just functionally intuitive, lightweight and reliable, primarily. Price is a factor, but secondary.

My revolver experience is limited to a Superblackhawk and Redhawk I handload for. I have no pocket revolver experience. Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks.

Click to expand...

I pocket carry a S&W M442 daily and that revolver will ride in an ankle holster just as well. It weighs only 15oz so it will not feel bulky on your ankle either. If you like a Silver revolver better look at the S&W M642 instead. Both are available with or without the ILS.

The Centennial frame has a fully enclosed hammer. The M442 & M642 in .38 Special.
The Bodyguard frame has a shrouded hammer. The M638 and now discontinued M438 in .38 Special.
The Chief's Special frame with exposed hammer. The M637 in .38 Special.
All are ~15oz because they have an alloy frame.

If you would like a polymer frame instead take a look at the S&W Bodyguard 38. It weighs only 14.4oz and comes with a integral laser from the factory.
http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...92654_757781_757781_ProductDisplayErrorView_Y

I like Ruger revolvers but they don't make small light revolvers like S&W does other than the LCR which I don't like as much as the Bodyguard 38. The LCR also costs as much as the Bodyguard 38 without a laser and $200 more than the BG 38 with a laser.

here's my LCR in a cheap Uncle Mike's ankle holster...

Back in the eighties, my BUG was also an ankle gun. It was a Charter Arms Undercover that I purchased the day I was sworn in. I cannot remember who made the rig in which it rode, but it was tight, slick, and still easy to get out. Ran down many a BG without that bugger ever coming loose, and it was easy to forget about once in place.

Oh, it wasn't "hammerless", either. Still have that gun, and also my dad's one, twenty years older, which also served BU/OD duty.

It would be all but impossible to find a J-frame-sized revolver that would be "wrong" for your intended use.