Ankle Holster

Eutycus

Eutycus

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Joined
Apr 20, 2024
Messages
147
I'm not sure in which forum this thread should be placed. I apologize in advance if I'm in the wrong one. But here goes, I know absolutely nothing about ankle holsters. But am considering getting one. I carry a J frame in my pocket but notice I can't get to it very quickly when sitting down, especially in church. Hence the ankle holster. Which leg (I'm right handed), the inside left or the outside right leg has the holster on it? I am comfortable with the pocket set up but try sticking your hand in your pocket in a sitting position.Stand up to allow access to your pocket and you become a prime target. I am mainly concerned about a church scenario.
 
If you're right handed, you can carry it on the outside of the right leg, or inside the left leg, your choice.

Outside the right leg means you may be banging the gun on a door frame as you walk through, and inside the left leg means you'll find yourself kicking the gun with your right leg as you walk.

Be sure to pick a good brand preferably with a strap that fits up the calf to help support the gun and not let it slip down around you ankle.
You have to understand that the ankle holster has some serious deficiencies in the use.
If you're sitting it works well, BUT, if you're standing you have two choices..............
One is to stand on one leg like a stork as you draw. This puts you in a seriously bad position since you can slip or be knocked down.
Second you can kneel down to draw, which again puts you in a dangerous position where you can't move quickly.
In both cases, if you think you need the gun and go for it, only to see it's not needed, you're blatantly drawing a gun and people will certainly notice.
Other carries allow a "sneak" draw where no one may notice if you back off.

So consider all this, and if you go for an ankle holster spend some time looking at the various brands and how they're designed.
Choose carefully.
 
My left is my weak ankle (arthritis and gout). A "stork stance" with the left foot on the ground while raising my right might put me in position where I wouldn't be as sure footed as I wished. But while staring at my feet this morning I came to the conclusion that having the holster on my left would have the muzzle pointing at my left foot at times. Not something I care for. Simple to say "Just don't bend your ankle". Easily said but it's a habit I've been doing for over 70 years.
 
Here's an Uncle Mike's brand which I really like:
www.unclemikes.com

Buy Ankle Holster And More | Uncle Mikes

Shopping for the Ankle Holster? Learn more about the latest Alternative Carry and more at Uncle Mikes.
www.unclemikes.com www.unclemikes.com
Although the price is low, this is my "GO-TO" holster due to fit and comfort.
I'm not specifically recommending ankle-carry for any particular person or the original poster, but the "OP" asked.
I've only carried handguns on the inside left ankle for right-hand draw; or inside right ankle for left-hand draw.
For less than ~$40, this might be at least the holster to first buy and try.

Do consider which J-Frame you have as this holster recommends a revolver with an exposed hammer as its thumbstrap wraps over the hammer. Even so, I was able to make the holster work with my shrouded hammer Model 642.

Ankle Glove (Ankle Holster)

Serious gun carriers who need deep concealment and prefer an ankle holster rave about Galco’s Ankle Glove™.
www.galcogunleather.com www.galcogunleather.com
Here's a more costly holster which, although very comfortable, is a larger package and I didn't use this holster too much.
There are models with and without a thumb-break/strap.

www.fobusholster.com

Order a Concealed Carry Ankle Gun Holster - Fobus Holster

Find the perfect concealed ankle holsters at our online store, Fobus Holster. We offer a full line to fit almost every make and model of concealable handgun
www.fobusholster.com
Fobus ankle holster did NOT work for me as its velcro-type wrap-around strap was just too thin. Perhaps Fobus changed its strap material or perhaps the holster would work for other users. My experience with that holster is likely 20+ years ago.

DeSantis is another brand with designs similar to Galco. DeSantis can be good also:

Search-result - DeSantis Holsters

www.desantisholster.com www.desantisholster.com

There are other brands; all-leather types (probably costly); these may be great but I've never tried or owned them.
Here's a webpage for a Kramer ankle holster, which will run ~$400, if anyone's interested in all-leather.
www.kramerleather.com

Ankle Gun Holster

An exquisitely molded horsehide holster, mated to an ankle band made of plush sheep's wool and supple, shell cordovan horsehide. The Rolls Royce of ankle holsters. From the double rows of stitching to the shell cordovan covered hook and loop closure, no attention to detail has been spared...
www.kramerleather.com www.kramerleather.com

Here's a Youtube video with more info. (I'll be watching the video later, myself.)
www.youtube.com

Best Ankle Holsters 2024 | Top 7 Ankle Holsters on Amazon

Are you looking for the Best Ankle Holsters on Amazon? These are some of the top 7 ankle holsters we found so far:▶️ 7. ComfortTac Ankle HolsterOpticsPlanet:...
www.youtube.com www.youtube.com
 
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It just dawned on me that most of the year I couldn't wear one.I like to wear shorts in hot South Texas.But it would work some of the time because my wife won't let me wear shorts to church.And church is what I had in mind to start with.
 
I bought and use a DeSantis Apache ankle holster. If you order “right hand” you can put it on your left leg to the inside. This is how I wear it. You can also put it on the right ankle to the outside, but as mentioned by @dfariswheel it is exposed to banging it on various things. It may also be in the way when you put your foot on the accelerator pedal of your car.
I bought mine on Amazon. https://a.co/d/4stZKMM

It takes some getting used to when wearing an ankle holster. I use mine with 6” hiking or work boots. I like to rest the barrel of my S&W 442 against the top of the boot.
I did buy the calf strap that helps hold the holster from sliding down when wearing regular shoes, but I dislike that set up. Somehow the barrel of the gun ends up rubbing against my ankle bone. :mad:

The two things I don’t like about this holster is:
1. The strap that holds your gun in the holster is secured by a Velcro strap, not a snap. Trying to draw a gun quietly is nearly impossible.
2. For some reason someone thought it would be a good idea to allow the muzzle of the barrel to be exposed to the inside. This is what Rollins my ankle bone if wearing low cut shoes. It’s also the reason I like to wear short boots. I can tuck the muzzle into the boot or rest it on the outside against leather.

Overall I do like this holster. It just has a couple of drawbacks.

One more thing; I keep a speedloader in a cargo pocket of my pants or shorts.
Also, don’t bother with the cheaper ankle holsters on Amazon. They suck. I tried several and sent them all back. Go with DeSantis or Galco.
 
As a police officer, I carried a bobbed hammered model 60 on my ankle. Make sure you get a good ankle holster! I had mine scoot out of a bargain holster while in a fight!

I preferred a Renegade ankle holster, which was comfortable and high quality. I used to wear it on my support side (inside) ankle but bought a new holster for my strong side ankle (inside of ankle) after an incident a squad mate and I experienced. Afterwards, I figured it was easier to reach with my support hand in the event of my strong hand becoming incapacitated or if I had to clamp down on my duty gun to prevent it from being taken.
 
If shorts are something you like to wear, this will be a better choice, and is a better choice all around anyway. One of my favorite holsters that works well pretty much any way you choose to dress.

www.smartcarry.com

I use ankle holsters too, but less and less anymore. You're likely going to have to try a number of them to find one that is comfortable enough to wear all day, and you'll have to put in the work to get reasonably proficient with it. If you have physical mobility issues, I'd skip it.
 
I just started ankle carrying a couple of months ago. I only ankle carry a revolver as a backup gun (BUG) and not a primary. My plan in to ankle carry a BUG in the winter, fall, and whenever I'm not wearing shorts in the summer. That will be more often than not. I'll simply pocket carry when I have shorts on.
 
I mostly pocket carry but some of my "church pants" have small pockets I guess.They leave a print. Here in Texas we are allowed to carry in a church if the pastor okays it. He partially left it up to me, and as head Deacon I naturally okayed it. Inside of our little church is my main concern about an ankle holster at the moment.
 
Tallball said:
For a light revolver, cargo pockets are an excellent carry method. Very easy to access when seated.
Click to expand...
Yeah one has easy access if he carries in the big lower cargo pocket. I may have to start doing that. I have been using the regular pocket.
 
Even when I feel like channeling "Baretta" with my Charter Arms undercover...its in a back-up role only. Probably for if I'm on the ground for some reason.
 
I don't like any holster that requires two hands to get you gun into actkion; i.e. left hand to pull up your trouser leg, right hand to draw. Same as for having to lift an over shirt. I prefer a near side hip holster. I push my cpat r vest back with my elbow and draw and fire.

And, an ankle holster makes the leg of my boot too tight!

Bob Wright

P.S. Make sure you understand any proceedures your church's security have in effect. Make sure you are not in any cross fire. My church is for members to get down low in the pews.
 
Eutycus said:
I mostly pocket carry but some of my "church pants" have small pockets I guess.They leave a print. Here in Texas we are allowed to carry in a church if the pastor okays it. He partially left it up to me, and as head Deacon I naturally okayed it. Inside of our little church is my main concern about an ankle holster at the moment.
Click to expand...
Try a different pocker holster if printing bothers you. My ankle holster gun prints a little, but no one pays attention or thinks there's a gun there. I've even went to a doctors appointment and laid on that long paper lined bed, and no one noticed or at least said anything about the small bulge.

Unless it's a no brainer outline of the gun, people don't notice or think "gun." I think us conceal carriers can sometimes be overly insecure and paranoid about printing.
 
BobWright said:
I don't like any holster that requires two hands to get you gun into actkion; i.e. left hand to pull up your trouser leg, right hand to draw. Same as for having to lift an over shirt. I prefer a near side hip holster. I push my cpat r vest back with my elbow and draw and fire.

And, an ankle holster makes the leg of my boot too tight!

Bob Wright

P.S. Make sure you understand any proceedures your church's security have in effect. Make sure you are not in any cross fire. My church is for members to get down low in the pews.
Click to expand...
Most people aren't wearing vest all day if at all, and it's not a "requirement" to use the weak side hand to clear a cover garment but rather it's simply easier and faster. It can be done with one hand if the other is injured for whatever reason.

We use the weak side hand to grab spare ammo, hold the gun, drop and rack the slide, and even 2 hands to eject spend revolver rounds and reload more. That said, I draw one handed just like you do when I tuck my t-shirt behind my OWB holster while wearing a jacket on cooler days.
 
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Does it help or hinder putting on an Ace or wrap around bandage to prevent chaffing? Or is a good pair of socks enough?
 
Eutycus said:
Does it help or hinder putting on an Ace or wrap around bandage to prevent chaffing? Or is a good pair of socks enough?
Click to expand...
Unless you luck out and get the right one right off, youre going to want to try a couple of different holsters and see what feels the best. There are comfortable holsters out there, and there are medieval torture devices passing as ankle holsters. You just wont know until you know.

If wrapping your leg with an Ace bandage works for you, that's OK too.

Right off, Id stay away from anything ankle holster related that has "Uncle Mikes" on it. They were formed in the Spanish Inquisition. ;) :)

I was dead serious about the Smart Carry holsters too. They are great holsters that are very comfortable to wear, easy to access, standing, seated, whatever, and you can easily get by wearing a realistic sized gun, in nothing more than a pair of shorts with no shirt.
 
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