Drop leg holster?
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what purpose is it for? LE, Security, Hunting?
I wore one for awhile at work and it sucks. the only real reason I think people wear them is the tacticoool look. IMO.
It would bang on everything, has to be tight on the leg for support when you quick draw, legs get swollen after a long day.
For hunting it would just grab on everything and if you fell it would get muddy.
The other issue I had with it was drawing and getting on target was a bit of a pain so I went back to my belt and holster.
only pro I seen was less weight on the hips and my hand was always within quick reach or it.
I wore one for awhile at work and it sucks. the only real reason I think people wear them is the tacticoool look. IMO.
It would bang on everything, has to be tight on the leg for support when you quick draw, legs get swollen after a long day.
For hunting it would just grab on everything and if you fell it would get muddy.
The other issue I had with it was drawing and getting on target was a bit of a pain so I went back to my belt and holster.
only pro I seen was less weight on the hips and my hand was always within quick reach or it.
Sam1911
Moderator Emeritus
Their almost singular use is if you wear body armor and/or load bearing gear that's bulky enough and rides low enough that you can't wear a belt-level holster for your sidearm.
Note that police officers in the US almost universally wear body armor, daily, but they DON'T have to resort to drop-leg holsters to do so.
Those folks who have to use them because of the gear they have to wear (soldiers, predominately, and SWAT type officers) don't generally like them and many try to find ways to get around their gear problem and go back to a belt holster if they can.
They are uncomfortable. They don't really take the weight off your hip because they're still tied to your belt. You aren't going to cinch the leg straps so tight that they hold the gun up (see below).
Instead of being attached firmly to the part of you that moves LEAST when you move (your waist/torso) it is now attached to part of you that has to move LOTS when you move (your leg) -- so it flops around a whole lot.
Further, that's a part of you that is rapidly called on to flex and relax a lot when you walk/run/climb -- so tightening it up to reduce the flopping doesn't work because the circumference of your thigh changes constantly as your muscles contract and relax. The straps are either tight and uncomfortable or loose and flopping.
And, while your waist is a relatively shielded part of you, covered by coats and shirts, guarded by your arms, at rest, and up close to your arms' length "work space", your leg isn't. That holster is now a protruding lump stuck to your leg that gets caught or banged on whatever you normally almost brush or bump with your thigh -- which is a lot more stuff than you'd believe until you hang that holster there!
And, being so low, it is slower on the draw.
So if you're just thinking of maybe getting one, it doesn't sound like you're the type of customer who has to use one. So I'd most definitely pass on it.
Note that police officers in the US almost universally wear body armor, daily, but they DON'T have to resort to drop-leg holsters to do so.
Those folks who have to use them because of the gear they have to wear (soldiers, predominately, and SWAT type officers) don't generally like them and many try to find ways to get around their gear problem and go back to a belt holster if they can.
They are uncomfortable. They don't really take the weight off your hip because they're still tied to your belt. You aren't going to cinch the leg straps so tight that they hold the gun up (see below).
Instead of being attached firmly to the part of you that moves LEAST when you move (your waist/torso) it is now attached to part of you that has to move LOTS when you move (your leg) -- so it flops around a whole lot.
Further, that's a part of you that is rapidly called on to flex and relax a lot when you walk/run/climb -- so tightening it up to reduce the flopping doesn't work because the circumference of your thigh changes constantly as your muscles contract and relax. The straps are either tight and uncomfortable or loose and flopping.
And, while your waist is a relatively shielded part of you, covered by coats and shirts, guarded by your arms, at rest, and up close to your arms' length "work space", your leg isn't. That holster is now a protruding lump stuck to your leg that gets caught or banged on whatever you normally almost brush or bump with your thigh -- which is a lot more stuff than you'd believe until you hang that holster there!
And, being so low, it is slower on the draw.
So if you're just thinking of maybe getting one, it doesn't sound like you're the type of customer who has to use one. So I'd most definitely pass on it.
I've used one.
Sam hit the nail on the head. They pretty much suck as a holster. The only time I used one was when I had armor on. And even then, it was the Army's armor. My personal armor sits high enough that I can just use a low belt holster with offset for all the reasons he mentioned. Tight enough that they don't completely flop around they are uncomfortable, they still flop around, they get caught on stuff especially getting in and out of vehicles, and the gun isn't in a very useful place when you have to grab it.
Sam hit the nail on the head. They pretty much suck as a holster. The only time I used one was when I had armor on. And even then, it was the Army's armor. My personal armor sits high enough that I can just use a low belt holster with offset for all the reasons he mentioned. Tight enough that they don't completely flop around they are uncomfortable, they still flop around, they get caught on stuff especially getting in and out of vehicles, and the gun isn't in a very useful place when you have to grab it.
Thanks for the answers. What about if you're bugging out and have a backpack with a waist belt is drop leg the only option or would you put it on a vest like right above your mags.(reason I don't want it on tha backpack waist belt is if you have to ditch it and run) I'm not le or military I just like to be prepared for everything. Ps I don't have body armor but I am considering Getting it. suggestions?
body armor is very expensive to sit in a closet for a what if, aint never gonna happen scenario. you also have to have it fitted for you or it wont work right.
the local gun show armor wont stop diddly squat so stay away from that.
I wouldn't advise buying armor because its fitted if say 10yrs from now you gain or lose weight it wont fit right.
I gained about 30lbs from my first day of work to my last and my soft armor didn't fit right and it was about $500-600 maybe more for new stuff but it wasn't my money paying for it.
the local gun show armor wont stop diddly squat so stay away from that.
I wouldn't advise buying armor because its fitted if say 10yrs from now you gain or lose weight it wont fit right.
I gained about 30lbs from my first day of work to my last and my soft armor didn't fit right and it was about $500-600 maybe more for new stuff but it wasn't my money paying for it.
Here's a good litmus test for whether or not you need a drop leg holster:
Is your employer issuing one to you and telling you that you have to use it?
Is it physically impossible to use a belt holster because you're a short guy or wearing ill fitting body armor?
If you didn't answer "yes" to either of those questions, you don't "need" a drop leg holster. They're pretty universally horrible.
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Is your employer issuing one to you and telling you that you have to use it?
Is it physically impossible to use a belt holster because you're a short guy or wearing ill fitting body armor?
If you didn't answer "yes" to either of those questions, you don't "need" a drop leg holster. They're pretty universally horrible.
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Drop leg holsters suck for all the reasons already stated. If you're carrying a rucksack with a waist belt the old military tanker holster works well. Thats the kind you loop over your head and you can adjust so the butt of the gun sits just below your rib cage. You can find them in nylon or leather for semi autos and revolvers.
Vern Humphrey
Member
Drop leg holsters were designed for people who carry a full military load, with canteens, entrenching tools, bayonets and so on on their belts. The drop leg holster puts the gun below all that impedimenta.
Do you carry a lot of stuff on your belt that would justify such a holster?
Do you carry a lot of stuff on your belt that would justify such a holster?
My suggestion is that you spend your money on training, range fees and ammunition rather than bugout backpacks with waist belts, body armor and drop holsters.
IMO learning what works and how to use it will be much more USEFUL preparation than buying expensive cool stuff.
Bobson
Member
I think some people tend to think they're more practical or offer a faster draw than a standard belt holster because your arms naturally hang below your waistline; the thing is though, nobody walks around with their arms extended and right next to their thigh. Especially during any sort of altercation (even one that's not physical), you're best off with your hands up in your "workspace." This makes a draw from the belt height much quicker.
I would not be "bugging out", on foot, with a backpack heavy enough I need a waist strap, and only a pistol. So my suggestion there is if your plan includes that, come up with a new plan.
On the armor: I will caveat that for a civilian body armor is WAY down the list of useful things to own and spend money on. But it's also one of those things that if you need, you'll need it right now, not in a few weeks. I've gotten to wear extensively three different generations of the US Army's body armor, and while it's very good armor, it sucks to wear. For home storage, a plate carrier and plates will do you fine and you won't have to worry about kevlar breaking down or needing to store it this way or that way. Steel is less bulky and cheaper, ceramic is lighter. Pick whichever one you want as long as it's NIJ compliant. Compliance can be checked here.
JohnKSa is correct however. If you're going to be investing a lot of money in gear for gunfighting, you should plan to spend quite a bit on training to learn how to use it, and find ways to practice. Otherwise it's all useless weight.
Thanks when I said armor I meant plate carrier sorry I didn't use the right term. And a plate carrier is far down the list. But as dogmush said when you need it you need it then (rather be safe then sorry. though I hope I never have to use it)
giggitygiggity
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They are practical if you have body armor on, are in a vehicle, or have other gear already on or around your waist. It is also nice how some have extra mag pouches or the ability to attach extra mag pouches to them. They're not so practical when you run as a beltholster won't wobble and chafe as much as one on your leg. If you are just going to the range to shoot in trousers and a t-shirt, I'd just wear a belt/paddle holster. Most guys do not bonfide need for drop leg holsters and just wear them because they can or because they think that by wearing them, it makes them a SEAL.
Another consideration and reason why I normally wear a belt holster is because the drop leg holsters will usually impede the use of cargo and front hip pockets so if you're like me and put brass, targets, etc in my pockets when I'm at the range, a drop leg is less than ideal.
If you do decide you'd like one, my preference is the Blackhawk! SERPA. I am a fan of the SERPA platform due to it securely retaining the pistols and the ability to draw quickly and for SERPA holsters to be mounted to drop leg platforms, paddles, or belt mounts. People tend to either love SERPAs or hate them. I like them.
Another consideration and reason why I normally wear a belt holster is because the drop leg holsters will usually impede the use of cargo and front hip pockets so if you're like me and put brass, targets, etc in my pockets when I'm at the range, a drop leg is less than ideal.
If you do decide you'd like one, my preference is the Blackhawk! SERPA. I am a fan of the SERPA platform due to it securely retaining the pistols and the ability to draw quickly and for SERPA holsters to be mounted to drop leg platforms, paddles, or belt mounts. People tend to either love SERPAs or hate them. I like them.
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Make sure you do your homework before you spend money on a Serpa. They do have one pretty big issue that a hardcore gunfighter like yourself might be concerned with. It's an issue for some, no problem for others. You'll have to make that call yourself.
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How most people reading this thread would summarize it.
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ill be different and say yes, they are practical. If you carry a full size handgun, especially without a gun belt, it car hurt on long walks. When walking for hours in the woods for whatever purpose, hip pain from the gun can get to you (i know a better holster alleviates this), and the drop holster allow universal range of motion if climbing/hiking. That being said, the one i speak of is this style swivel holster. It is extremely comfortable compared to any belt type. http://www.amazon.com/WWII-M1912-Ho..._UL160_SR160,160_&refRID=104P3B62GS9VC5BAP2BW
The Bushmaster
Member
I saw a guy in Wally-World the other day with his wife/girlfriend and their two kids wearing a drop leg holster with a Beretta 92. He really looked "tacticool" in his camies.
Dumbest thing I ever saw!!!
Dumbest thing I ever saw!!!
what might the problem be?
I carried a Blackhawk serpa level 3 on belt and thigh for about 5-6years. never had an issue. you just have to practice not using your finger as a pointer and pushing the button and practice pointing the finger strait down and pushing with the finger shaft.
I'm trying not to turn this into a Serpa pro/con thread, since that's been done to death in other threads. Debris can get behind the release paddle, which locks the gun in the holster. If you shoot standing up on a square range then it will probably never happen to you. If you need to become a worm in the dirt, as sometimes happens in real gunfights, that may be a risk you don't want to take.
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Corpral_Agarn
Member
A drop holster might just be something you need to experience yourself.
I don't use one, but that doesn't mean you won't like one.
If you do decide to get one, remember that the higher up it is, the better off you are.
It will flop less the higher it is on your leg.
Some very slim people find usefulness in a drop holster that is one a "battle belt" type setup because slim people do not have hips or a belly to keep the belt in place.
They do, however, have a crotch. The belt cannot go to high because of the strap that runs around the leg.
I don't know your dimensions, but that could be something else to consider.
I don't use one, but that doesn't mean you won't like one.
If you do decide to get one, remember that the higher up it is, the better off you are.
It will flop less the higher it is on your leg.
Some very slim people find usefulness in a drop holster that is one a "battle belt" type setup because slim people do not have hips or a belly to keep the belt in place.
They do, however, have a crotch. The belt cannot go to high because of the strap that runs around the leg.
I don't know your dimensions, but that could be something else to consider.
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