Ankle Holster Recommendation

[CLaw]

I work in a field that doesn’t allow carrying of any kind. Until recently, we couldn’t even have weapons in cars in the parking lot. That has changed, so I’m looking for an easy on and off option for a J-frame to go into a locked container in the car.

While I don’t like the idea of leaving a gun in the car. I dislike being unarmed five days a week more. I’ve tried pocket carry, but I dislike it for two reasons. One, trying to draw from the pocket in the car. Two, my work slacks all have shallow pockets and the little J-frame has taken to dumps out of my pocket when sitting in the vehicle...

I’ve heard folks recommend the Galco and the Wilderness ankle holsters. Are these the best on the market? One better than the other?

Of course I’ve never really tried to draw from an ankle rig in or out of a vehicle. Is there a better option than what I am thinking of? Thanks in advance.

[Screwball]

I have a few Galco Ankle Lites... very happy with them all. I also picked up an Ankle Glove (also Galco), which I had JEA Custom pull off the original J-frame shell, and set it up to carry my 642-1 with LaserMax weapon light.

If you do use the Galco... get the calf strap.

[blues]

Galco is good. The old Renegade. Alessi if you want a higher end holster.

[Medusa]

I’m happy with my Desantis Die Hard with a sig 365, when it’s ankle carry or be without a firearm.

[TC215]

I really like the Desantis Die Hard, as well. I got my first one after my Renegade wore out, and carried my j-frame BUG in it for years. I now use one for a G43.

[vcdgrips]

De Santis Apache has worked well for me in a J frame.

[Poconnor]

I have alessi’s and Ritchie (identical to the alessi)

[Wingate's Hairbrush]

Alas, I believe Alessi Holsters is no more; Ritchie is still at it. These are the classic go-tos for ankle holsters...

[BillSWPA]

My Galco Ankle Lite is the most comfortable ankle holster I have ever worn. If the Ankle a love is made for a given make/model gun, that would be my choice, since it has the same ankle band but a better holster. I do not use the leg garter, and have found then uncomfortable and unhelpful on other brands of holsters.

The Renegade, a newer version of which is now sold by The Wilderness, is worth a look.

C. Rusty Sherrick’s ankle holster is also worth a look.



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[Hizzie]

Renegade from The Wilderness Tactical.

https://www.thewilderness.com/ankle-rigs/wilderness-renegade-ankle-holster-leather/

[CLaw]

Thank you all. Found a super cheap deal on DeSantis Die Hard that I’m going to give a shot.

[BobM]

I haven’t seen the new Wilderness production Renegades but I still have two of the older ones in good shape. They were the best I’ve tried.

[Jhp147]

I haven’t seen the new Wilderness production Renegades but I still have two of the older ones in good shape. They were the best I’ve tried.
Agreed! I think I may have even worn out one or maybe two of those old, all elastic band Renegades wearing them over laced 3/4 height boots. Great with boots. When I could not find a replacement, I bought a DeSantis Apache, which was good then found a LEFTY Renegade and bought it, along with a lefty DeSantis S1 that I wore over regular shoes/socks. The only Die Hard I tried didn't work for me, but I suspect it was because I was trying to carry too much gun-a S&W Shield. Airweight revolvers work better for me (642) in an ankle holster, the shape fits the area and a light gun seems to be less likely to move or dislodge from movement.

[blues]

Agreed! I think I may have even worn out one or maybe two of those old, all elastic band Renegades wearing them over laced 3/4 height boots. Great with boots. When I could not find a replacement, I bought a DeSantis Apache, which was good then found a LEFTY Renegade and bought it, along with a lefty DeSantis S1 that I wore over regular shoes/socks. The only Die Hard I tried didn't work for me, but I suspect it was because I was trying to carry too much gun-a S&W Shield. Airweight revolvers work better for me (642) in an ankle holster, the shape fits the area and a light gun seems to be less likely to move or dislodge from movement.

I think I finally disposed of an old Renegade (very recently) I couldn't bear to part with despite being worn out to hell.

[baddean]

I haven’t seen the new Wilderness production Renegades but I still have two of the older ones in good shape. They were the best I’ve tried.

Picked up a new Renegade, from Wilderness (making their own version), for my Kahr PM9. Very comfortable, secure, and easy accessibility.
So far I like it a lot.

https://www.thewilderness.com/ankle-rigs/wilderness-renegade-ankle-holster-for-autos/revolvers-xhd-elastic/

[LtDave]

You might also want to take a look at the Bianchi #12. I’ve got a couple of these for a j frame and a Walther PPK that are 40 plus years old and still going strong. To my mind they are comfortable and less bulky than the Alessi. Mine didn’t come with the support strap that the newer ones have. They show up on ebay pretty regularly. Another one I really like is the Eagle upside down nylon leg holster which is the most concealable leg/ankle holster I’ve found. Got mine from the factory in St Louis in ‘86. Long out of production AFAIK.

[Bucky]

I’ve got a few ankle holsters. Could never get comfortable with any of them. The weight on the ankle feels so weird.


Alas, I believe Alessi Holsters is no more; Ritchie is still at it. These are the classic go-tos for ankle holsters...

I seriously hope this isn’t true. The CQC-S is my favorite OWB CCW Holster.

[pooty]

Another one I really like is the Eagle upside down nylon leg holster which is the most concealable leg/ankle holster I’ve found. Got mine from the factory in St Louis in ‘86. Long out of production AFAIK.

Could we get a picture of this? Google wasn't helpful.

[pooty]

I’ve got a few ankle holsters. Could never get comfortable with any of them. The weight on the ankle feels so weird.


Yeah I dunno about walking around with one but ankle carry is the fastest draw going, if you're sitting in a car with the seatbelt on.

It's so simple you pack the snub nose aiwb, buckle in the drivers seat, relocate the snub into the ankle holster, put it on your ankle. That weird feeling on the ankle helps to remind you to take it off before leaving the car too

[Bucky]

Yeah I dunno about walking around with one but ankle carry is the fastest draw going, if you're sitting in a car with the seatbelt on.

It's so simple you pack the snub nose aiwb, buckle in the drivers seat, relocate the snub into the ankle holster, put it on your ankle. That weird feeling on the ankle helps to remind you to take it off before leaving the car too

Shoulder holster would be the fastest for driving, IMO. Also, depends on the car. My daily driver is a Corvette, so ankle is a bit less accessible than it might be in an SUV.

[LtDave]

Could we get a picture of this? Google wasn't helpful.
Here you go:

47180

I wear it on the inside of the left leg, butt down.

[BobM]

Here you go:

47180

I wear it on the inside of the left leg, butt down.

Seems like it could lose the gun if too active?

[LtDave]

Seems like it could lose the gun if too active?

Well if fighting a guy in the front yard of a house at 0300 hours is "too active", then yes.
Only that once.

[BobM]

Well if fighting a guy in the front yard of a house at 0300 hours is "too active", then yes.
Only that once.

That’s what got me away from using ankle rigs for patrol. It might be a remote possibility but I was also concerned about a second offender seeing it and going for it while I’m busy with the first one.

[LtDave]

That’s what got me away from using ankle rigs for patrol. It might be a remote possibility but I was also concerned about a second offender seeing it and going for it while I’m busy with the first one.

I ceased using ankle rigs for patrol shortly thereafter. I carried ankle rigs off duty and in plainclothes for many years.

[KevH]

I live in one of the most "NPE" areas of the country. Out of necessity, I started playing with ankle rigs, originally for one specific use case, tried the Alessi and a few others, and once I found the Renegade I was hooked.

I'm right handed and my strong preference is an Airweight Centennial in a Renegade (made by Wilderness now) on the inside of my left ankle. I've carried that way most of the time off-duty, either as primary or a BUG, for the past twelve years and it works well for me.

I DO NOT carry ankle in uniform. It's just too hard for me to monitor dangerous things on my body spread that far apart. I also got the joy of watching a guy kick his gun across the room in a fight when I was a rookie and decided that just wasn't going to work for me.

[John Ralston]

I’ve got a few ankle holsters. Could never get comfortable with any of them. The weight on the ankle feels so weird.



I seriously hope this isn’t true. The CQC-S is my favorite OWB CCW Holster.


It's true, they have closed up. Not a great loss as far as leather is concerned, since they never really put out a decent product after Lou passed.

There are several makers who make an Alessi style ankle rig - Prince, 5 Shot Leather (me) and a few others.

[Wingate's Hairbrush]

...I seriously hope this isn’t true. The CQC-S is my favorite OWB CCW Holster.When Lou died, one of his partners took over; that gentleman died not long back and his daughter and her husband, if I recall, took over. Over the last several years online complaints about excessively long waits and poor communication piled up. A while back, website down and crickets.

If you can find any indication they're still in business, I'd like to know; their Deep Cover is the best J snubby IWB ever.

[LtDave]

Bobby Mac's has some pretty nice snubby IWB rigs:

bobmacs.com

The SN-1 and SN-2 especially.

[luckyman]

Bobby Mac's has some pretty nice snubby IWB rigs:

bobmacs.com

The SN-1 and SN-2 especially.

+1. LCR in an SN-1 is a “you can’t even feel you’re carrying anything” rig.

Only downside I know of is it requires you to thread your belt through it; no clipping to gym shorts for a trip to the mailbox if that is important to you. Have to be a bit patient with the lead time.

[Cookie Monster]

It's true, they have closed up. Not a great loss as far as leather is concerned, since they never really put out a decent product after Lou passed.

There are several makers who make an Alessi style ankle rig - Prince, 5 Shot Leather (me) and a few others.


I got two from John and they are great (26 and 42). I found two weeks of wear and getting something on the other ankle made the weird feeling go away. Also seeing Heidi Smith with Glock 19's on one ankle and a revolver on the other made me de-pussify and get over it.

I do want to eventually have some ankle rigs made up with thumb breaks because I am a paranoid mofo and my experience with raising my boys has put me in positions and circumstances (upside down on playgrounds, rocketing down five story slides, and four to five toddlers climbing all over me) that make me think it is a good idea.

[Wingate's Hairbrush]

...Only downside I know of is it requires you to thread your belt through it; no clipping to gym shorts for a trip to the mailbox if that is important to you...Wake up, put gun on; at bedtime, remove.

/solved

;)

[John Ralston]

When Lou died, one of his partners took over; that gentleman died not long back and his daughter and her husband, if I recall, took over. Over the last several years online complaints about excessively long waits and poor communication piled up. A while back, website down and crickets.

If you can find any indication they're still in business, I'd like to know; their Deep Cover is the best J snubby IWB ever.

Tom never worked with or for Lou. He made a lot of claims that were totally false. Lou's partnet was Skip Ritchie, but Lou bought him out of the business like 30 years ago.

[camsdaddy]

Do you carry something on the opposite leg to offset the weight? I'm considering trying an ankle holster. I will be carrying a 26 or a j frame. I didn't know if I would need something on the other ankle to correct balance

[blues]

Do you carry something on the opposite leg to offset the weight? I'm considering trying an ankle holster. I will be carrying a 26 or a j frame. I didn't know if I would need something on the other ankle to correct balance

I never felt the need. For 20 years I pretty much either had a Model 36 or a Glock 26 on my left ankle.

There were a few rare times I carried a spare mag on the opposite ankle for my primary gun.

[BillSWPA]

Do you carry something on the opposite leg to offset the weight? I'm considering trying an ankle holster. I will be carrying a 26 or a j frame. I didn't know if I would need something on the other ankle to correct balance

Of those two guns, I strongly encourage a lightweight J-frame. I have occasionally carried a Glock 26 on my ankle, and it is NOT something I want to do frequently or regularly. I have also heard second hand accounts of runners who developed limps after wearing ankle holsters carrying guns like a Ruger SP101 (not while running).

[camsdaddy]

I never felt the need. For 20 years I pretty much either had a Model 36 or a Glock 26 on my left ankle.

There were a few rare times I carried a spare mag on the opposite ankle for my primary gun.

I don't carry anything to balance on my hip. I don't know why ankle should be different but always figured it would adjust my stride.


Of those two guns, I strongly encourage a lightweight J-frame. I have occasionally carried a Glock 26 on my ankle, and it is NOT something I want to do frequently or regularly. I have also heard second hand accounts of runners who developed limps after wearing ankle holsters carrying guns like a Ruger SP101 (not while running).

This would be 5 days a week so may try 60 or my 642.

[blues]

I don't carry anything to balance on my hip. I don't know why ankle should be different but always figured it would adjust my stride.



This would be 5 days a week so may try 60 or my 642.


Everyone may be different. During those years I always worked out, (as I still do), and used to run, (which I no longer do), but I never had any ill effects from carrying daily on the ankle for 20+ years. (And I have scoliosis, though pretty much asymptomatic.)

[BillSWPA]

I would strongly encourage the 642 as opposed to the 60.

Edited after quoting the wrong post.

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[Cookie Monster]

Do you carry something on the opposite leg to offset the weight? I'm considering trying an ankle holster. I will be carrying a 26 or a j frame. I didn't know if I would need something on the other ankle to correct balance

I know a good number of dudes do it but a 26 is a brick, a 42 is less brick like. I would like to try a 43.

I put other stuff on the other leg as an balance of the mind thing, having each leg different just f’d with me for some reason and I felt bad ass carrying and double reload on the other leg. It felt good carrying around almost 4 boxes of carry ammo (20 round boxes).

I am far from expert as much work has me wearing muck boots most of the time. Ankle carry is just not that concealed with pants tucked into boots.

[John Ralston]

I carry an all steel Model 42 and have never put anything on the other ankle. Once broken in I never even notice an ankle holster. An Airweight would be really easy to carry.

[L-2]

For Post_41 (and anyone interested), a Model 42 S&W will have an aluminum alloy frame (there were a very few [37] made with an alloy cylinder). A Model 40 would have a steel frame.

ANKLE HOLSTER EXPERIENCE.
The worst ankle holster I used was a Fobus-brand ankle holster. The weak point was its Velcro strap, which was too thin to support the holster. Fobus has made changes to its ankle holster from years past, but I don't know if Fobus upgraded the Velcro-strap element.
https://fobusholster.com/Products-and-Accessories/Ankle/

DeSantis "Apache". This holster was ok and many will find comfortable with its mostly all-elastic construction.
https://www.desantisholster.com/apache-ankle-rig/

Galco. The "Ankle Glove" model is a well-made holster with a combination of leather and elastic for its construction. This construction can make for a thicker/wider holster, especially if worn around a duty boot. Galco has models with a thumbsnap and models with just an open top (which is what I preferred).
https://www.galcogunleather.com/ankle-glove-ankle-holster-_8_6_1019.html

Uncle Mike's. Although least expensive, I've used these holster the most for its relative narrowness; comfort; and Velcro-strap adjustment. Note, Uncle Mike's says its for external hammer revolvers, but the retention strap can be adjusted to hold a hammerless/Centennial-type S&W revolver just fine. Uncle Mike's also recommends size "0", although the size "12", usually made for a Glock 26, also works well for an S&W J-frame.
https://unclemikes.com/ankle-holsters/

[Wingate's Hairbrush]

Tom never worked with or for Lou. He made a lot of claims that were totally false. Lou's partnet was Skip Ritchie, but Lou bought him out of the business like 30 years ago.Yeah, I've caught the threads around the forums over the years with many claims and counter claims about Tom and Skip and who's zoomin' who...

I'm a complete outsider and I've got no idea what the truth is; only consistent thing in all the mess is Lou sounds like he was the real deal as a craftsman and and all-around good guy.

As to quality, I have stuff from Ritchie and it's excellent; stuff from Lou's era and it's excellent too, albeit understandably dated in some ways; and I have couple from the "no loss...never put out a decent product" era and although I can't claim professional expertise (as I realize you can), but I do have a lot of leather holsters, and I continue to marvel at the Deep Cover I've worn for the last eight years and how well it has held up.

[John Ralston]

For Post_41 (and anyone interested), a Model 42 S&W will have an aluminum alloy frame (there were a very few [37] made with an alloy cylinder). A Model 40 would have a steel frame.



Thanks for catching that...mine is a 40.