I have one of Desantis's Leather Ankle Holsters for my 26 and 642. Ive tried a number of the other makes of ankle holsters, and the Desantis are the only ones I can wear "comfortably" all day for a long day.

While the ankle holsters can work well when you are limited in your choices, Ive come to find the Smart Carry holsters have replaced them these days for the most part, and I rarely use my ankle holsters anymore. If you want better options, they are well worth checking out.

 

I have one of Desantis's Leather Ankle Holsters for my 26 and 642. Ive tried a number of the other makes of ankle holsters, and the Desantis are the only ones I can wear "comfortably" all day for a long day.

While the ankle holsters can work well when you are limited in your choices, Ive come to find the Smart Carry holsters have replaced them these days for the most part, and I rarely use my ankle holsters anymore. If you want better options, they are well worth checking out.

I looked at a few different options and I'm not so sure I would say they're better.....just different, at least for me.

I looked at the Smart Holster and it looks like it would cover but only because it rides so low. I do AIWB also and I can't see where you wouldn't have to use a stall, unbuckle your belt and pants, and spin the holster out of the way to use the bathroom. Is that the case? It looks like it and for me that's a little much to use the bathroom. To each his own though and I'm glad it works for you.

 

You dont have to unbuckle your pants and you can use a urinal without too much bother. You just push it to the side. If you want to use a stall and unbutton your pants, that works too. Like anything else, you have to give things a good try and figure things out. Everything new seems a little weird until you do.

Having used belly band type holsters in the distant past and hating them, I was a little dubious when these first showed up. I bought one to try, and was amazed at how well they worked and was quickly sold on them. They are the most versatile holsters I own, and one I wont ever be without.

Whats nice about them too is, you arent limited to little "back up" guns and can carry something a bit more realistic (as well as a knife, reload, etc) if you are of a mind to. Ive easily and comfortably carried Glock 19 and SIG P239 sized guns in one, wearing dressier clothes, and had no trouble doing so. The looser pants make the larger guns a bit easier and more comfortable, but Ive done it with Carhartts and Dickies carpenter pants as well.

A big advantage here too is, you arent limited by the size of your pant leg. Full cut legs are really a must for the ankle holsters to be doable, and arent as popular as they once were. I normally wear pants with a full cut leg, just for comfort and being able to move, so the ankle holsters work fine for me too. And even being well practiced at drawing from an ankle holster, the ease and speed doing so with the Smart Carry is very noticeable faster.

As I said, its another, and very viable option, and worth checking out.

 

Thanks.....always open to options. Another question if you don't mind. Where is the pistol grip located when you carry? Hard to tell from the pics but it appears as if it would be at the belt or maybe below? In other words, do you have to get "through" your belt to get a good grip?

 

Just below the belt line. You just slip your hand behind the buckle and your hand is on the grip.

 

When I was in Texas, I carried my G43 on the inside my left ankle. I liked that method a lot, particularly when driving.

 

Same here with my 442 Airweight…

 

The 365 would work great in the Smart Carry (and a good ankle holster as well), and you dont give up the pocket or have to downsize the gun.

You can also quickly and easily draw the gun while seated with the Smart Carry, something not usually easily done while pocket carrying, if you can do it at all.

Ankle carry still has its uses, and you need a good holster, like the one the OP uses, but if youre going to carry that way, you really need to make sure you keep up with things practice wise.

 

I've used the Bugbite ankle holster in the past for my Glock 42.

 

Tha

ts not a holster - is a splint for a broken leg.

 

Ive seen those Bug Bite holsters before and always wondered how you could get to the gun, at least in any kind of realistic timeframe and manner.

I wear pants with full cut legs, and even with them, getting to the gun in a traditionally positioned ankle holster with one quick pull on the leg can be a problem, especially if you arent well practiced and/or dont initially get a proper grip on the pant leg. With a gun that high up, its got to take two or three pulls on things and a struggle to get the pant leg clear enough to get to the gun.

Its hard enough just trying to get a full cut pant leg up that high without the gun and holster under it. Or am I missing something?

 

Ive seen those Bug Bite holsters before and always wondered how you could get to the gun, at least in any kind of realistic timeframe and manner.

I wear pants with full cut legs, and even with them, getting to the gun in a traditionally positioned ankle holster with one quick pull on the leg can be a problem, especially if you arent well practiced and/or dont initially get a proper grip on the pant leg. With a gun that high up, its got to take two or three pulls on things and a struggle to get the pant leg clear enough to get to the gun.

Its hard enough just trying to get a full cut pant leg up that high without the gun and holster under it. Or am I missing something?

My feeling is the ankle holster or any ankle holster for that matter is a self defense option when you might find yourself fighting from the floor or sitting in your car seat. Just about every aspect of self defense takes practice in order to become proficient and for it to become second nature. There are literally no shortcuts.

 

Use a belly band. Ankle holsters are so uncomfortable, just waiting for the gun to flip out on the floor.

 

I saw this offering from Alien Gear. An ankle holster for a Glock 19. What do you folks think of that?

ShapeShift Ankle Holster For Glock 19 | Alien Gear Holsters

 

I saw this offering from Alien Gear. An ankle holster for a Glock 19. What do you folks think of that?

ShapeShift Ankle Holster For Glock 19 | Alien Gear Holsters

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I tried carrying my 26 with both 10 and 12 round magazines......I found that while it was a little heavy in comparison to the 43 but it worked. The 12 round was almost too long so I didn't even try the 15 round magazines. The 19 would be a "no go" for me since it's even heavier and longer than the 26.

 

I have said, that the G-43, is the modern equivalent of the S&W M-36, Chief Special. I regularly carried the 36 as backup. When GLOCK came out with the 43, it was a natural successor, IMO.

 

I too have used a Desantis with a G-27 for years, great holster.

 

Sir you need to get a Ruger LCP for these occasions.

 

...or a KelTec P32, only 10 oz loaded with seven rounds. No way could I ankle-carry a 43.

 

You better have massive legs to be able to comfortably carry a G19 down there