How to Effectively Use Ankle Holsters if the Time Calls for It

When utilizing cover to draw from ankle holsters, post up on something solid for stability.

When using ankle holsters, drop to one knee for a stable base.

To maintain your field of vision, simply lift a leg like a stork to draw.

There are times when an ankle rig makes sense. It’s an excellent holster option when you’re wearing a suit with a shirt tucked in, or if you have to drive long distances where it’d be easier to get to your ankle than your waistband. Ankle holsters can also be a smart location for a backup pistol. The ankle rig offers great concealment (make sure to match the color of your holster to your socks), but the tradeoff is in the speed of the draw.

Ankle Holsters 101

We asked Dylan Kenneson to demonstrate the most common ways of drawing from the ankle rig that he has carried for many years in law enforcement as well as in his everyday life. Kenneson works as an instructor at the SIG Sauer Training Academy. A U.S. Air Force veteran, Kenneson gained experience training in various DoD, government agency and private courses, leading to numerous training qualifications.

Take a Knee

By dropping down to one knee, you can access your pistol from a stable base. The tradeoff is lowering your posture, perspective and mobility. Both hands clear the pant leg, and the pistol is drawn.

Bend at the Waist

If you have the flexibility, simply bending at the waist to grab your pistol may be the fastest option. But like taking a knee, you lower your eye level and can also throw yourself off balance. The same method for clearing the pant leg is applied.

Stork Style

Just like a stalking stork, lift your ankle high off the ground and reach down to your pistol. This method keeps your field of view mostly unchanged, but at the expense of stability, since you are, at least briefly, standing on only one leg.

Post Up

Assuming you are near cover or a firm structure, you can simply post your leg against an object, reach down and access your pistol. Just as with the stork method, you bring the pistol to you, but with the added point of contact, you gain some stability.

This article is from the October-November 2019 issue of Concealed Carry Handguns magazine. Grab your copy at OutdoorGroupStore.com. For digital editions, visit Amazon.

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