Hip Holster vs Dropped Leg?

celtic1123 said:
Keep in mind a lot of people don't properly adjust drop leg holsters. They tighten them up and then still complain about them moving around, eventually giving up and going back to hip holster. (keep in mind this is just my experiences) If you try out a drop leg, put it on your leg and bring it up high enough that when standing straight (with arms hanging down by your sides) you should be able to put your fingers under the bottom of your holster (fingers 90 degrees to palm). I used to use an older Safariland that had the two thigh straps, ended up ditching the top one. I find it's much tighter and for the most part doesn't move around. Again these are just my experiences, and I've not competed in competitions, but I found I could get down into the prone position and it wouldn't be in the way.
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True. Most guys run the drop leg way too low. I also have a safariland with only the bottom strap. It sits very high that the bottom strap is right up on my leg. But the holster is low enough to clear tac vest etc. The pistol handle is at the the belt level about. And up there it will not wobble all over the place.

This is how I run it. Even the strap is a little low there. That was after some running.


Now it depends for what use. I like hip holster better when I do not carry a tac vest or a frag. Obviously.
 
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I did my black badge this past fall and tried using just a regular leather belt with a hip holster and a full size 1911. I had the same problems you describe. The instructor loaned me a proper two piece gun belt and it made a world of difference. The inner belt goes through my belt loops and the outer just wraps around and stays attached with velcro all the way. I use just a cheap Blackhawk concealment holster and made a quick and dirty drop/offset bracket out of some scrap lexan, but there are also two different height brackets available from Blackhawk, plus various offset spacers.
Kristian
 
That picture of the guy in military gear above is a good example.

The leg strap should be right up in the crotch area, not down at your knee.
 
Yeah, I should of mentioned that I also wear a Safariland 6305 for my SIG TACOPS.

After a rather unpleasant fitting session with the double strap shroud - I ordered the single strap version (I believe it's about &68 - in the tactical acc. section on their site) - wayyyyy better!

As mentioned before - the slightly lower orientation of the thigh rig allows me to wear a coat on a cold day, but also allows me to comfortably wear my MARCIRAS with my pistol.

I have my holster off of my C-TOMS Battle Belt - 'nuff said!

Abby
 
Mark Mags said:
Hey gang,
Looking for some opinions here. I currently am using a hip holster with a S&W 9mm, and it works as it should. The gun fits and sits securely, however there are times when the bottom of the holster pulls away from body when withdrawing. And, at times I do feel a little "cramped" trying to unholster the firearm.
Has anyone made the switch to a leg holster, and how do/did they find it? Pros and cons?
I am looking and hoping to take some pistol courses this year, and I am looking for comfort and reliability...
Any input would be appreciated.[/QUOT

I've read all the post and best thing I can add is, not all hip holsters are created equal. Likewise the belt has a lot to do with how it all performs. I use a comp tac paddle holster with a decent nylon belt with the Velcro end on it , keeps it snug and set to where it needs to be.
As for use in gun games, the hip holster will get you by in all of them, a drop leg rig is not accepted in all sports. I shoot idpa and ipsc. Using the same gun and holster.
I'd say a good kydex hip holster would cover most of yor needs, provided you support it with a good belt.
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misanthropist said:
Could go with a Bladetech Dropped and Offset Holster. It'll get the gun down and away from your gear and give you a pretty fast easy draw with none of the downsides of the thigh holsters (which, generally speaking, I hate).
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I used one of these for the first time at the last CQB. You can see immediately why it works better before you even draw.
 
It looked like most of the CF guys went with Dl holsters. I was wearing a load bearing best full of AR mags up front, and the Bladetech was easy to reach.
 
My training with the CF, led me to believe hip holster was the superior, I did drop leg for the mags and it was a pain the stretch down and grab them. That said if wilderness carry ever becomes an option I would have to go drop leg because of my pack waist band.
 
When you're wearing street pants and a hip holster with a gun belt, and you run into the issue of that belt loop at the 3 o'clock position, loop the belt through the first holster loop, then the pants loop and then the second holster loop (may take work with an Ares, or other ultra stiff belt). The entirely stops the holster from moving along the belt. That might help with the OP's initial problem.
 
the only reason to use a drop leg holster over a belt one is if you have to much gear on your belt/chest already to reach around easily
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Also shooting a 3-gun match in the winter time. Everyone is wearing big heavy coats. Leg holster is the way to go.
 
I use a Blackhawk drop leg for 3-Gun and field work. It is one of the only leg platforms that doesn't shift around on me, as it has 2 leg straps and a Y shaped belt attachment. For IPSC I use a hip holster (of course). I personally prefer the leg rig, but I tend to have it adjusted fairly high to make drawing smoother.
 
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