Drop leg holsters - Aren't they only used when your body armor does not allow a belt carry?

[Brendon292]

Not necessarily true, you can run a low mount Safariland CUBL on your belt, along with a QLS fork and a level 2/3 retention holster. Depending on the drop you chose for the CUBL/Fork/Holster, you can get a drop leg rig just as secure as a hip holster, regardless id you're running a thigh strap.

I have a belt mount setup in this manner with two different holster allowing for hip mount and drop leg mount, the QLS fork allows for hot swapping the holsters whenever you want without removing the belt, allows for hard mounting of the holster elsewhere if required. It will also allow you to change holsters to different platforms in the same manner as they all have a common mount

I am familiar with the exact set-up you're talking about. If you reach under the holster, I guarantee you can "peel" it up off your thigh a lot easier than a holster mounted directly to your hip.

I'm not saying that a drop leg is a guaranteed way to be disarmed, however, if you're carrying a pistol but are more likely to be in a physical confrontation than an actual shootout (like a cop), you should take as many steps as possible to retain your gun.

Edit: Safariland UBL is as low as I'd want to go.

 

[brownbear53]

I am familiar with the exact set-up you're talking about. If you reach under the holster, I guarantee you can "peel" it up off your thigh a lot easier than a holster mounted directly to your hip.

Agreed, yes you can peel it up if you really, really try, and it takes a lot of force, and nothing has enough give to snap. They key us to use a proper duty belt designed to take the load. Your average 50$ belt has enough flexibility to let it ride out like you suggested. You need to actively your palm underneath the holster to pry up on it even an inch off the thigh. This is easily remedied with a thigh strap, which now allows for no movement, and the added clearance at waist.
Getting in and out of vehicles, physical confrontations including wrestling are not enough to do pry it up, and a L3 will prevent any forcible or accidental removal. If mounted correctly, the holster acts as one solid piece even when in the lower position. Even yanking on the pistol without disengaging the retention does not cause it to lift out

 

[Goo98]

Not necessarily true, you can run a low mount Safariland CUBL on your belt, along with a QLS fork and a level 2/3 retention holster. Depending on the drop you chose for the CUBL/Fork/Holster, you can get a drop leg rig just as secure as a hip holster, regardless id you're running a thigh strap.

I have a belt mount setup in this manner with two different holster allowing for hip mount and drop leg mount, the QLS fork allows for hot swapping the holsters whenever you want without removing the belt, allows for hard mounting of the holster elsewhere if required. It will also allow you to change holsters to different platforms in the same manner as they all have a common mount

All my holsters run the QLS fork, great stuff.

 

[woodchopper]

The Bianchi holster was a big improvement over the 82 Pattern floppy holster, it was still crappy but better. The Bosnia vest with pockets was not really an improvement, there was no attachment point on that that thing for a pistol so you still needed a belt. The latest rig with the sort of modular pockets is also garbage.

the new pistol (P320 - C22) comes with an interesting set of holster mounting options and I don't like them very much they are fairly bulky and you still need a belt because there is no place on the vest for a holster.

I have used all sorts of holsters and rigs over the years, I have gone with a padded tactical tiger battle belt with suspenders that I wear with the important kit, low drop holster (which I can't technically use with the new pistol) , dump pouch, first aid pack, then a chest rig over top of that and a hydration pack for when I need to carry more.

I guess I really need to figure out what is going to work with the new pistol.... or just retire.

being crusty old and mostly broken having just the battle belt and pistol are enough, if I need a rifle we're in serious trouble.

 

[Winz]

The Bianchi holster was a big improvement over the 82 Pattern floppy holster, it was still crappy but better. The Bosnia vest with pockets was not really an improvement, there was no attachment point on that that thing for a pistol so you still needed a belt. The latest rig with the sort of modular pockets is also garbage.

the new pistol (P320 - C22) comes with an interesting set of holster mounting options and I don't like them very much they are fairly bulky and you still need a belt because there is no place on the vest for a holster.

I have used all sorts of holsters and rigs over the years, I have gone with a padded tactical tiger battle belt with suspenders that I wear with the important kit, low drop holster (which I can't technically use with the new pistol) , dump pouch, first aid pack, then a chest rig over top of that and a hydration pack for when I need to carry more.

I guess I really need to figure out what is going to work with the new pistol.... or just retire.

being crusty old and mostly broken having just the battle belt and pistol are enough, if I need a rifle we're in serious trouble.

I'm not really sure I follow the train of thought. Obviously the Bianchi holster was antiquated even for the Beretta 92 that it was designed for, rather than loosely putting a Browning in there and using the spring flap.

The P320/C22 package includes the BlackHawk T-series holster. Yes, it is meant to be worn on the belt but if required, adaptors can be used to mount it on the various modular rigs being used (either the new issued ones for light forces or privately procured ones. It obviously doesn't work with the "Tac Vest." Of course, if one doesn't like the BlackHawk T-series, there are plenty of options that one could personally procure if desired.

I don't think there is anything inherently wrong with the BlackHawk T-series. Yes, BlackHawk got a bad rap for the SERPA 2 decades ago and the T-series is conceptually just reversing the release and having more complicated mechanisms. However, there are always the common options from Safariland or other common brands like Alien Gear, G-Code, etc.

 

[Canadiankeeper]

The mission will dictate.

Ive carried a sidearm for almost half my life now.... God im getting old. I HATE drop leg holsters. Suck to run and fight with them on. Most people don't properly measure and size/position it properly for a good draw. Slower to use. Harder to maintain weapon retention.

 

[Canadiankeeper]

The Bianchi holster was a big improvement over the 82 Pattern floppy holster, it was still crappy but better. The Bosnia vest with pockets was not really an improvement, there was no attachment point on that that thing for a pistol so you still needed a belt. The latest rig with the sort of modular pockets is also garbage.

the new pistol (P320 - C22) comes with an interesting set of holster mounting options and I don't like them very much they are fairly bulky and you still need a belt because there is no place on the vest for a holster.

I have used all sorts of holsters and rigs over the years, I have gone with a padded tactical tiger battle belt with suspenders that I wear with the important kit, low drop holster (which I can't technically use with the new pistol) , dump pouch, first aid pack, then a chest rig over top of that and a hydration pack for when I need to carry more.

I guess I really need to figure out what is going to work with the new pistol.... or just retire.

being crusty old and mostly broken having just the battle belt and pistol are enough, if I need a rifle we're in serious trouble.

As Winz said, there are adaptors for vest attachments. Pretty simple to set up also, 3 screws. If you can get a hand on an extra holster you can have both setups. Run what ever is needed for that specific day.

 

[Canadiankeeper]

All my holsters run the QLS fork, great stuff.

All my holsters run the QLS fork, great stuff.
View attachment 974001

Have you run through a week of combative with this on? Think this is a great option for sport shooters and maybe some military dudes who might need to swap around positions of secondary firearms. Dont know about it for anyone who is fighting with a gun on though. Seems like a breakable point.

 

[Jon.]

The mission will dictate.

Ive carried a sidearm for almost half my life now.... God im getting old. I HATE drop leg holsters. Suck to run and fight with them on. Most people don't properly measure and size/position it properly for a good draw. Slower to use. Harder to maintain weapon retention.

I agree. I refuse to wear the drop leg taser rig. Feels floppy and loose and it’s always in the way.

As far as a pistol, if the pistol is your primary firearm in a self defence way like for police, you need it in the same spot all the time. You can’t build that muscle memory as well with a drop because its position changes relative to any position you’re in. You wind up hunting for it. I need to know my pistol is always in the exact same spot so I can draw sitting kneeling laying down moving around.
Retention is also easier.

 

[Goo98]

Have you run through a week of combative with this on? Think this is a great option for sport shooters and maybe some military dudes who might need to swap around positions of secondary firearms. Dont know about it for anyone who is fighting with a gun on though. Seems like a breakable point.

There’s definitely a risk of breakage during a scuffle but your point of being able to swap holster positions on the fly is valid. Mounting the holster from leg to chest would be handy for getting into a vehicle.