Recommend a drop leg rig

B

Buck268

Joined
Nov 5, 2006
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Not particularly a serious need, but just looking around and watching for deals. I would like to have a reliable and durable drop leg style holster for my Glock 23 (gen 4). Motivation is the far-fetched situation where 24/7 carry would be necessary and of course, in my region of North America anything that cannot be carried outside of winter clothing offers significantly increased response times.

Thing is, this is hardly a "need" and more of just something to keep an eye out for to add to the kit... therefore I don't want to spend top dollar but I am also unwilling to settle for low quality or other junk since the use it would ever see would be out of need. Any thoughts? Seems the 'net is flush with tacti-cool and/or airsoft gear but I don't even know where to start with this....
 
CCW with a big flap pocket on your coat. Banging a pistol on stuff isn't something I really want to do. Sure it may work well standing on your feet but, driving a car, sitting in a restaurant booth, etc. isn't practical for me. An unzipped jacket can be pretty fast from a hip holster.

What do the local cops do when the weather turns cold?
 
Sid Post said:
CCW with a big flap pocket on your coat. Banging a pistol on stuff isn't something I really want to do. Sure it may work well standing on your feet but, driving a car, sitting in a restaurant booth, etc. isn't practical for me. An unzipped jacket can be pretty fast from a hip holster.

What do the local cops do when the weather turns cold?
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For transitional weather/winter, a zipped or push button slit in each side of the jacket makes for access to handgun when slightly longer jackets are worn.

Youll see uniformed LEOs with the gun poking out of the slit.
 
OP

Check out BlackHawk

I bought and carried a Blackhawk drop leg rig for the better part of a year in a hot climate. I believe it was the 'Omega Elite IV' or something to that effect.
I can recommend that particular holster rig. Do how ever check beforehand whether or not your Glock fits. That being said the Omega does fit a great many autos. Its not expensive for what it is. Comes in OD, Coyote, black and camo.

As you hint at, stay away from the airsoft 'carp.' At best its low quality, at worst itll get you killed.
I shudder at the thought of the airsoft stuff, Ive seen folks latch on to their real gun or other equipment either because they didnt know bette ror because it was cheap and they thought it 'a good deal.'

There are also some drop leg rigs which is made of Kydex, Boltaron and/or some other 'plastic.' These have a big slab of said material as big as a dinner plate placed on the thigh.
If you dont have a need for these kind of rigs, Id stay away from those as a civilian.
The Blackhawk Omega is sturdy fabric and more shaped like a traditional holster (thought still a relatively big leg rig like they almost all are).
 
Drop leg rig pros
The Omega has multiple retaining latches, which not only holds the gun securely but which also can be adjusted and/or removed. With the Omega, one can do back flips all day without the gun being dislodged.

Mag pocket for spare mag....or lighter or thermal blanket or a snack or what ever, if one is hiking or hunting etc etc.

Very Wear resistent. My Blackhawk holster was used hard and apart from being dirty and dusty hardly shows any marks of being worn. I bet itll last a long time to come.

Keeps gun below bulky Winter jacket and positions the gun within easy reach without the need for unzipping coat etc

Very nice to wear when squatting to for example light a fire, skin a dear or what ever activity one can think of.

Drop leg rig cons
Visible at all times if thats a consideration.

Consider whether or not a shoulder is better for your use. I like both types of holster, just saying.

Can be bulky and tangle with car interior (seat supports, console, shift etc). If your primary use is outside of a vehicle for stretches of time as opposed to getting in and out all the time, this is of course not a consideration.
On the other hand, a leg rig can be more comfortable to wear in a vehicle, than a belst mounted rig, that digs into you and/or car seat.

Good luck with your drop leg rig quest.
 
G Code makes one that can attach to a leg rig very well, Hsgi makes a great drop leg platform. Safari land makes a good one as well. They all truly suck to run in, if you have to have one get it up as high as possible on your leg. I'd rather belt/pocket/vest/almost any other option carry.
 
Agreed, drop rigs can be a drag to run with.
Vest carry is nice, but the reason some soldiers use leg rigs, are because they already have so much stuff attached or slung on their vests.
This of course not a consideration for most civilian use.
The OP hinted at winter use and thats also why I suggested looking at shoulder holsters as an alternative. There are some great holsters out there, which can be worn over bulky winter clothing.
Still, leg rigs and shoulder holsters both have their uses.
 
Great suggestions from people. I understand the draw hacks just want to have an option in the stable that would eliminate the access issues of winter gear. Not something I forsee using much at all unless things change around here. Or of course maybe winter hunring/camping
 
I seriously recommend looking at a Hill People Gear Kit Bag. You can size it up so that it will sit on top of any layers.
 
Also keep in mind.... Cloth based drop legs can't really break, but a plastic/polymer rig can break/crack if impacted hard enough. Like if you fall or whack it while running ... Etc. unlikely maybe but something to think about.
 
Not sure if this is still the case, but there was a time when Tactical Tailor was highly recommended in terms of quality gear, and they do/did make drop-leg holsters. I know they're still around, so assuming they still "make `em like they used to," you'd probably do well to see if they offer something that would fit your Glock. Otherwise, I think Blackhawk generally makes good holsters, even if a lot of their other products have veered off into mall ninja territory. When my wife's Army Reserve unit was unexpectedly issued Beretta M9s right before deployment, they all went out and bought Blackhawk holsters using their own money rather than whatever Uncle Sam provided. She also has a Blackhawk nylon IWB holster for her carry gun, which was a better fit than other brands. Again, not exactly what you're after, but in general, I think Blackhawk does a good job for a reasonable price.

That having been said . . .

I seriously recommend looking at a Hill People Gear Kit Bag. You can size it up so that it will sit on top of any layers.
Click to expand...

I use a Hill People Gear chest pack (forget the model name/number) for hiking with my carry gun, spare mag and any survival gear that I want "front and center" if I end up in a bind. I've worn it over multiple layers, up to and including a parka.

Handgun compartment (never mind the knife)
dK9P2i3.jpg


Front compartment contents
tBEixA1.jpg
 
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