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Posted: 9/23/2007 2:26:34 PM EST
Im in the market for some gear and was considering trying the a few items from HSGI. Drop Holster for the right leg to carry my 92FS and Drop Leg Magazine Carrier for my left.
  The reason for the mag carrier on the left is because my left hand is whats going to be doing the reloading almost always. which kinda makes me have to think about the mag pouches on the right leg holster, it would be kinda hard to access a mag with my left hand in that location but would be a great spot for a light and a multitool. Now from what I've seen in all the tons of gear porn threads on here.... not many folks use a subload setup..... seems to be just chest rigs. Is there any functional reason for that? Im a newb, so hopefully those that have tried a little of everything can shed some light on any potential pros and cons. I do live in a fairly hot climate by the way.... and one particular thing I've noticed about myself is I tend to heat up and fatigue alot quicker with anything cinched down around my core, but from the waist down it doesnt really matter much what I have on. But that realization came mainly from riding my dirtbike in the desert with as much crash protection gear on as possible. Thanks in advance for any insight! 
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Posted: 9/23/2007 2:59:13 PM EST
[#1]
Drop leg equipment was designed to give yu the ability to access gear that was normally mounted on your belt while you are wearing thick upper body gear (entry armor, chest rigs, etc). You dont see a lot of people using drop leg equipment because it is often slower to load/draw from, hampers movement, and generally gets on your nerves. My advice, use if you have to..... not because it looks cool.
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Posted: 9/23/2007 3:22:22 PM EST
[#2]
Well im certainly not basing any decisions on looks.... I want stuff that works! I can see what youre saying about the hampers movement part, hell, i'd amolst think youd have to worry about chafing as well with it. On the whole drawing from aspect.... I kinda was thinking it would actually be quicker. But I have pretty long arms and my hands sit about mid thigh, where the grip would be. Thats certainly something for me to think about though! Thanks for your insight!
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Posted: 9/23/2007 3:25:06 PM EST
[#3]
I figured many drop leg holsters would actually speed up the draw process, (maybe not that particular one) although I have never worn one.
Does it come in black? 
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Posted: 9/23/2007 3:33:27 PM EST
[#4]
What is your primary need? Work, Competition, Zombies, etc. This will help me give you a better answer to your question.
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Posted: 9/23/2007 3:36:01 PM EST
[#5]
Yea I am faster out of my dropleg than any belt holster. But it depends on where you hands Naturally sit. If you walk around in a gunfighter stance then a belt rig is faster. I also prefer the safariland kydex models because it shifts less but I have both. The softone is a black hawk for a Beretta 92 but you can put anything in ti if you take take the time to adjust it.
GPK |
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Posted: 9/23/2007 3:42:52 PM EST
[#6]
Competition... I've always wanted to get into it, but I dont have any gear to carry my junk! I guess I could just run around with my AR in one hand, pistol in the other and a range bag slung over my shoulder
 The other purpose would be SHTF.... I prefer to keep things unseen, one thing that would be hard to do with drop leg gear. |
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Posted: 9/23/2007 3:48:04 PM EST
[#7]
I wouldn't use a subload for competition--too slow. I've tried them all, and found belt setups to be the fastest for me. |
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Posted: 9/23/2007 3:51:20 PM EST
[#8]
I use a drop leg for competition. It is comfortable and secure. It is as fast as you train with it. But the flap on the holster you linked is for airborne operations to give extra security and retention when jumping. It is serious overkill for competion. I am sure they make one with just a thumbbreak and optional fastex clip strap, if not blackhawk and eagle do. I also use a drop leg for rifle mags for competion because there isn't enough room on my belt for shotgun ammo, pistol mags and rifle mags. So I have a belt holster for one ar mag ann then the other two go on my leg. I have owned leg carriers that hold 2 and 4 mags. i found more then 2 rifle mags on my leg to be bulky and uncomfortable in tight spaces, cars, tunnels, etc. |
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Posted: 9/23/2007 5:35:26 PM EST
[#9]
Here's my take on drop legs rigs:
I can wear my belt (with left side mag carrier and right side holster), whether or not I throw on my MAV chest rig. I don't have to have a different belt with stuff along the waistline, then another belt with dropleg stuff for use with a vest. If you go with the drop leg holster, don't hang it way down low like Han Solo, really it should be as high as possible. Some people say the butt of the pistol should be level with your wrist as your arm is relaxed at your side. I have two gripes with drop leg stuff: 1) It wags alot when your run, but it's uncomfortable to tighten it down too much. 2) I have trouble getting into my to pistol mags on my left side drop leg quickly. I could fix this if I move them up higher. Alot of people will advise against drop leg rigs, but even more people use them. It's up to what works for you. |
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Posted: 9/23/2007 7:00:21 PM EST
[#10]
I'd reconsider the flap holster too. They slow you down in the even of a transistion.
my .02 |
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Posted: 9/24/2007 5:14:31 AM EST
[#11]
Pro:
It frees up space on your belt If worn correctly, it is fast and easy to access the pouches when standing Con: Subloads are not intended to be worn for long periods of time walking. They aren't that great when you are running either. Whe putting your gear on in a hurry, subloads can slow you down. It is a PITA to strap them on during something like a rocket attack(believe me, it really is) Access can be limited when you are in vehicles or very close quarters. |
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Posted: 9/24/2007 5:45:13 AM EST
[#12]
a trick that was passed on to me @ a Larry Vickers class is to guage placement of dropleg by touching the *bottom* outer edge of said holster or pouch with your fingers while standing up. If you cant do this, then you're sporting a pair of kneepads. :D
Also, the issue of FLOP and proper tightening must be taken into consideration. max 2 mags, and no more that 2.5" thick - otherwise flop comes into play and will start mucking with the wearability over time. |
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Posted: 9/24/2007 8:47:38 AM EST
[#13]
well, after some of the stuff thats been said in here and doing some more research.... I decided to get a Safariland 6005 drop leg unit. Seems like it'll be alot lighter and not be as potential to flopping around. Also, kinda of a bonus would be if I get another pistol I can get another 6005 for it and just be able to clip new holsters on and off the belt without having to take everything apart. As for the drop leg ammo pack, I'm going to stay away from that. I grabbed some loaded mags last night and just feeling the combined weight.... I can see it would get real annoying running with that on my thigh.
I'll just a two pistol mag pouch and mount that to the belt instead... maybe a single AR mag pouch as well. I'll try that out and then see how it feels.... might need some suspenders to keep it riding right... I have a flat white boy ass 
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Posted: 9/24/2007 9:08:20 AM EST
[#14]
Just spend some time doing leg curls. Or better yet, my unit's PT routine included running up and down the sides of hills in full kit to get us so used to the weight that we felt naked without armor.
It does take some getting used to with drop leg rigs. The weirdest part is that if you go too long without wearing them, your body adapts back and you have to start all over again. |
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Posted: 9/25/2007 10:07:43 AM EST
[#15]
I dislike it immensly. I have a 'tactical' holster and really hate it, but have no where else to carry a sidearm. Im gonna try a good brand one(Eagle BH etc) and see if it the crappy cheap one I have or what.
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Posted: 9/25/2007 10:18:44 AM EST
[#16]
I used a drop holster ( blackhawk) never had a problem with it, but I did buy a 3 mag leg carrier, i had a few issues. it seem the heavier the item the more issue with shifting around. my advice if you use them keep it light. I personally don't use them any more.
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Posted: 9/25/2007 11:43:09 AM EST
[#17]
I use a leg-drop holster as a primary, but I also add an Eagle leg-drop 2xAR pouch when I want to run an "enhanced" first line gear.
Like a few have stated, more than two mags makes the whole thing a bit wobbly and unwieldy. Otherwise, it works very well and is very handy. |
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Posted: 9/25/2007 6:51:14 PM EST
[#18]
When it comes to drop leg holsters, go Safariland or go home. The 6004, etc. is the industry standard for a good reason.
Dropleg Subloads are useful if you're doing a reload from the prone. It kinda' sucks to be prone and have to fumble accessing the mags on your chest... If you're getting geared up, be sure to include a gunshot wound med kit in your gear. I recommend and use the V.O.K. I can't believe I went to the range without a GSW kit for years...  Hope this helps. Mike |
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Posted: 9/25/2007 7:03:56 PM EST
[#19]
As stated, the only advantage of dropleg stuff is when you are wearing a thick vest. Droplegs suck in vehicles, it sucks wearing them all day while walking and running, they slow the draw/reload unless adjusted perfectly, it is very dificult to reload while shooting around cover w/ your weak side.
If your purpose is competition get a belt rig with blade tech hoster, pistol mag pouch and rifle mag pouch and a shotgun bandoleer and or arm cuff and or cali comp works shotshell holder. If your purpose for competition is practical training do the same except add a small chest rig so you don't have to go back and recharge between stages. Or carry the pistol the way you would CCW. Multigun gear w/ a SHTF use. 
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Posted: 9/25/2007 11:39:29 PM EST
[#20]
The holster you are looking at is more for patrolling. It has the air strap and then two other straps to hold the gun in place. Even if you only use one strap, it is still going to be a slow draw, thus the patrolling use.
If you want something fast, look at a safariland or the Blackhawk kydex on a platform. Something that has a thumbreak or the Blackhawk finger lock thingy or just passive locking. People who use drop legs for competition use those normally, because they can draw them just as quickly as they would if they were on their belt. That holster is very popular along with the spec ops one which standard issue. But both of those are for patrolling, not speed. As far as comfort, keep it tight and you shouldn't have a problem. Never put a drop leg mag holder on, so I dunno. I'd get a some type of a chest rig, It'd be alot quicker as you wouldn't fumble trying to grab a mag. Something simple like the one one of the posters put a picture of. |
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Posted: 9/26/2007 12:16:34 AM EST
[#21]
I hated my drop leg and sold it after one class. Personally unless I had to use one because I was wearing body armor I have no use for them.
Most of the guys I have seen who own them to use for work have the safariland one. edit I also was not crazy about the leg mounted mag carrier I tried. |
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Posted: 9/26/2007 1:18:36 AM EST
[#22]
I've been using drop-legs rigs for quite a few years 'cause I have a heavily loaded chestrig.
They're not especially comfortable. If you've got bony hips then the strap will put pressure on it and it'll get sore fairly fast although the 2-strap Blackhawk CQC rigs alleviate this. They're fairly fast but not super fast (it's a bigger movement than a belt level holster) - however, it's easy to draw from a drop leg. Make sure you get a really good one. I've had a variety of the cheap ones and they suck ass. The drop strap should be stiff and the thigh straps should be attached to the EDGES of the holster - not the middle. Straps attached in the middle can't stop the holster from flapping. Models that I'd personally recommend are Blackhawk CQC (not their nylon ones), Safariland, HSGI, So-tech Groundpounder. |
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Posted: 9/26/2007 1:40:38 AM EST
[#23]
I use the 6004 for my duty gun. IMO, it's the only drop leg rig worth using.
Make sure you wear the 6004 AS HIGH AS POSSIBLE on your leg. It will shift around less and will be easier to draw from. Some people remove the upper strap on the 6004 so it can be worn even higher. |
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Posted: 9/26/2007 2:54:19 AM EST
[#24]
I have a pretty decent personal first aid kit I've built up with all the standard GSW stuff as the base of it. And ya, I tend to take it to the big ranges farther away from the city. Unfortunately, I tend not to take it to the indoor range up the street.... gotta get better about that. |
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Posted: 9/26/2007 5:23:08 AM EST
[#25]
A lot of people are down on drop leg hoslters in vehicles. I think it's actually a better option in a vehicle than a belt holster or a shoulder holster. SImply unsnap the buckle, slide the holster a bit so it's on the top of your thigh, rather than the side. Very accessible in a vehcile, mcuh better than trying to reach down to the side in between the door and your other gear to reach abelt holster. Shoulder holsters are very bad for vehiecles in general.
When you dismount, simply re-adjust. Takes 2 seconds. If you have to bail from your vehicle in a hurry, you won't notice. Worked for me. |
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Posted: 9/26/2007 7:02:42 AM EST
[#26]
Page two ownage
Just like a lot of things, its a "have too" type deal, The real deal guys that run drop legs, more than likely "have too" to clear their drawstroke or because they ran out of room on their vests or because they are carrying too much weight on their shoulders or because etc... They have their reasons. Pretty much, only the unlearned WANT to use these things, they suck... and on top of being uncomfortable they coverup your damn pockets... |
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