Posted: 1/24/2010 10:35:27 PM EDT
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I ankle carry my BUG at work and have become pretty accustomed to that position for off duty, if for nothing else than habit. Since being injured, I'm starting to re-think my reasoning (i.e. I can't bend or kneel) and am thinking about going back to belt carry for off duty. I need something just as reliable as the Glock 27 that I currently have, but that is a) slimmer and b) lighter. I'm hoping most suggestions come from personal carry experience.
There are countless topics like this in GD, but I'm asking here because a) you guys have the same job as I do and b) the same general mentality about off-duty carry (can you also tell I like bullet points?). Thanks in advance for any/all suggestions. |
| I am not an officer but I have experience with a great deal of carry options including ankle carry. It's a good place to hide a gun, a bad place to carry one. I wouldn't do it unless I had another bun on my belt. Consider a Kahr. In 40 I would get a steel frame, in 9mm a polymer frame. Works much like a single stack Glock. |
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Check out Raven Concealment.... I sport a G23 w/ Tac Light using their products without a problem. One of my squad mates is using my old CompTac CTAC that i used for my 27/23 prior to the Raven's arrival. Both are good holsters, I just prefer to have a light when I need it. |
| I tried a G27 as a BUG for a while, but it was so bulky that I couldn't really conceal it anywhere except for an ankle carry and I just couldn't get used to that. A few years ago I switched the G27 out for a Kahr PM40 and I've been pretty happy with that using a DeSantis pocket holster for BUG carry. The PM40 is a very compact .40 cal and they also make a PM model in 9mm. Mine has been ultra reliable (after the recommended 200 rd break in period) using dept issued 180 Gr Federal Tactical HST ammo and because of it's size, I've found that it gives me lots of options for off duty carry (pocket or belt are my preferences). It's a great gun for BUG or warm weather carry with light clothing on, but as you know, being in WA those days are few and far between. Another option to consider is a Kahr P45. Whenever possible, I've come to prefer this gun for off duty carry in a Mitch Rosen belt holster. It's easily concealable with a shirt or sweater over the top, I like the fact that it's a .45 and it too has been ultra reliable using 230 Gr Federal HST ammo. The only cons I have about the Kahrs are their ammo capacity and long trigger pulls, which differs quite a bit from my issued G22. Spare mags and a little extra range time take care of these two concerns. |
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I tried a G27 as a BUG for a while, but it was so bulky that I couldn't really conceal it anywhere except for an ankle carry and I just couldn't get used to that. A few years ago I switched the G27 out for a Kahr PM40 and I've been pretty happy with that using a DeSantis pocket holster for BUG carry. The PM40 is a very compact .40 cal and they also make a PM model in 9mm. Mine has been ultra reliable (after the recommended 200 rd break in period) using dept issued 180 Gr Federal Tactical HST ammo and because of it's size, I've found that it gives me lots of options for off duty carry (pocket or belt are my preferences). It's a great gun for BUG or warm weather carry with light clothing on, but as you know, being in WA those days are few and far between. Another option to consider is a Kahr P45. Whenever possible, I've come to prefer this gun for off duty carry in a Mitch Rosen belt holster. It's easily concealable with a shirt or sweater over the top, I like the fact that it's a .45 and it too has been ultra reliable using 230 Gr Federal HST ammo. The only cons I have about the Kahrs are their ammo capacity and long trigger pulls, which differs quite a bit from my issued G22, but spare mags and a little extra range time take care of these two concerns. Were your Kahr's purchased from L.E.E.D.? |
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I carry a S&W Airlight PD. I wear it in an outside the pants holster. It weighs 11 ounces so I can't feel it and unless I am wearing spandex no one can see it.
If you are about to get mugged are you going to be more likely to get away with kneeling and pulling up your pant leg or reaching for your wallet and coming out with a gun? Same with running and drawing. Ankle is fine on duty because it's just in case there is a problem with your primary. Ankle carry for off duty is not a good option IMO. |
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I tried a G27 as a BUG for a while, but it was so bulky that I couldn't really conceal it anywhere except for an ankle carry and I just couldn't get used to that. A few years ago I switched the G27 out for a Kahr PM40 and I've been pretty happy with that using a DeSantis pocket holster for BUG carry. The PM40 is a very compact .40 cal and they also make a PM model in 9mm. Mine has been ultra reliable (after the recommended 200 rd break in period) using dept issued 180 Gr Federal Tactical HST ammo and because of it's size, I've found that it gives me lots of options for off duty carry (pocket or belt are my preferences). It's a great gun for BUG or warm weather carry with light clothing on, but as you know, being in WA those days are few and far between. Another option to consider is a Kahr P45. Whenever possible, I've come to prefer this gun for off duty carry in a Mitch Rosen belt holster. It's easily concealable with a shirt or sweater over the top, I like the fact that it's a .45 and it too has been ultra reliable using 230 Gr Federal HST ammo. The only cons I have about the Kahrs are their ammo capacity and long trigger pulls, which differs quite a bit from my issued G22, but spare mags and a little extra range time take care of these two concerns. Were your Kahr's purchased from L.E.E.D.? Yes, purchased/traded for another firearm I no longer wanted and some other items. They were good about working with me on the trade and he had the best local LE pricing on these guns at the time. |
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Check out Raven Concealment.... I sport a G23 w/ Tac Light using their products without a problem. One of my squad mates is using my old CompTac CTAC that i used for my 27/23 prior to the Raven's arrival. Both are good holsters, I just prefer to have a light when I need it. this |
| G27 is a great size IMO for off duty IWB or AIWB carry. I carry a S&W M&P340 AIWB off duty and on my ankle while working. It's very lightweight and disappears under any t shirt. If you already have the G27, I would look into a decent IWB holster. I have a Raven ACR on order for my P2000 because I was impressed so much with my Phantom OWB. There's about a 6 week wait but well worth it. |