How To Wear A Drop Leg Holster

It's one thing to have a drop leg holster but it's another thing to run it properly. The idea is to maintain fast access but to free up your waist for other things, or just to not have a gun there in general.

However, it's just not as easy as just buying a drop thigh holster and putting it on.

So, let's go over how to set up a drop leg holster properly.

Start With A Drop Leg Holster That's As Close To Your Size As Possible

Some people make a drop leg holster that's universal, and others make a drop leg holster that's sized. Get the latter.

By getting a drop leg holster that's actually sized for you, or at least is an appropriate size range for you, the thigh straps will have the closest possible fit. This ensures not only comfort, but also that you don't have a ridiculous excess of material that's hanging around. The holster will be more secure on the thigh, and will hold securely without having to be cinched tight, which will cause discomfort.

Remember, you want gear that adapts to you, not gear that you have to adapt to using. This is true of concealed carry guns too, so just as it's a good idea to have a gun that fits you it's a good idea to have a holster that fits you too.

Should The Drop Leg Holster Be On The Front Or Side Of The Leg?

Some people wonder if their drop leg holster should be rotated a little toward the knee or directly on the side of the leg, almost like with positioning a pistol on the hip.

Just as with positioning the pistol, this is mostly down to preference and comfort; it really depends on where it feels most comfortable to you. If the drop leg holster base feels a little better canted a little toward the knee or around the back a little, that's totally fine; it actually doesn't make much difference.

However, in a more tactical setting, the question comes up about whether you'll hit the holster on objects or if a drop leg holster can be awkward to deal with in tighter quarters.

The truth there is that if you find yourself in that situation, the holster being a little awkward to deal with is likely the the least of your problems.

However, it should also be mentioned that some people prefer a different holster style for outdoors uses than a drop leg for that reason. When there's a lot of brush and branches and so on, a chest holster is a lot more convenient.

How To Set Up Your Drop Leg Holster

The first time you put on your drop leg holster, you need to make some adjustments so that you get it set correctly.

Start by getting the belt loops onto your belt to suspend the holster from the waist, and fastening the leg straps. Don't worry about tightening them; you'll do that later.

You'll want to holster your pistol for this part, but make sure it's checked and cleared because safety is always first. Reach down and take a firing grip on the gun.

Your arm should have some bend in it. If you have to straighten your arm, the holster is set too high on your leg. The gun has to be in a position where it can be accessed quickly. If you have to consciously reach for it, it's too far away.

Most people find the best place to set the holster is on the upper thigh, usually an inch or two below your pocket for the fastest, easiest grip on the gun.

You may need to adjust the belt loop in order to get there. Once you've set the ride height, a top tip is to take a bright color marker - such as red, though we prefer neon green - to mark the settings so you can index to them later if needs be.

Then find the right setting on the thigh straps by tightening or loosening as needed. They should be firm, but not overly tight so as to cause discomfort.

Once you have your settings dialed in, you're ready to use your drop leg holster.