JTT: Optimizing The Drop Leg Holster System

best drop leg holster
January 10, 2017  
|  1 Comments
Categories: Musings

Recently we ran a piece about the drop leg and it caused a bit of commotion. Today is for the guys who run them and have no choice. Mad Duo

Just The Tip: Optimizing the Drop Leg Holster System

Fifty Shades of FDE

[Images Courtesy of Muzzle Flash Media | Facebook]

You should do what works for you, no matter what I say. But we can all agree (or at least most of us) that drop leg holsters aren’t the best platform for a pistol due to the lack of stability when compared to a belt or hip mounted system. They are, however, the only solution for certain circumstances, hence their existence.

FDE running a SCAR rifle with a drop leg.

The low-ride belt mounted holster is what I prefer for a duty holster system. That is, if I was running a pistol without a weapon mounted light (WML). For work, I run a drop leg holster out of necessity for the following reasons:

First, I have a WML on my pistol, which increases the overall length of my weapon and requires more room to clear the holster. Second, I need my holster to clear if I have to throw on a plate carrier. Last, I’m a small guy (who can probably fit in children’s clothing) with a 30″ waistband and not a lot of real estate on my duty belt, and I use the extra space on my drop leg rig to attach a CAT-T Tourniquet.

FDE running a SCAR rifle

So if you have to run a drop leg holster, here are some helpful things I’ve learned over the years to help optimize this setup:

FDE running a P320 with a drop leg

The best way to stabilize your drop leg rig is to move it a close as possible to your belt. If you have a Safariland 6004 style drop leg with two straps like I do, you’ll have to remove the top strap. A good way to find the perfect placement is to have it in a position where it’s possible for you to wrap your fingers around the bottom end of the holster. Remember it’s called a Drop “Leg” holster, not a Knee holster.

The strap should be tight enough to keep the motion down to a minimum, but not too tight that it’ll cut circulation to your blood vessels.

Example of a US Armor drop leg.

In these photos you can see the difference in height from my old setup versus my current. Please note that my multicam kit is not my duty gear, it’s my training gear that closely resembles my duty. This helps me practice my muscle memory at home and range without having to bring my duty gear home.

After I modified my drop leg system with these tips it was more comfortable, I wasn’t bumping into things as much (I still do occasionally), and I wasn’t tilting my shoulders to reach for my pistol grip when drawing.

Sonoran Desert Institute School of Firearms Technology Banner

Close up of a drop leg holster

Vehicle CQB with William Petty

This setup works well for me, and I wear one everyday. Give it a try; if it helps, great, and if it doesn’t, like I said before, do what works well for you.

-Fifty Shades of FDE



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Additional Reading:

Fifty Shades of FDE

Fifty Shades of FDE

About the Author

Fifty Shades of FDE is a full-time LEO in California with about a decade's service in a very large metropolitan agency. He’s a husband, father and firearms enthusiast. He is a supporter of the Second Amendment and a proponent of law abiding citizens’ right to defend themselves with concealed carry permits. He runs his @fiftyshadesofFDE page on Instagram and writes gun/gear reviews on www.fiftyshadesoffde.com - when he's not writing for Breach-Bang-Clear, of course.

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