I’m looking for something that would give me the option of ankle carry, I know it’s not ideal, but I’d like the option. I’m thinking either Glock 26, Glock 43, or a 442/642. Is the Glock 26 small enough to conceal on your ankle? I’m sure a 43 is. I checked out a 442 at the gun shop today, my pinkie hangs off the grip, and the sights leave a lot to be desired. The Lipsey’s 442 looks nice, with the sights and I believe larger grips, but $700 plus is kind of steep for a 5 shot J frame.

If you're considering the G43, have you thought about the P365?

G43 v P365

quote:

Originally posted by 12131:
If you're considering the G43, have you thought about the P365?

G43 v P365

I hadn’t thought much about a 365, mainly because I’m in California. They do make a California model now, and I can get off roster pistols, since my mom lives out of state. I also already have a Glock 19x and a 43x, so if I went with either the 26 or 43, I’d have mag interchangeability. Not super important, but it’s a consideration.

43x and 43 mags are not interchangeable.

Will you be ankle carrying as a BUG or as primary?

While the G26 CAN absolutely be ankle carried you will feel a bit like “Peg Leg Pete” at least for a while because the weight will throw you off a bit.

J-Frames are super easy to carry just about any way but you give up capability.

Honestly something like a P365/Hellcat seem to make the most sense for an ankle to belt kind of gun without giving up a ton of capability. I, personally, feel the G26 is much easier to shoot fast/well but that is just the nature of the physics of things. Bigger/thicker/heavier easier to shoot then super thin/tiny, that said the P365/Hellcat esqe guns are easier to shoot then a J frame and certainly are more than capable with a little trigger time behind them.

My 2 cents.

My friend has a G19 gen 5, and he still almost always wears his G43 (the single stack not the later G43X).

It is definitely great for concealment in any clothing.

He looked at my P365 and was impressed with the size but some people are Glock people, just how it is. (and for Carry I've been a Glock person too so)

I'd recommend the G43 if you're already looking that direction.

I've also fired his Glock 43 and the gun is as accurate as it's shooter is..or more.

Also, I'd give the G26 a look at as well, I would imagine its on California list.

I carried a BUG when I was a cop on my ankle. Tried a Ruger SP101, that was super heavy.
Then a S&W scandium J-frame in 357. Worked great for a while until after shooting 100 rounds day/night qual and my arm went numb
Then I tried a subcompact Glock, that lasts one night-the grip got hung up on my pants leg every time I got out of the patrol car.
Went back to the J-frame using 38 +P. Much better. Smooth wooden grips and the pants leg didn’t drag on them.

I guess you won’t be shooting 100 rounds to qual, but it’s something to take into mind.

I currently use a commander sized 1911 in 45 for EDC (IWB) and use the 38 j frame based on clothing or activity. But I don’t ankle carry anymore. It’s either IWB or pocket for the revolver

quote:

Originally posted by 12131:
43x and 43 mags are not interchangeable.

Will you be ankle carrying as a BUG or as primary?

You can use the 43x mags in the 43, but not vice versa. The only time I’d ankle carry is on long drives, or when there’s no other carry option, which would be very rare.

Edit: interesting, I assumed that since the Glock 43x/48 were slimline, like the 43, the mags would interchange. I stand corrected, I just looked that up! That kinda changes things too, now.

quote:

Originally posted by cslinger:
While the G26 CAN absolutely be ankle carried you will feel a bit like “Peg Leg Pete” at least for a while because the weight will throw you off a bit.

J-Frames are super easy to carry just about any way but you give up capability.

Honestly something like a P365/Hellcat seem to make the most sense for an ankle to belt kind of gun without giving up a ton of capability. I, personally, feel the G26 is much easier to shoot fast/well but that is just the nature of the physics of things. Bigger/thicker/heavier easier to shoot then super thin/tiny, that said the P365/Hellcat esqe guns are easier to shoot then a J frame and certainly are more than capable with a little trigger time behind them.

My 2 cents.

Pretty much the only time I’d ankle carry is on long drives, so I wouldn’t be doing much walking.

Can you rent pistols at an LGS?
The Shield is pretty good but needs an Apex trigger unless it’s the 2.0.
The 365, yes, it’s on the stupid DOJ roster; it shoots better and has higher capacity than the Shield. It’s the best selling gun in the United States, a sensational boost for Sig Sauer.
Give one a try.
There’s a reason people are buying almost full-size versions of this pistol—it shoots amazingly well for any gun, not just a micro compact.

quote:

Originally posted by Austin228:
My friend has a G19 gen 5, and he still almost always wears his G43 (the single stack not the later G43X).

It is definitely great for concealment in any clothing.

He looked at my P365 and was impressed with the size but some people are Glock people, just how it is. (and for Carry I've been a Glock person too so)

I'd recommend the G43 if you're already looking that direction.

I've also fired his Glock 43 and the gun is as accurate as it's shooter is..or more.

Also, I'd give the G26 a look at as well, I would imagine it’s on California list.

The 43x is single stack as well. I don’t have an problems getting off roster guns, my mom lives out of state, so she could get me the 43, or a Gen 5 26.

Edit, I was wrong, I just looked it up, the 43x/48 mags won’t work in the 43, I assumed they were the same width.

quote:

Originally posted by sjtill:
Can you rent pistols at an LGS?
The Shield is pretty good but needs an Apex trigger unless it’s the 2.0.
The 365, yes, it’s on the stupid DOJ roster; it shoots better and has higher capacity than the Shield. It’s the best selling gun in the United States, a sensational boost for Sig Sauer.
Give one a try.
There’s a reason people are buying almost full-size versions of this pistol—it shoots amazingly well for any gun, not just a micro compact.

Luckily, my dad has a shield, but it’s a 1.0. I’ve shot it, it’s not bad, but is it small enough to ankle carry? A buddy of mine just bought a 365, Cali model, so I’ll be able to try that as well. Is the FCu for the 365 the same as the 320?

quote:

Originally posted by MikeinNC:
I carried a BUG when I was a cop on my ankle. Tried a Ruger SP101, that was super heavy.
Then a S&W scandium J-frame in 357. Worked great for a while until after shooting 100 rounds day/night qual and my arm went numb
Then I tried a subcompact Glock, that lasts one night-the grip got hung up on my pants leg every time I got out of the patrol car.
Went back to the J-frame using 38 +P. Much better. Smooth wooden grips and the pants leg didn’t drag on them.

I guess you won’t be shooting 100 rounds to qual, but it’s something to take into mind.

I currently use a commander sized 1911 in 45 for EDC (IWB) and use the 38 j frame based on clothing or activity. But I don’t ankle carry anymore. It’s either IWB or pocket for the revolver

My pinkie hangs off the end of the grip on J frames, and that drives me nuts. Also, their stock sights leave a lot to be desired, IMHO.

Glock 43 took me a while to get used to but since then found it a great way to carry concealed. When the trigger is pulled it always goes bang.

quote:

Originally posted by Twist18:
I’m looking for something that would give me the option of ankle carry, I know it’s not ideal, but I’d like the option. I’m thinking either Glock 26, Glock 43, or a 442/642. Is the Glock 26 small enough to conceal on your ankle? I’m sure a 43 is. I checked out a 442 at the gun shop today, my pinkie hangs off the grip, and the sights leave a lot to be desired. The Lipsey’s 442 looks nice, with the sights and I believe larger grips, but $700 plus is kind of steep for a 5 shot J frame.

I have comfortably carried a J frame on my ankle in a Renegade holster for the past 18 years. I'm a pretty athletically built 6'3" guy.

I started carrying a S&W 442 and have since switched to the 340SC.

Can you carry a heavier gun on your ankle? Sure, but you are going to feel it and likely going to cause yourself ankle pain/issues over time.

A fully loaded 340SC weighs in at around 16oz. Honestly, that's the max I would want to carry there. The 442 was pushing it. A Shield or 365 loaded are over 20 oz. A Glock 26 would be an absolute no-go for me.

quote:

Originally posted by KevH:

quote:

Originally posted by Twist18:
I’m looking for something that would give me the option of ankle carry, I know it’s not ideal, but I’d like the option. I’m thinking either Glock 26, Glock 43, or a 442/642. Is the Glock 26 small enough to conceal on your ankle? I’m sure a 43 is. I checked out a 442 at the gun shop today, my pinkie hangs off the grip, and the sights leave a lot to be desired. The Lipsey’s 442 looks nice, with the sights and I believe larger grips, but $700 plus is kind of steep for a 5 shot J frame.

I have comfortably carried a J frame on my ankle in a Renegade holster for the past 18 years. I'm a pretty athletically built 6'3" guy.

I started carrying a S&W 442 and have since switched to the 340SC.

Can you carry a heavier gun on your ankle? Sure, but you are going to feel it and likely going to cause yourself ankle pain/issues over time.

A fully loaded 340SC weighs in at around 16oz. Honestly, that's the max I would want to carry there. The 442 was pushing it. A Shield or 365 loaded are over 20 oz. A Glock 26 would be an absolute no-go for me.

Thanks for the info, I’m 6’5 myself. I wouldn’t be ankle carrying as a regular carry method, mainly just on long drives. I just looked up that 340, great little revolver, but way pricey! I’d buy one of those Lipsey’s 442s instead. I saw you’re in CoCo county, I am as well, and I’m trying to decide on the two pistols for my CCW permit.

Hunt around for a 340SC or 340PD. They're out there. I picked mine up a few years back for $600.

quote:

Originally posted by Twist18:
Is the FCu for the 365 the same as the 320?

Completely different.

The P938 works well for me.

I carried a G26 on my ankle for years. It can be done, but as others have said it's heavy and awkward and it's also slow to access. I wore mine above an 8" boot, which helped keep it in place, but also made it harder to access. With short shoes, it has a tendency to slide around a bit and is harder to keep in place. A quality holster is also a must...I used a Galco Ankle Glove and was very happy with it.

The airweight J-Frame would be much more comfortable to ankle carry. I have one of those Lipsey's 642s, and highly recommend them. It's a great little gun. That said, while I love my J-Frames they're a completely different category of gun and far less versatile than a G26, or even a G43.

I think the biggest issue for you is the fact that you're subject to California's bullshit laws and are limited to two specific guns on your carry permit. Given that reality, I've gotta say go with the G26. It's the most capable and versatile of the options available, and can cover a lot of different roles. Especially if you're only planning on ankle carrying in the car and other limited scenarios, it'll work in that capacity, and still be a very capable carry choice for other methods of carry as well.

If that was not a factor, I'd say get the J-Frame as it's the most ideal choice for that one specific application. It's stupid that you have to live with those limitations.