Many people are looking for new holster designs to accommodate an ever-growing list of EDC items, from pistols to pepper spray you need a comfortable carry option for all your self-defence and personal items. For law enforcement and security professional making space for all that kit on a duty belt can be a challenge so moving a pistol from your belt to your thigh might not be a bad option.
Drop-leg thigh holsters are a bit of niche product though and not everyone will need or want them, they certainly aren’t suitable for concealed carry and even in places where open carry is permitted they are a bit overtly ‘tactical’ and probably not the best option available to you. People who carry in a professional capacity though might find that they are a great option for carrying a pistol.
If you happen to fall into this category then you are in luck! There’s never been a better time to buy a drop leg holster and more manufacturers are putting out excellent products than ever before.
There are literally hundreds of models on the market and choosing one can be difficult. Here we have the five best drop leg holsters on the market and how to choose the best one for your specific situation.
If you do not have time for the details, here are our top picks for Drop Leg Holsters:
Table of Contents
Security & Retention
When choosing a drop leg duty holster you need to be fully aware of the retention of your weapon, it’s further away from your centre mass making it harder to protect if someone was to grab for your gun and if you have to run a holster with poor retention might just send your pistol flying off into the distance instead of keeping it secure where it needs to be in case you need it.
Flip off retention straps or snaps are an option for added security over modern friction fit holsters but the longer reach down to your thigh to your pistol can make these fiddly without practice. Do be aware though that while the pistol is further from your centre mass while it in a drop leg holster it is closer to where you hand naturally sits while walking or standing and the muzzle will clear the holster sooner when drawn from a drop leg than from a holster at your waist.
As well as securely retaining the firearm a drop leg holster needs to securely attach to you. Nothing will be more annoying than carrying a holster that flops around, twists and snags on everything. You need to find one that will cinch securely around your leg without being uncomfortable. Try a few out to find what is comfortable for your and what will secure your firearm in a manner that will work for your duties.
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Our Pick for the Best Drop Leg Holster on the Market
1.) Safariland 6304 ALS Tactical Leg Holster
There are only a few shooting companies quite like Safariland. They make excellent holsters on over a dozen product lines and manufacture everything from body armor to police cameras. Their drop leg holsters, and duty holsters in general, set the gold standard in the industry.
This is one of their most popular and successful models with law enforcement officers in recent years. It is a drop leg holster that includes two active locking mechanisms with the option to add other mechanisms to make it even more difficult to draw the gun.
This holster is absolutely squared away in every sense. It is rugged, reliable and comfortable to use. It’s just about as indestructible as they come. Safari land is known for its excellent customer support in case you have any problems. This holster is certainly worth every penny.
As with any new holster you must train and practice with this holster but it is by far one of the absolute best holsters on the market, and certainly the best drop leg holster available. It’s also quite expensive but the price is more than justified by the quality. If you are going to be using a drop leg holster on duty or in a tactical environment you are going to want this Safariland holster on your leg.
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2.) BLACKHAWK! Serpa Level 2 Tactical Black Holster - Fit Perfect for 1911
The Blackhawks Serpa is one of the most talked about holsters online. People either love or hate this holster but it’s here to stay. This is Blackhawks drop leg version of their popular Serpa holster that includes extended leg straps to relocate the holster lower on your thigh.
Designed with an active retention mechanism this blackhawk drop leg holster has to be trained on for you to use it effectively. Once you have a little bit of familiarity with it you can safely and reliably disengage the retention mechanism with no problems or loss of draw speed. Do ensure though that you keep the retention mechanism on this holster free of sand and grime otherwise it may jam.
Blackhawk is known for making hard use gear that performs well in the field so there are no inherent problems with these holsters other than the need to disengage the retention mechanism using your trigger finger, while some might consider this a problem on the positive side, having to disengage the pistols retention with your trigger finger means that there is no way you can have your finger inside the trigger guard while drawing removing a lot of the risk of a negligent discharge during the draw.
While it may take some practice to get used to this is a very viable holster for anyone looking for an inexpensive but still very high quality drop leg holster for duty or tactical use.
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3.) Condor Tornado Tactical Leg Holster - Universal Drop Leg Holster
If you need a universal holster to carry multiple different firearms, this is the best on the market. Condor manufactures nylon equipment for hard use for military and law enforcement personnel. Many people use their products because they are the perfect blend of quality and price.
This is their tornado tactical leg holster and is one of the favorite drop leg holsters of online reviewers and shooters. It is an all nylon holster that can be easily adjusted to accommodate accessories like red dot optics and flashlights mounted to your pistol.
The thing that sets this holster apart is the ability to tailor it to any gun and accessory combination. It does excellently as a tactical holster where you will most likely be carrying a pistol as a secondary weapon alongside a rifle or carbine because it secures your pistol better than almost any other option, This added security can slow the draw considerably though.
The nylon strap that covers the back of the gun can be difficult to engage, especially with gloves on in a stressful situation. This will slow down your draw but is only a big deal if your pistol is your primary gun. That feature might make it unsuitable for security or law enforcement work if your pistol is your primary gun.
However, if you’re looking for a lightweight holster and can get used to the slightly floppy nature of this nylon model, this will serve you well.
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4.) Blade-Tech Thigh Rig
Blade-Tech make some of the best Kydex products in the world and have a ton of different products on the market. Part of what they are known for is the modularity of their pistol holsters. Each one of their holders can be mated to a number of mounts and belt slide options.
This is their thigh rig, a platform to which you can attach a holster or pouches. While not technically a drop leg holster, this is an excellent platform for you attach a holster to, whether another blade tech product or one by any other manufacturer. This is the best blank platform on the market for you to start with if you are looking to build your own drop leg rig.
This is made out of sturdy injection molded plastic and comfortable elastic nylon straps. Few other companies use as flexible straps on their products and the straps included on this holster platform stay put better because of the flexibility than many others on the market.
If you’re looking for a platform to build on there’s none better than this model from blade tech. Available in several different colors this is a steal for the price and is well worth the money for anyone looking to carry on their thigh.
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5.) UTG Special Ops Universal Leg Holster - Gen II - For the Money
UTG is responsible for bringing a ton of different firearms related products to market. This is their all nylon drop leg holster designed to be a general use holster suitable for many styles of pistol.
While it’s not the best holster on the market it does perform adequately for range and competition use. This product can’t really be recommended as a duty holster because it is too slow to draw out of and you may need your gun faster, but for informal use on the range or even for competition use with practice this won’t be a disadvantage.
The nylon construction and overall quality of this holster are adequate and are reflected in the price. For the money, there are no cheaper alternatives and this would be a great option for someone looking to do Airsoft with realistic guns without having to break the bank for a top of the range tactical holster.
Almost any type of pistol will fit in this holster and will perform about the same. A simple nylon shell with a strap for retention is all that makes up his holster and while it works, it is far from the best on the market.
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Drop Leg Holster vs Hip Holster
If you are given the choice between a drop leg in a duty belt holster your going to have to decide based on what type of gun you’re carrying and what else you have with you. I duty belt normally a better choice to carry a gun because it is less intrusive and easier to draw from.
If you are wearing body armor, a drop leg holster is an amazing thing because it allows you to reach around the body armor to draw your gun. It also relocates your belts that you don’t have the bottom of your armor hitting everything on your belt.
The downsides of the drop leg holster or the fact that it is constantly moving every time you walk. That means each and every step you take is going to potentially change your draw stroke if you need to draw your gun quickly.
You need to have more tension with a drop leg holster because it is much harder to protect if you get into a fight or if you are running. Traditional kydex holsters won’t stand up on a drop leg because if you start to run the gun can fall out much easier. That means you have to get used to drawing from a holster that features retention devices
If you were working security, and are looking for a holster don’t choose a drop leg. Look for a good outside the waistband holster because drop leg holsters are typically associated with military or SWAT units and give off an unprofessional appearance.
There are a lot of decisions that go into choosing a drop leg holster. Make sure you know exactly what you are going to be doing while wearing this holster before you commit to one of the expensive holsters listed here.
Conclusion
If you have made up your mind that you need a drop leg holster, you’re in luck. There’s never been a better time to buy a drop leg holster and the best duty holsters are out there waiting for you to choose from.
Make sure you consider all the avenues of how you will be carrying your gun and choose a holster the best suits your needs based on the price, durability, and overall effectiveness that you are looking for. Make sure you train with your drop leg holster especially if it has retention devices.
Holsters are a critical piece of equipment that cannot be overlooked. In many cases, a decent holster can save your life. Get the best drop leg holster you can get your hands on, train with it and trust the manufacturer you chose. Drop leg holsters see some of the most meticulous planning and design because they are the hardest to use in the field, perfect for what you are looking for when choosing a critical piece of equipment like a drop leg holster!
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