All,
Looking to delve into a nice drop-thigh setup, and would like your sage advice. I’m looking for two set-ups, one for each leg. Left leg, I want at least 3 spare mags and a flashlight mount. Right Leg, I want a pistol mount. I have all of the Blackhawk gear such that I can just buy the drop mounts and be good to go. However, are there any suggestions for a better rig setup? Safariland is the only one I know of, and I am unsure why it would be better…
Thanks
CM
First question I am going to ask is why a drop leg mounts? Been there, done that, find that unless I am limited due to other gear, or mission requirements running said gear either on a belt or a short drop down is more effective and comfortable.
That said, what blackhawk gear are you running? Serpa? If the Serpa drop leg set up I would ask you to go run around in it, I am serious go do some sprints. I had the serpa drop leg for a glock and after it wandering around and either jabbing me in the ass, or poking me in the balls I ended up jacking it up until it was in effect mounted with a slight drop before ditching it for a Safariland dropflex set up which I found much more secure before wising up and ditching dropleg all together for general purpose and just belt mounting the gear. Again depends on the mission, but for most uses I really do think you are going to be better off running the gear on a belt, or battle belt set up.
In my opinion a drop leg holster is a bad idea. A Serpa is an even worse idea.
https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?148448-Drop-Leg-Holsters
IF you are going to do it, get the new safariland holster - http://www.safariland.com/7ts-holster-system/7ts-tactical-holsters/ - better design, lighter, more rigid, etc
And for left leg, mags and such, you can get a HSGI drop leg “ludus” mag pouch - same one Costa used a bunch of time.
Be advised, unless you are wearing bulky armor, I would not recommend anything on your thighs/legs. You will not be able to run (well) and its a pain in the hips after a while.
In my experience, drop legs have a very high CDI factor, and beyond that have limited practical application. They are really good until you have to sit, move, or breath in them. I had a Safariland that I liked well enough after a sucked it all the way up to basically several inches below my belt.
If you have your heart set on a drop leg, I would go the Safariland route.
Best of luck.
Check out G Code for the holster and HSGI for the mag pouches.
There’s a great mod to the Safariland rig that went around this forum a few years back. I still occasionally use mine. The mod includes cutting away the top corners of the thigh plate and eliminating the top strap… then raising the whole rig up to the holster isn’t a thigh nightmare.
You can also mod the vertical loop to a bladetech quick release belt loop. Iraqgunz hooked my up on that part of it.
There’s a great mod to the Safariland rig that went around this forum a few years back. I still occasionally use mine. The mod includes cutting away the top corners of the thigh plate and eliminating the top strap… then raising the whole rig up to the holster isn’t a thigh nightmare.
You can also mod the vertical loop to a bladetech quick release belt loop. Iraqgunz hooked my up on that part of it.
circa 2007. still run my 6004 in this manner. i use it every time i’m in the woods.
This sounds cool. Could someone elaborate on how this is set up?
I am using this Molle drop-leg rig from Tactical Tailor. You can set it up just like you want. I have two magazine pouches and one other pouch that I keep a folding knife in.
When I use a drop rig I use one like this http://www.copquest.com/safariland-6004dfa-drop-flex-adaptor_23-6290.htm
It’s very minimal. But after using one for several years I don’t really see an advantage to one. I find myself using it less and less.
http://www.holsterops.com/rogers-recommended-tactical-holster-dfa
Makes the mount and holster more stable. Doesn’t shift or flop around.
So, here’s some things that might be of use to the OP-
I was in the same situation- due to the way I had planned on setting up my gear, it was going to be 2x DLs for me.
I think I’ll start by saying there is nothing wrong with feeling like you need a second DL platform- I know of some pretty legit dudes who use two, and I’m sure others do as well.
The question is… do you need that second DL, or just want another place to stash stuff? In that case, maybe it would be worth running through a mental re-profiling of your 1st/2nd line gear before getting into full metal drop leg territory… After messing with a secondary drop leg for a while, I just opted for a larger 1st/2nd line setup.
But beyond theory of use…
For a handgun holster on a DL, you should be looking to Safariland. Maybe Gcode.
Serpa Derpa holsters… they may or may not be as bad as some make them out to be, but their DL system… I have not owned one but… from what I’ve learned about DL holsters from wearing them, I want no part of that thing. Probably weighs four pounds to boot… Then again maybe it’s great… but…:bad:
For the Safariland holsters, buy a 6004-10 platform, and simply bolt the holster of your choice to it. No need to get all cut & paste with a standard 6004 leg plate.
I have a SF 6395 ALS on a 6004-10 platform, with a custom sewed strap I had sewn to replace the horrible factory one, and so far it has been excellent. I have done a good bit of running and movement with it, and aside from a slight tendency to work it’s way forward or rear on your leg a little throughout the day, it’s nothing serious.
The absolute last thing you want is something like a BDS Universal holster, which is apparently like having a dead fish flopping around on your leg all day.
Now as far as a secondary gear-oriented DL, it sounds like you want a setup like HSGI puts out with 3x rifle/pistol combo Tacos.
It seems like HSGI has discontinued their Mini DL platform, which really was great. Very light and lowprofile, even though the belt hanger strap still kind of sucked. And you could generally get it tight enough to prevent excess flop.
The problem with the new HSGI DL is the overall size (it’s a pretty big square) and the excess internal thick padding, which does nothing to help it conform to your leg at all.
If you look at they design of the SF DL, that hard plastic curved leg plate is what really helps keep it snug to your leg. The BDS universal does not have this, which is why it’s super floppy. Unless you have really big legs, the new HSGI DL panel will probably never fit snug enough for it to work right because it won’t conform to your leg. Of course maybe I just have chicken legs… :laugh:
Anyway, as far as theory of use for a secondary gear DL, for one, I would try my best to not have it weigh any more than your handgun DL setup. Frankly the handgun is enough weight for me on a DL platform, I can’t really get enthusiastic about having even more weight hanging off my belt.
Finally, the one thing a DL CAN do well is allow you to mount a large knife. When I was experimenting with mine, I strapped an ESEE 6 to it, and it was the only way I could find to wear the E6 without it interfering with other gear, or my ability to move and/or sit. So that’s something to consider.
My original (or not so) idea for the secondary DL was sort of a “E&E” style kit, with my knife, small pouch of stuff and a spare rifle and handgun mag. All told probably about 3 - 3.5lb.
As previously stated, some of my needs/wants and philosophies of use have since changed, and the idea has been shelved. For now…
Something else to think about, if you just want to free up some extra space on your main line gear and over some of the GP stuff elsewhere is a tactical fanny pack. Preliminary research seems to suggest this could be a slightly more comfortable, and easily mountable and removable way to add some extra kit space.
Finally, half the reason DL platforms suck is because of the belt hanger strap. The thing has got to flex and bend with you as you move (unless you juts stand upright all the time), and most belt straps are far to stiff to accommodate this. So if you find yourself seething with discomfort… try changing the belt strap.
The second fail in DLs is the leg strap. A good DL will have something like the Safariland leg straps, which IMHO are the king of DL leg straps and everyone should juts standardize on these, or the newer HSGI or Gcode straps. Basically a 2" fully elastic strap. Anything else is going to suck, sinc it will forever be to tight or to loose.
Hope that helps.
I’ll try to remember to post a pic later. I can’t get photobucket at work.
I run a drop leg to keep my soft shell out of my holster in the winter, I’ve also used the safariland ubl at with with qls fork, but prefer the drop flex adapter for comfort when not used in conjunction with a duty belt. I’m partial to safariland holsters, and I’ve used everything they’ve offered over the last decade or so…
I recommend the Safariland setup. Safariland is our issued kit and I haven’t had any problems with it. It’s comfortable to wear all day and it stays in place while running and jumping in and out of the trucks. My right leg I keep my Glock 23 w/ TLR1 and a Gerber multi-tool. Left left has a 30 round MP5 mag in between two 13 round Glock mags. The Safariland components are all good quality. Very durable plastic, good velcro and the straps and buckles are solid. I’ve definately beat it up pretty good and I’ve never had an issue.
here are a couple pictures. the second has the cut down shroud with single strap modification.
I prefer the safariland universal flex adapter (ufa) (the belt attachment decpicted in the previous post is actually a drop flex adapter (dfa). the ufa can be mounted to the other types of belt attachments that safariland offers, paddle, clip, nylon strap etc. i only recommend the belt clip, even then i recommend shaving down the thumb tabs on the clip so they don’t jab you if you clip it to an inner belt.
I still see guys showing up at the range with the ole Safariland 6004 resting just above the knee…
I got tired of the DL and went back to a 6378 in a QLS mount when I need to wear a tactical belt. I finally realized that 99.9 percent of the time I carry in a strong side belt or IWB, as well as going thru all my initial training with a strong side belt holster. That’s where I first reach. Some of the newer Safariland stuff looks well designed, but I haven’t tried it. Probably the only advantage to a holster with a leg strap I see is the stabalization during draw, as these nylon/synthetic belts aren’t as stiff as a good ole leather Sam Browne or river belt.
the 7ts holsters are so slick, the draw is very low on friction. the belt stability thing doesn’t even matter that much anymore. they fixed so many issues with this new holster. no more suede, so no grippy draw that requires the right draw angle and a stiff belt. no need to have a separate light bearing holster from lightless holster. no need to have separate light bearing holster for different lights, they all fit into the generic light bearing holster.
