I Carry: Ruger LCP II in a Galco Cop Ankle Band Holster

Welcome to another episode of "I Carry," Shooting Illustrated's weekly video series covering the guns and gear needed to put together a potential everyday-carry kit. Today, we have a Ruger LCP II in a Galco Gunleather ankle holster. We also have a Streamlight flashlight, a Bear & Son Cutlery Bear Ops knife and a Hyve Technologies magazine extension.

Ruger LCP II ($349)

While the .380 ACP might not be anyone’s go-to cartridge for personal defense, the reduced power and compact overall length enables 380 pistols like the Ruger LCP II to be incredibly compact and easily concealable. After all, that cumbersome, full-size duty gun you left at home won’t save you in a fight. That ease-of-carry aspect makes the LCP II a great option for everyday carry.

The gun offers a number of enhancements when compared to Ruger’s original LCP, providing owners with enhanced frame texturing, more-prominent sights and a crisp, single-action trigger that beats the long, double-action pull used on the first-gen model.

Measuring just five and a quarter inches long, three and three-quarter inches high and weighs only ten and a half ounces, this pistol can fit anywhere. It’s easily carried, easily concealable and barely noticeable, even when carried on the ankle, like we’re showing in this carry setup.

Galco Gunleather Cop Ankle Band ($59)

First off, you might be asking yourself, “Why would I carry a gun on my ankle?” It’s a valid question. Your ankle isn’t exactly the most convenient spot to access while you’re out and about. However, there are certain scenarios where it can be helpful. For example, if you’re sitting down or if you get tackled by an attacker, your strong-side gun may not be immediately accessible, and you might be able to get an ankle gun into the fight first.

For those situations, the Galco Cop Ankle Band holster is a solid, secure option constructed from neoprene. To ease comfort for all-day carry, the cuff features an acrylic-sheepskin pad that softens the contact area between the gun and a wearer’s ankle. A hook-and-loop closure keeps the rig secured, and the cuff is sized to fit ankles up to 13 inches in circumference. A Boot Extender is also available for those who need more room.

Streamlight Stylus Pro 360 ($45)

Since we’re keeping this kit slim and trim, this is the perfect place for the Streamlight Stylus Pro 360, a daily carry light that takes up no more room than your average office pen. The light can be carried easily with the included pocket clip, and Streamlight also provides a rubber sleeve that protects the tailcap switch from turning on accidentally and also allows the light to stand upright. Why? Well, the “360” feature of this light can be seen at the bezel end. For 360-degree area lighting, simply pull the bezel out, and voila! Now, you’ve got an area light. Pretty neat.

Bear Ops AC-325 Bold Action III Mini-Stiletto ($117.99)

Speaking of neat, we’ve also got a unique blade in the form of the Bear Ops Bold Action Mini-Stiletto. This auto-opening knife provides quick, one-handed access with a simple push of a button. A slide-lock prevents the knife from opening when carried. The Mini-Stiletto is constructed with a 1 and seven-eighths inch blade made from durable Sandvik 14C28N steel. Since the Mini-Stilleto has an auto-open design, be sure to check your state and local laws before stashing this in your EDC kit.

Hyve Extended LCP II Magazine ($23.99)

One of the drawbacks of the Ruger LCP II’s compact design is its admittedly limited ammo capacity, holding only six rounds in a factory magazine. If you’re looking for an easy way to get more rounds on board, the Hyve +2 Base Pad is an easy aftermarket swap that expands capacity and provides a full grip on your gun. The added capacity can be handy in a backup magazine or can be carried in the gun, since the design doesn’t add too much extra to the already-compact dimensions of the LCP II. Each Hyve Base Pad is machined from aluminum and can be had in eight different color options.