ankle holsters
I've carried firearms using an ankle holster in low threat environments for over 30 years. As a cop, for about the first 5 years I worked, that's where I carried my back-up gun when on duty.
I have a variety of nylon ankle holsters from a company called A&B Industries. They were one of the first companies to make nylon holsters, and unfortunately went out of business in the late 1990s. I wear the holster over the top of a boot and it's quite comfortable. I've carried S&W Chief Special Revolvers, a Walther PPK and Sig 230 in that manner. (Most comfortable was the P230 because it was light weight)
The A&B ankle holsters also had a pouch for a magazine or speed strip, and they made a holster for the other foot that held a set of handcuffs and anothr magazine or speed strip. All in all, it was a pretty good system. I still use mine once in a while.
I think ankle carry is an acceptable alternative in a low threat environment, or a non-permissive environment where any other form of concealed carry wouldn't work. It certainly has limitations because it's slow and clumsy to access a gun out of an ankle rig. For it to work, you have to make sure you are wearing pants with legs long enough to conceal the gun when you are seated, and that have a flare to the legs to allow you to access the weapon.
Corrosion is a legitimate concern if you're walking around in snowy or rainy conditions. Wiping the gun down with a silicon cloth works well to deal with that, as does a product called Boeshield T9, which is a rust-preventative originally designed for use with aircraft. I've been using T9 for about 15 years and I find it works really well.
Many authorities actually state that an advantage of the ankle holster is that it allows stealthy and surreptitious access of the weapon while you are in a seated position, as in behind a desk or sitting in a vehicle.
Here is a list of quality providers of ankle holters. I'm sure there are custom or semi-custom leathersmiths around that are NOT on this list:
Cozy partner ankle holsters from Renegade Holsters
http://renegadeholstersdirect.com
Ankle holster from Alessi Leather ($165!!!)
http://shop.alessigunholsters.com
Ankle Glove holster from Galco Leather ($89.95)
http://www.usgalco.com/HolsterPT3.asp?ProductID=2529&CatalogID=6
Ankle holster by DeSantis GunHide ($74.95)
http://www.desantisholster.com/stor...R/GLOCK/26-27-33/ANKLE-RIGS/Leather-Ankle-Rig
Bianchi Ankle Holsters (Negotiator or Triad)
http://bianchi-intl.com/product/CatList.php?numSubCat=6
Gould & Goodrich Ankle Holsters
http://www.gouldusa.com/products/pr...lock+Ankle+Holster&line=Leather+Duty+Holsters
Tex Shoemaker 33 ankle holster
www.texshoemaker.com/33-Ankle-Holster-33.htm
Tauris Leather ankle holster
http://taurisholsters.com/ankle.cfm
Bulman Gunleather Concealable Ankle Companion
http://www.bulmangunleather.com/ankle.html
5 shot leather ankle holster
http://www.5shotleather.com/ankle-pocket.htm
Mitch Rosen leather Duncan’s Ankle holster
http://www.mitchrosen.com/product_line/holsters/ankle_holsters/body_ankle_holsters.html
Greg Kramer Handgun Leather Ankle holster
http://kramerleather.com/products.cfm?categoryID=29
C. Rusty Sherrick Ultra Light Ankle Carry Holster
http://www.c-rusty.com/pages/holsters/Ankle.htm