I am not sure where it came from, probably John Wayne movies, but I have always liked the idea of a drop leg holster.

In all those famous westerns the Duke’s holster always sat low down his leg and never high up on his hip. He looked cool. He was cool. And how he carried his gun was the epitome of cool. So, naturally, I’ve always wanted a modern drop leg holster.

Back in late 2023 Alien Gear Holsters introduced their Rapid Force Dynamic Drop Leg holster platform. Around this same time Alien Gear also came out with their Taq-Strap integrated tourniquet. I was more interested in the drop leg holster, but would later learn that I also really wanted a Taq-Strap.

Alien Gear’s Rapid Force Dynamic Drop Leg rig is a minimalist design but with an expanded leg plate for the addition of accessories. Photo courtesy of Alien Gear

During the 2023 National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers (NASGW) Expo I stopped by the Alien Gear booth to get a closer look at the Rapid Force Dynamic Drop Leg rig. In speaking with Sandi Little, who was Alien Gear’s COO at the time, she explained the features of the new rig and offered to send me one.

She also offered to send me the Taq-Strap, which I initially passed on because I hadn’t quite figured yet the value of having one. I’m apparently a slow learner.

When I finally followed-up on Sandi’s offer and contacted Alien Gear, I opted not for the Rapid Force Holster, which is a duty-style holster available in Level II or Level III, but for the Cloak Holster.

I was looking specifically for a range setup, so the Cloak, which doesn’t include the hood and thumb release retention features of the Rapid Force duty line, but can be paired with the Rapid Force Dynamic Drop Leg rig through Alien Gear’s Quick Disconnect System (QDS), was the right choice for me.

The Cloak holsters can be used with the Rapid Force Dynamic Drop Leg through the use of Alien Gear’s QDS components seen here. Photo courtesy of Alien Gear

The Cloak line does include a Cloak Swivel Drop Leg rig. This is an older, but certainly very solid design. The Rapid Force Dynamic Drop Leg was just the latest/greatest option that incorporates an accessory mounting platform on the drop leg plate.

When I spoke to Meagan in Alien Gear’s marketing department she suggested I get the Taq-Strap added to the Rapid Force Dynamic Drop Leg and sent me a link to a video that explained how this integrated tourniquet works.

To this point I had only seen the press release and it wasn’t until I watched the video that the light turned on for me and I understood the Taq-Strap’s value and how to properly use it. So, I opted to include the Taq-Strap and Meagan saw to it it would be installed on the rig for me.

The Tac-Strap is a great piece of gear and can be used alone, as seen here, or integrated into the Dynamic Drop Leg system. Photo courtesy of Alien Gear

You know how on Christmas Day when kids open up a present, like a football helmet or other piece of sports gear, and immediately have to suit up despite still being in pajamas? Well, that was me when I received the package from Alien Gear.

I’m not ashamed to say that I may have set a new land speed record opening the box and gearing up with the Rapid Force Dynamic Drop Leg. And I’m not at all ashamed to say I really like this rig. I particularly like the integrated Taq-Strap.

The fit of the rig is excellent and since it offers two points of articulation between the belt and holster it gives you an increased range of motion. With the Taq-Strap running through the leg plate you can adjust to tension to the fit you prefer.

Of course, the beauty of the Taq-Strap is that it’s there, where you may likely need it, in an emergency situation. You can order a second one and deploy it on your off-holster leg, which isn’t a bad idea at all.

The Taq-Strap, available in Tan as well as Black, was designed for military and law enforcement personnel and its ratcheting system allows for fast, one-handed use in the event of an upper leg or femoral artery wound. Photo courtesy of Alien Gear

The Rapid Force Dynamic Drop Leg and Taq-Strap combo is a winning once. At least for me.

As for on the range use, it took just a couple minutes to get used to drawing from the lower position on the thigh than from the higher belt position. I found it to be quite natural, but I had also been visualizing it and had a good sense of how I needed to adjust my draw movements.

It would probably be a bit different for someone asked to switch out without notice in the middle of a range session, but for those with good eye-hand coordination it’s a smooth learning curve.

I can’t give you an exact time differential between my draw from an outside the waistband holster and that from the drop leg rig. I know it wasn’t too far off as I was holding my own in timed drills, but it is a greater distance to transition the firearm.

What I did notice was that with increased repetition my draw got smoother and my ability to pick up the sights while presenting the gun improved. And my shot placement remained solid versus using an OWB holster at past range sessions.

I suspect that with more time – and a lot more time running against a shot timer – my draw will

Obviously for those who only conceal carry the Dynamic Drop Leg isn’t an option, unless dressing up like Neo from the Matrix is your jam. Here in Arizona those long leather coats don’t see a lot of use, even amongst the most diehard emo and goth gun owners.

If you’ve always wanted to run and gun with a drop leg rig, Alien Gear’s Rapid Force Dynamic Drop Leg setup is an excellent option you should investigate. And I would definitely recommend the addition of the Taq-Strap. You really won’t notice as it seamlessly integrates with the leg plate, but should you find yourself in need of tourniquet you’ll absolutely notice it.

– Paul Erhardt, Managing Editor, the Outdoor Wire Digital Network