The Alien Gear Shapeshift is a revolutionary 4 in 1 holster kit that gives users 4 different ways to carry a gun. Alien Gear is continuing to evolve the Shapeshift options are releasing new attachments they call expansion packs. One of the first was the Shapeshift Drop Leg Holster. It’s all black and made mostly from polymer. Drop Leg holsters are typically used by people wearing body armor. It places the gun away from the body so the armor and gear doesn’t interfere with your draw. Drop leg holsters are also handy when riding in vehicles for extended periods of time. Wearing a drop leg in a vehicle grants you much easier to access to your weapon. The ShapeShift Drop leg might not be for everyone, but its an interesting way to expand the Shapeshift line.
Breaking down the ShapeShift Drop Leg.
One thing I want to point out is that this rig is also compatible with the Cloak Mod OWB holsters. However, for this review, I used the ShapeShift Glock 17 holster. When using the drop leg with the ShapeShift you have to use the combined shell OWB holster. The shell attaches to the leg rig the same way it attaches to the OWB paddle. On the base of the leg rig is a button and all you need to do is hold the button down and push the holster in.
Like the paddle holster, you can rotate the leg rig to different angles to change the cant. You can manipulate the holster in 12-degree increments and rotate the holster 360 degrees. The Shapeshift Drop leg expansion features three total attachment ports. One is for the gun and is placed in the middle. In front of and behind the gun is two more points for double and single cloak mag carriers.
The base of the holster is polymer and wraps around about a quarter of the thigh. It has a little give to it, but it’s actually quite robust. The belt strap is a super wide nylon strap that’s stiff and strong. It utilizes hook and loop to remained close and the weight of the holster and gun it carries keeps it closed.
The ShapeShift Drop Leg features an upper and lower thigh strap made from a spandex-like material. The thigh straps secure via a simple buckle system that is low profile and impossible to accidentally undue.
On the Range with ShapeShift Drop Leg
The ShapeShift Drop leg rig is surprisingly comfortable. Most of my experience with drop legs has been a challenge to avoid chafing. I found this especially true with my issued Serpa during my time in the Marines.
It’s easy to adjust for any leg and you can tighten it down without cutting off the circulation to your leg. The spandex-like straps provide some give, so tightening them down is easy. Another issue I’ve had with drop leg rigs is having them slide and rotate throughout the day. I was impressed that I could go all day without the holster shifting significantly. To give it a real test I practiced some soccer with my son. I ran, kicked, jumped and made a fool of myself but the drop leg staid put.
It also stayed comfortable. Today I shot the Marine Corps Combat Pistol qualification without issue. This qual involves a lot drawing and holstering. I find the active retention device to be a lot easier to use at this angle that what I found in my previous test of the Shapeshift system. I had no issues using the holster over and over. Obviously, everyone’s a little different in size, but once I had it adjusted for me I could grip and rip the gun without issue.
My par time for a draw and fire two shots in the chest of a target at 7 yards was 1.5 seconds. That’s with a retention device and my first day using this holster. I was impressed, but I’m not that fast.
Last Words
The ShapeShift Drop Leg holster is quite comfortable and well designed. If it stays in place with my clumsy butt trying to play soccer it’ll stay in place no matter what. The retention device has either broken in, or this angle is easier to use it with. Overall this expansion and extension into the ShapeShift line just shows how modular the platform is. It’s likely to be the last holster you’ll ever need. Stay Tuned, as we are going to see more of the ShapeShift expansions very soon.
