PMCI - March - 2020

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GEAR ON TEST
GUN SOX BY CHEATA TACTICAL
As a former Law Enforcement officer, one item I have
learned to respect the most in both the professional
and civilian world of concealed carry is the need to be
comfortable with carrying a firearm even when it may
not be the most comfortable item to wear. Too many
times have I encountered others who are licensed
concealed carry holders, who aren’t armed at the
time. An abundant amount of the excuses falls under
the category of either not having the right holster to
conceal based on their outfit or their firearm being too
cumbersome to wear on their person.
The truth is, the gun isn’t supposed to be comfortable, it supposed
to be comforting. Unfortunately, we as humans refuse to accept
discomfort for piece of mind and many licensed concealed carry
gun owners fail to carry their firearm daily. Keep in mind, a gun
left at home can quickly end up being a vital tool missing in a
life or death emergency. The right holster and plenty of practice
wearing it can help solve this issue. One of the best ways I have
recently found to comfortably carry a firearm comes from a
company called Cheata Tactical.
During my career as a Deputy Sheriff, I often carried a back up
weapon to my duty firearm and at times even a back up to my
off duty carry gun as well. This method usually meant wearing
pants or jeans in order to carry my back up gun in an ankle
rig regardless if it was below freezing weather or 103-degree
heat outside. (Living in North Carolina at the time, we saw both
extremes yearly.) When I retired my badge and gun duties, I can’t
say I really missed the bulky holsters available on the market
during those days. Very rarely did I consider going back to the
centralized weight bearing into my ankle bone and working its
way loose every few hours.
When I was recently approached to test a new ankle rig for
a review, I must admit, I started out a bit skeptical. With an
open mind and aging knee, I agreed to fairly evaluate the Gun
Sox by Cheata Tactical just as I would any other product. What I
discovered would be a one of very few “game changers” on the
market. Hopefully, this article helps you consider another option
in your own battle in firearm carry, so let’s begin!
FIRST LOOK
When the package arrived from Cheata Tactical, it contained not
one, but two models of their signature Gun Sox holster.
The first was the original full calf encompassing original Gun
Sox and the other was a mid-calf version for use with cowboy,
tactical or work boots. The original allowed for casual wear with
athletic or street shoes while the mid-calf held a firearm secure
while nesting inside the top of the boot. Having seen many
days working narcotics operations and visiting “non-permissive”
environments, in which guns are frowned upon but certainly
needed, I was no stranger to stuffing a small revolver into the
top of my cowboy boot.
Both holsters are designed to hold a small to medium sized
pistol securely. (Sorry, no full sized 1911 backup guns for any
Punisher skull wearing couch commandos reading this.) When the
Gun Sox holsters arrived, I had just started daily carrying a small
Smith and Wesson model 638 Airweight revolver chambered in
.38 Special for an upcoming review. I decided to start testing
the original Gun Sox in order to develop a baseline in which to
compare the mid-calf version later.
When I removed the Gun Sox from its package, I immediately
noticed it resembled the same construction as a diabetic sock
with a medical grade 4 way stretch compression material referred
to as Stretx. According to Cheata Tactical, this material will not
stretch out over time and offers antimicrobial and odor resistance.
The holster is machine washable and advertised as having
a unisex fit. Sizing for this holster is not based on the gun but
rather the diameter of the calf. With my manly, fur bearing 19”
calves, I required a size “Large” which seemed to fit snug but
as advertised. The original Gun Sox ran the length of my knee
down to my ankle bone with equal pressure throughout my leg.
At the base of the sleeve, there is not one but two holsters,
one on the outside of the ankle and one on the inside at the
proper position to carry a small pistol. This is perfect for one of
two applications, either to be able to switch carry legs and have
a holster in the optimal carry position or to carry a spare mag,
knife or small med kit in addition to your firearm. Either way,
this seemed to be a well thought out design. Just wearing the
holster felt great on my leg, giving needed support under my
knee down and throughout the rest of my leg.
As I holstered my S&W model 638, I pulled the lip of the top
cover built into the holster down over the grip of the gun. This
seemed to snug the gun closer to my leg and give it added
stability from flopping around in the holster when I walked.
While the support is great, this does require a bit of learning
curve to cleanly draw your firearm from the holster quickly. With
an unloaded revolver, I practiced daily for about a week before
venturing out and about carrying concealed.
RANGE TIME
After about a week of carrying my revolver in conjunction with
my Glock 19 inside the waistband, I headed out to our private
training facility known as “The Swamp” to practice some muchneeded
live fire “draw and shoot” drills. Unlike holsters carried
around the belt line, ankle holsters have a totally different system
of drawing from the holster. As a primarily right handed shooter,
I carried the pistol on the inside of my left ankle.
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