The Pistol Leash

Defensive Concepts

    The Pistol Leash is one of those simple, elegant concepts that I kick myself for not thinking of first. Primarily designed as a retention device for a handgun, it is useful for more than just that.

    I learned about the Pistol Leash while at a seminar. The seminar had,  like most do, vendor's tables in the hall outside the classrooms. Pistol Leash Unlimited out of New Jersey had a display set up. The design caught my eye. KISS simple, a wide strap of heavy nylon folded in three to go around a belt backed with a hook and loop fastener to make it secure, a small steel loop with an eyelet that slid back and forth across it. Attached to the eyelet a length of coiled wire that resembles old telephone receiver cord with a link at the end to attach to any pistol with a lanyard loop. The link is easy to use requiring a thin screwdriver or strong thumbnail to spread apart and is very secure. The

unit was designed, so the story goes, after a narcotics agent lost his handgun while operating in the jungle in South America.

    I had had the unpleasant experience of having my pistol fall out of a leg holster in training. I'd tried using 550 cord and found that it caught on anything that it could. The price wasn't unreasonable so I layed down some cash and tried the rig out.

    Overall, the unit works as advertised. It is easy to install, although I'll caution you to put the side with the "Pistol Leash" logo on it towards your body

unlike what's shown in the advertisements. Drawing from the holster, reloading and other manipulations are not impeded at all. I was concerned that the lanyard would catch on things like doorknobs, etc as I mentioned with the 550 cord I'd tried. That has not been the case in my experience. The

only thing that did not work quite as advertised for me was shooting weak hand. I can get the gun out and up but there is a definite sensation of being pulled to the right. A minor inconvenience that training cures.

    Those reading this may think, great, another review geared for SWAT jocks. Easy, gentle reader. Think about this, are you a deer hunter who either uses a handgun as a backup or primary tool? Do you use a tree stand? The Pistol Leash might be something to look at. Are you a boater? How much did that GPS cost you? One of these Leashes at around $30.00 is cheap insurance. Ever go backpacking, canoeing, kayaking? No matter what you carry there are always some truly vital pieces of gear that you can't afford to lose. Matchesafes, a knife, a small survival kit. Again, the Leash can keep those things with you. How about that new digital camera you got for your Grand Canyon trip? It's a long hike to the bottom to pick up the pieces. So folks this is not just a piece of gear for the SWAT types. Like a lot of other things originally designed for the combative arena, instant coffee, freeze dried food, polypropylene and kevlar to name a few, this is something almost anyone can use.