Greetings

After an exhaustive search for a smallish , full caliber pistol , I laid down a deposit on a .40cal Shield . I have read thru the whole site and found some great information but not the answer to my exact question .

Does anyone carry a Shield AIWB and if so your thoughts on printing , comfort and most importantly , holster ? I'm aware of the dangers on AIWB carry . I believe the safety on the Shield will provide some added protection while re holstering . I understand that there is a high degree of personal preference with picking a holster . I want to make as educated a choice as possible . One model I'm looking into now is the Garrett Silent Thunder .

While I have been shooting pistols for 30 years now , I'm new to concealed carry . I't has finally been approved in my state and should start up in January 2014 . I'm concerned about printing as well till folks get used to the concept .

After reading thru this section I found a lot of excellent info on the Shield . My Apex kit is already enroute I'm not sold on the stick on grip yet but I'll reserve that judgment till after I fire it . I still need to pick some replacement sights as well . If you have any advice on how to set it up , I'm all ears .

Lastly if you think I'm wrong with wanting to carry AIWB , I'd like to hear from you as well .

These are all familiar questions from someone who has never carried, and my answer to students goes something like this.
You need training before you design the perfect outfit. And if you think you can get away without the usual shoebox of holsters tried and discarded like the rest of us have, well...

Some of your ideas may need another look:
Most people like a grip on a concealed gun that does not hang up on their clothes.
You have ordered a kit to modify a gun you have never held and don't know how to shoot.
The gun belt is as important as the holster.
Use the safety, but don't rely on it to compensate for poor gun handling.
You want to change the sights on it and you don't know defensive shooting.


Suggest you take the stock gun and find a good instructor to learn how to shoot and carry it. The drawing and gun handling take longer to learn correctly than most think. Then after you learn the technique and the gun, you will know enough to have reasoned opinions of your own, and design your perfect rig. You really can't learn some things by reading about it and asking others. Not that you won't get 100 different answers about THEIR preferences..........

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Science plus Art

I'd avoid stick on grips as they tend to stick on clothes. I had skateboard tape on a glock for a few years and darned if it didn't wear out some shirts and vests. My sig 220 with hogue grips was a pain until the stickiness wore off. Holding shirts up on the butt of a handgun isn't so good. The biggest thing that I noted when carrying AIWB is: don't fool with the handgun. Don't touch it and don't adjust it. I got called on carrying once leaving a bathroom in a movie theater. Got into the lobby and yep you guessed it adjusted my 1911 by taking a full grip through the shirt. Some employee, a young guy, stopped and asked me if I was "packing a piece." I cooly explained that I was a diabetic with an insulin pump and asked if he wanted to see it. As he recovered from feeling two inches tall I walked out. Super silly move on my part that could have been completely avoided by using a closed stall, adjusting/securing my equipment in private and having better awareness of my body movements. There were no anti-gun signs on the door, but I still refer back to that moment when I am setting up my carry method.

The fella above me makes some great points. Especially about the shoebox full of holsters. Decide which gun you like best first. Otherwise you will have five different holsters for fourteen different guns. Shoot the shield extensively and take a class with somebody on toting pistols in secret. It may well save you some time and money. I don't think you screwed up buying the Apex kit. You'll like it whether or not you decide to carry the shield.

WELL, Not sure how many hours a day you'd be wearing it like that. I can tell you from past experience that if you wear it AIWB for 8 hours and in some cases longer, it can become quite annoying. If you are of a slim build, you might get away with it...BUT for those of us with a few extra pounds it's just going to press on your internal organs all day.

Appendix carry is less than ideal, most of us find that out sooner rather than later. Concealment is easy, but comfort suffers. 3-4 o' clock is ideal.

That said, the shield with it's short barrel is ideal for attempting appendix carry and truthfully I will sometimes appendix carry my shield, but 95% of the time it's on my hip.

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unrepentant M&P fanboy

I carry my mp40c in a raven phantom holster IWB. I guess I got lucky cause this is the first holster I bought for concealed carrying. I love it. It's probably one of the more expensive holsters and you have to buy the soft loops separate for IWB carry. But them again you get what you pay for. This holster was recommended by the instructors at the advanced shooting class I attended. It is very durable. No one will snatch this holster off your side. Keep in mind this is a personal preference.
Quick-Ship Phantom Modular Holster

Thank you for all the replies ! Perhaps I should have been a bit more revealing of by background . Yes , I'm new to concealed cary . A result of geography I'm afraid . I'm not new to pistols as I've shot competitively for years . I've also attended a few pistol training classes . High Powers and Sig's were always my guns of choice and many thousands of rounds have been sent downrange over the years .

I fully understand that concealed carry is going to require more specialized training and I'm all for it . I would also never consider carrying a pistol that I'm not extremely familiar with and has proved itself through many range trips .

I'll admit , one of my reasons for posting was to avoid the box full of holsters . I was hoping to at the minimum stick with recommended models . I'm not sold on AIWB carry as yet . I also didn't mean to allude to the safety being a crutch to poor gun handling . I meant it as an extra degree of protection as I'm used to having a hammer on my pistols . The desire to change sights simply has to do with better low light visibility .

Thank you for the feedback as it has given me more to think about . Everyone was new to carrying at some point and I'll simply looking for advice .

I carry my Shield AIWB and I do that for a specific reason/sceanario. The reason for me owning one is due to the slim/small design and ability to hide the weapon when being absolutely discrete is a must. AIWB does that very well with a Shield. You will see pics of people carrying at 3-5 that look great just standing there, but in real life you still need to be cognisant of bending over, sitting and leaning forward with people behind you, etc... (if you want to wear shorts and a t-shirt and don't want to look like you are dressing around a gun). There is no other reason for me to carry a shield. When I'm carrying from 3-4, I carry a bigger gun with more capacity. It's still concealed, but under that scenario I'm not too worried about the heel printing a little bit if I move the wrong way.

As far as AIWB holsters:

- Recommend a holster that allows a full purchase grip (no fumbling around the beltline to secure weapon then having to adjust grip upon presentation). Accomplished by the ability to adjust height/depth, and/or cant.

- Recommend a kydex or kydex leather hybrid (for comfort), consistent retention, and ability to reholster the weapon.

- Recommend you practice more and get good with the stock trigger even though the shield has a manual thumb safety. I also had dropped a hard sear into my shield but quickly took it out as it provided zero benefit to me. All it did was make the trigger lighter.

Sorry. This is the link I ment to post:

http://www.ravenconcealment.com/hols...cr/acr-holster

ACR Accessories

Many are quite happy with the stock trigger. Don't modify it until after many hundreds of rounds you are unhappy with it.

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USAF, 69-92
Vietnam, 72-73

I'll put the Apex kit in the drawer for a while when I receive it . I pick up the Shield next week then start running rounds thru it . I'll re-evaluate after a few hundred rounds as suggested . I'm looking into some of the suggested holsters as well . Thanks and keep it coming

I use a DeSantis Sof Tuck holster. It's great because with the single adjustable clip I can carry AIWB when I need too. I also am a thin build. But the clip can be easily removed and can be used as a pocket holster too. It's also fairly affordable for a quality holster. $20-25 depending on where you buy it. It's very light weight and very comfortable.
I did install the apex kit after shooting the gun. As most others do also. I personally haven't met someone who wanted the gun stock after using the apex kit. I say install the kit and practice shooting it like that especially since that's how you'll be carrying it.
It's a great idea to shoot the gun stock but its really better with the apex kit.
I also installed talon rubber grips. They are great for concealed carry.

I carry my shield appendix. Its easy to conceal, quicker to get to, and I actually find it more comfortable than having it on my back or side. I used to carry in the 4 o'clock position, but after switching to appendix I'll never go back. I can go all day without any discomfort at all. You do need to be fairly fit though, any gut and your gun will be jabbing you there.

I recommend either a PHLster Access holster or G-Code INCOG.

A QUESTION FOR ALL AIWB USERS:

How do you deal with being in a vehicle with your seat belt buckled at a red light in a bad part of town? How do you draw from the seated position?

This is something I have considered and dealt with by either drawing the weapon and re securing it or using a j frame or baby glock from a pocket holster close at hand.

Just wanted to hear others thoughts on this.

When I drive the gun is sitting next to me in my cup holder ready to be drawn. I don't keep it in my pants while driving

Instead of AIWB, you could pocket carry it. It depends on your build, clothing and environment. As some others said AIWB is often a poke where you do not want, etc. I have been carrying 40 years plain clothes LE and now retired. You want to be comfortable and quick when you need to draw. Practice a lot with whatever mode you end up carrying. Be safe!

Just a quick thank you to all those that took the time to reply ! I picked up the Shield 40 today and gave it a quick cleanup . I'll be taking it to the range tomorrow . I have some Remington UMC and some older Cor-Bon to try out . The selection at the gun store was limited but I also picked up some Hornady critical defense . I'm not sure what the consensus is on this ammo but it will provide for a more extensive function check .

I'm still not sold on any one method of carrying . I'm signed up for a class next month so I'll at least need to pick one up before then .

You need to read about the FBI Miami shoot-out. You will never carry a gun outside a holster again. One, and possibly more, of the agents were disarmed by the vehicle they were in coming to a sudden halt and the unholstered pistol disappearing.

The gun is in a holster. Not just sitting out. I put the holster into my cup holder.

You miss the point. Where would that holstered handgun come to rest if you were involved in an accident? Could you access it immediately if needed?

Yes I could. The cup holder section is recessed in the center. The car would need to flip for the gun to go somewhere. So I wouldn't be that concerned.

Look at this tuckable holster.
Tuck-able Holster - Leather - Ace Case
Mouse on the first holster and it will show you how it works. Only the bottom of the clip on piece is stitched. The top swings free. The whole thing rides low inside the waistband. The whole thing is made out of butter soft leather and very comfortable. Very well made for the price too. I carry my full size Sigma on my side and can bend, squat, etc and never have it show. Best concealment I've seen. (I'm not small either) I can draw very easily with it as well. I also carry a smaller gun and a .357 revolver concealed in different sizes of this holster.

Hmm, URL did not show, but that is the website nonetheless.

I ordered something very similar to the above from High Noon and also ordered an Old Faithful . That should get me started on my holster experimentation .

The Shield ran fine at the range , I had no issues . Also found some Federal HST to try out on the next range visit .

Highly valid point. Ever slam on brakes for something stupid only to have your cell phone fly into the floorboards? I thought about this and have since secured gun and cell phone to be accessible post rapid deceleration. I think it's a big safety issue on both from a retention and potential for discharge standpoints.

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This≠DodgeCity&You≠BillHickok

I am carrying my Shield AIWB in a Ruckus from MT Holsters. It is more comfortable than the DeSantis Tuck This, which created a hot spot. I am not 100% sold on AIWB but this works and conceals well, I just have to blouse my shirt a bit. I have an Apex kit on another M&P and like it, but I'm not comfortable with it on a gun I carry this way.

I carry Appendix all the time I use a Remora clip less. Get the A model it gives you a full grip on the pistol. I have a Garrett Silent Thunder and it is great for 4 o-clock the plastic clip is bulky it is a M&P 9c so he does not make an appendix type for it. I have a shield but have not ordered his appendix yet. The Remora is great I pull the gun out when I get in the car and wedge the gun in the Remora between the seat and center console. Easy to draw and it is not going anywhere. Easy to slip it back inside my waistband when I am getting out of the car. I have a reinforced Remora for the Shield in the car it is too thin in the original to wedge into place; but the original just disappears under a tee shirt. I also just got a Crossbreed for the 9c it is very nice I love it but it is bulker, so it will sit till winter. You can use different holsters depending on your dress. So more than one is nice. Presenting from appendix is fast and they don't see you reaching which is a definite tell. It works standing or sitting and is easy to transfer in the car, if you are repositioning it or locking it up as I do since I work in a no gun zone. I plan to get a Garrett Appendix for the shield I love the craftsmanship and the leather lining. But I will get the Velcro clip to keep it thin and not seen.

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DannyS

I saw this holster on line and am looking for an AIWB for my G26. It is my BUG and/or off-duty, but AIWB will be limited to when I am using it as a BUG to my primary handgun. I was looking at some of the Kydex designs (I.e. JM Holsters), or the 5-Shot Leather AIWB, but haven't made up my mind.

Does the mouth of this holster stay open when the pistol is drawn? And does it seem pretty solid and comfortable?

Garrett does make an appendix for it (and the compact model). There is a difference between the Slim and the Slim II. Make sure you read the description to order the correct model. I carry my compact in the Slim often. I love the holster, but you need to ask yourself why you want the leather lining. Personally, in hindsight, I would not get it for this gun again. It is quiet to draw, but it is also pretty "sticky" compared to a smoother full leather holster, and especially a straight Kydex. IMHO, spend the extra money on ammo and get a BladeTech, 5.11, or something more affordable than the Silent Thunder.

Again I would like to thank everyone that took the time to respond . I do appreciate all the advice . I have also ordered the Silent thunder as it will give me three styles of holsters to experiment with . I understand that its a highly personal decision and I now feel that I should be able to find my preferred style .

I do have a Wilderness Tactical belt that I've had for some time that will serve for now as I start training .