Appendix Carry with Shield 9mm

Drummer Boy · Jul 22, 2016

Hi, I just joined from central NC. I recently purchased a Shield 9mm, as a carry gun, and my question is: how many of you guys or gals carry your Shield AIWB in condition 1? I know there's a lot on the web, debating whether to carry chambered or unchambered, but, there isn't much info concerning carrying chambered AIWB. I don't want to debate whether I should carry appendix or not, as I've pretty much already established that appendix is the most comfortable for me, after trying other forms of carry. BTW, I'm tall 6'4", slim, with high hip bones.

I'm still new to concealed carry (Oct.2015) and so far I've carried my Taurus PT140 with loaded mag, empty chamber (condition 3). The only gun I'm comfortable carrying chambered, is my Bodyguard .380, because it's DA hammer fired, and loading the chamber doesn't cock the hammer. I know the Shield has the built in trigger safety, the firing pin block, and mine also has the thumb safety. I guess I just can't get past knowing that the striker is "cocked" and aimed at my femoral artery! Am I being silly, or is this a legitimate concern?

I should also let you know that I'm confident with my draw & re-holster safety skills. I also use N82's Professional series holsters, for each of my guns, which are molded specifically for the firearms. (BTW, they're made just up the road, in Lexington

) I would like to hear from others that carry AIWB with the Shield or other similar striker fired pistols, with one in the pipe. I need some reassurance, and a pat on the back! "Everything's gonna be alright"

Thanks in advance, from a NC country boy!

Arik · Jul 22, 2016

Drummer Boy said:
Hi, I just joined from central NC. I recently purchased a Shield 9mm, as a carry gun, and my question is: how many of you guys or gals carry your Shield AIWB in condition 1? I know there's a lot on the web, debating whether to carry chambered or unchambered, but, there isn't much info concerning carrying chambered AIWB. I don't want to debate whether I should carry appendix or not, as I've pretty much already established that appendix is the most comfortable for me, after trying other forms of carry. BTW, I'm tall 6'4", slim, with high hip bones.

I'm still new to concealed carry (Oct.2015) and so far I've carried my Taurus PT140 with loaded mag, empty chamber (condition 3). The only gun I'm comfortable carrying chambered, is my Bodyguard .380, because it's DA hammer fired, and loading the chamber doesn't cock the hammer. I know the Shield has the built in trigger safety, the firing pin block, and mine also has the thumb safety. I guess I just can't get past knowing that the striker is "cocked" and aimed at my femoral artery! Am I being silly, or is this a legitimate concern?

I should also let you know that I'm confident with my draw & re-holster safety skills. I also use N82's Professional series holsters, for each of my guns, which are molded specifically for the firearms. (BTW, they're made just up the road, in Lexington ) I would like to hear from others that carry AIWB with the Shield or other similar striker fired pistols, with one in the pipe. I need some reassurance, and a pat on the back! "Everything's gonna be alright"

Thanks in advance, from a NC country boy!

There really isn't a debate. There is carrying loaded and then there are those who have a mental block about it for whatever reason, usually has to do with older guns that weren't ment to be carried loaded, many from the 20s and 30s.

I don't like appendix because it's not comfortable but as far as others go it will depend on your training level. There are a lot of important veins there....where your leg meets your abdomen. ...if you have little to no training and grab that gun with a finger on the trigger you may shoot before you clear the holster or your body

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

oldfart64 · Jul 22, 2016

Drummer Boy said:
Hi, I just joined from central NC. I recently purchased a Shield 9mm, as a carry gun, and my question is: how many of you guys or gals carry your Shield AIWB in condition 1? I know there's a lot on the web, debating whether to carry chambered or unchambered, but, there isn't much info concerning carrying chambered AIWB. I don't want to debate whether I should carry appendix or not, as I've pretty much already established that appendix is the most comfortable for me, after trying other forms of carry. BTW, I'm tall 6'4", slim, with high hip bones.

I'm still new to concealed carry (Oct.2015) and so far I've carried my Taurus PT140 with loaded mag, empty chamber (condition 3). The only gun I'm comfortable carrying chambered, is my Bodyguard .380, because it's DA hammer fired, and loading the chamber doesn't cock the hammer. I know the Shield has the built in trigger safety, the firing pin block, and mine also has the thumb safety. I guess I just can't get past knowing that the striker is "cocked" and aimed at my femoral artery! Am I being silly, or is this a legitimate concern?

I should also let you know that I'm confident with my draw & re-holster safety skills. I also use N82's Professional series holsters, for each of my guns, which are molded specifically for the firearms. (BTW, they're made just up the road, in Lexington ) I would like to hear from others that carry AIWB with the Shield or other similar striker fired pistols, with one in the pipe. I need some reassurance, and a pat on the back! "Everything's gonna be alright"

Thanks in advance, from a NC country boy!

Welcome from a former North Carolinian. This is a nice forum with good folks and info. I pocket carry mine in a DeSantis Nemesis or open carry in a Blackhawk. Even though I am not as tall as you I too have high hips. this works fine for me.

Drummer Boy · Jul 22, 2016

Arik said:
There really isn't a debate. There is carrying loaded and then there are those who have a mental block about it for whatever reason, usually has to do with older guns that weren't ment to be carried loaded, many from the 20s and 30s.

I don't like appendix because it's not comfortable but as far as others go it will depend on your training level. There are a lot of important veins there....where your leg meets your abdomen. ...if you have little to no training and grab that gun with a finger on the trigger you may shoot before you clear the holster or your body

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

Thanks for the quick reply. I've trained quite a bit with live ammo & snap caps, but, I'd probably feel more comfortable with more training, before carrying with one chambered.

Thanks again

Drummer Boy · Jul 22, 2016

oldfart64 said:
Welcome from a former North Carolinian. This is a nice forum with good folks and info. I pocket carry mine in a DeSantis Nemesis or open carry in a Blackhawk. Even though I am not as tall as you I too have high hips. this works fine for me.

Thanks, from one tarheel, to a former tarheel

ChiefStealth · Jul 22, 2016

I carry a Shield cross-draw from appendix. 10:30 - 11:00 o'clock. Condition 1. To me, that means cocked and locked, safety on. So I have the thumb safety and the trigger safety working for me. I'm not worried about shooting myself.

Drummer Boy · Jul 22, 2016

ChiefStealth said:
I carry a Shield cross-draw from appendix. 10:30 - 11:00 o'clock. Condition 1. To me, that means cocked and locked, safety on. So I have the thumb safety and the trigger safety working for me. I'm not worried about shooting myself.

Actually, my appendix carry is cross draw. I forgot to mention that. Thanks for the confidence boost!

Doug M. · Jul 22, 2016

There is no choice. If you are not willing to carry a pistol with a round chambered, have only a few choices. 1) Improve your training, which should increase your comfort level. A pistol with an empty chamber is as useless as milk glands on a bowling ball. 2) Improve your pistol, if your problem is what you carry. A pistol with an empty chamber is as useless as milk glands on a bowling ball.

Do you see a pattern?

I know some VERY switched on folks who are fans of AIWB, for many good reasons. A friend often carries a Shield or M&P Compact that way. Some who do carry that way are not fans of doing so with a striker fired pistol, because re-holstering requires so much attention. This is not something I have found to work for me in the briefest of experiments; low waist and a bit too much food blister. No matter what you carry there, it is an expert's choice, and means a complete dedication to being well trained and completely switched on every minute of every day. This is true of any decision to be armed, but more so with this carry style. It is not a choice for low budget firearms and holsters.

Drummer Boy · Jul 23, 2016

Doug M. said:
There is no choice. If you are not willing to carry a pistol with a round chambered, have only a few choices. 1) Improve your training, which should increase your comfort level. A pistol with an empty chamber is as useless as milk glands on a bowling ball. 2) Improve your pistol, if your problem is what you carry. A pistol with an empty chamber is as useless as milk glands on a bowling ball.

Do you see a pattern?

I know some VERY switched on folks who are fans of AIWB, for many good reasons. A friend often carries a Shield or M&P Compact that way. Some who do carry that way are not fans of doing so with a striker fired pistol, because re-holstering requires so much attention. This is not something I have found to work for me in the briefest of experiments; low waist and a bit too much food blister. No matter what you carry there, it is an expert's choice, and means a complete dedication to being well trained and completely switched on every minute of every day. This is true of any decision to be armed, but more so with this carry style. It is not a choice for low budget firearms and holsters.

Thanks for the input! I agree that re-holstering requires extra care & attention, especially AIWB. All my pistols have thumb safeties, and I'm not above using them & training with them. I know some don't care for the use of safeties, but I think if you use them & train with them, it's only going to add a split second to your reaction time. Keeping your trigger finger pointed forward until target is aquired should be practiced 'til the point that it's automatic.

Motorsporting · Jul 23, 2016

I carry AIWB about 75% of the time. With the right gear (truly DEDICATED AIWB holsters), it is comfortable and super concealable, for me. Do not just buy a "vertical" and "slim" AIWB holster - those are not the best (although, IMHO, they do work o.k. for sub-compacts like the Shield). Check out Keepers Concealment, Dale Frickie, and JM Custom for truly dedicated AIWB. The features ("butt tuck", wedges, etc.) on those holsters make AIWB super comfortable and I can conceal my full-size M&P with ease.

You absolutely need to be wary of safety concerns when practicing (the reholster mainly). I recommend getting some training or at least watching some qualified trainers discuss proper drawing, engaging, and reholstering techniques.

DD357 · Jul 23, 2016

I would not carry a striker fired gun AIWB, (and I shot plenty of Action Pistol & IPSC back in the day) but that is each individual's choice. I do agree your EDC must be carried with a round chambered. If you are uncomfortable doing so then you either need to change guns or change how you carry it.

bigwheelzip · Jul 23, 2016

Regardless what you carry or where, needing both hands to put your carry into battery seems foolish, when most defensive shootings are close range.

Drummer Boy · Jul 23, 2016

DD357 said:
I would not carry a striker fired gun AIWB, (and I shot plenty of Action Pistol & IPSC back in the day) but that is each individual's choice. I do agree your EDC must be carried with a round chambered. If you are uncomfortable doing so then you either need to change guns or change how you carry it.

Being striker fired, I guess, is the part that bothers me the most. I can carry the Bodyguard .380 all day long with no worries, because it's DA hammer fired. It has about a 12lb trigger pull, and I carry it chambered, safety off. I'll be turning it over to my wife, as soon as she receives her CCH permit, so, my options will be the striker fired Tauraus PT140 or the Shield 9mm.

Doug M. · Jul 23, 2016

Motorsporting said:
I carry AIWB about 75% of the time. With the right gear (truly DEDICATED AIWB holsters), it is comfortable and super concealable, for me. Do not just buy a "vertical" and "slim" AIWB holster - those are not the best (although, IMHO, they do work o.k. for sub-compacts like the Shield). Check out Keepers Concealment, Dale Frickie, and JM Custom for truly dedicated AIWB. The features ("butt tuck", wedges, etc.) on those holsters make AIWB super comfortable and I can conceal my full-size M&P with ease.

*
I am not up on AIWB as I does not work for me, however, Fricke and JM do have great reputations among people I respect, and I am in fact getting my second Fricke IWB holster because the first one is so good.

Protected One · Jul 23, 2016

Drummer Boy said:
Being striker fired, I guess, is the part that bothers me the most. I can carry the Bodyguard .380 all day long with no worries, because it's DA hammer fired. It has about a 12lb trigger pull, and I carry it chambered, safety off. I'll be turning it over to my wife, as soon as she receives her CCH permit, so, my options will be the striker fired Tauraus PT140 or the Shield 9mm.

Welcome to the forum. It has been for me a source of learning and enjoyment. Hopefully, your experience will be the same.

I'm afraid I can't offer you any comfort on your plans for carry because I believe your priorities are wrong.
I get the impression that you have either had a bad experience with a striker fired gun discharging unintentionally, or read discomforting stories about same? If an actual experience is the driving motivation then it's understandable, but if it's concern over what "COULD HAPPEN" then there is a long list of things - gun related, that fall into that category. And an appendix carry discharge is NOT the scariest one.

To my way of thinking your priorities are misordered. If you are going to carry it is implied that you acknowledge the possibility of a situation that might require you to use a gun. This means that the FIRST order of business should be to insure that said gun is "ready for business" when drawn! Meaning - A ROUND IS IN THE CHAMBER. If you can find even ONE certified/credible civilian firearms instructor who practices and teaches carrying with an empty chamber it will be the first I've ever heard of. To assume that the time or opportunity to chamber a round will exist in my opinion represents foolishness on the part of any carrier as it is something beyond your control. Also, there are many stories of people who, despite their training, have "forgotten" to disengage the safety when their moment of need arose.

Carry position and comfort should be second and third considerations to being ready at all times. If this means switching to a hammer fired gun in order to carry in your "preferred" position....then by all means do so. There are plenty of options available. But if you are determined to stick with the striker fired guns mentioned then you should either trust that the gun will not fire if your finger isn't squeezing the trigger, or select a less unnerving carry position.

adwjc · Jul 24, 2016

My personal experience with appendix carry (40yrs) is that I find most modern (polymer) pistols uncomfortable to the point they feel like they are falling out, compared to all steel pistols (only marginally better) the best I found were always J frame snubbies.

I base this on the balance- the hi capacity pistols tend to be "butt heavy" and don't ride deep enough in the holster to maintain their position within the waistband. The steel frames were a bit better, almost neutral in balance, but way better than any of the polymers. The J frame stays put.

The result is I tend to belt carry the polymer pistols.

As to carrying with an empty chamber, nope, won't do it, if i wanted to carry a short club, I would do so.

bigwheelzip · Jul 24, 2016

Drummer Boy said:
.. no worries, because it's DA hammer fired. It has about a 12lb trigger pull, and I carry it chambered, safety off.

Seems like you answered your own question, as to the type of gun you want to carry. DA, heavy trigger, no safety, are a good set of features for a safe and ready carry.

Along with the obvious choices for that feature set, DA pistols and revolvers, there is a smaller category, DA/SA De-cocker, that offers the heavy trigger on the first shot that transitions to SA for follow-up shots, with a corresponding light and short-reset trigger.

DocB · Jul 24, 2016

I'm changing my carry today to a right-hand Bianchi holster worn on my left side. . .cross draw obviously. It rides much better in my truck. In addition, I keep all my stuff in my right pocket and the gun gets in the way big time. Reaching to get the gun out is much more natural than a right-side carry. Of course, a round is chambered under the hammer! Just don't be playing with the gun. Leave it holstered until you need it. You'll be fine.

Drummer Boy · Jul 24, 2016

Protected One said:
Welcome to the forum. It has been for me a source of learning and enjoyment. Hopefully, your experience will be the same.

I'm afraid I can't offer you any comfort on your plans for carry because I believe your priorities are wrong.
I get the impression that you have either had a bad experience with a striker fired gun discharging unintentionally, or read discomforting stories about same? If an actual experience is the driving motivation then it's understandable, but if it's concern over what "COULD HAPPEN" then there is a long list of things - gun related, that fall into that category. And an appendix carry discharge is NOT the scariest one.

To my way of thinking your priorities are misordered. If you are going to carry it is implied that you acknowledge the possibility of a situation that might require you to use a gun. This means that the FIRST order of business should be to insure that said gun is "ready for business" when drawn! Meaning - A ROUND IS IN THE CHAMBER. If you can find even ONE certified/credible civilian firearms instructor who practices and teaches carrying with an empty chamber it will be the first I've ever heard of. To assume that the time or opportunity to chamber a round will exist in my opinion represents foolishness on the part of any carrier as it is something beyond your control. Also, there are many stories of people who, despite their training, have "forgotten" to disengage the safety when their moment of need arose.

Carry position and comfort should be second and third considerations to being ready at all times. If this means switching to a hammer fired gun in order to carry in your "preferred" position....then by all means do so. There are plenty of options available. But if you are determined to stick with the striker fired guns mentioned then you should either trust that the gun will not fire if your finger isn't squeezing the trigger, or select a less unnerving carry position.

First of all, thanks to everyone that has responded. I appreciate it. Protected One, I haven't had a personal experience with a ND, thank God, so I guess I fall into the "what could happen" category. I'm not afraid of a ND during draw or re-holster, because I practice religiously the trigger finger "point" anytime the firearm is handled, except when ready to fire. I guess I should have more trust in the firearm manufacturers built in safeties. I could be wrong, but, I don't think there is any documented cases of a modern striker fired gun firing it self, without someone or something squeezing the trigger. (I just need to keep telling myself that, over & over!

) BTW, you can add my CCH instructor to the list of those that teach you to carry with chamber loaded! (He's also a LEO - Chatham County sheriff's deputy.)

As for the built in thumb safeties, I don't have a problem with them. I've gotten into the habit of sweeping my thumb down over them, during the draw. My Taurus PT140 is very easy to disengage, and I find that the Shield is a lot easier than I thought it would be. My thumb sweeps across it in the same manner as the PT140.

On a different note; I just received my first e-mail notification of a post reply, this morning! I guess since I just joined, it took a couple of days to kick in!

Protected One · Jul 24, 2016

Drummer Boy said:
First of all, thanks to everyone that has responded. I appreciate it. Protected One, I haven't had a personal experience with a ND, thank God, so I guess I fall into the "what could happen" category. I'm not afraid of a ND during draw or re-holster, because I practice religiously the trigger finger "point" anytime the firearm is handled, except when ready to fire. I guess I should have more trust in the firearm manufacturers built in safeties. I could be wrong, but, I don't think there is any documented cases of a modern striker fired gun firing it self, without someone or something squeezing the trigger. (I just need to keep telling myself that, over & over! ) BTW, you can add my CCH instructor to the list of those that teach you to carry with chamber loaded! (He's also a LEO - Chatham County sheriff's deputy.)

As for the built in thumb safeties, I don't have a problem with them. I've gotten into the habit of sweeping my thumb down over them, during the draw. My Taurus PT140 is very easy to disengage, and I find that the Shield is a lot easier than I thought it would be. My thumb sweeps across it in the same manner as the PT140.

On a different note; I just received my first e-mail notification of a post reply, this morning! I guess since I just joined, it took a couple of days to kick in!

That's the point - there ARE no documented examples of a striker fired gun going off without the trigger being pulled!

It's natural for those new to carrying to be "leery" about some things, but I wouldn't let that be one of them. Also, keep in mind what I said about people and safeties! I carry my shield with the safety off because I'm unwilling to take the chance that the sudden stress of a self-defense situation may cause me to forget to disengage it. Regardless to training, it happens often. Even to seasoned shooters.

Welcome to concealed carry.

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