AIWB risks evaluated by John Lovell

[xtrtsqrt11]

You're absolutely right, but there is a fix for this problem.

The Glock I carry AIWB wears a Striker Control Device from Tau Development Group. It doesn't inhibit normal function in the slightest, but placing your thumb on the backplate while holstering blocks the striker from moving in the event the trigger hangs on something.

True, could do on my personal. Can't on the duty (policy re altering/customizing) though where it would be most useful...

 

[Buford57]

Because after the "draw and shoot" sequence we think about and train for you have to do something with the gun, while still pumped with adrenaline. Reholstering needs to be second nature, wherever you wear the holster. Of course the practice should be done with an unloaded gun.

 

[SS336]

This is a very interesting post full of good information on both sides.
I hope nobody minds if I put my 2 cents in.
I have been carrying a sidearm a long time. Mostly at the 3-4o'clock position.
I now carry AIWB, as I got older I found it harder to access and reholster my sidearm at the 3 and 4 o'clock position. OWB is hard for me to conceal, especially in the summer, because I am of thin stature.
I cannot see my holster when reholstering at 3-4. while I really don't like Kydex holster they are the way to go for IWB. They stay open and make reholstering a lot safer in my opinion.
I holster my P365XL before I put it in my pants and take it out of my pants in the holster. If, God forbid, I have to use it putting it back in my holster will be easier with a Kydex holster and being able to see it.
AIWB is not for everyone and everyone should carry the way they want.
Carrying a side arm is dangerous, carry in a way that makes you the most comfortable. But once you decide stick with it and practice till it's second nature.
As I said just my 2 cents, YMMV.

 

[diyj98]

Carrying a side arm is dangerous, carry in a way that makes you the most comfortable.

I think that's the key. I'm probably can't change anyone's mind on here and I doubt they'll change mine.

We can all think of horror stories like people falling on their back and a *** holster causing spine damage, an arm injury keeping a holster in "whatever" o'clock being inaccessible, etc. But after having a family member LEO get into a struggle with someone over his duty weapon, I've thought about fighting with someone with my gun in appendix carry. That's not my primary concern, but one I don't remember hearing about.

 

[max503]

Someone once said, "In a gun fight, you want the gun pointed at the other guys *****, not yours."

That's what I think about AIWB carry.

 

[sigp220.45]

Oy vey.

I only carry in the waistband between my zipper and right front pocket. All the time. No belt.

I did this when I was working and made many draws in real life. When it was time to reholster I would pop the holster out with my left hand, put the gun in it, and then put the gun and holster back in place. Easy.

Its not rocket science fellas.

 

[John Patrick]

Oy vey.

I only carry in the waistband between my zipper and right front pocket. All the time. No belt.

I did this when I was working and made many draws in real life. When it was time to reholster I would pop the holster out with my left hand, put the gun in it, and then put the gun and holster back in place. Easy.

Its not rocket science fellas.

I think taking the holster off is the only truly safe way.

 

[CB3]

I think taking the holster off is the only truly safe way.

Another safe way is to holster slowly and carefully, with full view that nothing is blocking the holster (IOW, it is clear of any obstruction, best seen by looking straight down into the AIWB holster); finger off the trigger. Or even better, if you have a hammer down DA gun, with your firing side thumb on the hammer to feel if the trigger is pulling the hammer back from an obstruction. Have the holster bottom tipped away from your body as you holster, so if there is a ND the bullet misses the body. Easy to do with AIWB.

Once properly holstered in a safe, fitted holster, the gun cannot go off.

So drawing becomes the next potential danger point. But the trigger cannot move backwards to fire the gun while the gun is being drawn. Only when the trigger clears the holster can a negligent shooter get his finger on the trigger before pointing toward the target and possibly ND the gun. That's a training/dry practice/timing issue which should be ingrained before carrying the gun with live rounds—in any carry position.

Follow these rules for any carry position and you will not shoot yourself. Skimp on training and practice, skimp on a substandard holster/belt/attachment rig; wear it in silly positions with no visibility for holstering and/or with the trigger unprotected, and you are not carrying safely.

If there are any reports of one using a modern/safe gun in a properly fitted/mounted holster AIWB shooting his privates or femoral, I haven't seen them. There may be a few where the one responsible did not follow safety rules, was ignorant, negligent, or whatever, but such folks are going to hurt themselves somehow someway any way. It's not the fault of the carry position.

I literally have six years under my belt AIWB, and I truly believe it is at least as safe, done properly, as any other carry position. It is not for everyone because people set up blocks in their minds and don't truly investigate and try things new to them to make their own decisions, instead deciding based on incorrect internet lore, improper assumptions, and fear.

Here's a recap (can't get to the original story) of an officer who while holstering shot himself in the buttocks and died. Does this one instance mean that no one can safely holster a gun where he might shoot his buttocks? No, it doesn't. It means this one person performed a negligent action and paid the ultimate price. Too bad, but there is more to the story as to how his negligence killed him. The same is true for Post #23, which also lack the link to the full article explaining what types of negligence contributed to this tragedy. Certainly practicing something new with a loaded gun rather than dry is a bad start.

 

[URIT]

I'm not afraid to appendix carry my EDC choices. I will continue to carry IWB just before my hip bone.

My EDC weapon choice is a S&W model 3953 or a 4053, and both are DAO.

I will never carry a striker fired pistol AIWB even though I am very cautious holstering and drawing my weapon.

 

[Univibe]

Once all the appendix carriers bleed out and all.the revolver carriers get killed in gang attack shootouts because they ran out of ammo,all that will be left is the hip carrying hicap owners running and gunning, reloading on the move in John wick style shootouts. You will reign supreme.

A real world example of Darwinian natural selection.

 

[rednichols]

Someone once said, "In a gun fight, you want the gun pointed at the other guys *****, not yours."

That's what I think about AIWB carry.

I agree. Here's what I think about it, in easy-to-understand picture form:

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

Oy vey.

I only carry in the waistband between my zipper and right front pocket. All the time. No belt.

I did this when I was working and made many draws in real life. When it was time to reholster I would pop the holster out with my left hand, put the gun in it, and then put the gun and holster back in place. Easy.

Its not rocket science fellas.

But what if you're left handed????

 

[diyj98]

I say carry whichever way makes you happy, but AIWB isn't for me. I know my gun won't go off unless I pull the trigger, but I still won't point one at my head. It's perfectly safe unless I pull the trigger, but not something I choose to do.

 

[Old cop]

I carried a J Frame IWB/appendix for years but would never do that w/a modern striker fired auto, too light a trigger on most of them. I've p/u a few pounds in my middle 70s & rely on pocket holsters now.

 

[RenoHuskerDu]

Cold weather and AIWB

We've had horrible cold down here in Texas. It durn near froze!

Another AIWB advantage is a warm gun when you draw it.

As you were.
.

 

[M29since14]

He's an interesting character. I respect his background, and his general philosophy. Seems like a good young man. But I am not buying into AIWB no matter who suggests it. If the proverbial twenty bishops told me it was a good idea, I'd still pass.

 

[RenoHuskerDu]

He's an interesting character. I respect his background, and his general philosophy. Seems like a good young man. SNIP

He has good videos on AR handling and sling uses. Those where quite helpful in training my kids. I also enjoy his philosophy on SA, and his concept of being the most dangerous man in the room, but not looking it.
.

 

[eb07]

A real world example of Darwinian natural selection.

The whole you will shoot your junk off or bleed out from your femoral artery talking point is the same strategy the anti gunners use on how many people will die in the streets because it will be the wild west if concealed carry is legalized, and about as credible, I can only smile at these people and laugh a little inside due to their fear based fantasies and carry on with my day.

 

[JDinAZ]

I dont worry about it. Carried concealed at AIWB for years and still do, its the fastest draw fire position for me personally, with way less "telegraphing" the draw stroke. Hand goes for pocket area looks like to give up money and comes out blastin, in for the win.

That and having someone get that close to the jewels to grab my carry gun in a crowd is pretty much a nill thing, or getting outed by an anti-gunner bumping into my carry piece at a gathering or in a crowd is pretty much nill also

 

[badge 851]

I WILL NOT CARRY ANY STRIKER-FIRED GUN AIWB! I DO CARRY two DAO firearms AIWB; one is a 38 Special revolver the other a 9mm semi-auto. BOTH GUNS ARE HAMMER-FIRED. Specifically...
• S&W® M&P® BODYGUARD™ 38 SKU: 10062
• Ruger® LC9™ first-generation, circa 2011

YMMV; Regards...

 

[Telecaster]

I'm picturing the cop showing a classroom full of kids his drawn and loaded Glock, telling them, "I'm the only one in this room qualified to handle this- BANG!!!!!" and shoots himself in the leg.

Life is tough. It's tougher when you're stupid.

 

[gnystrom]

I have been carrying daily for over twenty years. 90%of the time is is not in a OWB holster. I switched to AIWB with my 340 or Sig P365 about three years ago. Advantage, faster draw, perfect for driving, easier to protect, seated at restaurant, less printing.
I holster the loaded firearm then insert it into my pants. Vedder, Kusiak, and Side Guard Minimalist all work for me. A reholster is not needed.
I practice dozens of empty gun draws per week and I am very comfortable with my routine.
Shooting off my schnitzel is not something I pay attention to but not worry about.