Appendix carry
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If I was afraid to carry appendix style because the gun might go off I would be afraid to carry that gun. Larry
JFootin
Member
I carry my 638 Airweight AIWB at about 10:30 (lefty). It is by far my favorite carry option in my rotation. I carry it in a Stays-Put Ultra Pocket Holster, which stays put behind a good belt all day long without worry. I put it low with a reverse cant so that the grip lays down horizontally right at my belt. My middle aged belly expands above it, casing any untucked shirt to drape over it without printing. Sometimes, I put my cell phone in a holster on my belt immediately behind the grip to ensure no printing with the thinnest shirts. The comfort is perfect all day long. It is just as easy to draw standing, sitting or even buckled in my driver's seat.
The reverse cant provides several advantages:
Until I tried this, I thought my middle aged spread would prevent me from carrying up front. I have tried it with other guns, but nothing works as satifactory as the 638/Stays-Put combo. My TCP 380 rides there almost as well in a Stays-Put sized for it. Even my Kahr CM9 is too bulky there, so I carry it in a PJ IWB Holster just behind my hip. So comfortable that I can't tell it is there, whether still or moving. I carry my Walther PPQ in an Aholster OWB Belt Holster just behind my hip. It holds the gun as close as an IWB holster, very stable and secure, smooth draw and reholster, and is very comfortable. A better solution than IWB, IMO, for a bigger gun.
The reverse cant provides several advantages:
- It lays the grip down horizontally as stated above.
- It moves the muzzle over so it doesn't jam against my thigh when I sit down.
- It presents the gun at an ideal angle for a good draw from that position. The holster is lined with smooth nylon, so the draw is effortless. Yet it holds the gun in securely.
Until I tried this, I thought my middle aged spread would prevent me from carrying up front. I have tried it with other guns, but nothing works as satifactory as the 638/Stays-Put combo. My TCP 380 rides there almost as well in a Stays-Put sized for it. Even my Kahr CM9 is too bulky there, so I carry it in a PJ IWB Holster just behind my hip. So comfortable that I can't tell it is there, whether still or moving. I carry my Walther PPQ in an Aholster OWB Belt Holster just behind my hip. It holds the gun as close as an IWB holster, very stable and secure, smooth draw and reholster, and is very comfortable. A better solution than IWB, IMO, for a bigger gun.
bearfoot
US Veteran
my 2cts. your own safety is what is strived for. good holster counts. usually carry @ 4 clock position. going into a area that is known to have a few problems, which is many areas nowadays we put ourselves in, i pass the belt over the side belt loop. this usually lets you carry the weapon at 4 in the car, and while walking to be moved to the 2 clock position if wanted,and back to the 4 clock position in seconds. that's assuming you use a rentention holster.
badge 851
US Veteran
To each his/her own but I would NEVER appendix carry. It violates rule#2: Never point your gun at anything you are not willing to destroy! Having a loaded firearm pointing at ones family jewelry, or femoral artery strikes me as being a candidate for the Darwin Award. In 42 years of carrying handgun(s), I've seen 5 AD/ND with guns carried appendix carry; and, TWO OF THEM WERE FATALITIES!
(Flame suit on)
I expect eb07 to be along shortly to say they were doing it wrong and it will never happen to him because he's been doing it for 12 years and it hasn't happened yet.
Infidel_319
Member
Clip draw with a j frame, works great.
tacman605
Member
Well I carry AIWB with several different handgun types without issues but if it is not for you by all means don't do it. As someone said it is all about the holster and training with your equipment.
As far as violating gun safety rules all positions of carry orientate the muzzle towards a body part or when you draw I can assure you that the muzzle of the weapon passes part of your body so based on that statement all positions of carry are dangerous and should not be used.
AIWB is not for everyone. It does place the muzzle in the direction of the family jewels and yes dead in the the middle of the upper thigh however it is extremely fast to draw from, very easy to conceal a weapon in that position and no position is better to defend the holstered firearm from in a physical confrontation.
It is all what you feel comfortable with as stated don't like it, don't do it but for some it works out just fine.
As far as violating gun safety rules all positions of carry orientate the muzzle towards a body part or when you draw I can assure you that the muzzle of the weapon passes part of your body so based on that statement all positions of carry are dangerous and should not be used.
AIWB is not for everyone. It does place the muzzle in the direction of the family jewels and yes dead in the the middle of the upper thigh however it is extremely fast to draw from, very easy to conceal a weapon in that position and no position is better to defend the holstered firearm from in a physical confrontation.
It is all what you feel comfortable with as stated don't like it, don't do it but for some it works out just fine.
Not sure what is in your craw. I know many, many people who carry appendix with no issue. As a matter of fact the only time I have even heard about an ND is on the internet when someone tells a story. It is no more safer than carrying on your hip. But spin your fear anyway you wish. Most people do.
I've been trying appendix carry IWB as a possible place for me. I found that with my higher waisted pants that are a size too big it works well. But there is absolutely no way I feel comfortable re-holstering my gun there. I re-holster by unzipping my fly and sort of dropping my pants a bit and putting the gun back then pulling them up again. Not exactly ladylike but then again I don't much care if I'm in the position of having to have used my weapon to protect myself.
What I like about it is that it is more easily concealed than behind my hip and is perfectly comfortable whether I am sitting, standing, picking up hay bales etc.
I am female though and using a Betty holster from the Well Armed Woman.
However the most comfortable holster so far is the Annie worn on strong side hip at about 4 o clock. That works with my heavy duty work pants that are lower waisted.
I want to try a shoulder holster too but haven't found one to try yet and don't really want to buy one w/o testing it.
What I like about it is that it is more easily concealed than behind my hip and is perfectly comfortable whether I am sitting, standing, picking up hay bales etc.
I am female though and using a Betty holster from the Well Armed Woman.
However the most comfortable holster so far is the Annie worn on strong side hip at about 4 o clock. That works with my heavy duty work pants that are lower waisted.
I want to try a shoulder holster too but haven't found one to try yet and don't really want to buy one w/o testing it.
Just to satisfy an old mans curiosity would you mind telling what kind of guns and what made them go off? Larry
badge 851
US Veteran
If memory serves me correctly, Glocks, Kimber, and a S&W Sigma as I recall. One fatality was with the Glock®s IIRC. (Please note I am NOT a Glock hater.) As to what made them go off I don't know. I do know some of the AD/ND were due to NOT USING a proper holster.
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A BIT OF THREAD DRIFT HERE...
The only CC holster I can use is a pocket holster.
Otherwise, the butt is going to be visible at some point,
which I cannot afford to have happen.
That said, (and here's the drift), I found that a
Gould&Goodrich belly-band, worn high enough to mimic
a shoulder holster, can be reached through the opening above
my top shirt button. NOT buttoned all the way up.
It stays put, and is very comfortable. I can even shift it
closer to the opening w/o trouble. We're talking j-frame or small
auto. Never shifts, never falls out, and is tight to the body.
JMHO, TACC1.
The only CC holster I can use is a pocket holster.
Otherwise, the butt is going to be visible at some point,
which I cannot afford to have happen.
That said, (and here's the drift), I found that a
Gould&Goodrich belly-band, worn high enough to mimic
a shoulder holster, can be reached through the opening above
my top shirt button. NOT buttoned all the way up.
It stays put, and is very comfortable. I can even shift it
closer to the opening w/o trouble. We're talking j-frame or small
auto. Never shifts, never falls out, and is tight to the body.
JMHO, TACC1.
I use AIWB crossdraw when driving to and from work. Granted, I always secure the holster and sidearm as one unit, but I've never had a single ND. This method of carry, in my experience, works very well when you're seated.
Also, and I mean no disrespect, I fail to see why there's a signifigant likelihood that a J frame with a box stock, heavy DA trigger pull is going to discharge itself given the aforementioned method of securing the sidearm. Indexing the trigger and keeping your thumb behind the hammer while reholstering also seems like sage advice.
Frankly, the admonitions I've been reading kind of remind me of some individuals I've spoken to in the past who insisted that my previously owned Glock 19 wasn't "safe" without having a NY1 trigger spring and a Cominolli safety installed, and that my reluctance to do so constituted negligence on my part.
Also, and I mean no disrespect, I fail to see why there's a signifigant likelihood that a J frame with a box stock, heavy DA trigger pull is going to discharge itself given the aforementioned method of securing the sidearm. Indexing the trigger and keeping your thumb behind the hammer while reholstering also seems like sage advice.
Frankly, the admonitions I've been reading kind of remind me of some individuals I've spoken to in the past who insisted that my previously owned Glock 19 wasn't "safe" without having a NY1 trigger spring and a Cominolli safety installed, and that my reluctance to do so constituted negligence on my part.
JFootin
Member
A Western style shirt with snaps instead of buttons works well for accessing a gun carried that way. You can "rip" several snaps open in a flash, and it does no damage to the shirt or the snaps.
That's a good tip. I've also heard of people sewing one button to the button-hole so it looks buttoned but isn't. It can be left open at that spot or put a bit of Velcro or a snap there to hold it shut.
photoman
Member
I carry a J frame at one o'clock quite often. On the other hand, I would never carry a Glock there. Just not comfortable doing that.
I think everyone has to work out their own plan.
I think everyone has to work out their own plan.
tacman605
Member
Some more thoughts
Most ND's, just an observation nothing scientific, occur when reholstering and that is due to reholstering to fast.
The only reason you reholster is that the threat is over or LE has arrived in a actual SD situation. For years I was trained and trained others to reholster without looking and it CAN be a valuable skill to have however there is no reason, if the threat is over, to look the gun into the holster.
Yes it is a valuable skill to be able to draw, present and fire as quickly and accurately as you can but take a moment with the gun at full extension to scan and make sure you have accomplished what you intended to then bring the gun back in to a compressed ready position at a normal than slower pace. Why rush? If you are competing once the shots are fired the time is over. In an actual SD situation the threat is over.
When reholstering always, always take your finger off the trigger, look at the holster, with your other hand pull up or move the cover garment out of the way. Find the holster and guide the weapon back into place.
It is imperative that you have a holster, no matter what method of carry, that the mouth of the holster does not close when the weapon is removed.
When I carry AIWB it is normally a J frame, Detective Special or a Para Carry 9 so they are more "forgiving" than a striker fired gun when it comes to one of my mistakes but I practice the same procedure when carrying a Glock or M&P.
Remember when you carry concealed you are not going to be holstering and reholstering multiple times during the day. As someone stated they put the gun and holster on as a unit and then leave it alone.
Training to carry AIWB is the key. With a training gun or your unloaded firearm practice drawing and reholstering. You will find once you get past the uncomfortable scary factor of it you will see that if you have the right body type it works very well.
Again it is not for everyone.
Most ND's, just an observation nothing scientific, occur when reholstering and that is due to reholstering to fast.
The only reason you reholster is that the threat is over or LE has arrived in a actual SD situation. For years I was trained and trained others to reholster without looking and it CAN be a valuable skill to have however there is no reason, if the threat is over, to look the gun into the holster.
Yes it is a valuable skill to be able to draw, present and fire as quickly and accurately as you can but take a moment with the gun at full extension to scan and make sure you have accomplished what you intended to then bring the gun back in to a compressed ready position at a normal than slower pace. Why rush? If you are competing once the shots are fired the time is over. In an actual SD situation the threat is over.
When reholstering always, always take your finger off the trigger, look at the holster, with your other hand pull up or move the cover garment out of the way. Find the holster and guide the weapon back into place.
It is imperative that you have a holster, no matter what method of carry, that the mouth of the holster does not close when the weapon is removed.
When I carry AIWB it is normally a J frame, Detective Special or a Para Carry 9 so they are more "forgiving" than a striker fired gun when it comes to one of my mistakes but I practice the same procedure when carrying a Glock or M&P.
Remember when you carry concealed you are not going to be holstering and reholstering multiple times during the day. As someone stated they put the gun and holster on as a unit and then leave it alone.
Training to carry AIWB is the key. With a training gun or your unloaded firearm practice drawing and reholstering. You will find once you get past the uncomfortable scary factor of it you will see that if you have the right body type it works very well.
Again it is not for everyone.
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