New to appendix carry?

[Tsb3]

I recently purchased an appendix holster for my Shield 9. What I am finding is that walking/moving around is fine, but, sitting is not comfortable. Haven't had this new holster very long at all, and not sure if I will stick with appendix carry.
Any tips or suggestions?
Thank you.

 

[Rowlette]

For my personal taste it is not my cup of tea. I never felt comfortable having anything that can make me sing soprano. It is all about what is good for your personal situation and if is comfortable then you are more app to have it with you than not. I have been carrying for years it just second nature, the key is to have a well made holster that not binding and gives to your movements.

 

[somorris]

My recommendation is to wear it for a while to get it broken in. It takes a while to get the top and bottom edges curled over correctly to fit your body.

 

[markmiela]

Try adjusting the ride height of the holster. When I started carrying appendix I had to adjust the clip on my holster.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[CB3]

I have carried Shield and Full Size M&P’s AIWB for almost four years now. I very much dislike carrying in any other position. I now find 4 o’clock behind my hip awkward and uncomfortable if forced to carry there.

First, it is going to feel different than other carry locations. There is a problem when it is uncomfortable, but it should not be uncomfortable when done correctly. However, you have not said what holster you have. That makes a big difference. Leather, Kydex, hybrid? What kind of belt and attachment?

Without you having defined what your discomfort is, some general AIWB advice includes (Kydex holster mostly):

Make sure the holster has no sharp edges. Cheaper ones do, especially down at the barrel end. Sand with 200 grit paper if needed.

Good stiff belt to support the holster. I like the infinitely adjustable Velcro-closed “rigger” belts, as precise, correct tension contributes to comfort. Even adjusting the belt by 1/4” during the day, loosening or tightening, can make a noticeable difference in comfort.

Make sure the holster attachment fits the belt (1.5”-1.5”).

1:30 position so the barrel of the gun is just to the left of your right hip. Farther right and it rides on the hip. Much farther left and it may contact your pubic bone. However, there is at least 1-2” of soft flesh between that front point of the hip and the pubic bone. You can make small adjustments of 1/2” repositioning on the belt for comfort during a day while you are adjusting to the feel of AIWB.

Add the loop side of adhesive Velcro to the back of the holster, especially down at the barrel end. This will soften the feel of the Kydex against you.

Taking it a step further, buy a closed cell foam wedge with a Velcro hook adhesive piece. Place it toward the bottom of the holster on the loop Velcro with the wide part of the wedge downward. This provides more comfort while also tipping the grip in toward your body, increasing concealment. Since this also tips the bottom of the holster away from your body, it is a little more assurance that when you slowly and carefully holster the gun, along with a slight forward push of your hips, the barrel will never be pointing toward your body.

I like to have a full sweat guard that protects me from any part of the slide that may be uncomfortable.

Make the commitment to keep trying. It is worth it.

 

[tlawler]

I tried it for a while, but soon realized it just wouldn’t work if you have a gut.

 

[Tsb3]

Thanks to everyone for the replies.
CB3, Thank you for the very in depth reply. Looks like you sure are prepared for anything when you head out the door! Did you have your shield milled for the optic?
My holster and belt are both from Stealthgear. Black Friday deals.
I haven't given up yet, I will continue to wear it. I like the idea of the conceal-ability of appendix.
Almost forgot, the uncomfort is the rear of the gun in my abdomen when I sit down. Maybe I need to loosen my belt a little. I have played with the ride height and cant a bit.

 

[andy52]

I carry my Shield at slightly behind 3:00, the thought of a handgun pointing at my junk makes me nervous...

 

[CB3]

Thanks to everyone for the replies.
CB3, Thank you for the very in depth reply. Looks like you sure prepared for anything when you head out the door! Did you have your shield milled for the optic? .

Yes, the slide is milled. Because of milling, the low profile Shield (brand) RMS red dot can be used with standard height iron sights for a 25% co-witness through the optic.

 

[sheepdawg]

I'm 6' 3" and 300 lbs. Yes I have a gut after all every good tool needs a roof over it.

The only place I carry my Shield is 3 o'clock, maybe 3:15 in a Bianchi Pro 100 and a decent gun belt. Appendix carry wouldn't last 10 seconds.

 

[Execpro]

Stealth gear makes a descent holster. CB3 gives some good advice. If I
were to get your brand of holster, I would get the one pictured below for
Appendix carry. Are you able to exchange it? JMO
I have carried many different guns AIWB over the years. At this time I
have a Taurus 856UL & S&W 9mm EZ that I carry (12-1 o’clock).
A good stiff gun belt and a single clip holster for me allows a comfortable
carry. It took me awhile to get used to that way of carrying. I have some
extra baggage around my middle, but belt tightness and the flexible
Sweat guard take care of any issues. P.S. I would Not get the Claw. You could add it later if needed. JMO
I carried a Shield 9mm for a few years in the same holster the Taurus is in now. NO Problem. 6’4”- 275lbs
I will be getting a Hidden Hybrid holster for the 9mm EZ when he makes them. I want the entire grip to be above the belt for a FULL combat grip. I always wear an untucked shirt.
Just ordered a Vedder LightTuck for my new S&W 380 Bodyguard (No laser).

——-UPDATE——Just got my Vedder holster today. Don’t know if I like the Claw yet.
-----UPDATE-----LOVE THE CLAW! Forget the Hidden Hybrid holster. Getting another Vedder holster!
They make one for the 9MM EZ no safety. Will be making one for
the gun with a safety soon? I sent a request.

Be SAFE and Shoot Often!

 

[mmb617]

I'm sure your body type makes a big difference in how comfortable AIWB carry will be for you. In my case I'm 5'6'' and 135 lbs and very comfortable with that style carry both moving and sitting. It does take a little while to get used to but I don't even notice it anymore.

At first I had a High Noon Mr Softy leather holster for my Shield and I tried a couple different positions before I found that the best for me was pretty far forward at about the 12:30 position. I don't worry about the holstered gun pointing at my private parts. I only carry guns with a thumb safety and the holster completely covers the trigger guard so I can't imagine how I'd accidentally shoot myself with it.

I don't have a fancy super stiff gun belt, in fact I bought my belt at the Family Dollar store for $6. It's leather and 1 3/8" wide and works fine in my eyes.

After I'd gotten comfortable with the Shield I bought a Compact 9 with 4" barrel and found out that I shoot it better, like how it feels in my hand, and the extra capacity doesn't hurt either. I wasn't sure if the longer barrel would make it uncomfortable to AIWB carry but I bought another Mr Softy holster so I could try it. Now the Compact is my EDC as it's just as comfortable as the Shield, and I find neither the extra weight nor the longer barrel to be a problem.

Everybody is different, I just wanted to share my experience since you asked for tips or suggestions.

 

[gnystrom]

I carry AIWB and currently, it is with a Vedder LightTuck and a P365. I found you need to have a good holster that has a lot of adjustability for both ride height and cant. I am 6'3" and 200# with not much of a gut.
AIWB is perfect for me as I can draw from a seated position without a lot of movement.
This combo is perfect for me. BTW, the claw on the side really helps keep the gun close to the body.

 

[HardToHandle]

Yes, the slide is milled. Because of milling, the low profile Shield (brand) RMS red dot can be used with standard height iron sights for a 25% co-witness through the optic.

My personal rig is similar to CB3. I carry at 1pm due to my hip bone structure. As I have a Shield RMS on my G26, I am presently using a kydex holster covered with faux leather. Kydex can be Especially painful at AIWB.

I do second the High Noon Mr Softy if that works. I don’t think it is real leather, but is soft and flexible enough to really help. It is a nice in between... more structure than a suede holster but less than a traditional Smooth leather.

Honestly, carrying a gun is a pain. For me, the weapon control, concealment and access make it worth it to AIWB. I have carried ankle, pocket, 3:00, shoulder holster, Small of back and probably a few others. AIWB is the closest to the ideal ability to access in a car, a booth, on your back, etc. The point is people weigh tactics and techniques differently- I just want access in the maximum situations. Sometimes that comes with a cost of occasional pain.

 

[357-RevolverGuy]

I appendix carry a lot. Never tried the Stealthgear holsters before but I find that what works best for me is an all leather IWB holster, preferably with an offset clip. This is one I'm using for a J frame by Ted Blocker and I'm seated in my truck. Never have experienced discomfort while sitting or standing. I even appendix carry full size pistols and K and L frame revolvers.

 

[dmoriarty]

This video is a much watch for larger folks who want to appendix carry - [ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LYVekHI7fzQ[/ame]

 

[Eric300]

You might want to look into something like this by Urban Carry....

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LY32bFCyJAo[/ame]

 

[seldon14]

Appendix does not work for me. It's either jabbing my leg when I sit down, or jabbing my abs when I bend over.

 

[Jon651]

I tried it for a while, but soon realized it just wouldn’t work if you have a gut.

I am also "girth challenged" and believe me that finding a good CC holster for someone of my size was NOT easy. Appendix carry was an epic failure due to my belly and sitting down made it almost impossible - and uncomfortable - to draw; hip carry (both inside and outside my waistband) was uncomfortable when drawing because I had to "lift" the pistol vertically and I have a bum shoulder; Small of Back carry was forever a problem because my shirt would ride up revealing the pistol (a problem for us larger guys), it was impossible to draw when sitting, and it was uncomfortable to twist my arm to get the proper grip.

Fortunately for me I live in the same town as The Holster Store (.net) and was able to collaborate with them on designing a holster that overcame my particular issues. I do NOT work for them or represent them in any way. I designed a holster than I wear OWB at the 4:00 position that holds my pistol horizontally (in line with my belt) - but the butt of the pistol faces UPWARD so it appears upside-down on my hip.

This position and location is easy for me to conceal and allows me to wear it under even a shorter shirt (which won't ride up my hip when I bend over, plus nothing extends below the lower edge of my belt at any time), I can easily draw when sitting (not blocked by my belly for appendix carry or the back of the chair for Small of Back carry), and I don't have to either lift the pistol upward or twist my wrist to get the proper grip to draw. The drawing motion is a simple arc pivoting at the elbow that translates the pistol from upside-down to right-side-up without any twisting and your arm can be kept tucked in to your side if you are in close quarters. They don't advertise it on their site, but you can certainly call and ask about the Pro Carry BB (for Big Belly) holster if it sounds like something that may interest you. I own the very first one and I love it!

Hope this helps.

 

[LCC]

Could never comfortably AWIB a full compact, end of barrel a constant poke when sitting.
Since I am much quicker deploying my firearm AWIB, especially when driving or wearing a winter coat, then at 3/4 o'clock IWB or OWB, went to smaller yet effective firearms that work well carried that way.
A 642 in a Lobo offset clip leather and a P365 in an offset clip Dara Minimalist kydex, both very comfortable while driving.
The offset clip makes for reduced belt bulge = less printing and belt pressure.