Poll: Appendix Carry

Appendix Carry

  • I will never try it

    Votes: 85 28.9%
  • I want to try it

    Votes: 16 5.4%
  • I tried it but didn’t like it

    Votes: 81 27.6%
  • I carry AIWB regularly

    Votes: 112 38.1%

  • Total voters
    294

CB3

Member
Joined
Jan 24, 2014
Messages
1,972
Reaction score
2,960
Location
Utah
I'm interested in attitudes toward AIWB.
 
Last edited:
Register to hide this ad
I do it every time I carry. M&P 9c get 1 with a g code holster.

Sent from my 2PS64 using Tapatalk
 
Yep AIWB, ALWAYS. SO many reasons why: the mechanics of having to move your arm and shoulder ALL the way back, to get your pistol at 3,4,5:00. I have complete tears in the Rotator Cuffs in both shoulders, NO WAY am I'm gonna reach back there every time. AIWB is WAY less stress on you: Weapon retention: X times more secure at Appendix, than behind you: Faster, less noticeable to get to your gun( which is a real requirement, many times)....
 
How about a fifth poll option: Sometimes.

AIWB works well when the situation (clothing) make it the best option but I do have some trepidation about an oopsy daisy moment when carrying AIWB as it could be devastating. Front pocket is my most frequent mode of carry but when the situation (clothing) allows 3-4 o'clock OWB is preferred.
 
Last edited:
How about a fifth poll option: Sometimes.

AIWB works well when the situation (clothing) make it the best option but I do have some trepidation about an oopsy daisy moment as it could be devastating. Front pocket is my most frequent mode of carry but when the situation (clothing) allows 3-4 o'clock OWB is preferred.

Hnmm so you're not concerned about a "oopsy daisy" in the pocket?
 
I appendix carry every day. My 640 Pro tucks under my rib cage just fine, making it easy to conceal. For me it feels natural, as well as having a quicker draw than other options.

Additionally, I'm strongly right side dominant, but deaf in my right ear - that leaves me both deaf & blind in the 3:00 - 5:00 positions. If you can't hear people approaching you from that angle, perhaps its a poor location for a carry gun.
 
I appreciate the comments both as to why and why not. I have seen in previous polls that AIWB is one of the least common carry locations.

Perhaps that's because modern guns in modern holsters have made AIWB a relatively new (even though old) option. The renewed emphasis on AIWB seems to have begun about 7-8 years ago, and most competition shooting and some training facilities still do not allow it.

About three years ago I listened to both pros & cons for about six months. Got a good holster and gave it a try. I'll never go back.

I carried in Thunderwear for almost 20 years when I wore a suit to work. I added a folded piece of plastic inside the holster pouch to protect the trigger and only carried compacts with DAO triggers. Never had a problem.

AIWB is just an elevated form of T'wear carry, allowing me to pack a larger, striker fired gun even more safely and conveniently. I still use T'wear when I can't use a covering garment for a 9mm Shield.

We can run another thread extolling the virtues and perceived disadvantages, but I'll say this unequivocally: with a proper holster setup, I have no fear of shooting my junk, a leg, or my butt when carrying AIWB. I have yet to hear of a documented instance of the feared junk shot with modern holster AIWB carry.

Interestingly, longer AIWB holsters with a foam wedge at the bottom are comfortable and do not point at my privates. I can see a clear path into the holster, and I tip my hips forward a bit when I holster to make sure the muzzle is nowhere near flesh. I feel very safe.

For those who have a negative perception, it would be interesting to know if they seriously tried it or fear it because of what others (who also may not have tried it) say. It does not work well with some body types and some really short barreled guns (with short holsters). Floppy belts that allow the gun to tip are a no-go.

Let's hear what you know. Thanks.
 
I carry AIWB quite a bit. The old Safariland has seen use since around 1976 and has been restitched a few times. I like the spring steel clip as it is very secure. I've had the DeSantis 106 02 J-frame rig for about a year and have not used it much because of the poor clip design. Even though it is adjustable, the pivot point is not placed properly; it should pivot right at the bottom between the stitching to allow for a proper cant. It also needs to be wet-formed for better retention, as my M438 is wayyy too loose in it. As it is, it is not very comfortable, or safe... which I plan to correct soon.

The black holster is a prototype that I designed and stitched up (wet-formed, boned and dyed) a few weeks ago for multi high-ride OWB carry positions. It has about a 12 degree cant for a comfortable cross-draw and AOWB use. It also carries quite well at 3 and 4 o'clock. It has turned out to be ideal for the J-frame, at least for me. Concealability and access is great while wearing a loose T-shirt and an unbuttoned collared shirt or light jacket. I like this holster so much that I will probably make a few more for myself (with probably a slight modification to the leather profile at the bottom) and am thinking about doing a small run of them for possible sale.

I'll also be working up a few more conceal designs, both IWB and OWB for my Shield, XDs and Firestars. They won't be fancy, but they will be effective designs.
 

Attachments

  • DSCF0001.jpg
    DSCF0001.jpg
    155.9 KB · Views: 124
  • DSCF0003.jpg
    DSCF0003.jpg
    98.3 KB · Views: 127
The holster below is a Gibson Covert IWB by Ken Null. As you can see it
is canted ideally for appendix carry. I don't carry the Colt's Agent in it
every day, but there are "occasions". BTW those extended boot grips are
by Craig Spegel.
 

Attachments

  • SAM_0229.jpg
    SAM_0229.jpg
    95.5 KB · Views: 165
I selected I carry AIWB regularly, because you didn't have my answer, I carry AIWB sometimes. Depends on clothing. I MUCH prefer hip carry, but can only really do that when I have an outer shirt or jacket. When not, I carry the Walther PPS AIWB. My 380 Bodyguard I either carry AIWB or in a wallet holster in a back pocket.
 
My option wasn't there also. I am a sometime aiwb individual. I just can't overcome the concern of my loaded firearm pointing at my femoral artery. It's interesting that my fear is not shooting off my "manhood"; but, my fear is the certain death caused by putting a bullet through my femoral artery. You can talk until you're blue in the face to try to convince me otherwise. As irrational as that fear may be, it still exists. I want to get past that as there is no more concealable and accessible form of concealed carry than AIWB, in my opinion.
 
I carry in my right front waistband almost exclusively (except for the occasional LCP in the pocket day). No belt, because I hate belts. T-shirt, with an unbuttoned shirt over it. In cold weather a coat covers it.

My main requirement for a holster is a belt clip that holds on like grim death.

Shooting myself in the nether regions is just not something that ranks high on my things-to-worry-about-today list. I get it that other folks have differently ranked lists and I would not advocate this carry mode for all.
 

Attachments

  • 58A07436-2E04-4927-A102-54F40FE29F5E.jpeg
    58A07436-2E04-4927-A102-54F40FE29F5E.jpeg
    48.2 KB · Views: 104
  • 8F8E1D48-1C4B-43BE-8342-EDB91E54303F.jpeg
    8F8E1D48-1C4B-43BE-8342-EDB91E54303F.jpeg
    29.5 KB · Views: 75
  • 8EDF3F3A-4E04-4239-B760-1C7ED4C33B34.jpeg
    8EDF3F3A-4E04-4239-B760-1C7ED4C33B34.jpeg
    62.3 KB · Views: 77
  • BFC0A7BC-45AC-4BD6-9FA4-ECFE8D85590C.jpeg
    BFC0A7BC-45AC-4BD6-9FA4-ECFE8D85590C.jpeg
    28.5 KB · Views: 75
Last edited:
Ill carry my Bodyguard AIWB all day long with absolutely no print and incredibly comfortable. Tried the XD-E and it's just too big for my body frame to AIWB- have to go 4:00 with that one.
 

Latest posts

Back
Top