Thoughts on Mexican Carry

[gunblade]

Mexican carry being the practice of carrying a pistol inside the waistband with no holster. I do this frequently...usually from the nightstand to the glove box and back again at the end of the day. I can't carry at work, so the gun remains in the car during the day, but sometimes I will carry this way for short durations when out and about. A proper fitting holster is best of course, but I've made some observations about Mexican carry...guns with wider grips, i.e. a double stack, seem to stay put better than a single stack, especially if the grip is thicker than the slide, such as with a 6906 vs a 3913. A full sized gun rides better in Mexican carry than a small gun...weight and balance seem to play a part here more so than if the gun is in a holster secured to a belt. And a gun with rubber grips tends to stay put better than smooth wood or plastic grips. Talking only autos here, not revolvers. Anyone else ever use this method of carry and have any opinions to share?

 

[eb07]

I would use a zack holster or something similar to cover the trigger, that's all. This will prevent clothing or something else interfering and causing a negligent discharge.

 

[shouldazagged]

Always seemed dangerous to me. I want a holster that covers the trigger guard. I've seen guys carrying guns in the appendix position or straight in front, which gives me food for very uncomfortable thought...

 

[snubbyfan]

With a snubby, I'd think there'd be a chance of the gun slippin' down a pants leg.

 

[walkin' trails]

I did it for years with a Glock 17 or 19, but as I have wised up, I don't recommend it. Too many variables, especially if you're a little foggy in the morning or are starting out to have a bad day, or have a wardrobe malfunction...

 

[hangnoose]

MEXICAN CARRY

First I'd strongly recommend a real holster. a paddle type or clip on would be easy enough. there is a gangbanger way of making a loop type rig from a bandana. the gangbangers don't wanna get caught with a gun or holster. who knows maybe there is a u-tube video on it now.

 

[arjay]

I've done it with a 45 and a j frame with big rubber grips for short stretches.I wouldn't want to climb or run with it there though!

 

[snubbyfan]

All ya actually need to do is just stick one of these in your pocket and go.

 

[Rpg]

That 'Mexican carry' system is what Plaxco Burress (former New York Giants wide reciever) was using when his pistol slipped down his leg, he grabbed at it to stop it and shot himself in the leg.

Still like that system?

Safety is between the ears, as Col. Cooper said.

 

[gunblade]

What kind of gun was he carrying? Glock or something similar, I'll bet. When I carry this way it is with a S&W 3rd generation auto with the safety engaged...the gun is at the 4:00 position behind my right hip. I don't use appendix carry, and if I'm going to be moving around much I use a holster. Just making the observation that some guns seem better suited to holsterless carry than others.

 

[junglefighter]

I carried a Browning Hi-Power or a Colt 1911 this way for years.I did not carry a chambered round.I just made sure my belt was tight.This was before CCW came into effect and never had a problem.In Okla.to carry legally,you must wear a holster,any kind.Check your state law to see if this applies to you.

 

[moosedog]

I've done the" Mexican" or "appendex carry" for all of my life. Revolvers and autos.
That's just the way I started carrying hand guns off duty as a rookie in 1977 and continued on to this day.
I was in violation of my department rules and regulations for 25 years but it never caused a problem.
It is the most comfortable way for me so I stick to it. I have never had a gun slip out or down my pant leg, but also, I have never been a skinny bodied man. I guess that my "love handles" act as a built in holster.

 

[GerSan69]

Hey Senor Moose, be careful you don't shoots yourself in the frijoles.

 

[michaelpthompso]

Mexican carry is dangerous and unpredictable. You'd be better off carrying a real Mexican. With a rifle and bandoleer of course.


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[Kanewpadle]

Never catch me doing that. For some inexplicable reason, if the trigger catches something, I don't want to shoot myself in the crotch or femoral artery!

 

[Goldstar225]

I use a holster the vast majority of the time but I've tucked one in the waistband before and I'll do it occasionally in the future. Oh my gosh, I forgot, I've also put one in my pocket without a holster too.

 

[Arik]

I did this this too when starting out, back in 01. Mexican carried a Berretta 92 in the small of back. 2nd dumbest thing I did firearm related (never got hurt). Live and learn. No way Jose would I do it now

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[bluegrassarms]

I'm sure some carry that way for years with no problems, but at risk of offending anyone it's pretty unsafe practice and with the explosion of the holster market an unnecessary one for the most part.

The holster is an integral part of the "safety system" of many carry handguns. They have no safety other than "don't pull the trigger". While on a J frame or DAOs it would take quite a bit even without a holster to pull the trigger completely, it's still possible. However, with a gun like a Glock which has no secondary safety system (grip safety etc.) and a relatively light trigger pull, I'd say it's a serious safety risk to yourself and others to carry in a way that exposes the trigger so much.

Without a holster there are multiple ways the trigger could inadvertently be pulled. Caught on clothing, mishandling to get it under control if it shifted loose (the example above of grabbing it as it goes down a pant leg), etc.

With the plethora of holsters available I don't see a need for it except for maybe as described a quick carry from the house to a car just to keep it hidden, but even then the risk is the same.

In classes I emphasize always using a holster, esp. for any gun without a secondary safety beyond "don't pull the trigger". I just don't think the safety risk to yourself and others is worth the risk when you can reduce it quite a bit with a proper holster.

 

[hotrod150]

I tried holster-less appendix IWB once with one of my Chief Specials and the trouble wasn't with the gun wanting to slide down-- it was with it wanting to squirm up and out! For that reason, I'm not interested in holster-less carry, or the Barami Clip Grip or Desantis Hip Grip.

 

[.45goblue]

I see it's been said, but I would like to reinforce that: I wouldn't carry with an exposed trigger!

Also, I could imagine the pistol would like to slide around.