Question about appendix carry.

TenRing · January 7, 2018, 11:44 AM

I normally carry at the 4:00 position and most of my holsters are made for this. I have well made holsters by DeSantis, Simply Rugged and several others. Still, there are times when I feel that people are more likely to scope me out because that's where most people look when they want to see if you're carrying.

It seems that appendix carry may be less conspicuous and I tried that but it seems so uncomfortable. I can't deal with the business end of my weapon pointing back at my gut every time I sit down. Even with a short barrel J frame, it's still not comfortable for me.

If you carry at the appendix position, what gun and holster do you use? Also, what advantages do you see with carrying in this position? Did it take a lot of getting used to or does it feel natural to you?

T. O'Heir · January 7, 2018, 12:29 PM

Knew a Toronto cop who carried his issue Smith(years ago) on the forward of the hip bone on the right side(your appendix isn't under there. It's more in front near one's belly button. At least that's where the surgery scar is. snicker.).
I think the advantage is faster accessibility. Concealment is something a cop doesn't need to worry about. Holster is the same anyway. Comfort is more about how much of you there is forward of your hip bone.

Don Fischer · January 7, 2018, 12:37 PM

Tell you something I found out that better hide's the gun at 4 o'clock. Run your belt over the top of the holster. Unless I've really got heavy or baggy cloth's on, if I run the belt like normal, the handle always pop's out!

Nathan · January 7, 2018, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Run your belt over the top of the holster. Unless I've really got heavy or baggy cloth's on, if I run the belt like normal, the handle always pop's out!

Quality holsters don't do this...

ammo.crafter · January 7, 2018, 01:21 PM

How do you sit in you car/truck when carrying in this manner?

raimius · January 7, 2018, 02:20 PM

The ride height of the pistol is very important to comfort for this style of carry. Also, your body shape is critical. If you have a gut, it doesn't work so well.

BumbleBug · January 7, 2018, 02:28 PM

I suggest you experiment some. I'm right handed. I'm trying a cross-draw with the gun butt tilted slightly forward at 10 o'clock. Seems more comfortable, more concealable & barrel points at butt cheek. I still need a lot of drawing practice before I decide what's best for me.

TenRing · January 7, 2018, 07:16 PM

Thanks for the feedback and suggestions. I have some more experimenting to do. I tried to avoid cross-draw because when facing an adversary, my pistol grip would be in presented to him.

However, cross-draw seems like a good alternative while driving.

Striker · January 7, 2018, 08:35 PM

I find that short barrel guns are more uncomfortable a longer barrel one for AIWB carry. For me, any bending or siting that pushes the grip out causes the short barrel to dig in. A longer barrel allows you to find the "crease". For me that's between 1 and 2 o'clock.

TenRing · January 7, 2018, 08:52 PM

That's a good point and it's counter-intuitive. When I try AIWB with a longer barreled gun, it is actually a better fit. Thanks.

Striker · January 7, 2018, 09:01 PM

Agree, it is counter intuitive. But I find a full size Beretta 96FS to be more comfortable for AIWB then a Smith J frame. About the smallest gun I AIWB carry is a Glock 19/23 or Sig 250 Compact. But a good belt and holster is mandatory. My belts are all 1 3/4" double thick and my AIWB holsters are either Darkstar or Chuck D's kydex, pressed specifically for the gun.

sakata8242 · January 8, 2018, 12:08 PM

HKP30SK in a G-code Incog holster. For me the primary advantage of appendix is comfort. I used to carry at the usual 4:00 position and eventually it would cause muscle spasms in my lumbar back. Other plusses include access when sitting and the potential for easier draw concealment.

I should also note I personally no longer carry striker fired pistols or any other "single-action like" pistol in the appendix position. The reasons are two-fold :

The margin of error is lower, and I prefer to have a pistol with a hammer that allows both visual and tactile feedback while holstering.

Training with a striker pistol at appendix means hundreds of holstering reps, which also increases the risk.

JBB · January 8, 2018, 10:27 PM

I’ve been carrying a j-frame in a Remora holster in the appendix position for a couple of years. The holster conforms to my body and is comfortable even when sitting for extended periods. I am short for my weight

but it’s still the most comfortable way to carry for me.

TenRing · January 9, 2018, 04:54 AM

I can certainly relate to having the additional safety margin of a double action pistol, particularly when carrying AIWB.

Most often, I carry some type of J frame, 340PD or 640. Occasionally I will carry a 5903.

I'm going to check out the holster recommendations. Thanks!

JN01 · January 9, 2018, 04:15 PM

I carry OWB at 1:30-2:00 position, and for me, shorter barreled guns are more comfortable.

In that position, your gut isn't pushing the gun outward so much and it is concealed better in the hollow between your gut and hip. Other advantages are that it is easier to draw from a seated position (than the traditional behind the hip), and is less likely to be detected by someone bumping into or casually hugging you.

Tactical Jackalope · January 13, 2018, 09:13 PM

I've carried appendix for the better half of a decade.

Glocks - PHLster holsters.

Smith and Wesson - T5 Custom Kydex.

SIG Sauer and HK (discontinued) - NSR Tactical.

HK recently, G-CODE INCOG.

I always have a spare mag at the 11 o'clock position and the gun at 1 o'clock.

January 7, 2018, 11:44 AM	#1
TenRing Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2009 Posts: 427	Question about appendix carry. I normally carry at the 4:00 position and most of my holsters are made for this. I have well made holsters by DeSantis, Simply Rugged and several others. Still, there are times when I feel that people are more likely to scope me out because that's where most people look when they want to see if you're carrying. It seems that appendix carry may be less conspicuous and I tried that but it seems so uncomfortable. I can't deal with the business end of my weapon pointing back at my gut every time I sit down. Even with a short barrel J frame, it's still not comfortable for me. If you carry at the appendix position, what gun and holster do you use? Also, what advantages do you see with carrying in this position? Did it take a lot of getting used to or does it feel natural to you? __________________ Gun control...that's when you learn to hit where you aim.

January 7, 2018, 12:29 PM	#2
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	Knew a Toronto cop who carried his issue Smith(years ago) on the forward of the hip bone on the right side(your appendix isn't under there. It's more in front near one's belly button. At least that's where the surgery scar is. snicker.). I think the advantage is faster accessibility. Concealment is something a cop doesn't need to worry about. Holster is the same anyway. Comfort is more about how much of you there is forward of your hip bone. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

January 7, 2018, 01:21 PM	#5
ammo.crafter Senior Member Join Date: June 25, 2006 Location: The Keystone State Posts: 1,970	appendix carry How do you sit in you car/truck when carrying in this manner? __________________ "Peace is that brief glorious moment in history when everybody stands around reloading". --Thomas Jefferson

January 7, 2018, 02:28 PM	#7
BumbleBug Senior Member Join Date: March 11, 2013 Location: Near Heart of Texas Posts: 870	I suggest you experiment some. I'm right handed. I'm trying a cross-draw with the gun butt tilted slightly forward at 10 o'clock. Seems more comfortable, more concealable & barrel points at butt cheek. I still need a lot of drawing practice before I decide what's best for me. __________________ Visit my fictional blog "The dr Chronicles" about a laid-back Texan named dr - Enjoy!

January 7, 2018, 07:16 PM	#8
TenRing Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2009 Posts: 427	Thanks for the feedback and suggestions. I have some more experimenting to do. I tried to avoid cross-draw because when facing an adversary, my pistol grip would be in presented to him. However, cross-draw seems like a good alternative while driving. __________________ Gun control...that's when you learn to hit where you aim.

January 7, 2018, 12:37 PM	#3
Don Fischer Senior Member Join Date: March 2, 2017 Posts: 1,868	Tell you something I found out that better hide's the gun at 4 o'clock. Run your belt over the top of the holster. Unless I've really got heavy or baggy cloth's on, if I run the belt like normal, the handle always pop's out!

January 7, 2018, 02:20 PM	#6
raimius Senior Member Join Date: January 27, 2008 Posts: 2,199	The ride height of the pistol is very important to comfort for this style of carry. Also, your body shape is critical. If you have a gut, it doesn't work so well.

January 7, 2018, 08:35 PM	#9
Striker Senior Member Join Date: November 16, 2004 Location: NE Ohio Posts: 126	I find that short barrel guns are more uncomfortable a longer barrel one for AIWB carry. For me, any bending or siting that pushes the grip out causes the short barrel to dig in. A longer barrel allows you to find the "crease". For me that's between 1 and 2 o'clock. __________________ Striker RLTW "Hope is not a course of action, nor a method of execution..." Last edited by Striker; January 7, 2018 at 08:56 PM.

January 7, 2018, 08:52 PM	#10
TenRing Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2009 Posts: 427	That's a good point and it's counter-intuitive. When I try AIWB with a longer barreled gun, it is actually a better fit. Thanks. __________________ Gun control...that's when you learn to hit where you aim.

January 7, 2018, 09:01 PM	#11
Striker Senior Member Join Date: November 16, 2004 Location: NE Ohio Posts: 126	Agree, it is counter intuitive. But I find a full size Beretta 96FS to be more comfortable for AIWB then a Smith J frame. About the smallest gun I AIWB carry is a Glock 19/23 or Sig 250 Compact. But a good belt and holster is mandatory. My belts are all 1 3/4" double thick and my AIWB holsters are either Darkstar or Chuck D's kydex, pressed specifically for the gun. __________________ Striker RLTW "Hope is not a course of action, nor a method of execution..."

January 8, 2018, 12:08 PM	#12
sakata8242 Member Join Date: August 14, 2010 Posts: 55	HKP30SK in a G-code Incog holster. For me the primary advantage of appendix is comfort. I used to carry at the usual 4:00 position and eventually it would cause muscle spasms in my lumbar back. Other plusses include access when sitting and the potential for easier draw concealment. I should also note I personally no longer carry striker fired pistols or any other "single-action like" pistol in the appendix position. The reasons are two-fold : The margin of error is lower, and I prefer to have a pistol with a hammer that allows both visual and tactile feedback while holstering. Training with a striker pistol at appendix means hundreds of holstering reps, which also increases the risk.

January 8, 2018, 10:27 PM	#13
JBB Senior Member Join Date: December 2, 2007 Location: SW Florida Posts: 105	I’ve been carrying a j-frame in a Remora holster in the appendix position for a couple of years. The holster conforms to my body and is comfortable even when sitting for extended periods. I am short for my weight but it’s still the most comfortable way to carry for me.

January 9, 2018, 04:54 AM	#14
TenRing Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2009 Posts: 427	I can certainly relate to having the additional safety margin of a double action pistol, particularly when carrying AIWB. Most often, I carry some type of J frame, 340PD or 640. Occasionally I will carry a 5903. I'm going to check out the holster recommendations. Thanks! __________________ Gun control...that's when you learn to hit where you aim.

January 9, 2018, 04:15 PM	#15
JN01 Senior Member Join Date: May 16, 2005 Location: E Tennessee Posts: 828	I carry OWB at 1:30-2:00 position, and for me, shorter barreled guns are more comfortable. In that position, your gut isn't pushing the gun outward so much and it is concealed better in the hollow between your gut and hip. Other advantages are that it is easier to draw from a seated position (than the traditional behind the hip), and is less likely to be detected by someone bumping into or casually hugging you.

January 13, 2018, 09:13 PM	#16
Tactical Jackalope Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2010 Location: Miami, Florida Posts: 6,429	I've carried appendix for the better half of a decade. Glocks - PHLster holsters. Smith and Wesson - T5 Custom Kydex. SIG Sauer and HK (discontinued) - NSR Tactical. HK recently, G-CODE INCOG. I always have a spare mag at the 11 o'clock position and the gun at 1 o'clock.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search