I’m a Glock guy. I’m also a “100% carry where legal” guy and a “I don’t want people to know I’m carrying” guy. Glocks aren’t always the easiest thing to conceal in the t-shirt & jeans ensembles I typically wear. And I often find myself carrying in places where it’s legal, but frowned upon. That being the case . . .
I needed a better concealment solution than the strong-side hip IWB holster I’d been using for so long. That location just doesn’t work well for me, especially when carrying my kids or bending down to intercept the newest sidewalk delicacy they’ve discovered before it hits their lips. I find myself worrying too often about blatant printing or my shirt riding up over my gun.
So…last month I began appendix carrying my G19 and G26 in a leather Bianchi Professional IWB holster. Instantly my concealment issues went away; I can bend over, reach up, carry the munchkins or just about anything else I need to do without worrying I’ll inadvertently display my means of protection. But the change wasn’t without a fair amount of concern. At least at first.
The obvious: I’m now pointing a gun directly at an area I really, really, really don’t want to take a bullet. But I got over that pretty quick. We all know guns don’t just ‘go off’ without physical interaction (contrary to what many gun control advocates think). I’m using a high quality holster so the trigger is well protected. Once you get past the realization of where the gun’s pointed and that it’s safe…it’s really becomes a non-issue.
Re-holstering, though, is a different beast. That’s when most accidents happen and I train a lot where I have to re-holster a hot gun. Now, though, I’ve become much more “involved” in this motion – looking closely at the holster, clothing, and just triple checking that there’s no way to send a round where I don’t want it go.
This, after all, is the biggest issue with appendix carry. But it’s easily rectified by just paying attention and being very deliberate in your motions. I realized I was probably not paying as much attention as I should have been, even when re-holstering while carrying strong-side hip.
Comfort is another difference from hip carry. Appendix carry, in my opinion, can be just as comfortable if you accept the fact that the gun is going to “ride-up” a little when sitting, depending on how you wear your pants and the barrel length of your firearm. This doesn’t impact concealment, but this is where you really want a high quality holster that’s going to hang on to your belt. A cheap nylon thing – or frankly even something like a Remora – isn’t the way to go for appendix carry.
So while the deeper level of concealment I get is great, draw speed has also greatly improved. It’s easier and more reliable for me to pull my shirt up in front rather than trying to sweep it to get to a three or four o’clock position. The up-front location results in less reach distance and fewer motions required, so it’s naturally faster.
It’s also a lot better in the car. Strong side hip carry in a vehicle can make it extremely difficult to draw with the seat belt or buckle covering your heater. Appendix carry actually allows the belt to run across the front of the holster, allowing you complete access to the firearm just in case that carjacker sticks a knife to your neck.
Have I totally abandoned my other carry methods? Well, as far as strong-side hip carry goes, yes. That means my beautifully worn and ragged Crossbreed horsehide Supertuck has been retired to the safe. That said, I haven’t totally abandoned ankle carry. But I only use it in situations where I need the deepest level of concealment with my G26. It’s for those situations when I don’t even want the slightest possibility that someone will know I’m carrying. I’m willing to sacrifice accessibility for deeper concealment in those few situations.
So after years of strapping one on my strong-side hip, now I’m officially an appendix carry convert. The “no-touch” zone where my gun now sits insulates me from both visual and felt concealment issues. Pair that with the improved draw speed and we’ve got ourselves a winner.
My G26 is virtually invisible even under a t-shirt and my G19 is easily concealed under most t-shirts, polos and other heavier, looser garments. Go ahead and try it out. Give it a week and you might make the switch, too. Just be sure you put in the practice reps to get comfortable enough on the draw that you don’t sweep yourself or anyone to your weak side, OK?
I don’t know about winning or not, but it’s evidence that SOMEONE gets it. And if she gets it, then you know there’s others. Unfortunately she’ll be pilloried by her so-called ‘sisters’ who can’t think for themselves but instead gang up on others and tell them what to do.
Tom
for the love of god, don’t let anything distract you while reholstering. instant flashback to the iguotd who shot himself in the junk.
If you keep your finger off the bang switch while doing anything other than firing, it doesn’t really matter how distracted one becomes. That is simple awareness, and if you haven’t got that while manipulating a firearm, it’s not if, it’s when.
…unless, of course, something (like the cover shirt or T-shirt) jams in the trigger guard. Following the rule of keeping your finger off the trigger is marvelous, but in this case there is no way to reholster without pointing the gun at something you don’t want to destroy.
I agree 100% with this story. Try it you’ll like it! Better yet try it with a Kahr PM40 you will not go back.
Thanks for the article…my stones feel more comfortable already.
No thanks, one mistake and you’ll bleed out before an ambulance a block away can save you. You can rationalize it however you like, but you have a weapon pointed at the largest artery in your body. Accidents happen regardless of how much you train. Throw in a panic situation where you’re now not focused on a safe draw but instead on a threat and you have the distinct opportunity to plug yourself in a very bad place. The same goes for drawing from the seated position, you’re just begging to hurt yourself in a very unforgiving region.
I’ll keep my muzzle pointed safely at my buttocks. I know I’m likely to survive a mistake there.
The author’s point is not that accidents can’t happen, but rather how he handles risk management (for example, risk of exposure of concealed weapon vs. shooting yourself). Your mileage may vary. By the way, the aorta, not the femoral artery, is the largest artery in the body.
Valid. But to me the advantages outweigh the risks (and the risks greatly diminish with effective gun handling). You might be surprised how many of the nations top defensive pistol trainers actually support appendix carry… And many do it themselves.
The solution for those of you guys concerned about shooting off your genitals is simple: start wearing a kevlar armored athletic cup. Just imagine soon at the next gun show someone is selling the ‘tactical’ athletic-cup protector.
Now there’s an idea! 🙂
This really, really sounds uncomfortable when sitting. Doesn’t the grip dig in to dah tummy when sitting???
This would be my problem with appendix carry, as I have a bit of an “overhang” in the front that the grip and slide would really dig in. Would be even worse with a 1911 (beavertail and hammer digging in).
It does a little… But it hasn’t bothered me. Probably depends a lot on your body shape.
Yeah, Zach, I’ve tried appendix carry (or as I call it, testicle carry) and was able to get past the whole perforated Johnny business. I also found that appendix carry is comfortable when walking around. However, my little pistol still dug a furrow into my lower abdomen whenever I sat down, and was exquisitely uncomfortable when I was driving a car. Oh, well.
What’s the old joke?
I’m in shape, round is a shape…
One thing I’ve found it does do is force proper posture… With a gun in that position it’s more comfortable to sit up straight than to slouch.
I do a kind of appendix carry with my 1911, but the muzzle is pointed back and away from my body. The gun is easy to conceal that way, and the grip doesn’t stick out when I move around.
Why in the world are you using a picture of a femoral catherization for your photoshop? Are you implying that appendix carry can lead to super-efficient surgery on your arteries? Is this a way to make the article less gender-specific?
Thanks for the article. I agree — and I carry appendix for the same reasons.
I think the printing issue is overblown. Unless the print looks just like a gun, who is going to notice a bump from the end of a grip and think gun?
Your right, very unlikely that most will even notice a print, let alone think it’s a gun. But when I can solve the print issue while increasing draw speed… It’s a win-win for me.
“Unless the print looks just like a gun, who is going to notice a bump from the end of a grip and think gun?”
A skiddish rookie cop with an itchy trigger finger and a massive adrenaline dump. I don’t want to end up face down on he ground missing teeth or bleeding from a new hole
Tried it, but I’d have to lose a bit of weight before it would be comfortable enough to keep it there for more than ten minutes.
I get the whole comfort thing, I really do, but it’s pointed at places I don’t even want to mildly put at risk for an accidental discharge. I’m quite happy that my major arteries are intact and function fine, and “little Willie” and I have been together for all of my 56 years, I’d hate to lose him now. I just don’t think I could ever feel right having the muzzle of a loaded gun pointed at my nether regions.
Your going to shoot yourself in the penis.
Apendix carry? Maybe. With a Glock? Never. You know those things just go off by themselves half the time. I heard about it on the internet, so it must be true.
I sense the sarcasm! 🙂
Have read way too many stories about way too many well trained people shooting themselves in the butt or leg to even consider carrying this way. Would rather print all day long than risk bleeding out before anyone has even realized what happened.
Very valid point, accidents happen (although it’s an extremely small percentage of the time) but we all know they’re due to negligence. As soon as you get complacent with your firearm, your risk goes up substantially. This is definitely not for someone who is complacent.
The tymbuk2 (made in San Francisco) traditional bike messenger bag is now also available in extra small. Lots of people carry that bag maker design around the urban cities so it’s a common sight. It probably has enough room in it to carry a mix of a primary handgun, backup gun, spare mags, small size flashlight, stun gun, pepper spray, whistle, flares, and handcuffs.
Interesting. It would even be slightly ironic to carry in this sort of bag since many of the left leaning gun control loonies, at least in my area, carry this bag or something similar.
Exactly. In some areas it is still a bit of an alternative look to the leather briefcase conservative image. I think the bag’s acceptance went from bike messengers to the creative types and high-tech geeks to many in the young business crowd camp and now it’s carried by lots of diverse people. The bag can be ordered in many colors and subtle design feature differences. If the two plastic clasps are unhooked you can pull out your defense gun immediately.
The last thing I want is a bag that screams; ‘tactical wanna-be commando here with a loaded gun!’
two problems with appendix carry:
1) It is not comfortable to sit/drive with it. Sorry – I am not overweight and it is uncomfortable.
2) While you say your draw speed is improved, it is not a natural movement when confronted with a BG. Most of the time, they are trying to mug you. Reaching back is a natural response to the proverbial “give me your wallet” command so they don’t suspect that you are reaching for a weapon. Granted, it is harder while seated in a vehicle, but then you should have other options for drawing a different weapon.
I love my Remora and love carrying from the 7 o’clock position. It doesn’t print and IWB works just fine for me. I also have a raven concealment I use when wearing a suit/sportcoat and it is just as comfy.
“Most of the time they are trying to mug you…”
I hadn’t seen that… Is there somewhere that supports that being the majority of time a gun is used in self defense? I’m not trying to sound snarky, but really am interested if that’s a validated statement and would love to see that info for my own use.
I remove the entire holster to insert my gun rather than try to reholster while wearing IWB. That is what the buttons are for on my hoster and what I use them for.
Agree and Disagree.
I use a Remora, and I appendix carry almost elusively.
When I leave the house it goes appendix. When I get into the car, the whole rig comes out (because it’s a Remora) and goes under my right thigh (If I’m in the Honda) or I simply lay it on the center console between the front seats (if I’m in the truck). The sticky exterior of the Remora won’t allow it to move against the soft vinyl of the center console. Open Carry is legal in my state, but not in certain cities so I might throw a ball cap or a jacket over it on the seat. No issues with seat belts or drawing in this position.
When I go to the bathroom in public facilities it goes under my armpit and when I’m done it goes back appendix. No holster (or gun) bouncing on the ground and advertising to my neighbor that I’m armed. And since it’s under my arm, there is no chance of me forgetting it behind in the bathroom.
The gun never leaves the holster during any of this. And the trigger is covered the entire time. If I have to reholster then I take the holster out (because it’s a Remora), reholster the gun and then put the whole rig back in my pants as one item.
For me, appendix carry is easily the most concealable. And combined with the Remora, it’s the most versatile.
Good point!
And how do you reholster when doing live fire practice? Not being snarky, genuinely curious. BTW ive only been carrying AIWB for about 10 months but for me it’s a lot more comfortable in a car than iwb @ 4 o’clock
I have to pull out the Remora, reholster “in the air” (for lack of a better term) and then “reinstall” in my belt.
It does take longer than just ‘sticking it back in there’, but not all that much. We’re talking 5 seconds or so.
I’m not saying it’s perfect in every way. There are compromises with everything. But for me, the pro’s out weighs the cons.
This is what I do. I have G26 in Highnoon Mr. Softy. It goes AIWB all the time. When I get in the car I pull the holster & gun out together. I never unholster the gun. It goes under my leg while driving. There are times when AIWB is not comfortable. I have tried carrying other positions but my shirt allways rides over the grip when at 3:30 – 4:00. Exposed weapon is a violation of my states CCW law. You can’t carry open while holding a CCW permit in LA. You can open carry without a CCW. So an accidently exposed wepon is open carry and a violation of CCW permit. If a gun goes off while carrying at any positon you could injure or kill yourself or someone stading near your. Fragments from a round hitting a floor can hurt or kill bystandards nearby. That is just as likely as shooting your junk off. That has recenlty happend at a Walmart I belive. Stay safe.
I just remembered the “speed draw” sequence from Miami Vice, again. Jim Zubiena carried the pistol (basically a 1911 firing blanks) appendix-style. Look up the first-season episode “Hit List,” or “Calderone’s Return Part 1,” as it was retitled. You could also just find it on Youtube.
It was a “practiced” scene, but I bet Zubiena didn’t carry appendix style during his time in competition shooting. He wore his white shirt with only the top button done so he could get at the pistol, which probably won’t work for everyday carry – at least not outside Miami in the ’80s.
Actually, the more I think about it, the more improbable that scene was…still great fun to watch though. “You stand right there!” My lesson from this: Don’t use your gun to motion where the bad guy should go.
I’m an OFWG, and appendix carry a Ruger SR1911 in a Gould & Goodrich IWB leather holster made specifically for the weapon. With the trigger covered and using Condition One, I have no concerns for my marriage tackle. Comfortable enough, too.
That pic looks like a Dale Fricke Arch Angel holster with a G26 +2 that really wants to be a G19. At 10:00 on that guy is either a BladeTech horizontal mag holster or maybe another of Dale Fricke’s work. Can’t tell.
I see TTAG is still stealing content:
http://www.georgiapacking.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=75563&view=unread#unread
Here is a snapshot from her husband’s FB page.
http://imgur.com/vgvc3rL
She hopes we can all laugh about it one day.
In my mind’s eye the ad opens with Charleton Heston saying, “The Second Amendment belongs to all of us”
Then feature a diverse array of well spoken advocates, cutting between their stories of when they were first exposed to firearms, how guns have impacted their lives and what gun rights mean to them to show the universal themes… I am a citizen not a subject, indpendent, responsible, with a right to self determination, a right to self protection.
The tag line, “It’s up to you to protect it”
As a side note, the NRA is single issue, but it is in danger of becoming single party. We need to support the Dems who voted against Mancin Toomey. Otherwise gun rights will always be vulnerable to an economic crisis that sweeps Dems into power.
Heh.
They’ll have a good old time melting down the combination of steel and aluminum.
I don’t carry this way anymore (I’ve developed a bit of a muffin top over the past 5 years), but when I did I made it a habit to remove the holster to re-holster. Training can make the draw stroke safe, but any obstruction can cause discharge during re holstering. This was a pain in the ass at the range, but it made me feel much better about the safety factor.
I have gone to appendix carry most of the time. I live in South FL and the majority of the year I’m in a t-shirt or polos and shorts. When I first started carrying I used to carry in a Crossbreed or similar in the 4:00 or 5:00 position however I quickly found (thank God it was just the wife) that anytime I would bend over like in a store the gun would print pretty badly, I added a cover button down shirt over my t-shirt but then I had to worry about the wind blowing my shirt open. I found that I spent so much time worrying about printing or exposing my firearm that I really wasn’t comfortable. I switched over to appendix carry on the advice of someone I trust and I haven’t looked back. I can now wear just a t-shirt untucked and carry a decent sized firearm. I will also say you MUST invest in a good strong holster don’t skip on some cheap thin holster. I prefer molded leather although the new ones from Crossbreed look interesting, whatever you get just make sure it is stiff and won’t deform into the trigger guard. Also accidents can happen no matter what, for me I personally prefer a manual safety on the majority of my firearms (I know they aren’t 100% but it’s what I train with and I feel confident enough). Heck you could re-holster at 4:00 and still kill yourself.
Normally when you report something is having an effect you have to quantify it. I am wondering how they quantify that a gun “buy back” is having an effect? Can he show causation that the event is having an effect? A statistically significant correlation? I highly doubt it on any count. This guy must have skipped as many science, statistics and math classes as possible in school. Finger painting and basket weaving must have been his most difficult classes.
wear a clip over the belt rig and pull holster free of belt to reholster. then re clip whole rig in pants.simple,safe ,fool proof. fathom
wear a clip over the belt rig. pull empty holster from pants. re holster, re insert in pants. simple, safe, fool proof.
20 years doing so, still have all body parts intact.
I will never forget the story my mother (Physical therapist) always told me about the man who came into the ER with a bullet hole in his scrotum. However, he was a gang banger. Plus, I was raised not to stand around with my d*** in my hand(s); appendix carry could pull a 21 jump street (2012), and that’s what worries me. Holey balls, batman!
Tried several holsters for Appendix carry but did not find one that suited me.
I then tried a trigger guard holster such as the MIC and that was the one for me.
The small amount of movement with your body is what makes it work for me.
I tied the lanyard shorter so the pistol rides where I want it and pulls the holster off as soon as the pistol clears my belt.
You can also tuck in your shirt if wanted.
Interesting conversation. I Just got a mini tuck and have found that an appendix carry on the weak side at 11oclock is not only comfortable, the flap rides low enough keep the lc9s pointed down. When sitting I pull the rig up some and it sits very comfortable. This appendix position with the cross carry makes this almost invisible and an easy draw. Especially when siting with the seat belt on in a car. I can see that with a big pot belly this would be uncomfortable and not work. But a slight belly does not seem to cause that problem.
No, no, and no. As I have been told by numerous firearms instructors over the years – appendix carry violates the primary gun safety rule of not pointing the muzzle of a loaded weapon at something you do not wish to destroy. If you sit down, crouch, or even just bend over (say to help your toddler), the muzzle of the weapon can point at your femoral artery. If you have a semi-auto with a five-pound trigger pull, all it takes is for a shirt tail to get bunched up in the trigger guard or a cord-lock from your jacket jammed in there for the gun to discharge. Or in a panic draw with a thug’s knife blade coming at you or your child, you slip your finger in the guard as you draw – or accidentally leave it in as you re-holster with your hand shaking after a shooting.
There have been MANY cases of accidental and negligent discharges with appendix carry where the femoral artery has been struck and the person died. Even more cases with “Mexican carry,” which is basically just appendix carry without a holster. Without a tourniquet applied immediately by an Emergency Medical Technician or Combat Medic, you will die from bleeding from the femoral artery in a few minutes. This is one of the most difficult wounds for an EMT or Medic to manage and they must be RIGHT THERE with their equipment.
If you can’t get comfortable wearing a gun properly on your hip or behind it, you’ve got a bad holster, or a gun that is too large or heavy for you. Even a cross draw holster, shoulder holster, belly band, or shoulder holster undershirt (like the 5.11 brand) are safer than appendix carry – but present other safety problems if you don’t control the muzzle direction downward as you draw (no Miami Vice sweeps of the gun out in front of you). Fanny/belt pack, shoulder bag or purse also work, but again you must control muzzle direction as you draw. However, unlike appendix carry, all these other options properly executed don’t point the muzzle at one of the most vital parts of your body with just common small body movements.
What I have written can be confirmed on dozens of gun safety websites and is taught by 90% of the NRA instructors that I have encountered over the years. I would respectfully suggest adding a better warning about this serious danger to the article so people can decide for themselves if they want to appendix carry.
Finally, as as I recall an NRA instructor saying, and have also seen posted — If it were more comfortable, would you wear a “head holster” with the muzzle pointed at your temple?
“””””””””No, no, and no. As I have been told by numerous firearms instructors over the years – appendix carry violates the primary gun safety rule of not pointing the muzzle of a loaded weapon at something you do not wish to destroy. If you sit down, crouch, or even just bend over (say to help your toddler), the muzzle of the weapon can point at your femoral artery. If you have a semi-auto with a five-pound trigger pull, all it takes is for a shirt tail to get bunched up in the trigger guard or a cord-lock from your jacket jammed in there for the gun to discharge. Or in a panic draw with a thug’s knife blade coming at you or your child, you slip your finger in the guard as you draw – or accidentally leave it in as you re-holster with your hand shaking after a shooting.”””””””””
—————————————
All of this is solved by using a high quality holster. You aren’t “pointing” the gun at anything when it’s in a high quality kydex holster, completely covering the trigger. It isn’t going to “accidentally” go off, as you claim happens many times.
You aren’t going to reach for your gun in a quality holster and somehow pull the trigger. You must not be using high quality equipment because look at an Alpha Concealment Apollo IWB or Crossbreed product and there is no way you’re going to accidentally put your finger into the tigger guard.
Every holster requires practicing holstering and re-holstering. It doesn’t matter if it’s at 12 oclock or 4 oclock, what is any different about what you’re doing? NOT A THING MY MAN. If you can’t holster at 12 oclock, then you’re just as likely to “accidentally” fire your weapon at 4 oclock.
If you aren’t comfortable with your gun (A GUN FIRES WHEN YOU PULL THE TRIGGER) or in holstering/reholstering, then you shouldn’t be carrying a gun period. It’s the same drill for getting over appendix carry…. carry your glock in your appendix (no ammo, ready to fire) 24/7 for weeks and tell me just how many times that hammer “accidentally” fires. (& no I’m not talking about “Mexican carry”– I had to laugh out loud when you brought that up—I mean we aren’t talking about carrying a gun without a holster)
BOL in your carrying.
Ditto, ditto, ditto and ditto. I am 6’2″ and 240 (which gives a bit of “overhang”) and I’ve been using appendix for the last 7 years. A good holster and dry fire practice, practice and more practice. A previous comment mentioned removing the holster from the belt to re-holster. This is what I do since it so easy to “reconceal”. After all, if you are placing the weapon back in the holster, I would think that you are convinced the threat no long exists.
I dont realy go on these sites to comment but i must say you internet gun fighters go out there and shoot instead of comin on here analyzing how to reholster. You morons when you reholster you have all the the time in the fucking world. Case closed. God go out there and shoot and less talkin. Fuckin women man
I particularly like the illustration of what an appendix carry looks like during an angioplasty procedure. I need to find out if concealed carry is legal here in Georgia while I am under general anesthesia.
Pfffft.
Last week I shot a bear in my pajamas.
“Mr. President, Please Ignore the Constitution: . . . ”
There’s too many stupid MFs in our Legislative and Judicial branches that tell us every day that they need to be removed, under the 2nd Paragraph of the Declaration of Independence and we don’t want to have to waste a second with the last sentence of the first Paragraph of that Declaration, when we choose to, cause frankly they don’t deserve it.
The topic of safety always comes up whenever AIWB is discussed. There’s a reason for that. Possessing and handling firearms is an inherently dangerous scenario, but you shouldn’t seek to increase the risk without an awfully good reason. AIWB advocates know that their chosen method of carry is riskier than others, and they do mental gymnastics to try rationalizing that risk away. If that statement irritates you, that’s because you know it’s true.
s
Guns don’t normally “just go off”, but they are machines, and there are no perfect machines on Earth. Malfunctions are a reality. They may be very unlikely and truly rare with certain configurations, but they will never be at 0%.
It’s possible to make a 1911 in “Condition 2” fire by snapping closed the thumb break on some holsters that have one. It’s possible for striker-fired handguns with junky aftermarket triggers to AD under a variety of scenarios. It’s possible for OEM parts that appear perfectly intact to fail.
“But my guns are 100% perfect. They will never, ever fail. Ever. I’m sure.”
Sure.
People are also flawed creatures–that goes for every one of us. That never stops being true, no matter how much you train, or how good or mindful you think you are. It is outrageous to choose a known-riskier activity and then to try making it safer purely with training, or by appealing to how imaginarily perfect your handgun is.
“But I’ll never make a mistake. I’m the first person in human history who never and cannot possibly make one.”
Sure.
What if you are carrying AIWB and have to draw while seated, such as while you are in a vehicle? Even if you stand by the false claim that gun malfunctions cannot cause ADs, are you going to tell me that the danger doesn’t skyrocket as soon as your hand touches the grip, and begins to remove the handgun from the holster?
“But I’ll never have to unholster while seated. Ever. I’m sure.”
Sure.
“Well, your guns aren’t perfect, either. Neither are you. Your gun is sometimes pointed at things it shouldn’t.”
That’s absolutely true. The difference is that I’m not pretending otherwise. If I have an AD while unholstering or holstering, the built-in truth is that I won’t shoot anything that isn’t a pet or a floor, or perhaps an unfortunate foot. The difference is that I don’t spend 12+ hours a day with a muzzle pointed at my gonads or thigh, pretending that there’s nothing wrong with that.
It would be nice if AIWB advocates stop accusing us sane people of being nasty, and just admit that they’re the crazy ones. But I guess that’s not how crazy works.