Appendix Carrying a Striker fired pistol !!

I am a big appendix carry fan- I don't carry glocks often, but that is because I just dislike them - not because I think there is an inherent risk to carrying them in that position. In my opinion, I'm not really sure what dangers exist so long as safe gun handling is observed and an adequate holster in good condition is used.

I don't carry anything without a safety in the appendix position, not because I'm uncomfortable doing so but because that's how my holsters sit. Extensive training will of course mitigate the chances of an ND but the main thing to remember is to keep your finger off the trigger until the muzzle points forward. I spend a lot of time drawing unloaded guns at home since the local ranges rarely allow drawing. My main problem with appendix carry is the annoyance of getting in and out of vehicles which I have to do all too frequently it seems.

AIWB or even AOWB is a pretty fast setup. I've had my fastest draws from the 2:00 position. When I hear people talk about appendix carry, I think of this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hA-xIssgT-o

Is it more dangerous? In some ways, yes. As always, trigger discipline will keep you safe.

If you have a good holster there should be ZERO chance of the trigger activating inadvertently. The only other advice I can offer, is to holster the weapon prior to putting the holster on. That eliminates one possible failure point.

-Jenrick

I'm a spleen-carrier myself, G26 in Sidearmor IWB. Can easily reach my G26 when belted in my vehicle.

Isn't Gabe Suarez one of the biggest proponents of AIWB carry? Isn't he also a Glock guy?

Isn't Gabe Suarez one of the biggest proponents of AIWB carry?

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Perhaps this week. As soon as there is money in something else I'm sure that is what he will be on about.

For a while he was pitching this:

View attachment 649128

In his article promoting it he referenced how in the "old west" gun fighters like Hardin and Hickok did it. Hmmmm, is it really that hard to see the differences between the types of weapons they carried and a Glock 17. According to his auto biography John Wesley Hardin at times carried a cap and ball revolver. They are slightly less reliable than glocks. They hold 1/3 the rounds. Oh and my speed reload on a cap and ball is a bit slower than with Gaston's pistols. Even, considering the later cartridge guns the same critiques are valid, its just a matter of degree. Further, the life styles and likelihood of a gun fight was different for Hickok and Hardin than most of us.

I should probably cut Gabe some slack, my guess is its just as likely he simply thought this was a good way to sell some left handed holsters to some folks on his forum and email list, folks that P.T. Barnum famously referred to.

I'm not too concerned about the "wisdom" of Mr. Suarez. His doing or not doing something would not be evidence to me of whether it is sound practice or not.

Oh, don't get me wrong, I'm not endorsing Gabe Suarez, I only know him from the internet (and not well at all), I don't own a Glock, and I don't own an appendix carry holster either. My point is, the appendix carry crowd generally has an awful lot of overlap with the Glock crowd. As a matter of fact, most of the AIWB carriers I've seen seem to be carrying Glocks.

If you think it's safe to carry a Glock, and you think it's safe to carry AIWB, why wouldn't you think it was safe to carry a Glock AIWB?

I've carried a Glock on my hip in a duty rig, a plains clothes rig, in a suit, in shorts, and in a bunch of other ways and clothing styles. I've never had it go off on it's own, don't see any reason to worry about it if move it up to 12:30 rather then it's normal 3 o'clock position. Now I will admit a G34 does NOT AIWB all that well due to the fact it's got a fricking long barrel, but something a little shorter does wonders.

-Jenrick

I have carried a stricker fired pistol in a 2:15 position for a few years with zero worry . Fingers not on trigger before your ready to shoot theres no problem.

As of right now I don't have a holster for the glock but I am getting one soon enough.

All I can add to this is the picture in post #9 looks extremely uncomfortable too me.
And I am not reffering to the safety aspect.

Pistols without manual safeties have additional risks of ND, simply because something, like a shirt tail, can get in the trigger guard while holstering, and because there is no safety-net for a mistake with trigger discipline. As 9mm epiphany noted, the stakes of an ND are even higher with appendix carry.

But this is coming from a guy who won't even own a pistol without a safety unless it's a revolver. You've obviously decided you don't want the safety net. The only question is are you willing to raise the stakes on your bet.

heeler said:

All I can add to this is the picture in post #9 looks extremely uncomfortable too me.
And I am not reffering to the safety aspect.

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Actually, that's probably pretty comfortable as far as appendix carry goes. The pistols ride high above the belt line, and therefore the barrel(s) won't extend very far past the belt line. Makes sitting and position changes much easier than "burying" the gun in the appendix carry position.

Theres alot of generalization going on in these first responses. I am a big fan of appendix carry and definitely NOT a Block fan. I like a hammer thank you very much, I like to be able to see that the trigger is doing its job, not just hope. Anyways I AIWB because its the most comfortable for me, fastest drawing, and no one ever knows its there even if they are looking. Even passes a feel test most the time unless you're my wife since she's the only one allowed near that area . I have always questioned carrying a striker fired weapon there though. I just don't trust the "internal safety" or "striker pin" safeties simply because I can't see them like I can a hammer. So for me the stiker fired must have another external safety but with hammer guns it doesn't matter to me. The ultimate safety is my finger.

For everyone talking about having the round crank off into your leg, groin, etc. while drawing, when the heck are you guys putting your finger on the trigger? Mine doesn't get close to the trigger until I'm at a retention position (2 or 3 depending on how many positions your draw stroke has). If you have a good holster that prevents anything from getting into the trigger guard, on your draw stroke I can't conceive of anything exhibiting a force on the trigger causing it activate. Anything that might get hooked in the trigger would pull it towards the muzzle in the opposite direction of activation.

-jenrick

carry position

Just chipping in...I've carried Kel-tec's,Glocks,Smith M60 and now a Sig 250 anywhere from 1230 to 230 position.If the barrel is too long it will be uncomfortable while sitting. No matter standing,sitting,or laying down you can readily get to your firearm.I've been carrying concealed in that position since the 80's and haven't had any trouble other than sitting position with a longer barrel.Body shape has a lot to do with it too.Tall guy's can wear about anything in that position,shorter,heavier guys have to carry shorter handguns. If you're going to be driving ,just cant the barrel toward the 1130 (ouch) position. I hope that helps somebody,you just have to try it for a week or so until you are used to that little pressure near your groin.

Props to you for you for carrying a large frame Glock on the appendix. Most people who appendix carry carry small frame autos regardless of striker fire or hammer. On occasion I carry an LCP sized hammer fired single action appendix IWB.

Since you carry the Glock 19 for appendix carry almost exclusively I would suggest looking into adjusting the trigger. 5.5 would be a little light for me to consider appendix carry without active safeties.

Not for me, I value my femoral artery too much! I am not concerned about my trigger finger but shirts etc. getting into the trigger and not being noticed "in time' is a concern "of mine" I don't think it's worth the risk "for me" I don't think I'd enjoy trying to carry my full size 1911 there either

All I can add to this is the picture in post #9 looks extremely uncomfortable too me.

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His particular get up seems like it would make tying shoes or similar things difficult to do comfortably. I have used some appendix set ups that even with a G19 sized gun where very comfortable whether standing, bending sitting, or what ever, at least for me with my body type.