Appendix carry of firearms.

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Electricmo

Electricmo

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Why would you do this?
Is it comfortable when sitting or bending over?
Doesn’t it violate one of the gun safety rules?
Who here carry’s that way and what do you find to be the advantages?
 
Only advantage is concealability. It can be comfortable if standing or walking a lot but isn't ideal for sitting. The gun won't show if bending over and no one can sneak up on you and snatch it, but you have to deal with it jabbing your guts. I'll appendix carry if very lightly dressed and going to be walking a lot. Not so much for car rides or watching ALF bumming around the house .
 
I've done it for about 40 years. Size of gun matters. A G19 works for my waist length, a G17 pinches. The butt on a 17 is also a bit too long. You have to size your pants larger and as pointed out by entropy if you're too fat, you're too fat. It can take some working around and creativity.

But for concealability it's hands down winner at least for me. Driving, sitting in general, standing, walking working, you name it.

Yes, the muzzle will cover some important parts. But if you're wearing a firearm, at some point or an other it will do the same. Regardless of where you're keeping it. When I first started I was uncomfortable with a Detonics in appendix. Hammer down I didn't like, nor hammer back. I went back to revovlers for quite a bit. Carried a S&W 4516 for years, then replaced it with a Glock 19 for the next 15 or 20 years. I was in construction so dressing around it was easy.

Good luck.


Cat
 
I haven't found a gun/holster combination that's comfortable for me carrying IWB between 3:30-5 o'clock. Even with a small single stack P938 my back hurts after a couple hours of walking, and sitting in a car is just painful. I've tried multiple holsters and gun belts with nothing really being great. But appendix carry is pretty much always comfortable for me, even when sitting in a car. The only time I really notice is when bending over to tie my shoes. Now the psychological effects of having a striker fired or single action semi-auto down there bothers me, but revolvers don't give me a second thought.
 
bassjam said:
I haven't found a gun/holster combination that's comfortable for me carrying IWB between 3:30-5 o'clock. Even with a small single stack P938 my back hurts after a couple hours of walking, and sitting in a car is just painful.
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With my bad back that's a real problem.

I switched to OWB, with a wide leather backing for the Crossbreed holster.

Almost makes me feel younger.
 
bdickens said:
What gun safety rule would that be?
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Never point a loaded firearm at anything you are not willing to destroy. Appendix carry tends to aim the pistol at Mr. John Thomas, and/or the femoral artery. I'd personally rather take one in the femoral artery.

Catshooter said:
Yes, the muzzle will cover some important parts. But if you're wearing a firearm, at some point or an other it will do the same. Regardless of where you're keeping it.
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True.
 
bdickens said:
When carrying a gun in a holster, you're not pointing it at anything.
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And guns do go off (usually going into or coming out of) in holsters. I had an AD holstering a 1911 once, in the 4:00 position, cause by the Kydex bending in and hitting the trigger. I got a hole in my pants and one in the floor, and the bullet bounced off the basement floor and hit the ceiling, then dropped to the floor again, causing no damage. I'm glad I wasn't trying to appendix carry that day! :what:
 
I'll pass on appendix carry because it's not about the odds. If anything goes wrong during holstering at the 4 o'clock, it probably won't be as life changing. (as entropy said above)
 
entropy said:
And guns do go off (usually going into or coming out of) in holsters. I had an AD holstering a 1911 once, in the 4:00 position, cause by the Kydex bending in and hitting the trigger. I got a hole in my pants and one in the floor, and the bullet bounced off the basement floor and hit the ceiling, then dropped to the floor again, causing no damage. I'm glad I wasn't trying to appendix carry that day! :what:
Click to expand...

No comment....


Really glad you were OK, though!
 
Define appendix carry. Some people say it is anywhere between 12:00 and 3:00, though that isn't your appendix dangling down at 12:00.

There are a lot of variables involved, including what size gun, IWB or OWB, physique of the carrier, range of motion of the carrier, etc.

As I posted in another thread: I carry OWB at 2:00. If the gun were to go off, it would graze the front of my thigh (when standing) or the outside of the top of the thigh (when seated). It would hurt, but nothing vital in the path. It is easier to see what you are doing when re-holstering. It is also simple to put the gun straight down into the holster as opposed to the more traditional 4:00 position where a lot of people (improperly) tilt the butt of the gun outward to funnel the gun into the holster, pointing the muzzle at vital innards at the same time.

Regardless of where you carry a gun, there is a chance of sweeping a portion of your anatomy however briefly while holstering/unholstering. This is when it is most critical to pay attention to what you are doing to prevent unwanted holes.​
 
You guys haven't seen the attached video? I've seen experienced guys have NDs when carrying in more acceptable positions; with the sheer numbers of neophytes employing appendix carry, I'm surprised we don't hear about this more often. Not for me.
 
Yea, it's not for everybody. I think part of it is whatever idiot who came out with the "holster your weapon without removing your eyes from the threat" crap. Aside from the dangers of re-holstering into any holster, why would you holster if there was still a threat? Ivory tower clown or just plain stupid. I look at my holster very carefully when I put the weapon in. Once the pistol is in it's 'safe'. My belt clip, belt, holster and jeans are in blocking the trigger. And I do very little administrative handling of the weapon.

Works for me.


Cat
 
I appendix carry my PPS. It is a small enough firearm and I don't have much of a gut yet, so it works. Bending over is doable if you shift your body so you aren't driving the grip of your gun into your ribcage. I also carry pure appendix carry, not over my groin or past the illium of my hip bone.

Does it violate a rule? Yup. Most carry positions do at some point or another. I IWB my larger firearm at 4 o clock on my hip. Most of the time it is flagging the fleshy potion of my rear end. Shoulder holster, most people will flag their arm unless they have had some dedicated practice on their draw. Pocket carry, flagging the thigh. Ankle carry you are flagging the tail end of your tibia or fibia, depending on if you carry inside or outside leg.
 
Electricmo said:
Why would you do this?
Is it comfortable when sitting or bending over?
Doesn’t it violate one of the gun safety rules?
Who here carry’s that way and what do you find to be the advantages?
Click to expand...

Why? Easy to conceal, easy to access. (Ever try to pull a gun from 4 o’clock when you’re buckled in a car?)
Comfortable? Completely depends on gun, holster, and body type. I can wear my Charter Arms Undercover all day long with no issues. My full size Beretta PX-4 gets a little uncomfortable after several hours. (I’m 6 ft, 220 with a bit of Dunlop’s going on.) Holsters with adjustable ride height and cant, along with wings/claws, all make a difference.
Violate safety? Plenty of discussion above.

I’ve carried appendix, 4 o’clock, 5 o'clock and for me, appendix is the most comfortable and versatile. YMMV.
 
I always think about where my gun is pointed while holstering. I realize my 4 o'clock position isn't most likely the fastest draw but it is the safest place for me. I carry a DA/SA auto so it has the long hard trigger pull on the first shot. I can't imagine carrying a striker fired pistol up front pointed at my junk. I was just wondering what advantages that may have. So far I'm not compelled to change carry positions. I might be able to live with a ass or thigh wound but no way would I want some other things removed or worse.
 
I'm to rotund for that. I have carried appendix when I was younger/skinnier. Now it's pocket carry.
 
When I "reholster" when appendix carrying, I remove the holster from my belt, slide the gun in, and then put the holster back in it's place. I've ready too many stories about AD's from reholstering to take the risk. Honestly it's almost as easy as just trying to slide the gun in the holster anyway, I find it's far easier to put on a holster in the appendix position than the 4:00 position.
 
I carry only DA/SA guns appendix. It's the only action type I'm comfortable with for that type of carry.

I find appendix carry to be comfortable, concealable and makes for very fast draw speeds.

I can access my firearm while seated and even with a seat belt on.

I carry a P239 there all day when I work at the office.

I use kydex holsters for appendix so that the mouth stays open for reholstering and I can get the retention I want.

On the ranch, strongside or cross draw is more comfortable.
 
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