Question about appendix carry

How high above your belt line is the grip? I find that holsters that carry the gun high tend to push the grip of the gun outwards which causes more printing. If you can get the grip to just above your belt (or even a tad bit lower) it might help.

Another option is to take something like a small block of foam and put it between your body and the muzzle of the holster to push the muzzle outwards slightly and the grip in towards your body.

Also make sure you have a good belt.

I definitely fit that profile (I'm 6', 145 lbs.), but whenever I carry Appendix I feel like the gun sticks out like a baby bump.

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While obese won't work very well for appendix carry, a little bit of "love handle" helps tent the cover garment over the grip so it doesn't print, works for me

WolverineFury said:

Everything that I've read seems to indicate that appendix carry works great for average built guys. Well, I definitely fit that profile (I'm 6', 145 lbs.), but whenever I carry Appendix I feel like the gun sticks out like a baby bump.

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Actually, to be honest, I don't think you do fit that profile. Average, in our overweight culture, would be more in the 200 lbs+ range for your height. Appendix carry can be quite problematic for tall, thin guys like yourself. Even Travis Haley, who invented the Incog that you're using, prints noticeably when carrying a G19. Might have to try a different shirt. You may also want to experiment with the different length belt clips that are available for the Incog. Sinking the gun deeper may help.

Ive been carrying AIWB for a little over a year now, using a Blade Tech "Klipt-Ambi", and it works very well. Its adjustable for height above the belt (2 positions)and positions the grip, just above the belt on the setting I use. The rear mounted clip (as opposed to the center mounted clip on the "Klipt"), pulls the grip into the body.

Im 5'6", 155#, with a 32" waist, and I can easily carry my Glock 17 at about 1:30, along with a reload at 11:30, under an untucked tee shirt, one that I normally wear too, and not one thats one size bigger. No hint of anything showing, and I dont have a baby bump. I do have to position my belt buckle slightly to the left though, so its to the side of the holster.

Im very happy with carrying this way, and wish now, Id switched to it a lot sooner. Its very comfortable, more easily conceals, and is very fast and natural to access.

I think a G19 is simply too big and thick for you to conceal carry AIWB. If you must stick with a 9mm, I'd strongly recommend you switch to a G43 or a Shield, carried IWB at the 4-5 position. Thinner grip makes a big difference. Or stick with your G19 as you have in the past, if it works, but appendix isn't for you IMHO.

Another option is a J-frame or LCR in the pocket with a pocket holster.

Id try different holsters. I tried a couple of other Blade Techs, their normal IWB, and one of the Klipt's with the attachment point centered on the holster, and they both tended to allow the but of the gun to poke away from the body. The Klipt-Ambi draws it in snug.

I also find if you rotate the rear sight slightly towards the belt buckle, it also helps.

As I said earlier, Ive had no troubles carrying a full size Glock in this position. The 17's are no thicker through the grips than a 1911, and smaller than others.

Im not one to slump my shoulders, and have what I would consider good posture. I stand upright, with my shoulders squared. I do have a muscular/athletic build, and maybe that has something to do with it. My shoulders are fairly wide, and my shirts tend to hang free at the waist. I carried IWB at around 4:30 for most of my life, and even when I had a lot more weight on, I always had that "nook" under my ribs that my shirts draped over. Unless I lean way back, or pull my shirts tight, I find I get that same drape with the AIWB spot.

I carry a 4" N frame AIWB. I purchased an inexpensive Uncle Mike nylon holster which allows it to be located pretty deep, and it doesn't print as badly as one would think. Of course I am old enough and fat enough to get away with the fashion faux pas of the ubiquitous fat old dude hawaiian shirt too...

You need to start wearing those big baggy Hawaian shirts. You can hide a SAW under one of those.

I have been carrying appendix for years now. I have observed a few things.
Holsters that are designed for 3-5 o'clock carry are of no use. Especially when the have a large backing designed to spread out the weight.
I have used the IWB single clip type with great success. I have also been using the Remora with good results.
While I carry a much smaller gun in this position the largest being a SR9c, I also carry a CM9, LCR and LCP. It takes some getting use to but I think it is the fastest way to get to the gun, while being the least obvious for printing, also I always know I am covered up with any garment I may be wearing.
Work on it and you will be happy you did.

Dude, I'm 5'8", 155 lbs, and a pretty serious hobbyist about triathlon and endurance sports. You're not average–definitely not in America, and likely not anywhere else–and I say that with the full jealousy I can muster as I dream about how much faster I could run and bike if I could drop 10 lbs.

Any case, I carry a Glock 26 AIWB in a high-ish riding Crown Jewel holster. I'm a huge fan of both higher riding holsters (for a solid firing grip on the draw) and of AIWB for the right body type. When I go visit friends and family in the free states I retrieve a Glock 19 from a friend's safe and carry that. I've noticed I can only do this with a light jacket or other outer cover garment, though. I'm just too skinny, and that is what it is. Doesn't matter if it's a form fitting polo, medium t-shirt, or untucked button down. Try as we might, at a certain point it is what it is.

So, my recommendations are:

• Try a G26. You wouldn't need to change holsters, and even if you could I wouldn't recommend it. I carry my 26 in a holster designed for the 19 as the extra length in the pants helps keep the gun secure and easily balanced against the body.

• Switch to a single stack. Shield, Glock, whatever floats your boat.

I generally pocket-carry a small revolver or compact semi-auto (w/ pocket holster), but when carrying OWB, I generally like appendix carry, using a kind of a universal-sized,leather belt-slide holster. But, I find I have lots more trouble getting the pistol IN the danged holster, than I ever to trying to access and draw it from back there.

AIWB is not my thing, but I've been paying attention to what the guys that carry in that mode are saying/using.

Most seem to have found a device that pushes the muzzle out and will bring the grip in towards your body is helpful such as this…

Dale Fricke Extra Girth Adapter http://dalefrickeholsters.com/product/extra-girth-adapter-kit-ega/

I've seen some guys use Dr. Scholl's heel cushion to create their own.

or something that rotates the grip towards the body such as this…

Dale Fricke Butt Tuck Adapter http://dalefrickeholsters.com/product/butt-tuck-adapter-bta-kit/

Here is another option from JM Custom Kydex, the "George" with pictures at the bottom of the page of a slim guy wearing it http://www.jmcustomkydex.com/p/GEORGE.html

Edit to add: Notice that's a Beretta 92 in the JM Custom "George" holster.

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Something else to consider can be seen in the pics in the second link above.

If you look at the belt, they have the buckle off to the side, instead of in front, where you normally place it. Ive noticed that that can make a major difference in the bulge, and that, and not the gun/holster, is what tends to stick out.

I normally wear a Wilderness "Frequent Flyer" double ring belt, and push it off to the side of the holster, where in drops back and doesnt poke out. Works with that belt, but not with my Wilderness "Instructors". The buckles on them are big, and really poke out.

Just something else to think about.

An alternative cover "garment"

Many people wear their smartphones on their belt. Being about 4"x6", they are too big to fit in many pockets. If you put the phone holster outside the waistband in the appendix position, it covers a lot of inside the waistband printing.

Just a thought.

My favorite carry for my 7.5" Super Redhawk is appendix carry. This, of course is hiking in the woods and outside the waistband. I use a holster designed for wear on the left hip for crossdraw with the right-hand.

Lost Sheep

From pictures I've seen of your holster, there is zero degrees of cant.

For someone as skinny as yourself, you need to tilt the gun, or it's going to wanna jut out. 9mmepiphany's suggestion for a Summer Special was a good one.

How high above your belt line is the grip? I find that holsters that carry the gun high tend to push the grip of the gun outwards which causes more printing. If you can get the grip to just above your belt (or even a tad bit lower) it might help.

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Great idea for concealing, but it makes it so much harder to get a good purchase on the grip. My disdain for "low ride" holsters is immense.