Anyone using APPENDIX CARRY as occasional or primary carry?

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Anyone using appendix carry as occasional or primary carry?

I normally carry IWB at 4 o’clock with a open front cover garment (vest, shirt, coat). I like the idea of appendix carry because no extra cover garment is needed. The only drawback I see at this time is the need for one hand to lift the shirt and the other to draw the gun.

I’d like to hear the thoughts of those who actually carry this way so I can understand what I may be letting myself in for.

Thanks…..Frankie
 
Forgive me for not answering your question as asked, but I use a sharply canted crossdraw OWB driving holster quite often. I am right-handed, so the Commander's grip is just on the left side of my belt buckle. With the shirts that I wear, it is easy for me to grab the grip for drawing. If I have two hands free, the left one pulls the shirt a little. If my right hand is only free, I use my thumb to hook the shirt up. If my left hand is only free, I'm going to have to fumble as best as I can.

I tried the appendix IWB carry, but it leans too much into an surgical scar. I really like the idea of front-side carry for some situations.
 
I carry my XDS in a Remora IWB holster at 10:00. No belt clip to give away the weapon, and with the barrel towards my side, no chance of blowing away things I'd REALLY miss in case of an AD. :what::eek::uhoh:

Yeah, have to pull the shirt up with the off hand, but it lets me carry a powerful weapon even under a knit T-shirt. :cool:
 
Not being familiar with appendix carry, I google imaged it.

Somehow, I think these two guys are doing it wrong.:scrutiny:
 

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It has proven useful to me on several occasions. I especially like it on long drives where the 4 o clock owb paddle got uncomfortable.
 
Frequently. Conceals well, and carries comfortably with anything short-barrelled enough to not dig into anything uncomfortably. Might not be as comfortable if I didn't have flat abs. Also a good position from a weapons retention standpoint.
 
I normally carry IWB at 4 o’clock with a open front cover garment (vest, shirt, coat). I like the idea of appendix carry because no extra cover garment is needed. The only drawback I see at this time is the need for one hand to lift the shirt and the other to draw the gun.
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I carry IWB at 4 o'clock as well -- and any shirt or other garment that will cover you with appendix carry will cover you with 4 o'clock carry.

Try converting your IWB holster to a tuckable -- you can do it with clips available from Tandy. Simply punch two holes in the toe (bottom) of the holster and attach a clip on either side of the barrel with Chicaco (post) screws.

To use your holster as a tuckable, start dressed with your belt unbuclked. Shove the holster into your waist band at 4 o'clock so the clips pass outside the belt and snap in place. Place the gun in the holster, pull out your shirt from behind the holster, tuck it between the hoster and your pants, position the holster and tighten your belt.

Then "blouse" your shirt -- pull out two or three inches all around and let it hang naturally.
 
All the time. I carry either a Kahr K9, a Sig P239 or a 3" S&W 65. I use homemade leather holsters.

The advantages are huge.

You can draw seated at a table without the huge arm movements to your strong side.

Easy to draw in a car.

Access the gun with either hand if necessary. Yes, I practice drawing the gun upside down and pulling the trigger with my pinky. Not very accurate past touching distance, but, another tool in the toolbox.

Able to draw if pinned, back first, against a wall or the ground.

No printing when you bend over.

Very little chance of somebody bumping into your gun in a crowd. Men will jostle and bump into each other in a line for example. Men will NOT bump groin to groin. Its the most amazing dance to see that NOT happen.

Very fast presentation.

You can have your hand on your gun but, under your shirt.

You can draw one handed by hooking your thumb on the cover garment as your fingers wrap around the grip.

I have broken one second, including reaction time, to draw and fire one shot at a Milpark at 3 yards.

And, becasue its very cool:

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

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MsKj6RGQ2VM
 
Appendix works great for me when I carry the snubby, or when I'm dressed-down and just have shorts and a t-shirt on. I'm a little heavier than normal and there's more room for my shirt to conceal up front than it does in the back. The shirt gets a little tight around the sides and back for me.
 
Resist Evil - I haven’t tried AIWB carry yet, so I can’t make any comment. However, when I’m going to be driving for any length of time I use a paddle holster in cross draw position and switch it to the strong side before I get out of the vehicle.

Hypnogator - “I carry my XDS in a Remora IWB holster at 10:00. No belt clip to give away the weapon, and with the barrel towards my side, no chance of blowing away things I'd REALLY miss in case of an AD”

Just so I’m clear about this… you are appendix carrying in a cross draw position? I think I would like this, especially when driving.

BBQJOE - Right now I’m about midway between the two guys, but I’m headed in the direction of the guy on the left!

bikerdoc - If it’s useful in any occasion, I’ll put it in my bag of tricks. I’m looking forward to trying some of these suggestions out.

kimbershot - It looks like a very practical holster. I’m going to use my current IWB holsters to see if AIWB carry will suitable to me. If I like it, I will seriously consider that holster.

Texan Scott - If flat abs are a requirement for AIWB carry then it’s back to the same ol’, same ol’ for me!

Piratesailor - Comfort? Yup, that’s what I’m about these days… comfort.

Vern Humphry - I’m 5’9” tall and very broad through the shoulders. Blousing my shirt would make me look like Sponge Bob Squarepants. If the other suggestions don’t work I’ll give it a try since you provided detailed instructions.

ApacheCoTodd - I’ve had 5 accidents while riding a motorcycle (one was my fault for not noticing gravel on a sharply curved concrete roadway), so I won’t be needing your suggestion anytime soon!

sgt127 - “Yes, I practice drawing the gun upside down and pulling the trigger with my pinky.”

I've used this hold to demonstrate the physics about recoil. I never thought of practicing it for SD… but I will at my next time at the range. Lots of other good info as well… thanks.

Haywood - Good to know because I do carry a S&W 640 occasionally.

OptimusPrime - Since I’m plumping out having more room up front is definitely a plus.
 
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I carry ether a cm9 or cw9 in a front side comp-tac minotaur neutral at about a 2:00 position set high. I am a spair tire carry'r too. Covers with a tucked loose t-sirt or botton down. Any iwb of tucked in will need two hands for guick draw but can be done one handed with practice.
 
I have used AC in the past and still have clip-on IWB holsters for my 442, 649 and BHP.

It's hard for me to hide a gun on my butt. My stomach has always been a whole lot flatter than my butt, so AC just works better. Otoh, my shoulders are wide enough that I could probably carry a sawed-off shotgun in a shoulder holster while wearing a loose t-shirt.
 
I've been using appendix carry exclusively for 5+ years. The current setup is a Ruger LCR in a Highnoon leather holster. I usually forget that I have it on.
 
In the winter I have a outside belt holster for the Glock subcompacts. I use the Glocks all the time in the winter.

Summer I pack IWB, appendix Glock or S&W J.

Done this for many many years!

Deaf
 
I am a dedicated appendix carrier, this method is just what works. I prefer a straight drop minimal holster at ~1oc ItW. My EDC is an SR9c or DB9(when it gets back from the shop)
I can put an eyeball on my gun to check without having to fiddle with or touch it. I feel like I have easy access to the pistol from just about any position and for me its comfortable.
 
The main thing about "AC" that I would have a concern with is the accessibility of the gun to an attacker. If he's watching your hands (as he should be), he could possibly prevent drawing at all and there is a wrestling match for the weapon.
I wouldn't mind a mouse gun back-up in AC - but, I think I would personally prefer 3:30-4:00 so I can turn my weak side while drawing and moving away.
Driving is a whole different world though and, for me, would be treated separately with another weapon(s) in the vehicle...not necessarily firearms.
 
Personally, I've always been leery of it. Obviously, lots of people have done it, and it works for them. But I've never like the idea of the muzzle pointing somewhere between the family jewels and my femoral artery. Of course, guns don't just go off on their own, and a good holster that covers the trigger guard will make the gun safe to carry it that location. But most accidental discharges by concealed carriers occur when reholstering. I've never had that happen to me, in all these years, and I always have my finger outside the trigger guard when I'm not actually shooting, but still, if anything ever did go wrong, I'd rather have a crease down the side of my leg, or even a hole in my foot than a hole in what the muzzle would be pointing at if I were reholstering in appendix carry.
 
I know its probably not as safe as it should be but for the last 2 months i have been just dropping my 239 down the front of my pants for quick runs to the store or driving. I don't think it is all that UNsafe, just because of that 10lb pull and placing my thumb on the back of the hammer when placing it in my pants. If i was doing more "active" things, then i wouldn't even consider it without a holster.

I find it has lots of advantages over my usual 4 o'clock carry. You can make sure you cover garment is covering without being obvious. you can bend over without printing, it conceals really well, etc.

I am now looking for an AIWB holster.... :)
 
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