Appendix carry help

[beeenbag]

So I’ve recently lost 70lbs or so and in doing so, 3-4 o’clock IWB doesn’t conceal at all for me now on narrower hips.

I’ve been playing with appendix Carry, and it conceals much much better in that position, but dang does it suck sitting or bending over to pick something up off the floor. The muzzle end of the slide feels like it’s digging into my pelvic area something awful, even with a smith and Wesson shield.

picture posted below to show how I’ve found to be the best carry so far but still not great.

any advice? Holster suggestions? Ride height? Anything really lol

 

[WrongHanded]

Congratulations on losing that weight!

Yeah, appendix carry hurts. I only do it with shorter guns. A G26 sized gun is the largest I go. Typically I prefer smaller guns, and not for all day. I've done it, but it puts me in a bad mood by the afternoon.

 

[balin]

I have been doing appendix carry for probably 15 years with no real complaints. 3.5 inch barrel is the longest I do. Shorter works better. Compacts and sub are what I carry. I am left handed so I carry about 11 o'clock. Bendcan be done more like golfers do when they pick up the ball.

 

[DeepSouth]

In my very limited experience more cant than that helped me. With that said I never did really get comfortable with appendix, like I said limited experience, but it may be worth a shot.

 

[Old Dog]

So you're looking for affirmation that AIWB carry is the best and how to make it work for you?

Have you actually experimented with other modes of carry? IWB at 4'clock? OWB in a high-rise pancake at 3 o'clock?

Even if you're trying to conceal something like a Glock 19, a quality OWB under a loose tee-shirt will do the job and be far more comfortable than going IWB or AIWB .

An off-the-shelf holster such as a Galco Concealable or Combat Master, De Santis Belt Slide, Ritchie Belt Speed Scabbard will provide effective concealment.

If you want to continue to be paranoid about how well you're concealing a handgun, my suggestion is looking at how you're training to draw a concealed handgun and whether you're more concerned about concealment (while painfully concealing your pistol) or what's actually gonna work should you ever need to employ your concealed carry handgun.

 

[RikSors]

Congrats on losing weight.

Ride it higher. If AIWB, a holster with a claw helps. But, nothing beats OWB @3 o’clock when it comes to comfort.

As long as it’s not a skin tight shirt, I wouldn’t worry about printing.

 

[beeenbag]

So you're looking for affirmation that AIWB carry is the best and how to make it work for you?

Have you actually experimented with other modes of carry? IWB at 4'clock? OWB in a high-rise pancake at 3 o'clock?

Even if you're trying to conceal something like a Glock 19, a quality OWB under a loose tee-shirt will do the job and be far more comfortable than going IWB or AIWB .

An off-the-shelf holster such as a Galco Concealable or Combat Master, De Santis Belt Slide, Ritchie Belt Speed Scabbard will provide effective concealment.

If you want to continue to be paranoid about how well you're concealing a handgun, my suggestion is looking at how you're training to draw a concealed handgun and whether you're more concerned about concealment (while painfully concealing your pistol) or what's actually gonna work should you ever need to employ your concealed carry handgun.

I have carried 3-4 o’clock for years iwb, it’s always been comfortable and concealed easily under a t shirt, but when I got narrower, my build doesn’t lend itself to hiding a gun there now and it sticks out like a sore thumb, might as well be open carrying. I’m not looking for affirmation appendix is best, I’m saying it’s the best option for me to actually conceal the gun now and I want advice from people that carry that way comfortably

 

[JTQ]

AIWB isn't my thing, but I follow the trend somewhat because I have an interest in holsters.

Much depends on your particular issues and what you need to fix. A pad can help with comfort, the Mastermind Tactics Appendix Pillow is one thing that can help with poking. https://www.mastermindtactics.com/shop?category=Wedges

Ride height is also an issue. However, some little guns, such as a shield often benefit from a longer holster that will provide more surface area below the belt and act as a lever to keep the gun from tilting out above the belt. For instance, many carry a G26 in a G19 holster or a G19 in a G17 holster to keep the gun from rolling over the top of the belt.

Wings/claws are also helpful keeping the grip up against the body.

Everybody is different. You have to do a little experimenting to find what works best for you.

 

[CDW4ME]

Holster with claw helps keep grip pushed toward body.
Longer slides, Glock 17 or 19 rather than a 26 may be more comfortable (distribute contact better) and help keep pistol from pushing outward.

 

[Craig_AR]

Holster company PHLster has a full series of videos showing how to customize your AIWB holster and position for best concealment and comfort. The advice works for any appendix holster, as well as with their unique Enigma system.
I have the Enigma, and recommend you consider it for your holster options. It is NOT a belly band, but is perfect for casual exercise clothes, hospital scrubs, and other times when belt mount is not feasible.

 

[Doc Samson]

I’ve been playing with appendix Carry, and it conceals much much better in that position, but dang does it suck sitting or bending over to pick something up off the floor. The muzzle end of the slide feels like it’s digging into my pelvic area something awful, even with a smith and Wesson shield.

Heh! Been going through the same exact issue and just have to play around with holster size, cant, and positioning. Also, pants that aren't snug! Oddly enough, my Glock 27 is more comfortable than my Shield or my P238.

 

[BreechFace]

Can’t help as I tried AIWB and find it very uncomfortable, to the point I wouldn’t even carry. Back to 3-4 O-clock.

People are oblivious, I’m not worried about printing.

AIWB in my opinion is shown as a great way to carry and one can be very fast but I bet if one falls those around carrying this way they are either taking their setup out periods of time during the day or spend their whole day on their feet.

Sorry, can’t help other than saying I wouldn’t waste my time with it.

 

[MrShooter]

I have carried 3-4 o’clock for years iwb, it’s always been comfortable and concealed easily under a t shirt, but when I got narrower, my build doesn’t lend itself to hiding a gun there now and it sticks out like a sore thumb, might as well be open carrying. I’m not looking for affirmation appendix is best, I’m saying it’s the best option for me to actually conceal the gun now and I want advice from people that carry that way comfortably

I agree with you on 3-4 o'clock feeling like it prints too much, and resort to aiwb with my sp101 in tee shirt weather. I found this Agula leather holster to be super comfortable, especially compared to my m&p in a kydex holster. I think leather may be the key to comfort.

 

[trackskippy]

I carry a Glock 17 AIWB daily and find it very comfortable. Its also the quickest to access and get the gun out and going, and from most any position, its most concealable under most things, including just a tee shirt, and easiest to protect should you need to. Pretty much eliminates the "bump frisk" and worry about granny hugs, etc.

A number of things can make a difference here too. One, the kind of pants you wear. If they are low rider types, youre going to lose some depth. If you wear more high waisted pants, youll gain some. I normally wear Dickies and Carhartt "carpenter" type jeans, which have a bit higher, but more fitted waist. And as far as pants go, I always wear my normal size. I dont size up. That creates its own problems. The pants dont fit right/look right, and the gun tends to move around more.

Holsters, you want a good kydex holster made for AIWB. They will usually have the little "wing" on the side that helps draw the butt of the gun in and they also usually have a height adjustment so you can change where the gun sits at the belt line. That also usually gives you a little more room for adjustment too. You also want the "clips" that sit flat and allow you to "tuck" if you choose or need to.

Personally, I hate the gun/holster against my bare skin, so if that bothers you, a tee/wife beater under the shirt youre going to wear over it, is a big plus. makes things a LOT more comfortable.

And as with any type of carry you need to give things a bit of time, so you can find your "sweet spot", and allow you to get used t the gun being there, and your body a chance to do the same. "Nothing" feels right when you first try it.

 

[JR24]

Have you tried shifting to 1-2 o’clock with a forward cant?

I agree about the discomfort doing any of the normal things I do in life, and like it a bit more to the side with the cant, gets it out of the way of my stomach when I bend over, conceals well for my body type, is more comfortable, can be reached in the car, points the barrel along my hip instead of at my legs.

Oh, and is only about 0.2 seconds slower on the draw for me over straight drop 12 oclock

 

[JR24]

I agree with you on 3-4 o'clock feeling like it prints too much, and resort to aiwb with my sp101 in tee shirt weather. I found this Agula leather holster to be super comfortable, especially compared to my m&p in a kydex holster. I think leather may be the key to comfort. View attachment 1150242

As long as you aren’t a sweaty guy I agree leather can be more comfortable. But wet leather isn’t, and in the real heat I find leather feels more … oppressive, to me compared to kydex. Doubly so when it’s soaked in sweat.

 

[Craig_AR]

I agree leather can be more comfortable. But wet leather isn’t, and in the real heat I find leather feels more … oppressive, to me compared to kydex.

Undershirts are your friends, especially in hot weather, to reduce the contact discomfort and sweaty hotspot. .

 

[JR24]

Undershirts are your friends, especially in hot weather, to reduce the contact discomfort and sweaty hotspot. .

I always wear an undershirt. I just carry always, and always sweat a lot, plus I’m pretty active in the hot months with all the crap I put off during the cold months

 

[Corpral_Agarn]

If I'm not doing ranch things, I'm carrying AIWB

I found that, for me, having a holster system that includes a spare mag attached to the holster with some sort of flexible doo-dad helped round out the system and provide an additional attachment to the belt.


Also a slim but stiff belt goes a long ways.

Undershirt is advisable.

I use Tier 1 concealment but I've heard good things about others.

I usually have a Sig P226 and spare mag up front.

 

[rdnktrkr]

An adjustable can't holster with a leather backer is my choice, that way I can adjust it where the barrel doesn't poke me as bad. I found an Alien Gear that is my goto when I dress up, the rest of the time I carry OWB.

 

[beeenbag]

An adjustable can't holster with a leather backer is my choice, that way I can adjust it where the barrel doesn't poke me as bad. I found an Alien Gear that is my goto when I dress up, the rest of the time I carry OWB.

I have the alien gear appendix holster ordered, that one and the comptac ev2 max. Hoping one of the two work, both seem to be quite adjustable.

 

[Bcwitt]

Consider a belly band holster. Much more comfortable.

 

[bassjam]

AIWB seems to have the most variance in opinions/methods in what works for people, so I'm convinced it's more dependent on body shape than other carry positions. I've found appendix carry is the most comfortable for me, but it is gun and holster specific. A longer barrel is my preference because the barrel naturally moves out of the way when it's longer. A 1-7/8" snub pokes me when I lean over or sit down, but a 3" revolver just glides along my thigh out of the way. Likewise, the single stack 9mm's I tried like a Kahr MK9 and SIG P938 poked me when I leaned over, but I don't have any problem with larger semi-autos with 4-4.5" barrels. (I just prefer to not carry something that large).

This does come with caveats. A leather holster is more rounded and has more give than a kydex holster so they're more comfortable to me, and a single belt clip allows for that movement and is more comfortable, while a dual clip is too rigid and more prone to making that barrel poke me. My edc is a 3" k6s in this holster, suede side in, and I've worn it for 12hrs comfortably:

https://tuckergunleather.com/cover-up-revolver-holster/

 

[Craig_AR]

A longer barrel is my preference because the barrel naturally moves out of the way when it's longer.

I have seen a couple of holster manufacturers point out that you do not need a longer gun, just a longer holster. They recommend getting the holster for the full length version of you r gun, even though the gun is compact length. You get te esame benefit when wearing it for carry.

 

[Styx]

I have no advice on AIWB carry. I tried it with multiple holster, and personally hated it. It was very uncomfortable.

If you don't figure out AIWB, I suggest that you get a low rid holster that had a cant to carry at the 3 o'clock position.