Appendix carry question

[drobs]

What holster are you guys using aiwb?
Edit: What gun?

Also what belt and is your belt buckle centered?

 

[trackskippy]

I use a Suarez kydex holster with a Wilderness 1.75" Frequent Flyer 5 stitch belt. The buckle is off to the side away from the gun a tad, so it sits flatter against my body.

 

[drobs]

I use a Suarez kydex holster with a Wilderness 1.75" Frequent Flyer 5 stitch belt. The buckle is off to the side away from the gun a tad, so it sits flatter against my body.

Sorry, what gun are you carrying?

 

[zdc1775]

What holster are you guys using aiwb?
Edit: What gun?

Also what belt and is your belt buckle centered?

I'm primarily using a tier 1 concealed agis elite, link, using the "Bravo" clip setup, puts both clips on the gun part of the holster vs one on the gun and one on the magazine side. I have one of these holsters for both a Springfield Hellcat Pro with Holosun 507K carrying a standard 15 round mag as a spare and a Sig P320 X-Carry with Holosun 509T (soon to be replaced with the Holosun SCS 320) carrying an extended 21 round mag as a spare.

I also have a no name single clip kydex holster, similar to this one, for a S&W M&P Shield.

And a Phlster Enigma with shells for the hellcat and p320 for when I am just wearing something like gym shorts.

For a belt, I have a five different Kore Essential 1.5" belts (black, grey, and brown tactical belts and black and brown leather belts) that I pick from depending on how I am dressing that day. With T1C holsters and the clips in the Bravo configuration, I wear the buckle slightly off centered to my left so that it lays flatter. This is only noticeable to people if I am standing while wearing slacks and a tucked in button up shirt, basically it makes my gig line look as if I were aligning it like a lefty but the belt is threaded like a righty. With the no name single clip or the T1C and clips in the "Alpha" configuration the buckle is centered like normal when my shirt is tucked in, I wear it with the buckle to the left of the first belt loop with the T1C in "Alpha" if my shirt is untucked.

I will add that I use a concealment claw and wedge with all of the holsters.

 

[trackskippy]

Sorry, what gun are you carrying?

Glock 17

 

[sgt127]

I make my own holsters. I prefer leather as it’s a little softer. I’ve also gone to rough side out as it seems to stabilize the gun a bit more.

I usually carried an Sig P239 in 357 SIG. (Same style holster). It has a bit more “patina”.




But, recently started carrying a P239 in 9mm. So, that’s a pretty new holster.

For a belt, I either use a very heavy 1.5” belt that I made, a Wilderness instructors belt or, a Vedder with the Cobra buckle.

the belt buckle is centered. The gun just to the right of centerline.

 

[slicksleeve]

I too have gone to mostly appendix carry. My two main that I carry are a Glock G45, and a G27 with a Holosun 507K. I wear a Kore belt. I have had good luck with Dara Minimalist holsters. https://daraholsters.com/minimalist-aiwb-holster/
Things I have learned include having a t shirt between the holster and gun and your skin. I accomplish this with a wife beater shirt under my t shirt, or if I have a button down I wear a regular undershirt. Also, with some shirts it helps to put the belt buckle over to the side past the first belt loop near my left pocket. The draw is faster and the concealment is better both from any position. All that said, if I have a day of farm type work planned, I’m still going with to wear an OWB at 3 o’clock due to the various odd positions I might find myself in.

 

[slicksleeve]

@sgt127 you have a strip of leather sewed onto the top of the first holster pictured. Does this help keep it open when the gun is drawn? Also, what size leather are you using. I make my own pancake type holster out of 7-8 ounce leather, and have been considering making an AIWB holster as well.

 

[21H40]

What holster are you guys using aiwb?
Edit: What gun?

Also what belt and is your belt buckle centered?

I've got a Crossbreed leather belt and a no name Walmart holster:


My AIWB is more to the right than in the center (1:30-ish). I carry a G20. It is not comfortable to sit down without some adjusting, but I'm walking when I CCW.

 

[sgt127]

@sgt127 you have a strip of leather sewed onto the top of the first holster pictured. Does this help keep it open when the gun is drawn? Also, what size leather are you using. I make my own pancake type holster out of 7-8 ounce leather, and have been considering making an AIWB holster as well.

Yeah. It just helps keep the top open a little. And keeps to from folding over. I’ll eventually make the belt loop and reinforcement strip out of one piece. So it wraps all the way around. But, it’s a thunderous pain to get all that laid out flat and account for the size difference when it’s folded. And, not run into the sight tracks.

I’ll measure the leather I used, I don’t recall.

You’ll notice on the belt strap, it’s stitched at the bottom. That’s in case it comes unsnapped, it will lift a little, but the holster won’t follow the gun out of your belt.

Also, on both of those, there’s sight tracks. I used to make the holsters out of two pieces of leather and the front welt acted as a sight track. The work equally well, I just kinda prefer the two sight rails. But, they are a bit of a pain.

Thats an old two piece I made a long time ago for my P239 357 SIG.






I am certain I spent more money making holsters that wound up in the trash, than if I’d just bought Milt Sparks Holsters.

I’m far from knowing what I’m doing, but, more than happy to share what little advice I have.

 

[slicksleeve]

am certain I spent more money

I probably am not saving any money either, but it’s a good hobby and a good way to get what you want in a holster.

 

[Mauser lover]

How do you all mold/shape/form your holsters?

 

[sgt127]

Wet it with warm water with just a touch of detergent to break the surface tension. Slosh it around for 20-30 seconds. Sling off the excess. Stick the gun it and work the shapes. Spoons, round screwdriver handles, fingers. If it’s a hip holster, run a belt through it and cinch it on your waist to get the curve. If it’s a belt loop holster, block it with a piece of leather the size of the belt v

When it’s good, gently remove the gun and let it dry. In the summer, I hang it outside. Winter, a couple feet from a space heater. Warm. Not hot. Moving air.

Hose down gun with WD-40. Ballistol. Etc.

 

[slicksleeve]

How do you all mold/shape/form your holsters?

I wet mine and put it in a vacuum sealer.

 

[Mizar]

I wet mine and put it in a vacuum sealer.

How is the leather suppose to dry that way?

 

[tarosean]

I hear a lot of fast. Yet there is only one person to achieve GM status going AIWB where “fast” counts in competition. (To the best of my knowledge)

 

[DustyGmt]

I have been carrying concealed since the 1990s, and I am not sure when appendix carry became a thing. Anyone know who and when this was popularized?

I generally carry OWB, on belt strongside. Why has appendix carry become so popular? Looks like you could shoot your junk off if you had a reholstering mishap to me, but most people must not feel its a risk?

I'm convinced that different body types can more suitably accommodate different folks carry style, equally important is choice of holster being matched up perfectly to the right body type, since you cant try em all and once you try it you typically own it, most people go for the first thing that works (or give up when the first couple things they try dont work) or go through a painful trial and error process like me.

For me AIWB is "doable" but only if I don't need to get in and out of a vehicle or sit down at all. My uncle can very comfortably carry a 1911 in the small of his back, I cannot. I carry IWB between 3 and 4o'clock depending on the gun/holster.

 

[westernrover]

That’s when I first started thinking about it…

1985 ish....

It's not his draw speed that won, but his nerve, and he demonstrates an obvious proficiency not only in drawing but in clearing the gun which is no doubt a result of a lot of repetition in practice. While the nerve is fictitious, the skills are real. Oh yeah, and the yellow-tinted shooting glasses give him away. Who has a chauffeur that wears shooting glasses?

 

[westernrover]

Pros:

Doesn’t print when you bend over.

Conceals under a Tank Top.

Men, in a crowd, will bump into each other. Men will not bump into each others groins.

Sitting in a car, the guns accessible.

Leaning away from a threat at the drivers door does not trap your gun against the console.

Pinned on the ground, on my right side, against a wall, my guns not trapped by concrete. My odds of wedging my hand between me and an attacker are better. Both surfaces have some give.

I can draw, with my left hand, upside down and pull the trigger with my pinkie. (Strongly recommended only at very close range)

I can socially hug somebody by just leaning forward. Their hand doesn’t land on my gun on my right hip.

I can more covertly get my hand on my gun, and even draw, with less attention than the classic elbow out reaching for your right hip.

My shoulders are a little messed up and drawing from a high ride right hip concealment holster is not that good for me anymore.

Now. That said. I will only carry a gun that does not have enough stored energy to fire and, has a hammer. Revolver. TDA auto. My choice is an Sig DAK trigger.

I can put my thumb on the hammer when I holster and there’s tactical feedback if somethings not right.

Outside the waistband appendix was pretty popular in early IPSC days. When the Weaver Stance ruled, right foot back, the draw from appendix was almost perfectly aligned with the target you were aiming at.

All good points, and all valid for OWB at 2 o'clock with a butt-forward cant so the muzzle is pointed away from either femoral artery and the grip rides inside the hip bone with the barrel wrapped under it.

 

[plainsdrifter]

No worries carrying a revolver

 

[trackskippy]

I'm convinced that different body types can more suitably accommodate different folks, equally important is choice of holster being matched up perfectly to the right body type, since you cant try em all and once you try it you typically own it, most people go for the first thing that works or go through a painful trial and error process like me.

For me AIWB is "doable" but only if I don't need to get in and out of a vehicle or sit down at all. My uncle can very comfortably carry a 1911 in the small of his back, I cannot. I carry IWB between 3 and 4o'clock depending on the gun/holster.

I think you touched on a number of valid things here, some of which will likely hurt some tender feelings too. .

If you dont bother to go beyond the first thing, or continue to try different things as better things come along, then youre just going to be stuck where you are, and its easier to justify not bothering than it is to do the hard work of continuing education and figuring things out. If there is a will, there really is usually a way. But if youre convinced you "cant", youll usually always prove yourself right.

The body type, weight, etc, is kind of a cop out more than an actual problem, especially these days with the plethora of holsters and gear we have available now. I can personally attest, you can easily and comfortably carry full size handguns, in all manner of ways, fat, skinny, and in between. Its just up to you to want to do it and figure out how.

I actually found it to be quite simple too. Just wear the "proper" sized clothing for your size "at the moment". Dont wear clothes that are too small because your vanity says they still fit, and if you lose the weight, dont wear clothes that are too big, because youre cheap, and dont want to spend the money on the right size. If youre someone whos has seasonal weight changes, it pays to keep some shirts and pants on either side of what you normally wear to allow for it.

How you carry the gun doesn't really matter, as long as youre realistic about things, comfortable with what goes with it, and you arent a daily swapper. You want to find what works best for your situation and fixate on that. If you are serious about concealing the gun, a realistic one anyway, IWB and AIWB are your only realistic choices. If you arent worried about it, then who cares?

I hear a lot of fast. Yet there is only one person to achieve GM status going AIWB where “fast” counts in competition. (To the best of my knowledge)

I think "fast" is a relative sort of thing. If you dont practice regularly, with what and how you carry it, and with a loaded gun as often as possible, how you carry it really isnt going to make much difference. Id be willing to bet, even among those who carry at say, 4:30 IWB or even OWB, the only ones who are going to be "fast", are those who practice religiously. So yea, if someone carries AIWB, and doesnt practice, then they will likely be slower than someone who carries in more traditional positions. To a point anyway.

Where you also see "fast" changing some is, when you go from something like the other methods of carry, and then put some quality time in with AIWB until youre comfortable with it and fully understand it. I guarantee you, you will see a change, and from any way you have to draw the gun, not just a one way comparison or how youre used to shooting. I carried IWB at 4:30 for decades, and when you throw in "all ways" of looking at it, there is nothing quicker or easier than AIWB for clearing concealment and getting the gun into action, etc., from a broad as opposed to narrow point of view.

If you go back and read sgt127's post #13 and apply that to however you carry your gun now, and how you would draw and fire "quickly" in many of those instances, you start to see and understand the "all ways" thing. And of course, speed and accuracy only come from constant practice, so if its not there for you, you know where to look as to why its not.

 

[DustyGmt]

I think you touched on a number of valid things here, some of which will likely hurt some tender feelings too. .

If you dont bother to go beyond the first thing, or continue to try different things as better things come along, then youre just going to be stuck where you are, and its easier to justify not bothering than it is to do the hard work of continuing education and figuring things out. If there is a will, there really is usually a way. But if youre convinced you "cant", youll usually always prove yourself right.

The body type, weight, etc, is kind of a cop out more than an actual problem, especially these days with the plethora of holsters and gear we have available now. I can personally attest, you can easily and comfortably carry full size handguns, in all manner of ways, fat, skinny, and in between. Its just up to you to want to do it and figure out how.

I actually found it to be quite simple too. Just wear the "proper" sized clothing for your size "at the moment". Dont wear clothes that are too small because your vanity says they still fit, and if you lose the weight, dont wear clothes that are too big, because youre cheap, and dont want to spend the money on the right size. If youre someone whos has seasonal weight changes, it pays to keep some shirts and pants on either side of what you normally wear to allow for it.

How you carry the gun doesn't really matter, as long as youre realistic about things, comfortable with what goes with it, and you arent a daily swapper. You want to find what works best for your situation and fixate on that. If you are serious about concealing the gun, a realistic one anyway, IWB and AIWB are your only realistic choices. If you arent worried about it, then who cares?



I think "fast" is a relative sort of thing. If you dont practice regularly, with what and how you carry it, and with a loaded gun as often as possible, how you carry it really isnt going to make much difference. Id be willing to bet, even among those who carry at say, 4:30 IWB or even OWB, the only ones who are going to be "fast", are those who practice religiously. So yea, if someone carries AIWB, and doesnt practice, then they will likely be slower than someone who carries in more traditional positions. To a point anyway.

Where you also see "fast" changing some is, when you go from something like the other methods of carry, and then put some quality time in with AIWB until youre comfortable with it and fully understand it. I guarantee you, you will see a change, and from any way you have to draw the gun, not just a one way comparison or how youre used to shooting. I carried IWB at 4:30 for decades, and when you throw in "all ways" of looking at it, there is nothing quicker or easier than AIWB for clearing concealment and getting the gun into action, etc., from a broad as opposed to narrow point of view.

If you go back and read sgt127's post #13 and apply that to however you carry your gun now, and how you would draw and fire "quickly" in many of those instances, you start to see and understand the "all ways" thing. And of course, speed and accuracy only come from constant practice, so if its not there for you, you know where to look as to why its not.

Yeah its kind of crazy, for many years I didn't think I could realistically or even somewhat comfortably carry a duty size handgun (glock 19, etc....) concealed, but then I saw this kid, Lucas from T. REX ARMS, who is a pretty well known shooter and holster maker, he has the same build as my 5'3" tiny 100lb sister.and he carries a full size gun every day AIWB, usually a G17 with weapon light. He has access to every type of holster imaginable so when he started putting that out there it made me rethink whether I gave up on carrying a proper gun a lil prematurely and found a DeSantis holster that conceals my 19 very well and isn't any more or less comfortable than any of the micro pistols I carried before.

You gotta put in a lil legwork sometimes, trial and error, like you were saying.......

 

[Mike in Western Oregon]

Here’s my appendix carry - 4” Ruger GP100 in a JM custom “George” holster with dc monoblock clips. The pad/wedge thingy keeps the grip tight against my belly. Works for me

 

[DustyGmt]

It's crazy how something as simple as somebody's specific gait, whether they lumber along slowly or walk briskly (me) can also effect the outcome. I see Hickok45, as a guy who wears baggy cargo shorts and in his retirement isn't in too big a hurry to get where he's going and just goes lumbering along, whereas I, someone who whether I'm in a hurry or not, 6' 3", 185# and wiry walk like I'm trying to beat a land speed record because I cant help it, if I tried to carry a gun with any heft like a G26 and up, it would look like I had a 20# lead ingot in my shorts swinging back and fourth like a pendulum....

 

[sgt127]

All good points, and all valid for OWB at 2 o'clock with a butt-forward cant so the muzzle is pointed away from either femoral artery and the grip rides inside the hip bone with the barrel wrapped under it.

You’re gonna have to post a pic. I can’t envision that. It seems you would almost have to hyper extend your wrist backwards to get a firing grip.