Appendix Carry vs. Strong Arm Carry

[Maximum1]

I‘d like to find out how many Appendix Carry vs. Strong SIDE Carry and why you prefer one over the other.


I can't believe I made a typo especially since I can't change the title of the poll nor the options! So please bare with me...

I should have typed......Do you Appendix Carry or Strong SIDE Carry?
I prefer Appendix Carry
I prefer Strong SIDE Carry
No Opinion
Not familiar with Appendix Carry

 

[Trebor]

What do you mean by "strong arm carry?

Appendix carry is carry on the strong-size, but in front of the hip instead of behind the hip.

Are you confusing appendix carry with cross-body carry?

For the record, appendix carry is my prefered carry location. I find it more comfortable then behind the hip carry. I also find that I can hide the gun under something as small as a T-shirt. I can't do that as well with behind the hip carry because the butt of the gun prints more easily in that position, especially when bending over.

Now, gun size, especially barrel and slide length, is more critical for appendix carry, in my experience at least. I can carry a 3" S&W K-frame at the appendix carry position with no problem. I found that a 4" S&W doesn't work at all in that spot. That extra 1" of barrel length made all the difference

 

[Maximum1]

I can't believe I made that mistype especially since I can't change the title of the poll nore the options!

Should have typed......Do you Appendix Carry or Strong SIDE Carry?

 

[Lancel]

I prefer appendix carry. The pistol doesn't print at the rear or side when I bend over or sit down. Like in a store or restaurant.

Also I can put my hand discreetly near the pistol (e.g. interview position, hand on belly, fingertips in pocket, etc) without seeming like I am ready to draw a weapon.

I am able to monitor the pistol, see what imprint that others see, protect it from being taken, and access it with either strong or weak hand, sitting or standing.

This is with a Kahr PM9. Appendix carry does get more difficult as the pistol gets larger.

Larry

 

[Erik]

There should be a "both" option.

 

[chris in va]

I prefer 4 o'clock as anything 'earlier' than that will not be covered by my jacket.

 

[Sheldon J]

I strong arm carry but only because they do not make a appendix holster for my HK USP .45

 

[Pax Jordana]

I've found that appendix carry is hug proof (heck, anything short of an outright grope won't oft find it in my experience) but you gotta size your pants for it. I carry strongside if I'm packing OWB, in winter and/or with a larger gun, appendix otherwise (especially in the summer).

I hope I'm not alone in admitting this, but as a guy whose weight has gone up and down some, I do have my pants divided into IWB and OWB/pocket/unarmed piles.

 

[sportsterguy]

Never tried appendix carry. Have a hard time getting past the thought of that muzzle pointed at such a sensitive area and the femoral artery in that vicinity. Been carrying IWB strong side for years and quite comfortable with it. Also think it is the better position in case of a scuffle with a BG for weapon retention. JMO

 

[btg3]

I can't believe I made a typo especially since I can't change the title of the poll nor the options! So please bare with me...

FWIW, I was able to edit a title by using EDIT + GO ADVANCED. Duuno about options.

 

[joffe]

I don't carry (<points at user location>) but if I did I would carry at the appendix position -

1: I am skinny, I have no 'dunlops' burying the gun and making it uncomfortable At the same time my cardboard body shape precludes me from the 'hug-proof' perk, though.

2: I feel more in control of something worn at the front of my body inside my arm's radius and field of view. May be a pet peeve, don't know.

3: I'm like Bambi on ice, and I always fall on my back. Winter carry behind the point of the hip - ouch, ouch, ouch. Again, back to #2 - more in control of the front than the back. Then there's also the weapon retention, although I guess it wouldn't be an issue if you've had proper training.

 

[cpaspr]

While strongside carry at, or just behind, the hip is generally out of my direct line of sight, I don't worry that much because it is concealed in that position. I've tried appendix carry, but I'm apparently short enough (and possibly just fat enough) through the waist area that barrels poke me quite uncomfortably in that position. And as others have mentioned, I'm not particularly comfortable with a gun being constantly pointed at my femoral artery.

 

[DWARREN123]

I like strong side for OWB and cross draw for IWB.

 

[Triphammer]

If I could stand all day, everywhere, I'd appendix carry. Draw is easier & more discreet, printing is controllable. Sitting, squatting, bending over, is WAAAYY too uncomfortable. I carry IWB @ 4;00 and pay attention to heel printing. Guns are 3" j frame or a Commander length 1911.

 

[Whirlwind06]

I appendix carry my KT P11. The Ruger P89 with the right pants I can appendix carry but it gets uncomfortable after awhile.

 

[easyg]

Have a hard time getting past the thought of that muzzle pointed at such a sensitive area and the femoral artery in that vicinity.

I agree.
Why tempt fate?

4:00 carry for me.

 

[Keegan]

I appendix carry because it feels more secure and the drawing motion seems more fluid.

 

[Sage of Seattle]

Since I prefer the full size 1911 type, then cross-draw is most comfortable for me when I want a pistol on my front rather than the strong side. I've got a commander sized 1911 (RIA) that would be pretty comfortable in appendix though. May give it a try sometime.

 

[GunTech]

I am right handed, so appendix carry is strong side carry.

I only use appendix carry for combat matches because it is fast. It's not exactly a concealed carry for most people.

 

[Eyesac]

I just think that in a fight, trying to draw a firearm that's easier for the BG to grab than your strong hand... Silly. Stong side it's away from the BG and close to you're shootin' hand.

 

[Mad Chemist]

Sometimes I carry my J-frame appendix when my pant pockets are too small and my clothes are a little tighter. One benefit of all the weightlifting I've been doing over the past year is that by increasing my chest to waist ratio I can still easily hide the J in the appendix position even with tighter more fashionable clothing. This has made my GF a little happier with my EDC. She has a very strong distaste for vests and Hawaiian shirts.

 

[Mad Chemist]

I just think that in a fight, trying to draw a firearm that's easier for the BG to grab than your strong hand... Silly. Stong side it's away from the BG and close to you're shootin' hand.

Eyesac, no offense but you really ought to try the different carry methods in some FOF evolutions before you make a broad generalization like that.

Strong-side without a retention holster is one of the easier targets for a gun-grab. Also It is more difficult not to telegraph the initiation of your draw stroke from that position. That being so, I still use this method of carry for some of my guns. Advantages and disadvantages exist for all methods and must be weighed appropriately.

 

[glockman19]

Have a hard time getting past the thought of that muzzle pointed at such a sensitive area and the femoral artery in that vicinity.

I too carry IWB Strong side @ 3:00

 

[mpmarty]

Strong side IWB @ 3 to 4 o'clock with my PT145. My 1911 rides in a horizontal SOB rig or a DeSantis shoulder holster

 

[rainbowbob]

I wouldn't carry a gun in any position if I was afraid it would accidently discharge. I carry my .38 snub with a thumb strap to insure that it will not be cocked accidently. I usually carry behind the right (strong side) hip, but I have ordered a IWB holster and will experiment with "appendix" carry. Since I recently had my appendix removed, it shouldn't be a problem.