Appendix carry vs. strong side hip carry

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dave3006

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I carry a Glock 27 in condition 1 in a Bladetech IWB about 95% of the time. I live in California so I usually wear untucked tshirts or untucked polo shirts.

I have been experimenting with appendix carry lately (gun at 1:30 on belly). I think it has the following advantages over strong side carry:

1. Less likely to flash the gun. No bending over and having the shirt ride up.
2. Prints less. I can buckle my belt one notch tighter with appendix carry. Everything is pulled in tighter. In sitting position, I do not worry about the person behind me seeing the bulge of the grip.
3. More comfortable.
4. Better access to gun sitting.

Anyone else carry this way full time? The only thing I do not like is the fact that I have a loaded gun pointed at my femoral artery when I sit. But, I am getting used to it and the holster is secure.
 
Yes, tried this way many moons ago. Did not dig the Rule #2 violation and potential retention issues (exist with almost all methods).

Have to practice to ensure drawstroke with off hand is smooth. Some pluses overall if you do not sit a lot.

Does it interfere with your running?
 
I guess you dont have the effects of too many donuts and beer resided aound your waist..

You gots a sixpack? I gots a keg!

WildlardoAlaska
 
I tried "appendix" carry for a while with the Kahr MK40 I used to own ... I found that even with that stubby little gun I was being poked in the thigh when I sit down.

I've long been a "4 o'clock IWB" guy but lately I've been moving the gun up to between 2:30 and 3:00 (just slightly forward of the hip bone). With at least a 15deg forward cant the grip just disapears into my side.

I find that I'm less likely to print (for one thing my arm's in the way) and it conceals well while sitting, standing, bending over, etc. But most importantly I can get to the gun while driving!
 
I've been doing "appendix" carry for a couple of months now, having tried it after looking at Gabe Suarez' new book. Works really well for me: very comfortable and doesn't print. I'm always careful to "dress right" as my British tailor would say (I'm a lefty), though, and I use a Saf-T-Blok when I do this with the Glock. There's a good thread on this subject over at Suarez' Warrior Talk forums, btw.
 
If you are really worried about printing I can maybe see the advantage tp this type of carry. To tell the truth is sounds uncomfortable to me. I usually carry in MN where it doesn't really matter if they see me gun or not.
 
Only reasons I worry about printing are because my employer doesn't know I carry (I don't think he'd have a problem with it, but no sense in rocking the boat) and I live in an area that is visited by a LOT of tourists ... they are the ones most likely to call in a "man with gun" call to 911.

Also, I like to look nice and printing just looks sloppy :cool:
 
I'm glad I'm not the only one!

I have thought for the longest time that I was the only one who really liked the "appendix carry". I have found it to be quite comfortable (particularly with shorter barrel guns), and use it all the time now. Good shooting;)
 
I tried the appendix carry this evening. It was more comfortable in the car. I'd guess it made me look heavier, but I'd also guess I could have drawn my snub-nosed revolver a skosh faster, too.
 
You're carrying in Cali? Are you carrying in your place of work, etc? I would never have the balls to carry outside!
 
side note on appendix carry:

in my recent travels i saw a whole gazoodle of security guards carrying in appendix area. typically large old revolvers, open carry, butt out. most prominent in san salvador, where every cubic inch of space is taken up by human being, and they could just hold their hands or fold their arms and provide additional retention/protection in a natural position for long periods of time.

seemed quite comfortable and natural given the circumstances.

however, whenever they adjusted they looked like they were fondling themselves. :p
 
Plinkerton, I live in Orange County and got my CCW last December. I carry everywhere - work, my kids school, baseball games, mall trips, ect...

My first reaction was that everyone would know I have a gun under my tshirt. Not even close. I have learned I would probably have to duct tape my Glock to my forehead to get made around here. Guns are not even on anyones radar screen.

I can't imagine not being able to carry now.
 
I bet people don't think about it because I was always under the impression it was damn near impossible to get a CCW in Cali. How did you get yours? Are you ex-law enforcement or something like that?
 
The little known dirty secret in Kali is: IF you are on the local sherrifs good side, and IF you don't live in an outright anti gun city (but how would a gun person be on the chief LEO's side in those places?) THEN you CAN get a CCW, which is good in the WHOLE STATE. Humboldt co sherrif is a real good un;) the near by Mendicino one ain't:confused:
 
The little known dirty secret in Kali is: IF you are on the local sherrifs good side, and IF you don't live in an outright anti gun city (but how would a gun person be on the chief LEO's side in those places?) THEN you CAN get a CCW, which is good in the WHOLE STATE. Humboldt co sherrif is a real good un;) the near by Mendicino one ain't:confused:
 
The little known dirty secret in Kali is: IF you are on the local sherrifs good side, and IF you don't live in an outright anti gun city (but how would a gun person be on the chief LEO's side in those places?) THEN you CAN get a CCW, which is good in the WHOLE STATE. Humboldt co sherrif is a real good un;) the near by Mendicino one ain't:confused:
 
Orange County will issue if you can prove good cause. I travel frequently to shooting events with multiple guns. I was able to document my case and I applied and was approved.

I hear other areas in California are not as reasonable.

-Dave

P.S. For the record, I believe the constitution gives us the right to carry in 50 states without any permit or special permission. (I had to get this off my chest). Unfortunately, I had to go through the above process.
 
I had heard that somewhere up north you could get a CCW and then come back down south where you lived. I heard that many people were actually doing that. I have been thinking about it, but wasn't sure of how many loopholes I would have to jump through. I really didn't want to, hypothetically of course, try to show that I had a residence in that country, etc. so they would maybe issue me one.
 
appendix carry

I carry my S&W 642 Airweight .38 +P appendix style. With the boot grip and short barrel and light weight, I hardly know it's there. Neither does anyone else. Comfortable sitting, standing, whatever.

My 1911's are another story - IWB at 4:00, butt slightly canted forward.:cool:
 
Ken L. Null's Gibson Covert works for me. I have one for a CZ75 Compact/Bersa Thunder 45 and another that works with my Bersa Thunder 380/Mak. Regards, Richard :D
gbs_th.jpg
 
If you like appendix carry, try crossdraw at about 10 - 11 o'clock and a butt forward tilt. Also very comfortable with the added bonus of the muzzle not pointing at your artery or jones.

Granted, I carry an S&W 340PD with a bootgrip so its size and weight make it very easy to carry just about anywhere (usually, right front pocket or jacket pocket). But I have carried it and a P7 crossdraw.

For years I followed the sage advice of strong side 4 o'clock carry, but I have tired of it the last few years.
 
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