Carrying a Glock inside waistband @ appendix position

[Alex45ACP]

I used to believe a snubby carried in the pocket was the ultimate CCW weapon and method, but I've recently had a change in thinking and switched from carrying a S&W 642 in a Mika pocket holster to carrying a Glock 19 in a Dale Fricke Archangel IWB holster at the appendix position. I carry this way all day every day unless I'm forced to enter a victim disarmament zone.

I love carrying this pistol in this manner. I can draw the pistol very quickly from all positions, even sitting in a car with the seatbelt on. I can do this while running, which I consider a huge advantage over pocket carry because I believe being able to draw and evade an assailant/take cover at the same time is important in a self defense situation. I had a very hard time drawing my 642 from a pocket holster while running or sitting in a car, definitely wouldn't count on being able to do it quickly in a high stress situation.

It is very comfortable even on long car trips. I forget it's there after a while.

It basically disappears under a t-shirt (I live in Florida) unless I'm walking straight into the wind and even then the grip of the pistol barely prints.

I can retain the gun very easily and access it easily in a grappling situation.

I like having 16 rounds of 9mm and a 17 round magazine that I can reload quickly rather than just 5 shots of .38 and no realistic fast reload. I am confident in the reliability of the G19. I have not had a single malfunction with this pistol so far, and I keep it well maintained and practice malfunction drills.

And last but not least it's nice to free up my pocket again

I'm wondering why AIWB carry isn't more popular on this board. Most posts I've seen about it have people saying it's uncomfortable, dangerous, etc.

I agree it is extremely dangerous if you're not careful holstering and unholstering. I do carry with a round chambered. I don't even unhoslter the gun when I want to take it off, I just take the entire holster off, when I want to put the gun back on I put the entire holster back on my belt. When I do draw the pistol, I am extremely careful to keep my finger away from the trigger, and I reholster in slow motion, with my finger off the trigger, and visually check the holster first to make sure nothing got in there.

Anyone else carry a Glock or other pistol/revolver this way?

 

[docnyt]

Like they say, to each his own. I'm more comfortable at 4 o'clock. You do have a point about drawing from a seated position/while driving.

 

[ulfrik]

hey alex. you say.
"I like having 16 rounds of 9mm and a 17 round magazine".

does this mean you carry a glock 17 mag as your spare mag?
how interchangeable are glock 19 and glock 17 magazines?

p.s. how do the glock17 and glock19 compare?
what are the advantages of the full size glock over the slighly smaller glock19?

 

[ironhead7544]

I have been using the appendix position for many years with a G26. You are right.

 

[jad0110]

Like they say, to each his own. I'm more comfortable at 4 o'clock. You do have a point about drawing from a seated position/while driving.

That sums it up for me. Try appendix carry with a small child and the constant leaning/stooping/bending over would probably get REALLY uncomfortable. I guess it may also depend on whether you carry no spare tire, a space saver, or a full sized spare up front .

As doc said, to each his own. The biggest gun I can manage with any comfort in the appendix position is my 642. But IWB at 2:30 or 3:30 I've carried guns all the way up to 4" N Frames comfortably.

And I agree on the disadvantages of pocket carry, though I've used one of it's prime advantages once or twice: when finding myself in a sketchy situation, it's nice to casually exit the area with my hand in my pocket, hand on the grip of my trusty 642.

Therefore, I try to pocket carry the 642 as a BUG as frequently as my pants allow.

 

[CDW4ME]

I carry a Glock 27 "appendix" IWB using a FIST kydex clip-on; it's very concealable, offers quick access, and is immune to printing if I bend over.

I could not tolerate any additional barrel / slide length, so the G27 is as big as I'll go in that location.

If I'm wearing the "right" clothes I'll carry a Kimber Ultra Carry II, also using a FIST kydex; the grip on the Kimber is longer (about like your 19) and is not as easy to conceal.

 

[smince]

I'm with Alex on this one. And a +1 on Dale Fricke holsters. I have 2 Ehud's and an Archangel.

I'm 5'11" and 215. I don't find this method of carry uncomfortable with even a G17, and have even occasionally carried a 17L longslide there.

Finding the correct spot has a lot to do with the comfort.

I generally carry my G19 in the AIWB position.

Try appendix carry with a small child and the constant leaning/stooping/bending over would probably get REALLY uncomfortable.

Not really.

I wouldn't go back to 4:00 carry now.

 

[CDR_Glock]

When I go on a road trip, like the OP stated, it is easier to draw when driving from the 2:00 position. My solution? Blackhawk Serpa at 2:00. With a baggy shirt my G27 disappears. The 23 has too long of a grip to hide as well.

I also do a 357 appendix, sometimes - usually when I am dressier. OR my Officer/Commander sized 1911.

Appendix carry is good when seated. Barrel length and grip size are limitations, though. It's just a matter of experimentation.

You just need two important factors:

1) Practice how to draw.
2) KNOW when to draw.

 

[9mmepiphany]

There really is very little new, just old ideas coming back to the fore.

I first ran into the Appendix carry back in the early 70s, when I came of age. Master holster designed, Bruce Nelson invented a very different IWB holster, what later became the Milt Spark's Summer Special, to carry his Colt Commander in front of his hip while working as an undercover narcotics officer.

Even a Commander hides nicely under an untucked T-shirt if you roll you shoulder forward a bit and let your arms dangle. His Summer Special holster became the definitive CCW holster and was widely copied by other holster makers...he also designed the BN55, which is still a definitive OWB holster.

I've found that my Kahr CW9 carries very well in that position and allows a wider range of motion for everyday wear

 

[rcmodel]

how interchangeable are glock 19 and glock 17 magazines?

All Glock mags are interchangable from a larger model gun to a smaller version of it.

They just stick out the bottom of the grip more.

SO yes, a Glock 17 mag will fit a Glock 19, but not the reverse.

rc

 

[meytind]

Some people, myself included, are uncomfortable carrying a striker fired pistol AIWB. Give me a hammer fired pistol like an HK and I think AIWB is the best thing since sliced bread. I like the mental comfort I get from being able to keep a thumb on the hammer when reholstering making it impossible to fire the pistol even if you get something caught in the trigger guard.

 

[CDW4ME]

I typically put "appendix" in quotes because my clip on holster is right beside my zipper, the clip is about 1'' from the button on my jeans. Might be considered 1:00 carry. Any further over toward 2:00 and the barrel contacts my leg when seated.

 

[redbeardsong]

I just posted a topic about AIWB a little while ago before I found this. I'm carrying my Ruger SR9C like this today. I like it, but it's not all that comfortable. I have a little bit of extra weght around the waist, so the gun has to ride really low to not print badly, and bending or sitting is not comfortable. But it conceals well and is nice in situations where my usual 5 o'clock position might get exposed.

 

[Rail Driver]

I carry my 1911 either between 4 o'clock and 5 o'clock for comfort. When I'm in the car I slide it over to 3 o'clock for ease of access, but it ends up back behind me as soon as I get out. I sometimes carry close to AIWB, but only once in a while when I'm wearing something I have to tuck in.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

I can draw the pistol very quickly from all positions, even sitting in a car with the seatbelt on.

This carry, I've found, is more accessible in more situations than the behind-the-hip carry. Assuming you have both hands free, it is easy to draw from under sweaters, sweatshirts and other pullover-type garments. I would rather not have the gun or any hard object on my person in that position when driving, however. In case of a crash, I would not want a gun or any other hard object in a position to be jammed into my abdomen. When driving I prefer to put the gun in a holster I devised to be carried in my car's center storage bin. I also found, when carrying my own Glock 19 this way, that the muzzle poked and prodded my groin area, even when standing and walking. The holster I was using at the time, however, rode very low. A higher riding holster may solve that problem.

 

[MikePaiN]

I'm a dedicated appendix ItW carrier. For me its the only position I feel I always have access to my pistol, I virtually never worry about printing and I can protect the weapon much more easily also. The draw back is comfort from the muzzle poking the groin or femoral area, for me I'll never conceal carry a full size pistol, so it not so much of an issue. I carry a Taurus PT709 and it rides fine but it is the max length gun I'll appendix carry.

 

[Packman]

I vastly prefer AIWB carry. At work, if it becomes evident I'm carrying, I'm fired. Appendix carry in a High Noon tuckable with my S&W 3913 is invisible. Carrying at the 3-5 o'clock range, I'm ok standing up, but as soon as I bend or twist, you can see the grip.

AIWB is not uncomfortable, but I would say it takes a little more getting used to than strongside hip.

I like the fact that I can still access while seated, or wearing a seatbelt. Also, it's very, very hard to stop someone from getting their hands to that part of their body, which might be helpful if you ever get into a tussle.

All that said, I'm still not crazy about the gun pointing at my femoral artery or my junk. Double action pistols for me, please. No striker fired.

 

[CDW4ME]

Trust the safety features? You bet your .....

I'm still not crazy about the gun pointing at my femoral artery or my junk. Double action pistols for me, please. No striker fired.

I'm not fond of where the muzzle points either; however I've always carried a Glock (striker fired) and now a Kimber Ultra Carry II cocked & locked.

I figure the cocked & locked Kimber is technically "safer" since it has the grip safety in addition to a manual safety. Cocked hammer pointed toward VIP body parts does cause some concern, but the Glock is pre-cocked when loaded, you just don't see it.

I did carry a Springfield XDsc (same type FIST holster) for awhile; the XD is fully cocked when loaded. Well, some one pointed out that the striker actually moves to the rear an entire 1/32'' of an inch before firing.

 

[Erik]

I've migrated to carrying AIWB, having carried IWB for years. IIRC, somewhere around 2 weeks into it my body adjusted to the position change, and I haven't looked back since.

The benefits I found, compared to IWB/OWB:
More concealable from a variety of positions. Not just standing in front of the mirror or sitting ram-rod straight.
Significantly more "bump-frisk" and hug proof.
My standing, 2-handed draw times are faster.
My 1-hand draw times are slightly slower.
My seated draw times are much faster.
Having separated my shoulder in the past, not having to articulate my shoulder to gain access in a plus.

The negatives:
You have to be able to wear un-tucked, closed-front tops.
Apparently, some folks have... structural challenges.

Caveat: I have an athletic build and the luxury of wearing un-tucked, closed-front tops. most of the time.

Best - E

 

[tmoore912]

I've been carrying appendix for the past 2 years, and don't think I will go back to behind the hip carry. Like some of you, I am a big fan of Dale Fricke holsters. I have three of his works of Kydex art. AIWB carry is not for everyone, but if you happen to have the right body type........it can work very well. I either carry a Glock 17 or a Springfield Legend 5" 1911 in a Archangel holster from Dale all day every day.

 

[Ledgehammer]

Caveat: I have an athletic build and the luxury of wearing un-tucked, closed-front tops. most of the time.

I like aiwb with my g19, I'm not sure what you mean by closed front top though. Aren't all shirts closed front? Is this a female thing?

 

[foghornl]

If you are going to cary IWB (inside the Waist Band) DON"T FORGET the holster...

So-called "Mexican Carry" {gun just stuffed in the Waist Band without holster is a BAAAAAAD idea}

Can you say "Plaxico Burress"?

 

[Packman]

I'm not sure what you mean by closed front top though. Aren't all shirts closed front? Is this a female thing?

Nope. One of my preferred methods of dress is jeans and a t-shirt with an un-buttoned button-down over the top. However, that's incompatible with AIWB.

If you don't mind the belt clip being visible, then even a tuckable AIWB carry is danged near invisible with a tucked in and bloused shirt.

 

[9mmepiphany]

Aren't all shirts closed front? Is this a female thing?

Actually it is very common in LE circles to wear an unbuttoned shirt over a tucked-in T-shirt to conceal a OWB holster...it is like a light un-zipped sweatshirt and is dressier than an un-tucked T-shirt. An added plus is that it doesn't have the Shoot Me First look of a photographer vest.

It is also applicable to IDPA competition, there is a Blackhawk CQC Serpa Paddle holster under this shirt...this was a training demonstration (lack of hearing protection)

 

[Ledgehammer]

Ya I follow ya now. I think what threw me off was referring to a shirt a top. I've only heard females do that. I get it now. I believe in Florida except for winter that method of concealment is way too hot. That's precisely why I like aiwb very little printing issues and my gun is in front of me.