Is carrying a pistol "high" in AiWB ok?

[Onward Allusion]

If you're going to carry it in that position, get the correct holster at the very least. Personally, I would not carry in that position...barrel pointed at your groin/femoral area.

It's a Glock 19, right? Pretty flat, right? Here's a different suggestion. Get a nylon pancake holster and carry at 3 O'clock with your belt over the holster instead of under. Double coverage for your trigger and it also forces the holster/gun combo to be even flatter.

I carry a Taurus 608 that way and more than half the time my wife don't know I'm carrying the big revolver.

 

[dprice3844444]

http://www.smartcarry.com/
nrastore.org concealed carry shirts,jackets vests
http://ccwbreakaways.com/ breakaway pants shorts built in holster pockets.less chances of accidental d/c's which might cause you to sing soprano

 

[JAshley73]

No I do not believe it is a safe way to carry.

Yes it is less secure.

Good reasons have already been given. In addition drawing from that high of position under a buttoned shirt would be difficult.

I have to disagree. With just a little practice pulling the cover garment with your weak hand, it is not difficult at all to draw from that position, even carried that high. It's actually easier hen the gun is that high, because it allows for a better, quicker grip on the gun.

Even one handed, it's not much trouble drawing, even with a button-down shirt hanging low over the gun. I've got a toddler and carry her on my weak side so my strong hand is free to draw. (God forbid...) Even with a button-down shirt, it's not much trouble.

For some practice/testing, hold a pillow, or box, or bag of groceries in your weak hand, and practice drawing. It doesn't take long to get comfortable with it.

Personally I find it much easier than drawing from 4-5 o'clock position, especially when you when your weak hand is holding something.



My advice, as someone who every-day appendix carries, is try it. Even if it means carrying unloaded around the house to build familiarity. My bet is that in time you will be comfortable with the idea, but will seek out a single-clip holster fe more physical comfort.

Belly pokes, gun falling out, and bending down? No, I doubt it.

Belly pokes happen, but they aren't that frequent. This is another reason for a single-clip holster, so that the rig can twist a little as you move. You also learn to kneel down more instead of bending over too, so that helps with a lot of the typical worries... Also worth noting, is that appendix carry allows for a looser belt, again so the rig can move as needed. He's also carrying a Glock, which doesn't have much of a beaver-tail, so there isn't much to be poking you anyway.


No disrespect, but a lot of the negative comments here make me wonder if these same people have ever carried AIWB, at length before. I have never come close to the gun coming out of the holster when carrying...

 

[Vodoun da Vinci]

No disrespect, but a lot of the negative comments here make me wonder if these same people have ever carried AIWB, at length before. I have never come close to the gun coming out of the holster when carrying...

Some folks just cannot get past the idea that they have a gun pointing at their femoral artery. With a gun carried behind the hip an ND will have the bullet grazing a buttock. In appendix carry an ND can kill you easily. This is a fact - I carry Appendix and it make me think *every* time I holster and handle a gun. It changes the way I look at guns for CC...it changes the way I train. It makes me *very* serious about choices of holsters and clothing and how I handle my safeties, decockers, where my finger is (at all times) and what clothing or stray objects can get stuck and pull a trigger. I sweep the inside of the holster every time before I holster and I wear a belt with no "tail"...the end is stuck down with velcro. I prefer a lower riding holster for max concealment but a higher riding holster is not a hazard with the right gun and the correct holster. Carrying Appendix can be un nerving and uncomfortable but *carrying* can be un nerving and uncomfortable. You have to train with it and get used to it and maybe adjust the fit, belt, holster, gun, and train to do it.

The advantages of Appendix carry are awesome. The risks if one screws up is enhanced. It's a serious choice. That said, like everything else in concealed carry and firearms in general, one size does not fit all users. I do also get weary of advice from folks who do not carry Appendix and thus have no experience and from those who fear for their manhood and so overlook the advantages of Appendix carry. For me it's the best way. Maybe not for others. I train hard and daily to have the right mindset and I stop and think *every* time I holster.

VooDoo

 

[BSA1]

No disrespect, but a lot of the negative comments here make me wonder if these same people have ever carried AIWB, at length before. I have never come close to the gun coming out of the holster when carrying...

Since you have choose my post and my comments I will respond. I don't know if 38 years of carrying a handgun qualifies as "ever carried AIWB at length before."

One of the fundamental rules of firearm safety is never point the muzzle of a firearm at anything you don't intend to destroy. Holstered or not I do not want the muzzle of my handgun pointing at any part of my body.

There are several positions of handgun carry that offer comfortable carry, good retention and ease of draw without having the muzzle of the gun point at some portion of the body and does not sweep the body when drawn.

 

[wally]

A leaner midsection and a shorter gun are optimal for me. Lost 30 pounds when I realized that appendix carry was the way for me

Yes as long as the "love handles" stick out further than the "beer belly" (aka "roof over the tool shed") then appendix carry generally works very well.

I have trouble with the 4-5 o'clock carry because an old shoulder injury sometimes makes it painful to reach back there to grab a gun or my wallet


After my steroid shot, when the shoulder is almost normal, I appreciate the virtues of 4-5 o'clock carry in being able to use a bigger gun, but I'm more comfortable deflecting hugs and such when using appendix carry, and it has the virtue of not being an issue when the effect of the treatment eventually wears off


Experiment (empty gun around the house doing chores on a week-end is a good safe way to evaluate), find what works best for you. Rule #1 of the gunfight: "Have A Gun!"

The advantages of Appendix carry are awesome. The risks if one screws up is enhanced. It's a serious choice.

So true, its also why I prefer an external safety!

 

[Zerodefect]

Darn, there was an awesome leather style holster designed for A carry. forget the brand.

But I'd rather carry at 5:30 instead with a crossbreed. I can hide anything near the small of my back, as long as I "JeanLukePicard" my shirt every time I stand up.

 

[woodwrkr]

i use holsters similar to yours, either a Theis two clip model with a 5" 1911 or a White Hat Max Tuck with a Sig P227R but I wear them at about the 2:30 position right hand with a strong forward cant. this puts the muzzle and the toe of the grip on the 3:00 line so I can bend, stoop and squat with very little printing if any. If the holster is any farther forward I get poked in the thigh, any farther to the rear and the grip prints. I've also shortened the bottom end of the forward Kydex clip and trimmed as much leather off of the forward lower edge of the holster so that the leather doesn't rub on my thigh while I'm seated. It seems to work well for me.

 

[JTQ]

Darn, there was an awesome leather style holster designed for A carry. forget the brand.

5 Shot Leather "SME" ? http://www.5shotleather.com/sme.htm