Appendix Carry Opinions

[zink11]

Interested to see everyone’s opinions and experiences with appendix carry as I know it is a hotly debated subject.

I always carried at 4 o’clock when I was in college in WV but I’ve ordered holsters for both appendix and IWB for when I can finally carry in MD.

 

[Axl]

I'm curious about this as well. I've only used Cross Draw.

 

[Blaster229]

If it's comfy for you, do it. If not, don't. That's the sum of it.

 

[smokey]

...one of the reasons I'm down 15 lbs since the start of summer. It's not for every body type and plays nicer when you don't have a gut.

 

[zink11]

I’m excited to try it, seems better for concealment and a faster more consistent draw. Also the only accidental discharge I have first hand knowledge of was my roommate who got a line off of his hunting pack jammed in his holster at 4 o’clock. Being able to better see what your doing when holstering would have prevented it.

 

[GolfR]

...one of the reasons I'm down 15 lbs since the start of summer. It's not for every body type and plays nicer when you don't have a gut.

I’m with you. Ive lost about 25 lbs this year and it makes appendix carry much more viable. I find that appendix carry is much easier to conceal in the summer months compared to 4-5 o’clock or even small of the back. Since I’ve gone down a size or so in my pants, the newer clothes aren’t as baggy or long and it leads to a higher chance of my 4-5 o’clock carry showing when jumping into the truck or bending over to pick up the kids.

 

[Mr. Ed]

I’m excited to try it, seems better for concealment and a faster more consistent draw. Also the only accidental discharge I have first hand knowledge of was my roommate who got a line off of his hunting pack jammed in his holster at 4 o’clock. Being able to better see what your doing when holstering would have prevented it.

And having the added incentive of not blowing your junk to smithereens might increase the attention to holstering.

 

[Preach]

I am comfortable with appendix carry as long as I don't have to sit down. That said I am on the slightly larger belly side of things. T shirts cover nicely but when sitting down digs into leg/groin area.

 

[Bullfrog]

I am comfortable with appendix carry as long as I don't have to sit down. That said I am on the slightly larger belly side of things. T shirts cover nicely but when sitting down digs into leg/groin area.

I have issues with sitting as well. AIWB is easier to conceal and access, especially when walking or standing, but if I am sitting the muzzle gets pushed up and lifts the firearm. I don't have much excess weight around the waist, so that isn't the issue for me.

 

[jc1240]

I'm looking into appendix carry. Won't have my 16-hour class until mid Sept, so I've got lots of time to contemplate.

 

[jrumann59]

I am comfortable with appendix carry as long as I don't have to sit down. That said I am on the slightly larger belly side of things. T shirts cover nicely but when sitting down digs into leg/groin area.

If I could stand 24/7 I would also AIWB carry but at least my girth allows me to 3-4 o'clock carry an M17

 

[GrimReaper]

I like it until I have to sit down and then its extremely uncomfortable. Maybe I just need a holster the sits a bit higher. I don't have a huge belly or much fat so that's not the issue.

 

[Blaster229]

I’m excited to try it, seems better for concealment and a faster more consistent draw. Also the only accidental discharge I have first hand knowledge of was my roommate who got a line off of his hunting pack jammed in his holster at 4 o’clock. Being able to better see what your doing when holstering would have prevented it.

Well, it would have helped if he looked at all. He didn't need to see better. He needed to see. Literally no excuse for that happening.

 

[Blaster229]

I like it until I have to sit down and then its extremely uncomfortable. Maybe I just need a holster the sits a bit higher. I don't have a huge belly or much fat so that's not the issue.

Appendix is meant to sit high. But what happens at that, it's susceptible to "tip over". Just falling forward. It's that fine line, the height of belt line to the bottom of the holster, because that contact between the amount of holster and the abdomen offset the "tip".
Lower the holster, less comfy, more stable. The higher, less stable, more comfy.

 

[Preach]

If I could stand 24/7 I would also AIWB carry but at least my girth allows me to 3-4 o'clock carry an M17

Lol...mine too

 

[smokey]

And having the added incentive of not blowing your junk to smithereens might increase the attention to holstering.

I like it until I have to sit down and then its extremely uncomfortable. Maybe I just need a holster the sits a bit higher. I don't have a huge belly or much fat so that's not the issue.

Appendix made me realize the utility of guns with a longer grip and shorter slide. Before getting in to it, I was all about bobbed subcompact grips on full sized slides for the 4 oclock. My full sized m&p45 isn't great for appendix, even with my belt urkle'd up high. My m&p9c is pretty comfortable in appendix though. For sitting, pushing it a little more mid-line gets it away from my thigh a bit more. For safety, I like taking off the holster completely, popping the gun in, and then tossing it back on. Not hipping-out like I can with a 4 oclock carry makes me a little more cautious. If needed, I can still easily just re-holster one-handed... but 5 extra seconds gives my tallywhacker a lot more peace of mind.

 

[Threeband]

Smokey, what holsters do you like for your M&P9c?

 

[All Good Hits]

I'm a skinny guy and I exclusively appendix carry a Springfield Hellcat in a Tier 1 Concealed IWB appendix holster. Hawaiian shirts and untucked collared shirts end up working really well for me. Sitting down or driving with it isn't super comfortable, but you get used to it. Frankly, I feel more uncomfortable not being armed than I do with some plastic poking me in the leg. I end up wearing my belt a bit higher than normal so I avoid having the muzzle area of my holster dig into my upper thigh.

Holstering your loaded weapon is absolutely the most dangerous part of appendix carry. My pistol does not re-enter the holster loaded unless I have just freshly loaded it after periodic cleaning or practice, or in the hypothetical instance of right after I've used it for self defense. It re-enters the holster unloaded quite a lot when I'm practicing dry fire at home.

 

[MindTheGAP]

IWB appendix = best carry. Lose weight if it's uncomfortable, the problem is you, not the carry position. The holster I use is eminently comfortable sitting, standing, crouching, etc. Easily the best / most concealable carry spot.

 

[smokey]

Smokey, what holsters do you like for your M&P9c?

haha don't judge but I've just got a cheap ass concealment express kydex IWB that I'm actually kind've fond of. It comes rough from amazon, but after working it over a bit, it's nice now. I also cut it back for the holosun 407c and polished the edges a bit. I'm likely going to invest in something better with a claw now. I'd also like to snag a IWB version of a retention holster like the gls for carrying when dadding.

575 IWB Holster GLS™ Pro-Fit Holster

The 575 Inside-the-Waistband holster features the unique Grip Lock System (GLS™), which secures the firearm once holstered. The GLS is deactivated with the middle finger upon obtaining a standard shooting grip on the firearm. Its low-cut and compact design makes concealment easy while allowing...

safariland.com