Appendix Carry…Thousands of Thugs Can’t be Wrong!

[JFootin]

This is a very good article about carrying in the appendix position. He lists many of the same advantages that I have found and posted about from my use of this carry method. In fact, he states that just like me his first use of appendix carry was with a J-frame. Great minds think alike!

Appendix Carry…Thousands of Thugs Can’t be Wrong!

Here is one of my recent posts where I detail my findings.

http://kahrtalk.com/showpost.php?p=190079&postcount=7

[muggsy]

I carry AIWB, because of a shoulder injury that prevents me from easily reaching behind my right hip and pulling upward to draw. The only negative is that carrying AIWB places the gun closer to the perp that I'm trying to stop. This is in part why I feel that situational awareness is key to this type of carry. Other than that I see no problem with this method of carry.

[mluikey]

I carry and have trained utilizing AIWB, it is by far the fastest draw and most secure position to carry in. I have taken classes where we were victims of "car jacking type situations" and guys who opted to carry AIWB got on their gun the quickest. Also, from a holster retention standpoint it is much easier to protect the gun from a gun snatch. The Kahrs (K9 or PM9) hide very well appendix.

[ken_in_austin]

I've been very happy carrying my S&W 642 in an Alessi APX holster between 1 and 2 o'clock. That article is right on the money. The right holster makes all the difference.

Ken

[PYROhafe]

I dont carry yet (still waiting on my permit to come in the mail) but I like the things mentioned in the article. Thanks JFootin! (as always) What about the mugger scenario where you're "reaching for your wallet" and come out with the gun that was being carried IWB behind the hip? I mean I know thats only one scenario, but doesnt that seem to be the most common (if you can call any of them that) reason to draw on someone?

[mluikey]

PYROhafe, in regards to your scenario the shoulder articulation is less from an AIWB draw than a 4 O'clock draw. Picture having you hands in the fence position (palms up facing the bad guy) and quickly reaching down, lifting your cover garment and coming on your target swiftly. If you practice the draw technique, you will see how fast it is. Also, in the appendix position you can access your gun with either hand (something that is a challenge with wearing it at the 3 or 4 o clock position). If you end up on the ground either on you back or on your stomach it is easier to access your weapon in front of you than on your side. I have taken ECQC classes with Shivworks instructors and once you train and understand the AIWB you will not want to carry any other way. I guarantee it.

[mluikey]

here is a good thread on Appendix carry.... it's only 65 pages long...
http://pistol-forum.com/showthread.p...Appendix-Carry)

[Longitude Zero]

With a good holster appendix carry is great. HOWEVER I have worked dozens of shootings when a thug doing it sans holster has de-nutted/euneched themselves. If you carry appendix w/o a holster you are truly stupid and deserve what you get.

The reality is that any belt holster except cross draw is almost worthless when belted into a car. Facts are facts. That is why I have another weapon mounted in a holster under the steering column for when I am in the car.

[mluikey]

With a good holster appendix carry is great. HOWEVER I have worked dozens of shootings when a thug doing it sans holster has de-nutted/euneched themselves. If you carry appendix w/o a holster you are truly stupid and deserve what you get.

hehehehehe

[itsthelaw]

Great story JFootin. I only have one non-canted holster and it is for a G26. The holster is one of those cheap ones with a spring clip. I just tried it and it makes sense...even with the G26. The one thing that I cannot get over is that it is directly pointed at my manhood or, because I would probably have it closer to my hip, my femoral artery. That freaks me out! When I first carried, I was freaked about having a load in battery too, but now I don't think about it.

I'm predicting that you'll try to sell me a PJ, but what holsters do you use? Is kydex comfy or should it be leather? I'm a big fan of thin. BTW...been carrying my PJ almost exclusively now that the weather is cooler.

[mluikey]

itsthelaw, my favorite holster for AIWB is a Dale Fricke Archangel holster. Conceals nicely and allows a good combat grip. I have one both for my K9 as well as my Glock 19.

The biggest thing is with holstering and making sure your finger is clear of the trigger when holstering.

[Nimrod]

I use appendix carry about 95% of the time. I have a PJ holster for my K9. It is thin, light weight, and very comfortable. With that said, I still prefer leather. I also have a Mitch Rosen clipper for my K9, my PM9, and my MK40. I bought all three of these from the Kahr site.

For me, the appendix carry works very well.

[7shot]

Due to the fact that I have to lock my pistol in the car during my work week, appendix carry is just much easier to get off and on. Otherwise I OWC at the 3-3:30 position on the weekends. My preferred method of carry...

[JFootin]

here is a good thread on Appendix carry.... it's only 65 pages long...
http://pistol-forum.com/showthread.p...Appendix-Carry)

Thanks, mluikey. That's a good thread. That Garrity In-Victus looks like it would allow me to carry my new Walther PPQ AIWB, but it's $170 and the wait might be a year. Nice thing is he doesn't require payment up front, but honor would compel me to pay him when he contacted me. I wonder if there is something close to it that is more affordable and available in less time? The Blackhawk CQC IWB looks like a possibility. It is tempting, but I am sceptical about being able to carry the PPQ AIWB because of my big belly. I have 2 kydex OWB holsters and I am awaiting delivery of a 2 clip leather IWB holster that I am going to evaluate with the PPQ. I would also really like to try the very inventive holster solution discussed in this THREAD to see if I can achieve ultimate comfort and concealability with the PPQ.

Great story JFootin. I only have one non-canted holster and it is for a G26. The holster is one of those cheap ones with a spring clip. I just tried it and it makes sense...even with the G26. The one thing that I cannot get over is that it is directly pointed at my manhood or, because I would probably have it closer to my hip, my femoral artery. That freaks me out! When I first carried, I was freaked about having a load in battery too, but now I don't think about it.

I'm predicting that you'll try to sell me a PJ, but what holsters do you use? Is kydex comfy or should it be leather? I'm a big fan of thin. BTW...been carrying my PJ almost exclusively now that the weather is cooler.

You know I love Paul, but my belly is so soft and tender that I prefer something softer than kydex for AIWB. Also, please understand that I am way far from being any kind of an expert on this subject. So, here is a brief history of my experiments with AIWB carry.

I started getting interested in AIWB carry after I got my S&W 638 Airweight pistol. I ordered a PJ holster with zero cant to carry it at about 8:30. The holster is comfortable, but in that position near the hip the width of the cylinder makes it a little more noticeable than my CM9. I got the zero cant so I could also try it AIWB, but my soft belly didn't like it.

I have an Uncle Mike's #3 pocket holster. It has a strip of grippy material that goes around it's middle. I found that it will stay put real well AIWB under belt tension, so I started experimenting with it in the AIWB position with the J-frame. I tried the CM9 but found it less comfortable and way more likely to print above and below the waistline than the J-frame. So I concentrated on the J-frame, which seems like it is made for AIWB carry.

Each of us is built differently. All I can say is YMMV. I have a typical but not exaggerated middle-aged spread. You know, the belly and the spare tire going around the sides. My waist size is 42 and my belly does not droop down over my belt, but my belt rides in a trough below the belly and spare tire. As I have explained in other posts including the one linked below, I find the shape of the J-frame to be ideal for riding in that trough near my belt where an untucked shirt draping down from my belly totally hides it. I found that a low ride and a reverse cant help to position the gun ideally. All of this is explained in my linked post:
http://kahrtalk.com/showpost.php?p=190079&postcount=7

I was so encouraged by my experiment with the UM holster that I commissioned James Dean to make me a leather AIWB holster to my specs for the J-frame. I specified low ride, reverse cant, a tuckable steel clip and rounded edge so there are no corners to dig into my belly. It came out beautifully!


The holster works wonderfully and keeps my gun securely holstered.

I had added a Taurus 738 TCP 380 to my collection, so I ordered an inexpensive Side Guard Minimal Snap Holster to carry it AIWB.

It works well and is very comfortable, too. If I had it to do over, though, I might get the Minimal Clip Holster instead because I think it rides lower.

Now here is an interesting twist. I wanted a pocket holster for the TCP and I decided to try the Stays-Put Ultra, which is just $14.95 shipped. I really liked it a lot! It is a well designed holster that is very thin, yet hides the gun well. And it STAYS PUT when I draw better than any pocket holster I have ever had. I ordered one for the J-frame, as well. It STAYS PUT even better because it fills up my jeans pocket. But, of course, I had to try them AIWB. Shazam! Boy, these holsters work extremely well there. They STAY PUT. They are effortless to insert or remove without having to fiddle with clips or snaps. They are lined with smooth nylon which makes the draw extra fast. They have a tiny little strip of flexible plastic that keeps the mouth open just enough to make it easy to reinsert the gun. Their thinness really enhances concealability. And they are so comfortable on my soft belly that I forget they are there! I found my perfect AIWB solution for 2 guns for just $29.90!

I use the leather holsters when I want to go a little dressier, and I still want to try the tuckable James Dean holster with a tucked in shirt. Haven't gotten around to it, yet.

Well, that's all I know. AIWB is my chosen carry method for the J-frame, and it is my favorite carry choice at present. I have a super cool covert carry system that I use for the TCP now, so the AIWB and pocket holsters don't see much use. Although, if carried on the waist, AIWB is my choice for the TCP. My CM9 carries ideally at about 8:30 in either my PM IWB holster or my James Dean 2 snap leather IWB holster. Based on my earlier experiments and the fact that I have 2 extremely comfortable and concealable holsters for carry behind the hip, I don't think I will pursue AIWB crry for the CM9. I'll have to let you know what I find that works for my new, larger gun - the Walther PPQ. It probably won't displace my small guns for concealed carry, but I would like to have a holster or two that can do it comfortably and concealably.

[mluikey]

JFootin, I agree 100% on using leather. The Garity looks like an awesome piece, but yes it is pricey as well as who knows how long it is going to take to get one. Here is another option,http://www.ttgunleather.com/catalog/i94.html I personally do not have any experience with them but I have heard good things. I have contemplated ordering one from them. Their price is $60 less. I also like using the High Noon Holsters "Mr Softy" it is a thinner leather that is not fitted like many other holsters but it takes on the shape of the gun nicely and is very minimalistic. The mouth of the holster is not reinforced so it does collapse when the gun is removed but it is not an issue for me as I am not drawing and reholstering like I would be in a training environment. I like to carry my PM9 using the Mr Softy as it hides very well. I would say I am built much like you. If I wear a kydex holster, I need to make sure I have a baggy shirt on as the gun and holster has a tendency to roll forward and print due to my "extra baggage".

A friend of mine named Spencer Keepers is making a new holster called the "keeper" and is supposed to be an awesome holster. It is $150 but a lot of trainers and LEO buddies are swearing by it.

Mike