[Desert Flatlander]

I did a community search and I don't think this has been addressed in a while. Looking for thoughts on IWB appendix carry: yes, no or it depends and the reasons for each.

 

[Webley One]

Desert,
CARRY in any which way serves you BEST! It is better to have a gun in Gravest Extreme than to go without. I use IWB, Ankle, or pocket carry depending on the terrain and situation.
Be well.
Webley

 

[Tor Tuga]

I usually carry appendix iwb, it's more comfortable to me then other spots. I feel like I have better control over the pistol and can conceal it more easily there. Some people get their panties twisted over the direction the gun is pointed, but with a good holster it's not any more dangerous then any other position on the belt.

 

[shran]

I carry a S&W Shield that way. Very comfortable standing up, sucks to sit down, very uncomfortable to drive with.

 

[Desert Flatlander]

Shran,
Good point on AIWB carry in the sitting/driving position. A lot of pundits advocating AIWB don't address this. I went about a week with the AIWB carry (I'm pretty fit) but, still found it very uncomfortable while driving. The people I've talked to that did carry AIWB noted that downsizing to a subcompact was the trade off for the ease of access and concealability that AIWB provides.

 

[Webley One]

Guys,
Carrying enough gun is NOT always comfortable, BUT it IS Comforting! As a LEO, my M1911 was NOT always comfortable, but we both survived.

Webley

 

[Brasky]

If carrying aiwb is uncomfortable you have one of these messed up:

Belt not stiff enough
Pants too tight
Holster too crappy
Really large gun (6” revolver for example)
Really big gut

I can appendix carry full size handguns without any discomfort. I can sit, stand, run, jump, etc without issue. I buy my pants one size larger than I normally wear to accommodate the extra room of the gun. I use a stiff carry belt. I use a quality holster not an uncle mikes or Amazon special.

 

[IamElmerJFudd]

I carry a S&W Shield that way. Very comfortable standing up, sucks to sit down, very uncomfortable to drive with.

Shran, I carried an S&W Shield this way and found it quite comfortable. Maybe you need to try a different holster. I have a hybrid, a Vedder RapidTuck RapidTuck™ IWB where the Kydex shell holding the pistol is backed by leather and the belt clip is adjustable by 30 degrees for cant in either direction. That adjustable cant can make a big difference in wearer comfort! I wore this holster for a month in the Florida heat and I really liked it. It was super comfortable in all positions because the leather doesn't dig into you like a full Kydex holster, and I could easily access my pistol while driving without having to pivot or lean forward to reach a behind the hip holster or straighten my leg to get my hand into a front pocket for a pocket holster. I feel that appendix carry is my best option if I want a pistol to be easily accessible while I'm seated or driving.

I stopped carrying AIWB for one reason only and that was because after a month of contact with my belly sweat in the Florida heat I discovered my Shield's magazine release button had developed a frosting of surface rust and I was concerned that the rust might extend to the internals of the pistol. I imagine that if I was carrying a holster that had more of the pistol exposed, or if I was carrying a pistol that had grip screws for me to sweat on, I'd have had worse rust issues than I had. The fix is simple and I just haven't gotten around to doing it yet and that is to sew another small flap of leather to the back of the holster so that the mag button is covered. I've got the leather, I just haven't had the time.

 

[curly1]

Appendix Carry for CCW - The Good & The Bad

Chris from the Lucky Gunner team lays out some things to consider if you're thinking about appendix carry as part of your CCW strategy.

www.luckygunner.com

 

[Desert Flatlander]

I carry a S&W Shield that way. Very comfortable standing up, sucks to sit down, very uncomfortable to drive with.

Years ago when appendix carry wasn't common I found a custom kydex holster maker that made me a minimalist appendix holster using a lighter gauge material than was industry standard; it fit like a glove. That holster and the maker are now gone and now that appendix is accepted, commercial holster makers have jumped into the market. It's just my observation, that contemporary commercial kydex holsters makers are making products that are unnecessarily robust (I suspect that this is done for liability reasons). This may why appendix people are going sub-compact.

Curly1
I've seen that video. It's very informative, but it has one notable flaw. He doesn't address the sitting position. Appendix carry is a breeze when we're standing, but when we sit down the thigh goes from being vertical to horizontal it becomes a problem of the holster being obstructed by anatomy. For me, big blocky holsters don't work, but that's what the industry is marketing.

 

[shran]

Shran, I carried an S&W Shield this way and found it quite comfortable. Maybe you need to try a different holster. I have a hybrid, a Vedder RapidTuck RapidTuck™ IWB where the Kydex shell holding the pistol is backed by leather and the belt clip is adjustable by 30 degrees for cant in either direction. That adjustable cant can make a big difference in wearer comfort! I wore this holster for a month in the Florida heat and I really liked it. It was super comfortable in all positions because the leather doesn't dig into you like a full Kydex holster, and I could easily access my pistol while driving without having to pivot or lean forward to reach a behind the hip holster or straighten my leg to get my hand into a front pocket for a pocket holster. I feel that appendix carry is my best option if I want a pistol to be easily accessible while I'm seated or driving.

I stopped carrying AIWB for one reason only and that was because after a month of contact with my belly sweat in the Florida heat I discovered my Shield's magazine release button had developed a frosting of surface rust and I was concerned that the rust might extend to the internals of the pistol. I imagine that if I was carrying a holster that had more of the pistol exposed, or if I was carrying a pistol that had grip screws for me to sweat on, I'd have had worse rust issues than I had. The fix is simple and I just haven't gotten around to doing it yet and that is to sew another small flap of leather to the back of the holster so that the mag button is covered. I've got the leather, I just haven't had the time.

I may have to try one of those. The one I have for my 9mm Shield is all Kydex but my 45 Shield doesn't fit that holster so I'll have to buy one for it eventually. I was kinda concerned about the rust issue too but so far it hasn't been a problem, helps that I am up north.

 

[tahoe]

I tired appendix carry a couple of times. For me, only for me I do not like it. Extremely uncomfortable and since I duty carry on the right hip I stick with that. I’ve done all the carry styles and keep coming back to outside, leather holster, reload in left front pocket ( with nothing else). Worked for 26 years and muscle memory,

Again just my personal take.

 

[Desert Flatlander]

I tired appendix carry a couple of times. For me, only for me I do not like it. Extremely uncomfortable and since I duty carry on the right hip I stick with that. .

Appendix carry isn't like belt carry, one size doesn't fit all. How much space you have between groin and thigh depends on body size and composition (fat vs, lean). As I mentioned earlier, contemporary commercial holsters are in my opinion, too bulky and robust. I suspect that this will diminish appendix carry as an option for many. A custom holster makes all the difference.

 

[tahoe]

Flatlander I get it, really I do. Holster or not for me it just is not my thing. Nothing to do with the jubblies and stuff. Just never could get used to it. Strong side OWB works for me, is what it is right? And I also only use premium rigs. I’ll pay that extra $$. I’m not going to risk my life on a P.O.S. holster.

if it works for you, or whoever then brother more power to ya !

Stay safe.