Posted: 3/28/2012 4:33:58 PM EDT
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Looking into going with an appendix carry during licensed CCW carry and was wondering if anyone here has experience employing that position of carry?
How uncomfortable is it during driving? Is it an unsafe position? |
. Ive kind of remedied this by positioning the gun to the side of my gut.
Here are some pictures I posted on a couple sites reviewing the Garrett Industries Silent Thunder Slim. I have been carrying my P2000 appendix only for about 2 months. I love this method of carry. It is comfortable all day long. I drive about a 1000 miles a week for work, so if it were not comfortable while driving I couldn't do it. I don't think it's something just anyone can do. Every person is built different, so what works for me may not work for you. As far as printing, this is the best way I have found. I can honestly say that I can put a shirt on that is a size to small for me and it's still hard to see it. I was using a my wifes Canon Rebel ESi to take these pictures. I couldn't figure out how to get the display in the back to work. So I had to hold the camera up to my face. Which meant I had to twist my upper body completely to take the side view pictures. That's the worst it should print unless I could bend over backwards. If I do that it's because my back is broke, and then I don't care if I'm printing.
I will say that I prefer a hammer fired weapon for this. It's nice to be able to cover it with your thumb while reholstering. I suggest you go to Pistol-forum. There are several really good - really long - threads pertaining to appendix carry. Just for reference, I am about 5' 11" and weigh roughly 200 lbs. So I am in no way petite. Holster with gun: 
With jeans. Normally I would have slightly larger cover shirt. That is the tightest fitting t-shirt I own. Figured you would rather see that than my belly. 
Twisted holding camera getting side view. There really is zero printing. Even when I pull my cover shirt tight. 
With pants I would normally wear to work: 
Twisted for side view: 
How I would normally carry at work with shirt tucked in: 
And again twisted for side view: 
I don't know of any cons except for the whole femoral artery thing. But I see no reason to be reholstering that quickly. And as I mentioned, I ride my hammer when reholstering. It's just something you need to try, possibly with an unloaded weapon, and see if it works for you. There are other appendix holsters that I will try. I really like the Garrett, but I'm a holster junky and just like trying different ones. There are many reviewed on pistol-forum, as I mentioned earlier. If you have any further questions that I may assist you with, feel free to ask. |
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Here are some pictures I posted on a couple sites reviewing the Garrett Industries Silent Thunder Slim. I have been carrying my P2000 appendix only for about 2 months. I love this method of carry. It is comfortable all day long. I drive about a 1000 miles a week for work, so if it were not comfortable while driving I couldn't do it. I don't think it's something just anyone can do. Every person is built different, so what works for me may not work for you. As far as printing, this is the best way I have found. I can honestly say that I can put a shirt on that is a size to small for me and it's still hard to see it. I was using a my wifes Canon Rebel ESi to take these pictures. I couldn't figure out how to get the display in the back to work. So I had to hold the camera up to my face. Which meant I had to twist my upper body completely to take the side view pictures. That's the worst it should print unless I could bend over backwards. If I do that it's because my back is broke, and then I don't care if I'm printing.
I will say that I prefer a hammer fired weapon for this. It's nice to be able to cover it with your thumb while reholstering. I suggest you go to Pistol-forum. There are several really good - really long - threads pertaining to appendix carry. Just for reference, I am about 5' 11" and weigh roughly 200 lbs. So I am in no way petite. Holster with gun: http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d155/twpayne75/112.jpg With jeans. Normally I would have slightly larger cover shirt. That is the tightest fitting t-shirt I own. Figured you would rather see that than my belly. http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d155/twpayne75/116.jpg Twisted holding camera getting side view. There really is zero printing. Even when I pull my cover shirt tight. http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d155/twpayne75/115.jpg With pants I would normally wear to work: http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d155/twpayne75/117.jpg Twisted for side view: http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d155/twpayne75/118.jpg How I would normally carry at work with shirt tucked in: http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d155/twpayne75/119.jpg And again twisted for side view: http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d155/twpayne75/120.jpg I don't know of any cons except for the whole femoral artery thing. But I see no reason to be reholstering that quickly. And as I mentioned, I ride my hammer when reholstering. It's just something you need to try, possibly with an unloaded weapon, and see if it works for you. There are other appendix holsters that I will try. I really like the Garrett, but I'm a holster junky and just like trying different ones. There are many reviewed on pistol-forum, as I mentioned earlier. If you have any further questions that I may assist you with, feel free to ask. There is no way you can be comfortable in a seated position, car, dinner table, etc.?? |
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There is no way you can be comfortable in a seated position, car, dinner table, etc.?? Apparently there is a way. I am not going to say that this will be comfortable for all that try it. Obviously if your belly sticks out farther than your dick, it's probably going to cause some discomfort. I carry like this about 18 hours a day. I am sitting here typing this now. I assure you I am in no pain. I can feel pressure on my lower extremities because there is a gun being pushed into them. Same as you feel pressure on your side when wearing at the 3 o'clock position, I don't consider that painful either. As said before I drive about a 1000 miles a week, and I generally do that while seated. When I first wanted to try appendix carry I got a cheap Uncle Mikes IWB holster. The one with the felt like stuff on the outside and smooth on the inside. I carried like that for several days. It actually wasn't that bad. The only downside is there's onviously no retention, and there is nothing on the holster that is going to pull the butt of the gun in. I would recommend trying one of those first before spending $100 + on a dedicated appendix carry holster. |
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I don't have any discomfort from appendix carry after sitting on my ass all day, or driving. I also have a gut (not a large one). If you have a large gut and want to appendix carry, move the gun further from your centerline and closer to your pocket.
I think most people are very unfamiliar with the mechanics of appendix carry, but once you figure out how it works you realize that guns with a longer muzzle can be more comfortable than subcompacts. If the muzzle is jamming into your groin or thigh, or the top of the slide is jammed painfully into your guts, you're doing it wrong. Appendix carry –– when done right –– is as comfortable or more so than carrying on your hip. The biggest plus that I see is being able to conceal a full sized fighting gun instead of some micro thingy that only holds a few rounds. The legendary speed is second to that. |
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I think most people are very unfamiliar with the mechanics of appendix carry, but once you figure out how it works you realize that guns with a longer muzzle can be more comfortable than subcompacts. I'm glad you brought that up. Prior to trying appendix carry I was about to buy a P2000SK. Now instead I am in the market for a P30. The shorter barrel/slide will allow the gun to lean out farther. Actually making it less concealable and as mentioned, more uncomfortable. |
| The P30 is the perfect size for appendix carry. I carried a G17 like that for awhile and the slide length was great, and switching to a G26 didn't work well. The P30 is long enough to keep the back of the slide tucked, but not long enough to smash your nuts when you sit down too fast on a hard chair. I love mine. |
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Jw had a very good write up and good discussion in that thread.
I tried it a few years ago with a dao and it's pretty comfortable for me but I can't get past having a loaded pistol aimed at my femoral artery as I move around, sit, walk, run, drive, etc etc. Good holster or not, that's a no-go in my book....hypothetical: would you choose to lay a loaded Pistol down on your keyboard or desk with it aimed at your chest while you work? For me It just goes against key safety rules and running my own personal risk assessment I decided it wasn't worth it. The occurrence of incidents may be extremely low but it's the possible severity of those incidents that makes it untenable. Your math may be different but make sure you've reviewed your work before turning it in for grading. |
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Jw had a very good write up and good discussion in that thread. I tried it a few years ago with a dao and it's pretty comfortable for me but I can't get past having a loaded pistol aimed at my femoral artery as I move around, sit, walk, run, drive, etc etc. Good holster or not, that's a no-go in my book....hypothetical: would you choose to lay a loaded Pistol down on your keyboard or desk with it aimed at your chest while you work? For me It just goes against key safety rules and running my own personal risk assessment I decided it wasn't worth it. The occurrence of incidents may be extremely low but it's the possible severity of those incidents that makes it untenable. Your math may be different but make sure you've reviewed your work before turning it in for grading. Yep. In a holster of course. |
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Jw had a very good write up and good discussion in that thread. I tried it a few years ago with a dao and it's pretty comfortable for me but I can't get past having a loaded pistol aimed at my femoral artery as I move around, sit, walk, run, drive, etc etc. Good holster or not, that's a no-go in my book....hypothetical: would you choose to lay a loaded Pistol down on your keyboard or desk with it aimed at your chest while you work? For me It just goes against key safety rules and running my own personal risk assessment I decided it wasn't worth it. The occurrence of incidents may be extremely low but it's the possible severity of those incidents that makes it untenable. Your math may be different but make sure you've reviewed your work before turning it in for grading. Yep. In a holster of course. Yes, in a holster. If you've ever pocket carried or carried with a shoulder holster, whether you knew it or not you pointed your gun at a ton of people. With a serviceable holster, a loaded gun is inert. |
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I appendix carry a 5" 1911, Cocked & Locked (Condition 1). It is going off to the smith this weekend to ditch the target sights and get some trigger work done.
I think that as long as you have a good holster that protects the gun & shrouds the trigger guard, there isn't any problem. Of course, keeping your finger off the trigger is key when drawing (though that should be done no matter where you carry). I think the biggest downside is the mental block more than anything. Here are a few pics of me. I carry roughly 1 o'clock (if 12 is directly in front of me). I am right handed. I am roughly 5'7", 140 pounds. I can carry this way, comfortably, without printing or anything like that. I will admit, that when seated, it does dig in a little, but nothing too uncomfortable. Because of how small I am, carrying on the strong side hip is kinda out, due to printing (I've tried it), and I don't feel comfortable carrying behind my hip, on my back. Just my personal preference. 
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I appendix carry a 5" 1911, Cocked & Locked (Condition 1). It is going off to the smith this weekend to ditch the target sights and get some trigger work done. I think that as long as you have a good holster that protects the gun & shrouds the trigger guard, there isn't any problem. Of course, keeping your finger off the trigger is key when drawing (though that should be done no matter where you carry). I think the biggest downside is the mental block more than anything. Here are a few pics of me. I carry roughly 1 o'clock (if 12 is directly in front of me). I am right handed. I am roughly 5'7", 140 pounds. I can carry this way, comfortably, without printing or anything like that. I will admit, that when seated, it does dig in a little, but nothing too uncomfortable. Because of how small I am, carrying on the strong side hip is kinda out, due to printing (I've tried it), and I don't feel comfortable carrying behind my hip, on my back. Just my personal preference. http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l478/blindfaith429/IMG_3428.jpg http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l478/blindfaith429/IMG_3436.jpg http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l478/blindfaith429/IMG_3438.jpg What brand of holster? |
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I appendix carry a 5" 1911, Cocked & Locked (Condition 1). It is going off to the smith this weekend to ditch the target sights and get some trigger work done. I think that as long as you have a good holster that protects the gun & shrouds the trigger guard, there isn't any problem. Of course, keeping your finger off the trigger is key when drawing (though that should be done no matter where you carry). I think the biggest downside is the mental block more than anything. Here are a few pics of me. I carry roughly 1 o'clock (if 12 is directly in front of me). I am right handed. I am roughly 5'7", 140 pounds. I can carry this way, comfortably, without printing or anything like that. I will admit, that when seated, it does dig in a little, but nothing too uncomfortable. Because of how small I am, carrying on the strong side hip is kinda out, due to printing (I've tried it), and I don't feel comfortable carrying behind my hip, on my back. Just my personal preference. http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l478/blindfaith429/IMG_3428.jpg http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l478/blindfaith429/IMG_3436.jpg http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l478/blindfaith429/IMG_3438.jpg What brand of holster? It's the Desantis Mad Max. I did a little mini review of it in the "Accesories" section. Here's a link: Mad Max Holster It is a pretty good holster. I couldn't find any reviews on it prior to buying, so I thought I would try it. I bought it as a "temp" holster until my Versa Max II came in. |
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I appendix carry a 5" 1911, Cocked & Locked (Condition 1). It is going off to the smith this weekend to ditch the target sights and get some trigger work done. I think that as long as you have a good holster that protects the gun & shrouds the trigger guard, there isn't any problem. Of course, keeping your finger off the trigger is key when drawing (though that should be done no matter where you carry). I think the biggest downside is the mental block more than anything. Here are a few pics of me. I carry roughly 1 o'clock (if 12 is directly in front of me). I am right handed. I am roughly 5'7", 140 pounds. I can carry this way, comfortably, without printing or anything like that. I will admit, that when seated, it does dig in a little, but nothing too uncomfortable. Because of how small I am, carrying on the strong side hip is kinda out, due to printing (I've tried it), and I don't feel comfortable carrying behind my hip, on my back. Just my personal preference. http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l478/blindfaith429/IMG_3428.jpg http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l478/blindfaith429/IMG_3436.jpg http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l478/blindfaith429/IMG_3438.jpg What brand of holster? It's the Desantis Mad Max. I did a little mini review of it in the "Accesories" section. Here's a link: Mad Max Holster It is a pretty good holster. I couldn't find any reviews on it prior to buying, so I thought I would try it. I bought it as a "temp" holster until my Versa Max II came in. very nice review, thanks alot. 
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There is no way you can be comfortable in a seated position, car, dinner table, etc.?? Apparently there is a way. I am not going to say that this will be comfortable for all that try it. Obviously if your belly sticks out farther than your dick, it's probably going to cause some discomfort. I carry like this about 18 hours a day. I am sitting here typing this now. I assure you I am in no pain. I can feel pressure on my lower extremities because there is a gun being pushed into them. Same as you feel pressure on your side when wearing at the 3 o'clock position, I don't consider that painful either. As said before I drive about a 1000 miles a week, and I generally do that while seated. When I first wanted to try appendix carry I got a cheap Uncle Mikes IWB holster. The one with the felt like stuff on the outside and smooth on the inside. I carried like that for several days. It actually wasn't that bad. The only downside is there's onviously no retention, and there is nothing on the holster that is going to pull the butt of the gun in. I would recommend trying one of those first before spending $100 + on a dedicated appendix carry holster. Guess I'm just used to the 8-9 o'clock (lefty) for all my concealed carry. Have tried appendix before maybe I just didn't have the right holster. Whatever works to get the job done ! |
| I'm 6'1" and 230. Carry at anything other than appendix sticks out like crazy. I carry at 12-1:00 depending on the day. Having a loaded gun pointed at my junk worried me for about 10mins. My holster covers the trigger, and I'm not pulling the trigger when I holster or draw. I have no comfort issues even when sitting. I carry a G19 in a Seraphim. |
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M&P FS, 6', 165lbs, IWB appendix.
Its the only way I can carry, Ive tried everywhere else, but Im too small and active, Ill print like a mofo. Pros: Printing is almost impossible. Discovery by others is almost impossible. I have found no situation where I would not be able to get my hands on it. (Like 6oclock carry while driving) Cons: One time, while exiting my truck too quickly, the barrel and the seat pinched my tip, sucked, hurt like hell. It can get uncomfortable at times. Honestly, like anything else, its going to be annoying the first couple hours/days. It takes some adjusting and fine tuning to figure out exactly where your body wants it. Getting in and out of vehicles etc is a learning experience. After a few days, you'll forget its even there. |
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I would think, based on the intended manual of arms using a Vanguard 2, that the risk of holstering a Glock or M&P would be negated.
The reholstering is done with the gun in compressed ready, then the entire assembly is inserted into the waistband complete with the trigger covered by the holster. The retaining snap is replaced after the gun is positioned. I've yet to try this method, other than with a belly band, but I'm definitely looking to get a vanguard 2 when it is released to the general public. |
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I tried out appendix carry the other day when I went to the store. I had on a pair of running shorts and a light colored t-shirt so it would have printed pretty bad on my hip. I used a BDU belt under the shorts to hold my SR9C in a Kholster.
It hid VERY well, though ill say it took some getting used to. It wasnt very comfortable and I was constantly reminded that it was there. It did ok for the hour or so that I wore it but by the end I was ready to take it off. Sitting? I dont know how youd do it will a FS pistol. All in all it was fine for what I did- which was alot of standing. Being as how im on my duff for 10 hours/day between work and commute I still prefer the 3:00-4:00 postion for everyday carry. |
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I would think, based on the intended manual of arms using a Vanguard 2, that the risk of holstering a Glock or M&P would be negated. The reholstering is done with the gun in compressed ready, then the entire assembly is inserted into the waistband complete with the trigger covered by the holster. The retaining snap is replaced after the gun is positioned. I've yet to try this method, other than with a belly band, but I'm definitely looking to get a vanguard 2 when it is released to the general public. This. I've noted the same thing before with a Zack holster for a Glock, and nobody that appendix carries seems to care. It's the safest way to AIWB a Glock. The only problem I had with practicing on the range with the Zack is that when the gun gets hot you don't want to shove it back down in your shorts. |
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I generally use it as my primary method of carry now. Glock 17 or 26 in a Dale Fricke Archangel or Zacchaeus. I prefer to use the Archangel since its much more stable in keeping the Glock in place. After a long day my Glock 26 sinks very low in my waistband with the Zach holster. With the G17 I the Zach holster doesn't sink as bad due to the length of the grip. I'm currious about the Raven Vanguard 2 perhaps this will alleviate the shifting and sinking. One thing that I have to do with AIWB is to wear an undershirt. The kydex holsters are abrasive and makes my skin sore at the end of the day without any undershirt. When sitting down it really depends on your posture. If you slouch its going to pinch. |
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I generally use it as my primary method of carry now. Glock 17 or 26 in a Dale Fricke Archangel or Zacchaeus. I prefer to use the Archangel since its much more stable in keeping the Glock in place. After a long day my Glock 26 sinks very low in my waistband with the Zach holster. With the G17 I the Zach holster doesn't sink as bad due to the length of the grip. I'm currious about the Raven Vanguard 2 perhaps this will alleviate the shifting and sinking. One thing that I have to do with AIWB is to wear an undershirt. The kydex holsters are abrasive and makes my skin sore at the end of the day without any undershirt. When sitting down it really depends on your posture. If you slouch its going to pinch. To keep my G26 from sinking down, I shortened the cord and added a clip so I could take it off quick: 
I don't know if the VG2 allows this, but the Zack is tuckable. |