Discussion: Should I Appendix Carry?

[WellArmed]

Nope, I don't. I've been skinny to overweight and never needed to resort to AIWB carry. There's pocket and waistband carry, and that's how men and women have carried for over a century. I don't understand why suddenly it's the only way some people say they can carry. I just think it's a terrible idea.

Maybe I briefly sweep myself while carrying in the 3 o'clock position and it's inevitable, but I love my chances of living and still having my manhood by taking a shot in the thigh versus in the crotch and major artery. I don't care what others do or what justifications they've convinced themselves of. I just won't do it. To each their own.

 

[WellArmed]

Well buddy, If I accidentally shoot myself in the femoral artery, I'll likely die. If I shoot my junk off, I'll likely live. I'd much rather die versus never f'ing ever again. Just sayin.

Same here.

 

[unixfool]

At one point, I was a hard NOPE in considering AIWB as an option until a 1 AM near-incident forced me to reconsider. I firmly believe I was about to be robbed - I did something to make the guy deviate his path, which worked but I almost got caught out - was a horrible feeling and I had my daughter with me. After thinking on how it all played out, I decided that I'd rather have my firearm in front of me, for the multitude of reasons that people carry appendix. It means that I've to be extra diligent when holstering and when considering holster choice (that's a no-brainer), and I'm OK with that.

If it's not for you, then it's not for you. Kinda funny that folks say "Nope, I don't" but then lecture folks about it. There are some things I'm not going to do with firearms regardless if it's the "in" thing...I just keep my mouth shut and leave it be. That guy in the lane next to me shooting a handgun using the tea cup hold? Yeah, I leave him alone - it's his choice. That guy who open carries? That's his choice too.

IMO, choice is ALWAYS good. Even if you won't do it, someone else will.

 

[ECS686]

Nope, I don't. I've been skinny to overweight and never needed to resort to AIWB carry. There's pocket and waistband carry, and that's how men and women have carried for over a century. I don't understand why suddenly it's the only way some people say they can carry. .

Newsflash. appendix carry is not a new thing. It’s been around since the 1700’s

Below is an early 1900’s LEO with a DA Revolver

 

[WellArmed]

Newsflash. appendix carry is not a new thing. It’s been around since the 1700’s

Below is an early 1900’s LEO with a DA Revolver

It has never been a common thing or as popular as it has become in recent years, even more so with striker-fired and other handguns with ~6lb, partially or fully pre-cocked triggers with a short pull.

As I said, I really don't care what others choose to do. It's they have to leave with their choice. It's the hoops that they jump through to try and justify it that I don't understand. I

If I was to take my hosteres handgun off my person and point it at the vitals of anyone on this forum, they'd throw a huge fit. If I were to do it during competition or while at the range, LGS, or training class, I'd be promptly kicked out, and everyone on this forum with agree with that decision if they were there. Heck, when people LGS flag people with unloaded NIB guns that were cleared by the clerk beforehand, people still are upset by it. I think we'd all agree that's still not an okay thing to do. We all agree with the gun safety rules, but some want to use mental gymnastics to justify it when it comes to AIWB. Just say you know the risk and that it goes against gun safety rules but you're going to do it anyway because you don't care.

 

[Condition1]

Appendix carry has its pro’s and con’s. It isn’t a new way to carry you can find people carrying this way back in the 1800’s. The firearm is easy to draw when standing or sitting, can be drawn with either hand, a lot more easy to conceal, and holsters can have an extra mag holder, and it is comfortable for me anyway. And a quicker draw. With having a horrible back if I carry on my hip within an hour I have nerve pain running down my hip. I can carry all day while appendix carrying with zero discomfort with my back. Biggest con is what the gun is close to when holstered. An ND can happen in any position you carry if you are not diligent on how you draw or reholster. If I didn’t appendix carry the only other options I would have is off body or a shoulder holster. If appendix carry freaks you out don’t do it but don’t knock me because of the way I chose to carry a firearm.

 

[WellArmed]

Appendix carry has its pro’s and con’s. It isn’t a new way to carry you can find people carrying this way back in the 1800’s. The firearm is easy to draw when standing or sitting, can be drawn with either hand, a lot more easy to conceal, and holsters can have an extra mag holder, and it is comfortable for me anyway. And a quicker draw. With having a horrible back if I carry on my hip within an hour I have nerve pain running down my hip. I can carry all day while appendix carrying with zero discomfort with my back. Biggest con is what the gun is close to when holstered. An ND can happen in any position you carry if you are not diligent on how you draw or reholster. If I didn’t appendix carry the only other options I would have is off body or a shoulder holster. If appendix carry freaks you out don’t do it but don’t knock me because of the way I chose to carry a firearm.

No one is knocking those who carry that way, but we are pointing out that it's a lot more unsafe and goes against gun safety principles. All the mental gymnastics isn't going to change that fact.

Some of the arguments for AIWB is akin me saying that it's okay, perfectly fine, and not much more of a risk for me to unholster me gun and point it at myself (as long as I'm careful about it and keep my finger off the trigger) because some people may flag themselves when they draw. Basically, the logic is that some people may flag themselves while drawing so it's no different than me intentionally pointing the gun at myself.

Other than that, in this goldem age of firearms, firearms exist that start from 11ish ounce or so that on up that are relatively light.

 

[Shibadog]

It has never been a common thing or as popular as it has become in recent years, even more so with striker-fired and other handguns with ~6lb, partially or fully pre-cocked triggers with a short pull.

As I said, I really don't care what others choose to do. It's they have to leave with their choice. It's the hoops that they jump through to try and justify it that I don't understand. I

If I was to take my hosteres handgun off my person and point it at the vitals of anyone on this forum, they'd throw a huge fit. If I were to do it during competition or while at the range, LGS, or training class, I'd be promptly kicked out, and everyone on this forum with agree with that decision if they were there. Heck, when people LGS flag people with unloaded NIB guns that were cleared by the clerk beforehand, people still are upset by it. I think we'd all agree that's still not an okay thing to do. We all agree with the gun safety rules, but some want to use mental gymnastics to justify it when it comes to AIWB. Just say you know the risk and that it goes against gun safety rules but you're going to do it anyway because you don't care.

This

 

[BarryinIN]

I have only within the last two years come to carrying appendix, although I use an OWB holster. I use a DA revolver there, so I can keep my thumb on the hammer when holstering, and I never holster fast. Leaning back with an OWB gets the muzzle pointed away from me when holstering.

As others have said, I’ve seen a lot of self-induced holstering danger that gives me the fits and vapors.

While we’re on it, I’ll continue the drift: “Speed reholstering” is a pet peeve of mine anyway. Unless you’re LE who might have to go from guns to hands-on, there is no need to holster quickly. It’s simply a bad idea both for range safety and “tactically speaking”. If you had to have your gun out, shouldn’t you be very reluctant to put it away?

I’ve watched people practicing do the following:
They draw, shoot, and miss, and their reaction (“Awww dang!”) comes while their gun was going back into the holster. I would like to say that was a learning experience, but I don’t think I can.

And finally, that last step many do of quickly jamming the gun in the holster especially makes me want to cry.

 

[ECS686]

It has never been a common thing or as popular as it has become in recent years, even more so with striker-fired and other handguns with ~6lb, partially or fully pre-cocked triggers with a short pull.

As I said, I really don't care what others choose to do. It's they have to leave with their choice. It's the hoops that they jump through to try and justify it that I don't understand. I

If I was to take my hosteres handgun off my person and point it at the vitals of anyone on this forum, they'd throw a huge fit. If I were to do it during competition or while at the range, LGS, or training class, I'd be promptly kicked out, and everyone on this forum with agree with that decision if they were there. Heck, when people LGS flag people with unloaded NIB guns that were cleared by the clerk beforehand, people still are upset by it. I think we'd all agree that's still not an okay thing to do. We all agree with the gun safety rules, but some want to use mental gymnastics to justify it when it comes to AIWB. Just say you know the risk and that it goes against gun safety rules but you're going to do it anyway because you don't care.

Respectfully, if you want to split hairs every method you are not 100% immune from having a muzzle cover something. Generally it’s the Tw holstering that causes the issue not the method of carry (I’ll refrains from any Sig 320 references)

Even traditional side holsters people sweep items If in uniform or OWB I don’t know how many folks I have watched cup the end of the holster and then woth the popularity of thigh/Leg/drop (whatever you want to call the Han Soli set up. When the Han Solos sit in a chair in a room they are pointing their muzzle at anyone walking in front

Amd that said how many of us woth Military tjme looked at the muzzle of an M9 at a chow hall overseas (or MK19 Gunners at a missile base as we were issued shoulder homsters like below)

While all the rules you should follow the ones the really get but have to violate 2 at the same time.