Appendix Carry inside the Waist Band (AIWB)?

EagleScout · Jun 4, 2012

I love my Glock 36 and I need to make a decision on carry position. I am really leaning towards APIW but what scares the heck out of me is a 5.5# trigger and re-holstering. The direction the barrel is pointing is either at sensitive parts or the femoral artery area. (Gleamed from internet reading)
ND into the femoral artery would be death.
So with that in mind I am heading down three paths of research.

Glock 36 with NY1 installed
1911 (good excuse to get one)
- Cocked and Locked does not bother me
- Manual safety sliding off does bother me
- Training to flip of the safety, if you miss the safety the fight might be over
Revolver
- In a close quarters you can jam the revolver into the other person and pull the trigger
- Heavy trigger pull

So if you have experience with APIW I would sure like to hear it. =)

Pstmstr · Jun 4, 2012

I carry a Kahr PM9, S&W Snub, or Kahr 380 in a Kytac appendix IWB every day. I've also carried a Glock 26 in the same way with no issues. If you keep your finger off the trigger, this method is no less safe than any other. I'd much rather carry a Glock than a cocked and maybe locked 1911, others opinions will vary I'm sure but it's my favorite carry method.

Wall · Jun 4, 2012

EagleScout said:
Glock 36 with NY1 installed

wow, 11lb trigger

EagleScout · Jun 4, 2012

NY1 well if you change the connector out to a 3.5# I think it comes in around 7 to 8.

poopgiggle · Jun 4, 2012

I carry a S&W Bodyguard AIWB and it's great. I'm actually the opposite of you; I decided against a Sig P238 because I wasn't comfortable with condition 1 against my femoranether region.

Most of the time you'll be stuffing the gun and holster into your pants together so reholstering isn't as big of a deal as you might think.

E: Also, you may not know it yet but the holster you want is a Comp-Tac 2 O'Clock

Burk Cornelius · Jun 4, 2012

I know you are asking about a gun but the holster is almost as important when carrying Appendix IWB. The holster that has proven to many of us to be THE holster for AIWB carry is the KyTac "Burk"

Its is simple, safe and easy on/off

Jefpainthorse · Jun 4, 2012

Double ditto on the Burk KYTAC
Mine has a slight can't-- Ive been a strong side behind the hip guy
Too short waisted for AIWB carry... Even the PPK pokes me in the thigh seated.

Pstmstr · Jun 4, 2012

Burk Cornelius said:
I know you are asking about a gun but the holster is almost as important when carrying Appendix IWB. The holster that has proven to many of us to be THE holster for AIWB carry is the KyTac "Burk"

Its is simple, safe and easy on/off

I can't believe he actually named that holster "The Burk" I'm gonna be gone motorcycling the next match but let's shoot some snubby the first match in July. I'm sure Shannon will beat both us......again. I'm gonna try her method this time, no practice, just load it up and shoot. I'd have to say the snub probably carries and conceals better than any other pistol in appendix carry.

Adam Striegel · Jun 4, 2012

Patriot Industries in Guthrie custom makes IWB holsters from leather and kydex specific for your gun. If you get a holster like that, you don't really have to worry about the trigger because it slides in perfectly every time and the trigger is covered with kydex.

Go by there sometime and look at all the holsters they have made for display. They're big fans of the Glock and probably have some there already made that would fit your 36 so you could see how it feels.

I got a Glock 26 with one of their holsters and don't worry about the trigger at all.

poopgiggle · Aug 9, 2012

ARISE THREAD

I'm switching my M&Pc over to appendix carry because I've found that position easier to conceal and MUCH faster to draw from. Thus begins another search for The Ultimate Holster.

As much as I love the Comp-Tac 2 O'clock for J-frames (it's basically the same design as the "Burk" holster), I don't think the design is stable enough for an auto pistol with 12 rounds of 9mm in it. My next choice would have been the neutral cant MTAC but a guy on SA got one and he said that the clips keep popping off the belt. Unfortunately I had to ditch Comp-Tac, which is a shame because I haven't had Smartees in a while.

A couple days ago I put in an order for a Dale Fricke Archangel since their turnaround time is fast and the Internet is gushing with good reviews about them. I'll post impressions when it comes in.

michaelclm · Aug 9, 2012

M&P9c in a Triple Crown custom job (tuckable and convertable to a paddle for OWB, when needed). I will soon be going to the same gun with a TLR-3 attached. Same carry position but probably in either an Armordillo Concealment, a Peters Custom, or maybe a Bravo Concealment (although looking less and less likely). When I have to have a tuckable holster, I'll go back to Troy's rig.

Burk Cornelius · Aug 9, 2012

Michael Ray said:
M&P9c in a Triple Crown custom job (tuckable and convertable to a paddle for OWB, when needed).

I need to see a picture of that

poopgiggle said:
A couple days ago I put in an order for a Dale Fricke Archangel since their turnaround time is fast and the Internet is gushing with good reviews about them. I'll post impressions when it comes in.

That looks just like a Blade-Tech Nano that H&H carries in stock for about $50. The cant is adjustable for vertical carry (appendix) HOWEVER, I thought the Nano rode a little bit high with a G23

poopgiggle · Aug 11, 2012

Burk Cornelius said:
That looks just like a Blade-Tech Nano that H&H carries in stock for about $50. The cant is adjustable for vertical carry (appendix) HOWEVER, I thought the Nano rode a little bit high with a G23

Well, elephant dung. The Archangel is already on the way so it's too late now.

if someone is willing to lend a Nano to me I'd be willing to do a side-by-side comparison. There are a bunch of reviews on the Internet saying that it's uncomfortable for AIWB carry but you could maybe modify it to be better.

poopgiggle · Aug 13, 2012

Holster came today. I am loving it. Pictures later.

Burk Cornelius · Jan 31, 2013

poopgiggle said:
Holster came today. I am loving it. Pictures later.

Way to revive and old thread, then leave us hanging..................

Burk Cornelius · Oct 15, 2014

Update to an old thread.

I was looking for a new [different] IWB holster and JT loaned me a Flashbang Ava to try. I wore it at 4:00 as most IWB are intended and like it.

However, as I am a big appendix fan, I moved it around to 2:00 and WOW is it ever comfortable. I know it wasn't designed for appendix necessarily but it has worked really well.

The leather backer keeps the sharp edges of the gun from digging into your junk and/or gut

michaelclm · Oct 15, 2014

I've since switched to an INCOG. Not a fan. The search continues.

ripnbst · Oct 17, 2014

Check out the blue Ridge Holsters commuter model.

Mickturbostang · Nov 1, 2014

I've tried several and ended up liking the http://www.eliteconcealholsters.com/home.html gen 2 holster the best but I had the option for gen one or two clip and found I prefer the gen one clip. This holster is thin and hard which allows for one handed reholster, Because it is molded to the gun, the gun literally clicks into place. There is an adjustment for ho tightly the gun is held. I use the gen 1 clip so I can change the cant for most comfort still well concealed. I did have to tine a jewelers file and radius the edges a little better.

Any pros/cons for a snap cap in the pipe while carrying?

wgm2011 · Nov 3, 2014

Mickturbostang said:
Any pros/cons for a snap cap in the pipe while carrying?

Why? I've never heard of anyone doing this.

I can see some folks carry with an empty chamber, but a snap cap? Pros - NONE. Cons - Worse than an empty chamber carry. Rack the slide in a hurry and the dang snap cap gets hung up. I believe the phrase "you're screwed" would be appropriate.

If you are not comfortable carrying your defensive gun loaded and ready, then its time to change something. Possibly the gun, possibly the holster.

But then are you just jerking us around?

Bill