Appendix Gun holster question

One downside to appendix carry that rarely gets mentioned is that, for many people, the seat belt in cars goes right over the firearm. This could be a real problem in an accident. I'm not saying do or don't, but you should factor it into your risk matrix.
 
Stixmagill said:
Hello my fellow knife junkies!
If I have a question about gun holsters and I’m not sure where to post.
Please advise.

Thank you,
Scott
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My experience:

Same build as you (6'2", 160, but no cancer). Appendix carry prevents me reaching down to pick things off the shelf at the grocery store, fill the tires on a vehicle, sit in any chair or car seat, swing into the saddle (even from a mounting block), do laundry, dump a manure bucket, change equipment on a tractor, pick up a horse's hoof, leash up my dogs, and so forth.

I cannot get over the feel of the muzzle of a firearm or the end of a holster poking me in the hip flexor or adductor muscles and making me think of my femoral artery with every change in position. My carry is IWB 3:30 to 4:00 and I'm able to be discreetly armed and comfortable in most any situation.

FWIW, I carry a variety of handguns, from a full size 1911 and full size Beretta PX4 to an SP101 and LC9, depending on desire or need.
 
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The Zieg said:
My experience:

Same build as you (6'2", 160, but no cancer). Appendix carry prevents me reaching down to pick things off the shelf at the grocery store, fill the tires on a vehicle, sit in any chair or car seat, swing into the saddle (even from a mounting block), do laundry, dump a manure bucket, change equipment on a tractor, pick up a horse's hoof, leash up my dogs, and so forth.

I cannot get over the feel of the muzzle of a firearm or the end of a holster poking me in the hip flexor or adductor muscles and making me think of my femoral artery with every change in position. My carry is IWB 3:30 to 4:00 and I'm able to be discreetly armed and comfortable in most any situation.
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Single stack, or double stack?

On a single stack like a 1911, I can't even feel it....I wonder if I wear my pants lower than most?
Only thing that gets me is tying my shoes... I look for a step to bring the leg up higher.

But sitting in chairs, no issue.


SharpBits SharpBits
What is the seatbelt issue, in an accident?
I'm trying to remember if that's happened to me
 
Stixmagill said:
I’d like to thank everyone of you for your responses and the time you’ve spent helping me with this decision. I’m gonna try the appendix carry. Things have changed a lot since the 90s as far as technology and capacity. One of the things I love about my Smith & Wesson is that with the bobbed Hammer will not snag, but I can still thumb the hammer while I’m holster so the fact that there is a Glock Accessory to enable this makes holstering much less worrisome. I actually was planning on holster the gun and then inserting the holster most of the time. I don’t pull my gun out and play with that or look at it or pass it around or any of that bullshit so it literally would be Putting the holster in in the morning and taking it out at night. But the safety accessory makes me more comfortable for sure.
One more question while I’m at it if you don’t mind. Has anyone added a light and a red dot and regretted it?
I have never had either on any of my carry guns. Thanks again you guys this form is so awesome. I love you guys!
Merry Christmas to you all!
Sincerely, Scott
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I won't carry with a light but have one for home defense. I don't like the added weight and bulk for CC.

I do use a red dot on my carry guns now as it's a lot easier and faster for me to focus and aim since you don't need qs many focal place to align on target (target focus, dot over target, fire) no need to see rear sight, front site, and target.

It did take a lot of training to get it so when I pulled the gun, the dot is in the window. Beyond maybe 10 yards, I notice a decent difference in my ability for faster firing and staying on target.

For really close range, I don't use the dot but more of a point shooting of the back of the gun and looking thru the window. It's certainly not the most accurate but up close, aiming center mass, +/- 6" is still likely to be a hit unless they're completely sideways.

Since most self defense ranges are within 7 yards (thinks that's the stated number, maybe it's 5), it does make me wonder if a good sight system is even needed on a handgun, but there's been enough cases where a "long shot" was used to eliminate a threat that I would rather have it and not need it than the other way around.

I don't find the red dot to be much a snag point as the edges are well rounded on the ones I have and it seems to work well in practice so far. It does kinda suck paying nearly as much for the red dot as the gun costs, especially if you rotate carry guns. I have a compact (PDP compact) and micro 9 (hellcat) for different concealment situations. For me, the PDP is a bit harder to hide in summer with thinner clothing and wanting less layers.
 
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Crag the Brewer said:
What is the seatbelt issue, in an accident?
I'm trying to remember if that's happened to me
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Yes, in an accident the seat belt could drive the gun into you, quite forcefully. Depending on your body type and size, it may be easy to work around it. For me, not so much.

Lots of positives with AIWB carry as mentioned above. Like with everything, ya pays yer money and ya takes yer chances. Nothing is zero risk.
 
Stixmagill said:
One more question while I’m at it if you don’t mind. Has anyone added a light and a red dot and regretted it?
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I have no experience with a dot on a carry gun but I get the impression from internet discussion that a small percentage of people switch back to iron sights.
 
If you're going to appendix carry, you can't just take the gun from carrying at 3 or 4 o'clock, etc. and move it to appendix positioning. You have to adjust your carry.....a lot. Experimenting is key.

For me, it's very helpful to have the right belt. I have a nexbelt appendix carry. It has a small ratchet that releases with the press of a button. When I sit down or need to bend a lot, a quick press of the button allows me to loosen the belt. This let's the holster move with me as I bend or sit. A quick push of the belt on my hip quickly tightens it back up.

I wasn't initially a fan of appendix carry; it takes more tinkering than carrying at other angles, but (in my opinion) the benefits far outweigh the little bit of effort needed to get it right.
 
Most strictly civilian SD is close range and happens fast with little or no warning .

Everything you add to your gun makes it harder and less likely to be carried . More difficult to draw and holster .

I love the option , to just drop my EDC carry in a pants or jacket pocket . That requires a "streamlined " set up .

I practice mostly close up , instinctive type shooting . Fast , center mass , nothing fancy .

That being said , I do practice with using the sights at longer range .

For use in poor lighting , Tritium (glowy) sights are great and add no bulk .
 
I got a "mastermind appendix carry pillow pad" for Christmas. This thing is amazing!

It makes appendix carry so much more comfortable.

It acts like a wedge, but also allows you to customize how firm the padding is. Best firearms related purchase I've made in a while.
 
carnifex knifeworks said:
I got a "mastermind appendix carry pillow pad" for Christmas. This thing is amazing!

It makes appendix carry so much more comfortable.

It acts like a wedge, but also allows you to customize how firm the padding is. Best firearms related purchase I've made in a while.
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I've been using their pillows for years...and their foam wedges as well.
 
Big appendix carry fan here. Quicker shot times drawing from appendix than from 3 o’clock for me. I do carry at 3 o’clock often during the winter when I have a larger coat. I have nice custom leather holsters for that. My appendix holsters are all kydex.

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Retired the rig on the left after daily carry for 32 years! 🤣
Happy with my new setup. G19 gen5 MOS, Trijicon RMR-2, Trijicon suppressor height tritium night sights, Tier 1 Axis Elite Kydex holster.

I would like to thank you guys for your advice on the upgrade.

Scott
 

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Stixmagill said:
Retired the rig on the left after daily carry for 32 years! 🤣
Happy with my new setup. G19 gen5 MOS, Trijicon RMR-2, Trijicon suppressor height tritium night sights, Tier 1 Axis Elite Kydex holster.

I would like to thank you guys for your advice on the upgrade.

Scott
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I tried a Trex once, and couldn’t get used to the way the extra mag was right there with the gun. I now just drop a spare mag into my support hand pocket. It’s nice to have options though.
 
91bravo said:
I tried a Trex once, and couldn’t get used to the way the extra mag was right there with the gun. I now just drop a spare mag into my support hand pocket. It’s nice to have options though.
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Agreed. I bought a rigid nylon gun belt and it is uncomfortable. Went back to the Mitch Rosen leather gun belt and it is very doable. think I might try separate gun and mag rig. Happy with the rest.
 
Stixmagill said:
Agreed. I bought a rigid nylon gun belt and it is uncomfortable. Went back to the Mitch Rosen leather gun belt and it is very doable. think I might try separate gun and mag rig. Happy with the rest.
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My problem with dual clip styles like that is my belt buckle. I wear thick ass Hanks belts and I can’t make the dual clip holster/spare mag type holsters work.
 
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