• SUBSCRIBE TO MAGAZINES
Athlon Outdoors Supersite
Tactical Life Website
Ballistic Website
Personal Defense World Website
Skillsetmag Website
  • Guns
    • Handguns
      • Semi-Automatic Handguns
      • Revolvers
    • Rifles
      • Semi-Automatic Rifles
      • Lever Action
      • Bolt Action
    • Shotguns
    • Airguns
    • Custom Guns
      • Handgun Build
      • Rifle Build
      • Shotgun Build
    • Specialty Guns
  • Parts
    • Handgun Parts
    • Rifle Parts
  • Accessories
    • Optics & Sights
    • Lasers & Lights
    • Suppressors
    • Holsters
    • Slings
    • Shooting Rests
    • Targets
    • Maintenance & Tools
  • Ammo
    • Handgun Ammo
      • 10mm
    • Rifle Ammo
      • .223
    • Shotgun Ammo
      • 12 Gauge
    • Rimfire Ammo
    • Reloading
  • Gear
    • Apparel
    • Ears & Eyes
      • Ears
      • Eyes
        • Thermal Vision
        • Night Vision
    • Storage
    • Tactical Gear
      • Body Armor
    • Knives
      • Tactical Knives
    • Less Lethal
    • Flashlights
  • Lifestyle
    • Concealed Carry
    • Personal Defense
      • Self-Defense
      • Hand to Hand Combat
    • Home Defense
    • Sport Shooting
      • Hunting
      • Competition Shooting
    • Precision Shooting/Long Range Shooting
    • Training
      • Shooting 101
    • Survival
      • First Aid
    • Tactical & LE
    • Pop Culture
      • People
      • Rides
      • History
      • Military
  • News
    • New Products & Industry News
    • Gun Facts & Laws
    • Police News
    • Military News
    • Politics
  • VIDEOS
No Result
View All Result
Athlon Outdoors
  • Guns
    • Handguns
      • Semi-Automatic Handguns
      • Revolvers
    • Rifles
      • Semi-Automatic Rifles
      • Lever Action
      • Bolt Action
    • Shotguns
    • Airguns
    • Custom Guns
      • Handgun Build
      • Rifle Build
      • Shotgun Build
    • Specialty Guns
  • Parts
    • Handgun Parts
    • Rifle Parts
  • Accessories
    • Optics & Sights
    • Lasers & Lights
    • Suppressors
    • Holsters
    • Slings
    • Shooting Rests
    • Targets
    • Maintenance & Tools
  • Ammo
    • Handgun Ammo
      • 10mm
    • Rifle Ammo
      • .223
    • Shotgun Ammo
      • 12 Gauge
    • Rimfire Ammo
    • Reloading
  • Gear
    • Apparel
    • Ears & Eyes
      • Ears
      • Eyes
        • Thermal Vision
        • Night Vision
    • Storage
    • Tactical Gear
      • Body Armor
    • Knives
      • Tactical Knives
    • Less Lethal
    • Flashlights
  • Lifestyle
    • Concealed Carry
    • Personal Defense
      • Self-Defense
      • Hand to Hand Combat
    • Home Defense
    • Sport Shooting
      • Hunting
      • Competition Shooting
    • Precision Shooting/Long Range Shooting
    • Training
      • Shooting 101
    • Survival
      • First Aid
    • Tactical & LE
    • Pop Culture
      • People
      • Rides
      • History
      • Military
  • News
    • New Products & Industry News
    • Gun Facts & Laws
    • Police News
    • Military News
    • Politics
  • VIDEOS
No Result
View All Result
Athlon Outdoors Super Site
No Result
View All Result
  • TL
  • PDW
  • BM
  • Skillset
 
YOU MUST BE A VIP - WELCOME TO THE NEW ATHLON OUTDOORS SUPERSITE! We are excited you are here!!

OPTIMIZING APPENDIX CARRY

ShareTweetPin
Darryl BolkebyDarryl Bolke
February 1, 2012
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
A Desbiens Gunleather #4 AIWB holster and Reverse Cant magazine pouch with an Ares gear ranger belt is a comfortable combination for daily carry.

There has been a growing trend in the popularity of use of appendix carry for those who carry their firearms concealed on a daily basis. I have been using the method for well over 20 years and it is by far my favorite means of carrying a pistol. Appendix carry is loosely defined as placing the pistol in the area between the primary side hip and the belt buckle. It has several positives and negatives, and users should be aware of both before they make a decision to carry in this fashion. Once the decision is made to use appendix carry, there are some very important decisions that need to be made for gear selection as well.

combat-handguns-b
TT Gunleather’s AIWB holster for the HK45C (left) and a prototype 5 Shot Leather AIWB holster for a grip-chopped Glock 17 (right) shows the difference in ride height and cant used for AIWB carry.

Ups & Downs
The first of the positives for me is that by placing the pistol ahead of the hip line with a muzzle straight, or muzzle forward cant, the shooter’s primary wrist is locked when the pistol is grasped. This allows for a very fast presentation, and allows the shooter to fire the pistol the second the muzzle is oriented towards the target for close-quarters retention shooting. One only needs to look at the fastest shooters in the world from such diverse disciplines as IPSC and USPSA to World Fast Draw Association to see how shooters orient their pistols and revolvers to their body to see the benefits of this type of placement. I have also found that this type of carry is the most concealable for me in my normal daily dress of an oversized untucked shirt and shorts. The issue of constant concealment and lack of “printing” is of huge importance to legally armed CCW holders and armed professionals alike.

combat-handguns-c
Placing the holster just outside the first belt loop allows for easy AIWB concealment with an untucked shirt.

The draw from this type of carry also more closely mimics the hand position used for uniformed police officers with more modern holsters. I was quite cutting-edge when I began my police career in the 80’s by always using a holster that allowed for a locked wrist grip. Many duty holsters of the time were of the traditional muzzle-rear orientation. Today’s modern duty rigs tend to be straight up and down in orientation, and it makes sense for off-duty and undercover police officers to utilize a carry system that is similar in the type of draw to their duty rig. Equally, for the armed citizen who also shoots competitively, a similar draw-stroke and pistol placement is an important consideration.

Didn't find what you were looking for?

MOST POPULAR

All the best new handguns seen at SHOT Show 2023.

New for 2023: The 21 Best New Handguns Seen at SHOT Show

10 of the greatest pistol trainers and gunfighters

TOP 10: The Best Shooting Instructors & Gunfighters of All-Time

Police Sidearms, police duty pistols, Handguns, America's Largest Police Departments 2018

Police Sidearms: The Handguns of America’s 10 Largest Departments

Ruger LC Charger Left

NEW for 2023: Ruger LC Charger Brings 5.7x28mm to Pistol Line

TRENDING

Alien Gear OWB Cloak Belt Holster, on body

Alien Gear Cloak Holster Line Adds Much-Anticipated OWB Holster

Kel-Tec Pocket Powerhouses

SHOT Show 2018 Ballistic Innovation

Ballistic’s Guide to the Coolest Innovation at SHOT Show 2018

Kitanica American Hoodie, kitanica, kitanica american, kitanica hoodie, american hoodie

Kitanica’s American Hoodie: Perfect For The Outdoors

BROWSE BY BRAND

Skillset-Logo_yellow-153x47png
Ballistic_LOGO-217x47
CH-Logo_blue-153x47
T-L-SS-stack life-47x140
PDW_CCH_LOGO-300x101
PDW-2022-Sidebyside-logo 160x30-blk
GOW LOGO x101
AF_LOGO-184x47

SPOTLIGHT

Weatherby Model 307 action and rifles.

Weatherby Model 307: First New Weatherby Action in 50+ Years

Big news out of Weatherby with the announcement of the company's first new centerfire rifle action in more than...

RELATED POSTS

The new Springfield Armory Saint Victor in tungsten grey finish.

Springfield Armory Adds SAINT Victor 5.56 in Tungsten Grey Finish

...

ZEV Technologies OZ9 V2 Elite pistols

ZEV Technologies OZ9 V2 Elite: Pistol Modularity Redefined

...

The Meridian Defense PMC Rifle.

The Meridian Defense PMC Rifle Offers the AK-47 Your Way

...

Load More

MOST POPULAR

All the best new handguns seen at SHOT Show 2023.

New for 2023: The 21 Best New Handguns Seen at SHOT Show

10 of the greatest pistol trainers and gunfighters

TOP 10: The Best Shooting Instructors & Gunfighters of All-Time

Police Sidearms, police duty pistols, Handguns, America's Largest Police Departments 2018

Police Sidearms: The Handguns of America’s 10 Largest Departments

TRENDING

All the best new handguns seen at SHOT Show 2023.

New for 2023: The 21 Best New Handguns Seen at SHOT Show

The Mossberg MC2sc semi-auto pistol.

12 Best Micro-Compact Handguns for Concealed Carry [2022]

300 Blackout vs 308, rifles, ammunition

300 Blackout vs 308 Win: Which Round Reigns Supreme in AR-15s?

LONG RANGE PRECISION VIDEO SERIES

MORE VIDEOS

The Uzi and its long history in Hollywood movies.

Lights, Camera, Uzis: The History of Hollywood’s Uzi Love Affair

R. Lee Ermey as Gunnery Sgt. Hartman.

In His Own Words: How R. Lee Ermey Became Gunnery Sgt. Hartman

HANDGUNS

ZEV Technologies OZ9 V2 Elite pistols

ZEV Technologies OZ9 V2 Elite: Pistol Modularity Redefined

The Beretta 92XI SAO.

Beretta Expands Its Popular 92 Line with the 92XI SAO

Ruger LC Charger Left

NEW for 2023: Ruger LC Charger Brings 5.7x28mm to Pistol Line

The CZ DWX Compact.

First Look: CZ DWX Compact Comes in a Concealed Carry Size

Otto Kron’s WWI Mauser HSc.

History: The Mauser HSc Recovered After a War Criminal’s Capture

America's first high-capacity autoloader, the Savage Model 1907.

Savage Model 1907: America’s First High-Capacity Autoloader

RIFLES - click to see all

Weatherby Model 307 action and rifles.

Weatherby Model 307: First New Weatherby Action in 50+ Years

The new Springfield Armory Saint Victor in tungsten grey finish.

Springfield Armory Adds SAINT Victor 5.56 in Tungsten Grey Finish

ZEV Technologies OZ9 V2 Elite pistols

ZEV Technologies OZ9 V2 Elite: Pistol Modularity Redefined

Wisconsin To Get a New Firearms Training Center, Mission94, in Early 2024.

Mission94 Firearms Education Center to Open in Early 2024

AMMO - click to see all

Testing the effective range of the .410 for hunting and survival.

So Just How Far is the Effective .410 Range for Hunting & Survival?

Two new Henry lever-action rifles chamber the Remington 360 Buckhammer.

360 Buckhammer: Core-Lokt Ammo, Henry Levers & the BFR

Arsenal SAM7SF lead AK evergreen

Top 20 AK Rifles & Soviet Weapons

A collection of .45-70 loads for lever-action rifles.

Magnificent 7: Testing Seven of the Best .45-70 Cartridges

Back when the west was wild, coach guns were your best bet against unwanted threats.

Best Coach Guns: the Stow-N-Go Defenders You Want Riding Shotgun [2023]

We tested the performance on eight of the best 9mm defensive loads.

Top Dog 9s: We Tested 8 of the Best 9mm Self-Defense Rounds

Magazines Available Now! Subscribe today for Home Delivery!
FREE NEWSLETTERS! Subscribe!
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • TERMS OF USE
  • CORPORATE
  • ADVERTISE
  • EDIT DESK
No Result
View All Result
  • Guns
    • Handguns
      • Semi-Automatic Handguns
      • Revolvers
    • Rifles
      • Semi-Automatic Rifles
      • Lever Action
      • Bolt Action
    • Shotguns
    • Airguns
    • Custom Guns
      • Handgun Build
      • Rifle Build
      • Shotgun Build
    • Specialty Guns
  • Parts
    • Handgun Parts
    • Rifle Parts
  • Accessories
    • Optics & Sights
    • Lasers & Lights
    • Suppressors
    • Holsters
    • Slings
    • Shooting Rests
    • Targets
    • Maintenance & Tools
  • Ammo
    • Handgun Ammo
      • 10mm
    • Rifle Ammo
      • .223
    • Shotgun Ammo
      • 12 Gauge
    • Rimfire Ammo
    • Reloading
  • Gear
    • Apparel
    • Ears & Eyes
      • Ears
      • Eyes
    • Storage
    • Tactical Gear
      • Body Armor
    • Knives
      • Tactical Knives
    • Less Lethal
    • Flashlights
  • Lifestyle
    • Concealed Carry
    • Personal Defense
      • Self-Defense
      • Hand to Hand Combat
    • Home Defense
    • Sport Shooting
      • Hunting
      • Competition Shooting
    • Precision Shooting/Long Range Shooting
    • Training
      • Shooting 101
    • Survival
      • First Aid
    • Tactical & LE
    • Pop Culture
      • People
      • Rides
      • History
      • Military
  • News
    • New Products & Industry News
    • Gun Facts & Laws
    • Police News
    • Military News
    • Politics
  • VIDEOS

© 2023 Athlon Outdoors - Premium Firearm product and industry news, reviews and magazines" .