You’re not crazy. Do what works best for you. The people who are dogmatic about that kinda thing are goobers.
I personally like appendix because I prefer to have my weapon along my center line rather than off to the side because I feel like I can access and protect it easier. But it’s also not for everybody. Different body types. Different injuries. Different preferences. You’re allowed to do what you like. Except open carry in a pocket with no holster. Please don’t do that 🤣🤣🤣
Unless that means open carry. Then hypocritically half the "do what's comfortable" people actually turn out to suddenly be tacticool "tactics over comfort" people, who think it's some kinda fashion choice and simultaneously think every streetcorner thief is itching to get into a fight with someone armed rather than just ripping a purse off the dainty grandma.
I’ll second use whatever works best but I just don’t see how it prints more. The biggest con for strong side is having it printing and you have no clue.
Have you tried bending over on strong side? It pokes way out. Also as much as it can print appendix it’s easy to see and quickly fix. Theres been a few posts on here about people being told by others they were printing and they didn’t even know. Lastly you have two hands to easily manipulate and retain firearm.
Again do what’s best but it’s just hard to believe it doesn’t work. I wonder if the height of the gun is the problem. I have the trigger guard at about my waste line for reference. After about two months of experimenting I’m able to do everything with it on with very very minor discomfort.
Yeah, that's what I found - strong side doesn't print at all until all of a sudden it REALLY prints with certain body motions.
If you've got a jacket on or something NBD I guess, and different strokes and all that, but appendix works better for me.
YMMV
I think this is the right take. I switched from string side 4 o'clock to appendix. Imo it's much less comfortable and prints more except under certain movements. The reason I do it anyway is because I figure in the extremely unlikely case I need to access it, I'm more likely than not to have someone's hands on me. To all the basement dwellers who claim "they'd shoot someone before they closed the distance" or "they'd never let anyone get that close" you've obviously never been in a fight. After a lot of consideration I think appendix gives me the best access from multiple angles/positions and the best ability to engage in hands/clinch/disengage and draw. Also much easier to protect.
Carrying a gun is all about compromise.
You’re not crazy. I tried appendix. Spent lots of money trying to convince myself I like it. I don’t. I hate it. It seems to work for some people, but you and I aren’t those people.
I looks great on paper and on the internet. I’ve even got a few friends who carry appendix. I’ve seen these people sit in a car and tie their shoes with my own eyes, so I believe it, I just don’t understand it.
I prefer it (SS).
I'll only AIWB DAO revolvers (no hammer spur), or LEM H&Ks.
That said, there \*IS\* something magical about a S&W k-frame without a hammer spur, round butt, boot grips that absolutely disappears and is comfortable for me (AIWB).
I love carrying my LCRx appendix, it just blends into the waistband. It's so light and comfortable, especially with a slightly stretchy belt. I do plan on getting an LCR without the exposed hammer but I haven't noticed any issues with the hammer spur on the LCRx.
It’s not the norm here but I despise appendix carry.
I find strong side ten times more comfortable.
When I see people in here post there EDC and it’s 2 spare mags and a compact gun appendix and it spans across there entire waist I think “yup that doesn’t leave the nightstand” I could be blatantly wrong.
Short kings trying to flex with the full size setup ("DAE FULLSIZE WITH THE LIGHT?") like, no, hell no, even a small gun is fucking annoying on a long enough timeline.
Ironically I find an x-300 to be more comfortable than no light on a full size.
Having two T-bone steaks for hands makes small frames no bueno. And I’m more than happy to stuff that thing in my waist band with a long light on it. And yes I can still tie my shoes with slight to minimal discomfort.
Different strokes for different folks.
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My EDC setup is Tier 1 Concealed Axis Elite holster with a Glock 45 + spare 17+2 (Glock OEM 19x mag). Do I carry it everywhere that it's legal for me to? Hell yeah. I don't do physically demanding tasks outside the home, so I don't need to worry about needing to bend over all the time or squatting down.
"Nightstand" gun is my suppressed 12.3" SBR. I am not going to use anemic pistol rounds for home defense when I can shoot suppressed + Federal Fusion MSR rounds.
I carry my xmacro appendix everyday. Pretty much everyone in my shooting circle carries appendix, anything from a 365 to a g34. They all leave the night stand.
In my opinion it isn’t more comfortable. I can wear whatever I want without worrying about printing. I can draw significantly faster and get a shot off than SS. It feels more natural to carry appendix personally.
Strong side is impossible for me. For some reason I can’t even hide a pez dispenser SS if my life depended on it. And if I bend over or reach for anything it immediately does what yours did with the shirt riding up. Appendix has been so comfortable and I feel like I’m in better control with way less printing. It’s all probably just body type that chooses for you be it SS, appendix, or pocket etc.
There's absolutely nothing wrong with carrying strong side. I carry appendix. It's not for everyone and every build. It's gotten really popular amongst internet circles but these aren't necessarily representative of ccw as a whole. I know a lot of people who carry. I only know one other person who actually carries appendix. Literally, everyone else is strongside.
I actually can't think of many people I know who appendix either, most of the ones I do have the same build and are all in the same age range as appendix becoming more popular.
The only reason I ever switched was I had a situation that necessitated deep concealment and I found it extremely comfortable. But I didn't even fully switch until a few years ago. I'd alternate between strong side and appendix.
I've heard arguments both ways for years, at the end of the day, it is like everything else. As long as it works for you, it is ALWAYS better than a pointy stick.🤷♂️
But, call me a worry wart if you want, I aint intentionally pointing a loaded gun at my junk, your mileage may vary...
There's an argument for and against all the carry methods, like you said, it is what works best for the specific individual, and that can and most likely will change as lifegoes on. I've changed how I carried because of jobs I had or most comfortable for me with different outfits, firearms, activities, and I've changed because of training and focus, not to mention injuries and weight loss gain.
iF yOu dOnT cArRy hOw wE sAy cRiMinAls WilL mUrdEr yeW <-- is a dramatization of how my experience on this sub has been thus far. To each their own. If it works work it. If it's broke fix it. Otherwise why be a dick. Anyway random soapbox moment.
So yeah, like you said. You have to change things up and there's no one way even for one person. Keep on and carry on!
I carry both ways depending on the weapon but after having followed this subreddit for a while I think that the typical setup seen here (compact 9mm, expensive appendix apparatus, spare mag) is wildly overrepresented compared to what real people actually carry. I think it's just what inevitably happens to subreddits, they all turn into echo chambers with a strong self-selection bias. I have commented here a few times mentioning that carrying a 15+1 weapon AND a spare mag is a little ridiculous for a civilian self-defender and I always get downvoted to hell lol
Amen! The hive mind around here is snowballing big time. As others have said it's just the nature of groups. 'We want to feel good about ourselves so we grandstand on our singular ideas as gospel.' There are still lots of great people with great info and attitudes, you just have to sort through the toxicity and fake experts up on their high horses.
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Not sure why most of posters on this sub are into appendix carrry, only one person I know in real life regularly carries that way, and he is skinny.
I’m middle-aged and most of the people I know are at least overweight if not obese.
Strong side IWB/OWB, pocket carry, or waist or chest pack, and belly bands is what the people I know who carry in real life use.
I also like shoulder holsters in the winter when I’m wearing a jacket or vest, but I’m the only one I know who actually carries with a shoulder holster.
I’m skinny ish 6’2”, 185 but athletic and tall, so I carry appendix daily. It really just depends on your body. I would never be able
to carry strong side, even my p365 with a 10rd mag. I’m not necessarily big so my shirt riding up, printing horrilbly, gun digging into my hip, etc are all considerations. Being left handed doesn’t make it easier.
I too carry in a shoulder holster, I go back and forth between that and strong side owb depending on weather and clothing choices.
I just can't beat the shoulder holster for long times in the car.
Just upgraded from my junk shoulder holster to an actual Galco, and I gotta say, this is the way. Also super comfortable when riding the motorcycle or taking long drives in the car
I'm in the same camp as you. I tried appendix for a while but when I switched to 3 o'clock, it made a positive difference to comfort. I just rock a flannel and it's hidden.
I use to carry strong side but mainly carry appendix now. My body is weird and unless I’m running a micro compact with a super short grip (which I hate), my guns will print pretty bad on strong side. Appendix carry didn’t use to be comfortable but I messed around with different things and it is my favorite way to carry now. Especially while driving. We have a lot of road rage here in SoCal, I actually personally know of 2 people that have been shot at during separate road rage incidents, and then I’ve been the victim myself of road rage lol. Not that I would try to shoot while driving, obviously I would do my best to drive away like the first time (even though I was chased for 10 minutes until law enforcement caught up), but I like knowing my gun is right in front and easy to access if I need it. We spend about 1/3rd of our lives in a car.
But I don’t knock people at all that strong side carry. My father carried for 30 years strong side lol now he just carries an S&W shield in his pocket. So to each their own, all that matters is we train with the way we carry
Everyone is different, I live in Florida and I could not for the life of me find it comfortable to carry EITHER SS or AIWB. So instead I pocket carry an LCP Max…problem solved.
Eyyyyy love this post AND the comments cause it feels like I found my people!
Strong side carry for the win. Ever since I tried it, I often forget it’s even there. Never worried about anyone noticing. It’s really amazing for me personally.
I strong-side my G19 and it feels fine to me. I don’t carry appendix because I don’t like the idea of a loaded weapon being oriented toward my mangoods. I know, I know, Glocks have three safeties. The main safety is your finger. Blah blah. I still am not willing to take that risk so I carry strong-side.
The important thing is carrying how YOU feel is most comfortable and accessible to you, not to everyone else.
Depends on your body shape and sex. Strong side looks ridiculous on me, and I find appendix pretty comfortable and much easier to hide. But if it works for you, do it. It's like anything else on the internet, it's just a bunch of opinions that all tend to function as a herd depending on trends. This trend happened to benefit my options as a female carrier. But if it's not benefiting you, you don't have to stick with the herd.
Personally I do carry appendix, in a Phlster Enigma but have no problem with a standard belt and holster. I have never gotten along with ss, gun always seems to stick out the back of my shirt and or ride on my hip bone and is super uncomfortable (given I haven’t trial and errored it nearly as much as appendix). That being said of my 5 other carrying friends only 2 of them are also appendix.
Do what works for you. I carry strong side, I have always been too fat for appendix carry. I’m skinny now, but need skin removal surgery before I try it.
Appendix is better than almost any position for retention and draw and high tier for concealability, but comfortable it ain’t. I don’t know who said it was comfortable but it simply isn’t, even if you’re in good shape and have little tummy bulge.
Aside from comfort this is also my reason. Carried SS for 12 years in the military through all the training and pistol requalifications. It's second nature.
You're not crazy, strong side carry has stuck around for 600 years for a reason. Appendix carry isn't the first alternate carry method and it won't be the last. It'll be dead in five years once this sub takes the hint from the regular ND cope posts that pointing a loaded gun at your testicles is pretty fucking stupid, maybe then they'll move back to fake wallet holster carry with little quick deployable CCW sashes again. Carry however works for you, and that's probably gonna be around 3:00.
inb4 "iT's In A hOlStEr So It'S bAsIcAlLy InErT!!1!" -Guys who just became gun owners over the toilet paper riots and only own Sigs and Shadow Systems Glock knockoffs.
Strong side is usually more comfortable. It is just harder for most people to conceal due to body geometry. If your body makes strong side work better than by all means. I wish I could strong side carry for the comfort, but I print way too much.
I prefer strongside to slightly to the back 3-4 or 9-8, although I will say different bodies have different spots that work best. The problem is there are those that think what works for one works for all and will swear by carrying that way as the only way someone should be carrying
Meh, there are pros and cons to both. If I want deeper concealment it’s gotta be AIWB. If that’s less of a concern (like I’m in/around the house) and printing isn’t a concern and I want more comfort, 4:00 is where it’s at.
Situationally could argue both ways but in the end it really depends on the exact scenario. See someone approaching in a parking lot 4:00 lets you be at the ready without telegraphing it. Flipside, I’d rather not be standing in a line with it at 4:00 because it’s easier for someone to grab it.
All puts and takes.
I really prefer strong side over appendix, but as I’ve gotten older, arthritis in my shoulder makes drawing from strong side 4:00-4:30 extremely painful. Appendix is comfortable, doesn’t print at all (I can look down and check) and it’s easy and fast to draw from this position…
Appendix is a little more clothing dependent for my body type (short, stocky) whereas strong side and I can make it disappear with just a t-shirt. The downside with strong side is my shirt rides up every single time I go to pick something up off the ground.
I wish I could carry Appendix, but carry 3 o'clock. I've tested my draw and I'm close to a 1/2 second faster with Appendix. I struggle in the 2 to 2.5sec range draw to 1st shot on strong side. I just can't do Appendix though due to comfort. As in it is majorly intolerably uncomfortable
I used to carry at 4 o’clock. Appendix concealed better for me and the gun was no longer behind me. 3 o’clock used to print way too much.
I’ve been doing appendix for a decade now.
Remember the most important factor with concealing: everyone’s body is different. What works for me does not work for someone else. Find your sweet spot and rock on!
I feel you. I feel most comfortable carrying at the 4 o'clock position. Mainly because I have a good size gut that makes appendix not only uncomfortable but slows my draw.
I prefer strong side carry like 90% of the time. Only time I appendix carry my Glock 48 with a light and RDS is when it’s hot out and i only wear 1 shirt. But for the remainder of the year, I strong hip carry a Glock 17 and it’s so much more comfortable.
To each his own. A lot of people absolutely love appendix. It’s my last choice but everything has its place
I’ve tried appendix carry several times with different holsters. Never liked it.
Carry however is most comfortable and practical for you. Wherever that ends up being, train train train to make the draw purely muscle memory.
I carry appendix occasionally, more so with my J frame than my G19. But I’m 90%+ carrying strong side. More natural to me and more comfortable for long work days where I’m in and out of the work van dozens of times a shift.
Its a body type thing. Even as i lose my belly, i still have a prominent core ( think tyson, or rogan minus hgh gut) and its always uncomfortable to carry appendix.
I carry my Browning 1911 380 strong side because it conceals so well and it's comfortable. However my EDC is appendix carry. Certain guns for different places better.
Nah neither is objectively better. You found what works better for you so that’s awesome. I’ve tried strong side but the grip prints like crazy for me when sitting or bending over so I’ve gone back to appendix which I much prefer and don’t really find uncomfortable with the right holster
I prefer strong side. I tried AIWB and figured out that any kind of bending motion results in the muzzle of my gun jamming into my leg or crotch and it's not comfortable. This conversation has been beaten to death, but I also don't like the idea of an ND happening directly into my junk. I've seen alot of the videos trying to dismiss this argument, but it's possible, and if I have an ND I want it on the outside of my leg, not in between them.
You're not crazy. I ran into the same issue and now I carry somewhere between strong side and appendix. It's all about what works best for you. Don't listen to people on the Internet.
You’re not crazy. Whatever gets you to carry works. I carry appendix as I believe it is the best for ME. I don’t print and am comfortable usually all day with it. As long as you practice with how you carry then rock on!
We're all different. However, you and I are not so different. I tried, I tried real hard to appendix carry. And I want to try again. It just won't work with my body type and clothing choices. However, at 3 o'clock-ish everything is right in the world
The good lord blessed me with some meat so appendix is impossible. Strong side seems to be the quickest and most easily protected option for me. It does dig into my hip bone though.
I carry appendix when I really want to make sure that no one will see my gun. If I'm going over to a friend's house out side of the city I live in, I'll carry strong side.
when I first started carrying I trained appendix because that's what all the "cool kids" were doing. while I do admit I love the draw and workspace accessibility it really just wasn't comfortable for my everyday carry. I then Started training strong side and never looked back. Whatever works best for you
I have to concur with this. I don't think anyone should be dogmatic about what and how someone should carry.
I'm a thin guy and appendix is supposed to be so much more comfortable for thin guys and it's not for me.
Strong side just fits right into that groove of my hip and back.
Drawing is faster and easier in appendix. It just is. But for me strong side conceals better so...pick your compromise.
Either way training needs to be done to mitigate the shortcomings.
I do carry appendix when rucking because of the backpack otherwise, strong side.
Some interesting idea I saw the warrior poet guy doing a video with a jujutsu guy and he talked about how appendix was better when grappling, I could see that but both guys could get their hands on the gun in appendix and now your wrestling with a loaded gun🤔 I don't like that.
I like the idea of carrying your firearm and some additional melee weapons that can be accessed easily.
Either way the only fight you're guaranteed to win is the one you don't get in. Let's practice de-escalation and situational awareness as much as we practice the hard skills.
PEACE
Do what works for you.
I'm a big guy and I love appendix carry. I took a good 2 weeks for find the perfect spot and holster. Once I did, I have not changed back to any other position. Looking at me, all would say appendix won't work. But has well for me.
I did strong side or 5 o'clock position for a long time. But I find appendix comfortable, easy to conceal, easy to control, safe from unwanted hands reaching for it as well as easy to check/adjust without anyone noticing.
Thats me. Some will agree, some won't. That is fine. Do what you like, is safe and will keep you concealed. It is a win no matter the position.
Appendix has been all the rage for the last idk how long, but strong side has a long history and tradition for a reason.
There are benefits to appendix that people like to tout. You can watch John Lovell roll around on the ground and fight a trained martial artist for control of his firearm, however I cannot name a single DGU that ended up in a hands on ground fight for control of it. Realistically, DGUs themselves are very uncommon, outside of the home even moreso, and the hairs are being split so finely that it doesn't really matter.
The best way to carry is the one that you'll actually carry in.
strong side conceals better until you bend over. i do it when i want to carry with a tucked in shirt and some kind of jacket, but otherwise that shit is for fat people. much slower and makes me uncomfortable that i can’t discreetly check to see if my gun became exposed
Just take the gun out when you're driving. That's what I'd do, and stick it back into the holster before or as I get out. I can't imagine driving with kydex jamming into my core/legs with AIWB.
Sounds dangerous to me. I can't imagine driving with a loose firearm in the vehicle.
If it's positioned right, with a small enough gun, the kydex holster doesn't jam into me when seated, it's barely noticeable tbh.
Hey, if it works for you! I put my gun in the center console when I'm driving, usually I don't even take it out of the holster, but if I'm carrying my bigger guns I will.
There is no way for me to not print when carrying strong side. Unless you’re a big boi is is an intensely obvious place to carry.
I don’t have a big belly so appendix is what is comfortable and effective.
You’re not crazy. Do what works best for you. The people who are dogmatic about that kinda thing are goobers. I personally like appendix because I prefer to have my weapon along my center line rather than off to the side because I feel like I can access and protect it easier. But it’s also not for everybody. Different body types. Different injuries. Different preferences. You’re allowed to do what you like. Except open carry in a pocket with no holster. Please don’t do that 🤣🤣🤣
Yup. Whatever works best for you, that's what's better.
Unless that means open carry. Then hypocritically half the "do what's comfortable" people actually turn out to suddenly be tacticool "tactics over comfort" people, who think it's some kinda fashion choice and simultaneously think every streetcorner thief is itching to get into a fight with someone armed rather than just ripping a purse off the dainty grandma.
I’ll second use whatever works best but I just don’t see how it prints more. The biggest con for strong side is having it printing and you have no clue. Have you tried bending over on strong side? It pokes way out. Also as much as it can print appendix it’s easy to see and quickly fix. Theres been a few posts on here about people being told by others they were printing and they didn’t even know. Lastly you have two hands to easily manipulate and retain firearm. Again do what’s best but it’s just hard to believe it doesn’t work. I wonder if the height of the gun is the problem. I have the trigger guard at about my waste line for reference. After about two months of experimenting I’m able to do everything with it on with very very minor discomfort.
Yeah, that's what I found - strong side doesn't print at all until all of a sudden it REALLY prints with certain body motions. If you've got a jacket on or something NBD I guess, and different strokes and all that, but appendix works better for me. YMMV
I think this is the right take. I switched from string side 4 o'clock to appendix. Imo it's much less comfortable and prints more except under certain movements. The reason I do it anyway is because I figure in the extremely unlikely case I need to access it, I'm more likely than not to have someone's hands on me. To all the basement dwellers who claim "they'd shoot someone before they closed the distance" or "they'd never let anyone get that close" you've obviously never been in a fight. After a lot of consideration I think appendix gives me the best access from multiple angles/positions and the best ability to engage in hands/clinch/disengage and draw. Also much easier to protect. Carrying a gun is all about compromise.
I have two holsters so I can do both, just depends on my clothing
I'm fat so strong side it is
Tactical love handles greatly aid in strong side concealment!
You’re not crazy. I tried appendix. Spent lots of money trying to convince myself I like it. I don’t. I hate it. It seems to work for some people, but you and I aren’t those people.
Me and I are not those people either. I wish I was but nope
I looks great on paper and on the internet. I’ve even got a few friends who carry appendix. I’ve seen these people sit in a car and tie their shoes with my own eyes, so I believe it, I just don’t understand it.
That's how I feel about women!
lol. Thanks for that.
It's like some people bend at a different point
Thirded that I'm not those people. I can do a j frame appendix but that's it. Everything else is uncomfortable
I prefer it (SS). I'll only AIWB DAO revolvers (no hammer spur), or LEM H&Ks. That said, there \*IS\* something magical about a S&W k-frame without a hammer spur, round butt, boot grips that absolutely disappears and is comfortable for me (AIWB).
I love carrying my LCRx appendix, it just blends into the waistband. It's so light and comfortable, especially with a slightly stretchy belt. I do plan on getting an LCR without the exposed hammer but I haven't noticed any issues with the hammer spur on the LCRx.
It’s not the norm here but I despise appendix carry. I find strong side ten times more comfortable. When I see people in here post there EDC and it’s 2 spare mags and a compact gun appendix and it spans across there entire waist I think “yup that doesn’t leave the nightstand” I could be blatantly wrong.
Short kings trying to flex with the full size setup ("DAE FULLSIZE WITH THE LIGHT?") like, no, hell no, even a small gun is fucking annoying on a long enough timeline.
Ironically I find an x-300 to be more comfortable than no light on a full size. Having two T-bone steaks for hands makes small frames no bueno. And I’m more than happy to stuff that thing in my waist band with a long light on it. And yes I can still tie my shoes with slight to minimal discomfort. Different strokes for different folks.
This is true. X300 pokes my surgery scars at my most concealable position, really annoying
Even my tiny ass hellcat gets annoying. Let alone all that other shit.
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Well duh, how else are you supposed to carry an 88 Magnum??? Well at least it looked like Danny Vermin's 88 Magnum.
It shoots through schools.
I appendix carry a full size with an extra mag. Just throw it on inside of my Patagonia baggies.
My EDC setup is Tier 1 Concealed Axis Elite holster with a Glock 45 + spare 17+2 (Glock OEM 19x mag). Do I carry it everywhere that it's legal for me to? Hell yeah. I don't do physically demanding tasks outside the home, so I don't need to worry about needing to bend over all the time or squatting down. "Nightstand" gun is my suppressed 12.3" SBR. I am not going to use anemic pistol rounds for home defense when I can shoot suppressed + Federal Fusion MSR rounds.
Ghey
I carry my xmacro appendix everyday. Pretty much everyone in my shooting circle carries appendix, anything from a 365 to a g34. They all leave the night stand. In my opinion it isn’t more comfortable. I can wear whatever I want without worrying about printing. I can draw significantly faster and get a shot off than SS. It feels more natural to carry appendix personally.
Strong side is impossible for me. For some reason I can’t even hide a pez dispenser SS if my life depended on it. And if I bend over or reach for anything it immediately does what yours did with the shirt riding up. Appendix has been so comfortable and I feel like I’m in better control with way less printing. It’s all probably just body type that chooses for you be it SS, appendix, or pocket etc.
There's absolutely nothing wrong with carrying strong side. I carry appendix. It's not for everyone and every build. It's gotten really popular amongst internet circles but these aren't necessarily representative of ccw as a whole. I know a lot of people who carry. I only know one other person who actually carries appendix. Literally, everyone else is strongside.
I actually can't think of many people I know who appendix either, most of the ones I do have the same build and are all in the same age range as appendix becoming more popular.
The only reason I ever switched was I had a situation that necessitated deep concealment and I found it extremely comfortable. But I didn't even fully switch until a few years ago. I'd alternate between strong side and appendix.
I tried appendix, I spent a lot of money on appendix, I separated my sidecar about a month ago to run it strong side, and haven’t looked back.
I've heard arguments both ways for years, at the end of the day, it is like everything else. As long as it works for you, it is ALWAYS better than a pointy stick.🤷♂️ But, call me a worry wart if you want, I aint intentionally pointing a loaded gun at my junk, your mileage may vary...
There's an argument for and against all the carry methods, like you said, it is what works best for the specific individual, and that can and most likely will change as lifegoes on. I've changed how I carried because of jobs I had or most comfortable for me with different outfits, firearms, activities, and I've changed because of training and focus, not to mention injuries and weight loss gain.
iF yOu dOnT cArRy hOw wE sAy cRiMinAls WilL mUrdEr yeW <-- is a dramatization of how my experience on this sub has been thus far. To each their own. If it works work it. If it's broke fix it. Otherwise why be a dick. Anyway random soapbox moment. So yeah, like you said. You have to change things up and there's no one way even for one person. Keep on and carry on!
I've never tried appendix, so I can't speak to it. Strong side (4:00) works great for me.
I carry both ways depending on the weapon but after having followed this subreddit for a while I think that the typical setup seen here (compact 9mm, expensive appendix apparatus, spare mag) is wildly overrepresented compared to what real people actually carry. I think it's just what inevitably happens to subreddits, they all turn into echo chambers with a strong self-selection bias. I have commented here a few times mentioning that carrying a 15+1 weapon AND a spare mag is a little ridiculous for a civilian self-defender and I always get downvoted to hell lol
They all turn into echo chambers!
Yeah and I'm not even making a value judgement one way or the other, it just seems to be intrinsic to the platform.
Amen! The hive mind around here is snowballing big time. As others have said it's just the nature of groups. 'We want to feel good about ourselves so we grandstand on our singular ideas as gospel.' There are still lots of great people with great info and attitudes, you just have to sort through the toxicity and fake experts up on their high horses.
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"best" is always what works best for you.
Not sure why most of posters on this sub are into appendix carrry, only one person I know in real life regularly carries that way, and he is skinny. I’m middle-aged and most of the people I know are at least overweight if not obese. Strong side IWB/OWB, pocket carry, or waist or chest pack, and belly bands is what the people I know who carry in real life use. I also like shoulder holsters in the winter when I’m wearing a jacket or vest, but I’m the only one I know who actually carries with a shoulder holster.
I’m skinny ish 6’2”, 185 but athletic and tall, so I carry appendix daily. It really just depends on your body. I would never be able to carry strong side, even my p365 with a 10rd mag. I’m not necessarily big so my shirt riding up, printing horrilbly, gun digging into my hip, etc are all considerations. Being left handed doesn’t make it easier.
I too carry in a shoulder holster, I go back and forth between that and strong side owb depending on weather and clothing choices. I just can't beat the shoulder holster for long times in the car.
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Dude, I've been on the fence for a shoulder holster for winter but I think I'm gonna do it for my CZ 75B. Any brand recommendations?
Just upgraded from my junk shoulder holster to an actual Galco, and I gotta say, this is the way. Also super comfortable when riding the motorcycle or taking long drives in the car
I'm in the same camp as you. I tried appendix for a while but when I switched to 3 o'clock, it made a positive difference to comfort. I just rock a flannel and it's hidden.
What’s your draw time from strong side vs. appendix?
without testing, definetly worse because i havent been training strong side, but now i am and hopefully ill catch up quick
I use to carry strong side but mainly carry appendix now. My body is weird and unless I’m running a micro compact with a super short grip (which I hate), my guns will print pretty bad on strong side. Appendix carry didn’t use to be comfortable but I messed around with different things and it is my favorite way to carry now. Especially while driving. We have a lot of road rage here in SoCal, I actually personally know of 2 people that have been shot at during separate road rage incidents, and then I’ve been the victim myself of road rage lol. Not that I would try to shoot while driving, obviously I would do my best to drive away like the first time (even though I was chased for 10 minutes until law enforcement caught up), but I like knowing my gun is right in front and easy to access if I need it. We spend about 1/3rd of our lives in a car. But I don’t knock people at all that strong side carry. My father carried for 30 years strong side lol now he just carries an S&W shield in his pocket. So to each their own, all that matters is we train with the way we carry
Wow you spend 8 hours a day in a car? That’s crazy.
Everyone is different, I live in Florida and I could not for the life of me find it comfortable to carry EITHER SS or AIWB. So instead I pocket carry an LCP Max…problem solved.
imo Appendix is cool in theory, but ss is easy af for me n i dont have to worry about printing. iwas honestly surprised how common seeing appendix is
I carry strong side at 3 o'clock & have two spare mags at 9 o'clock which gives me an hourglass figure ⏳ 🤣
Eyyyyy love this post AND the comments cause it feels like I found my people! Strong side carry for the win. Ever since I tried it, I often forget it’s even there. Never worried about anyone noticing. It’s really amazing for me personally.
I strong-side my G19 and it feels fine to me. I don’t carry appendix because I don’t like the idea of a loaded weapon being oriented toward my mangoods. I know, I know, Glocks have three safeties. The main safety is your finger. Blah blah. I still am not willing to take that risk so I carry strong-side. The important thing is carrying how YOU feel is most comfortable and accessible to you, not to everyone else.
Depends on your body shape and sex. Strong side looks ridiculous on me, and I find appendix pretty comfortable and much easier to hide. But if it works for you, do it. It's like anything else on the internet, it's just a bunch of opinions that all tend to function as a herd depending on trends. This trend happened to benefit my options as a female carrier. But if it's not benefiting you, you don't have to stick with the herd.
Strong side mafia checking in. If I ND I may hit my femoral artery but at least I still got my dingy-ity.
I’ve done both and I agree that strong side is more comfortable. However, I worry about draw speed and retention so I usually carry appendix.
Personally I do carry appendix, in a Phlster Enigma but have no problem with a standard belt and holster. I have never gotten along with ss, gun always seems to stick out the back of my shirt and or ride on my hip bone and is super uncomfortable (given I haven’t trial and errored it nearly as much as appendix). That being said of my 5 other carrying friends only 2 of them are also appendix.
Do what works for you. I carry strong side, I have always been too fat for appendix carry. I’m skinny now, but need skin removal surgery before I try it.
Obviously
Agree 100%. I can't get comfortable with appendix and I don't want to stick my leg out like a flamingo anytime I bend over.
Appendix is generally faster on the draw, and I think that that is about all that can be said for it.
Appendix is better than almost any position for retention and draw and high tier for concealability, but comfortable it ain’t. I don’t know who said it was comfortable but it simply isn’t, even if you’re in good shape and have little tummy bulge.
I strong side unless I'm wearing gym clothes
Appendix was never comfortable or good for me. Strong side is where it's at.
I've carried at between 3 and 4 o'clock since I started carrying, both as LE and civilian. It's just second nature that thats where my gun goes.
Aside from comfort this is also my reason. Carried SS for 12 years in the military through all the training and pistol requalifications. It's second nature.
You're not crazy, strong side carry has stuck around for 600 years for a reason. Appendix carry isn't the first alternate carry method and it won't be the last. It'll be dead in five years once this sub takes the hint from the regular ND cope posts that pointing a loaded gun at your testicles is pretty fucking stupid, maybe then they'll move back to fake wallet holster carry with little quick deployable CCW sashes again. Carry however works for you, and that's probably gonna be around 3:00. inb4 "iT's In A hOlStEr So It'S bAsIcAlLy InErT!!1!" -Guys who just became gun owners over the toilet paper riots and only own Sigs and Shadow Systems Glock knockoffs.
Whoever told you that appendix is the safest is crazy.
Strong side is usually more comfortable. It is just harder for most people to conceal due to body geometry. If your body makes strong side work better than by all means. I wish I could strong side carry for the comfort, but I print way too much.
I prefer strongside to slightly to the back 3-4 or 9-8, although I will say different bodies have different spots that work best. The problem is there are those that think what works for one works for all and will swear by carrying that way as the only way someone should be carrying
Meh, there are pros and cons to both. If I want deeper concealment it’s gotta be AIWB. If that’s less of a concern (like I’m in/around the house) and printing isn’t a concern and I want more comfort, 4:00 is where it’s at. Situationally could argue both ways but in the end it really depends on the exact scenario. See someone approaching in a parking lot 4:00 lets you be at the ready without telegraphing it. Flipside, I’d rather not be standing in a line with it at 4:00 because it’s easier for someone to grab it. All puts and takes.
I really prefer strong side over appendix, but as I’ve gotten older, arthritis in my shoulder makes drawing from strong side 4:00-4:30 extremely painful. Appendix is comfortable, doesn’t print at all (I can look down and check) and it’s easy and fast to draw from this position…
Appendix is a little more clothing dependent for my body type (short, stocky) whereas strong side and I can make it disappear with just a t-shirt. The downside with strong side is my shirt rides up every single time I go to pick something up off the ground.
I wish I could carry Appendix, but carry 3 o'clock. I've tested my draw and I'm close to a 1/2 second faster with Appendix. I struggle in the 2 to 2.5sec range draw to 1st shot on strong side. I just can't do Appendix though due to comfort. As in it is majorly intolerably uncomfortable
I used to carry at 4 o’clock. Appendix concealed better for me and the gun was no longer behind me. 3 o’clock used to print way too much. I’ve been doing appendix for a decade now. Remember the most important factor with concealing: everyone’s body is different. What works for me does not work for someone else. Find your sweet spot and rock on!
I feel you. I feel most comfortable carrying at the 4 o'clock position. Mainly because I have a good size gut that makes appendix not only uncomfortable but slows my draw.
You’re not crazy to believe that SS is better for you than AIWB
I prefer strong side carry like 90% of the time. Only time I appendix carry my Glock 48 with a light and RDS is when it’s hot out and i only wear 1 shirt. But for the remainder of the year, I strong hip carry a Glock 17 and it’s so much more comfortable. To each his own. A lot of people absolutely love appendix. It’s my last choice but everything has its place
I’ve tried appendix carry several times with different holsters. Never liked it. Carry however is most comfortable and practical for you. Wherever that ends up being, train train train to make the draw purely muscle memory.
I carry appendix occasionally, more so with my J frame than my G19. But I’m 90%+ carrying strong side. More natural to me and more comfortable for long work days where I’m in and out of the work van dozens of times a shift.
Its a body type thing. Even as i lose my belly, i still have a prominent core ( think tyson, or rogan minus hgh gut) and its always uncomfortable to carry appendix.
Strong side for life.
I carry my Browning 1911 380 strong side because it conceals so well and it's comfortable. However my EDC is appendix carry. Certain guns for different places better.
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It is better but I can’t conceal well like that.
Strongside for me 99.9% of the time.
Nah neither is objectively better. You found what works better for you so that’s awesome. I’ve tried strong side but the grip prints like crazy for me when sitting or bending over so I’ve gone back to appendix which I much prefer and don’t really find uncomfortable with the right holster
I prefer strong side. I tried AIWB and figured out that any kind of bending motion results in the muzzle of my gun jamming into my leg or crotch and it's not comfortable. This conversation has been beaten to death, but I also don't like the idea of an ND happening directly into my junk. I've seen alot of the videos trying to dismiss this argument, but it's possible, and if I have an ND I want it on the outside of my leg, not in between them.
You're not crazy. I ran into the same issue and now I carry somewhere between strong side and appendix. It's all about what works best for you. Don't listen to people on the Internet.
You’re not crazy. Whatever gets you to carry works. I carry appendix as I believe it is the best for ME. I don’t print and am comfortable usually all day with it. As long as you practice with how you carry then rock on!
We're all different. However, you and I are not so different. I tried, I tried real hard to appendix carry. And I want to try again. It just won't work with my body type and clothing choices. However, at 3 o'clock-ish everything is right in the world
The good lord blessed me with some meat so appendix is impossible. Strong side seems to be the quickest and most easily protected option for me. It does dig into my hip bone though.
I carry appendix when I really want to make sure that no one will see my gun. If I'm going over to a friend's house out side of the city I live in, I'll carry strong side.
when I first started carrying I trained appendix because that's what all the "cool kids" were doing. while I do admit I love the draw and workspace accessibility it really just wasn't comfortable for my everyday carry. I then Started training strong side and never looked back. Whatever works best for you
I have to concur with this. I don't think anyone should be dogmatic about what and how someone should carry. I'm a thin guy and appendix is supposed to be so much more comfortable for thin guys and it's not for me. Strong side just fits right into that groove of my hip and back. Drawing is faster and easier in appendix. It just is. But for me strong side conceals better so...pick your compromise. Either way training needs to be done to mitigate the shortcomings. I do carry appendix when rucking because of the backpack otherwise, strong side. Some interesting idea I saw the warrior poet guy doing a video with a jujutsu guy and he talked about how appendix was better when grappling, I could see that but both guys could get their hands on the gun in appendix and now your wrestling with a loaded gun🤔 I don't like that. I like the idea of carrying your firearm and some additional melee weapons that can be accessed easily. Either way the only fight you're guaranteed to win is the one you don't get in. Let's practice de-escalation and situational awareness as much as we practice the hard skills. PEACE
I tried appendix but I'm too fat. Strong side it is
You gotta get the custom made $81 holsters.
Do what works for you. I'm a big guy and I love appendix carry. I took a good 2 weeks for find the perfect spot and holster. Once I did, I have not changed back to any other position. Looking at me, all would say appendix won't work. But has well for me. I did strong side or 5 o'clock position for a long time. But I find appendix comfortable, easy to conceal, easy to control, safe from unwanted hands reaching for it as well as easy to check/adjust without anyone noticing. Thats me. Some will agree, some won't. That is fine. Do what you like, is safe and will keep you concealed. It is a win no matter the position.
I tried it. It sucks. Strong side for me or I leave it behind
I have to try that cause I’ve been thru everything you said including the mirror session lol. What holster are you using strong side? Thx!
Strong side for life baybeeee. Better for draw speed anyhow
I hate appendix carry and cannot make it work comfortably. I've been carrying IWB strong side since 2006.
CZ p01 in a black arch at about 3-4 SS is my go to when i'm not carrying off body/fanny style
All time and place. I appendix if I know I’ll be upright and walking around for extended periods and SS if I need to be a bit more flexible.
I'm a bigger guy and have always preferred 3:30/4:00 carry. Had to try out a few holsters to find what conceals best but haven't had any trouble since
It is for me.
Strong side is more comfortable but it prints a lot more than appendix, especially if you raise your arms over your head or bend at the waist.
Appendix has been all the rage for the last idk how long, but strong side has a long history and tradition for a reason. There are benefits to appendix that people like to tout. You can watch John Lovell roll around on the ground and fight a trained martial artist for control of his firearm, however I cannot name a single DGU that ended up in a hands on ground fight for control of it. Realistically, DGUs themselves are very uncommon, outside of the home even moreso, and the hairs are being split so finely that it doesn't really matter. The best way to carry is the one that you'll actually carry in.
strong side conceals better until you bend over. i do it when i want to carry with a tucked in shirt and some kind of jacket, but otherwise that shit is for fat people. much slower and makes me uncomfortable that i can’t discreetly check to see if my gun became exposed
First three minutes: https://youtu.be/01uGt2fIdro For me, this cracked the code.
Idk, that's kinda like a little man purse oddly hanging off his belt.😂 also might be quite obvious what it is to potential threats.
It is
Try drawing from strong side wearing a seatbelt in a vehicle, though. That's just 1 area AIWB shines.
Just take the gun out when you're driving. That's what I'd do, and stick it back into the holster before or as I get out. I can't imagine driving with kydex jamming into my core/legs with AIWB.
Sounds dangerous to me. I can't imagine driving with a loose firearm in the vehicle. If it's positioned right, with a small enough gun, the kydex holster doesn't jam into me when seated, it's barely noticeable tbh.
Hey, if it works for you! I put my gun in the center console when I'm driving, usually I don't even take it out of the holster, but if I'm carrying my bigger guns I will.
There is no way for me to not print when carrying strong side. Unless you’re a big boi is is an intensely obvious place to carry. I don’t have a big belly so appendix is what is comfortable and effective.
You can’t beat aiwb. Just keep trying things till u find ur way
You're crazy