Is Appendix Carry Safer than a Side Carry?

Am Shooting Journal ^ | 12/30/2019 | R Pincus

[gwjack]

I was once on a training range where we were all taught that you should never point the muzzle at anything that can’t be destroyed. Hence, the argument was for a hip carry (either IWB or OWB). Then. A few days later, one of my classmates, in the excitement of enacting a response to a bad event, got his trigger finger on the trigger before clearing the holster. He gave himself a red racing stripe down his right leg, and got an expensive helicopter ride to the hospital. I don’t think I’d ever do that, but excitement and Adrenalin can take over some time. So, I have been steadfast about carrying on my hip.

[Old Yeller]

I don’t like where that barrel is pointing when you appendix carry.

Yep, that's just plain nuts.

[wastoute]

As are most things, I suppose, it is a compromise. Easy draw without muzzle sweeping yourself easy to conceal with a jacket unbuttoned which the more forward options don’t have. The drawback is the seated position, especially in an auto wearing (the required) seatbelt. This locks your weapon under your seat belt. My solution is when I get in my truck I unholster (carefully) and actually sit with my pistol under my left thigh. Easy to get to, I can feel where it is. The down side (ht Ayoob) is if you get into an accident like that a loose firearm can squirt anywhere and be unfindable and officers have lost their lives in just that way. I suppose if you were in an accident you might have the presence of mind to push down hard on the pistol so it can’t get away and keep it under your butt in that way.

[Robert357]

Pocket carry! Its the way I roll.

[wildbill]

I was wondering about that. I like it too.

[familyop]

I call it femoral artery carry.

[familyop]

For those who don’t have YouTube accounts to get around the censorship,...

VIDEO Holstered Pistol Discharges Negligent or Accident
https://hooktube.com/watch?v=GFUsA5gq1Cw

[magyars4]

I’ve tried ever possible concealed carry position. And have come to the conclusion that strong side, just behind the hipbone on the belt is best for me.
The Galco Combat master fits my needs perfectly

[M Kehoe]

Hi.

Small of the back. I use single action w/o one in the chamber. Slow I know, but safer.

Can’t carry appendix, too much “junk” down there.

;^)

5.56mm

[Dubh_Ghlase]

I find the "appendix" carry works best for me year-round. The IWB holster(s) I use cover enough to safeguard against accidental discharge when just moving around. I also use a Thunderwear holster, especially in the summer months due to not having a loose (or no) shirt to conceal the regular IWB holster.

Thurderwear also fits both left and right handed shooters, leaving the weak side for extra mags or speed loaders.

I have different solutions for different situations, but this is my preferred walk-about setup... (just don't cinch your belt too tight)...

[allwrong57]

I can’t for the life of me be comfortable with a gun in front, I’m fairly lean, however so maybe that’s it.

Part of the case against law enforcement carrying in the kidney position is that they have a lot of injuries to the back from carrying behind the hipbone and getting thrown or falling on top of their gun, which I can see happening.

[I-ambush]

I’m a urologist, and I’ve operated on several men who carried pistols in this fashion, and it’s usually to remove a testicle, and sometimes to repair the penis.
Interesting fact: you can usually tell whether they are right- or left-handed, since they tend to hit the opposite testicle, based on the direction of the barrel.
In short, not the method of carrying a weapon I would choose.

[outofsalt]

How many professionals appendix carry? Police, military, security folks? I can’t say I’ve ever seen one.

[familyop]

Nice holster.

https://www.galcogunleather.com/combat-master-belt-holster_8_4_1063.html

DeSantis also makes good ones. Here’s one with a thumb break (best used by people accustomed to thumb breaks). Azula holsters are great, too.

https://www.amazon.com/DeSantis-2000876-black-Scabbard-Holster-Ruger/dp/B004Y69OIU/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_1?dchild=1&keywords=desantis%2Bspeed%2Bscabbard%2Blc9&qid=1576618019&s=sporting-goods&sr=1-1-fkmr1&th=1

[Lurker]

A guy at our range blew his own balls off reholstering appendix carry a couple years ago.

L

[Equine1952]

I carry in an IWB lefty in a Crossbreed holster. I carry a Walter PPS which is a single stack. I dress accordingly to keep from printing. I may hit me somewhere, just not the testicles or femoral arteries as a general rule. Bugger hooks are not in trigger guards unless your shooting. Speed ain’t sh*t unless you hit what you intend too. I’m an old man, style don’t mean nothing to me and I’m pretty attached to my balls. Being 68 I ain’t using them much but they help me keep my balance.

[Lurker]

I’m 60 and mine still get fairly regular work outs. Mrs. L would be mighty disappointed if it were otherwise.

That being said I carry a single stack XDS in .45 both IW and OWB strong side as wardrobe allows. Practice is key, that’s for sure.

Best,

L

[minnesota_bound]

This old timer says to wear it in a holster on your hip.

[real saxophonist]

If a frog had side pockets he’d carry a handgun.

[Fightin Whitey]

You don’t need your appendix.

Exactly so. And two testicles? Come on.