Appendix Carry, Only the Assiduous, Serious, & Sober Need Apply

Opinion

One big benefit of appendix carry is the ease of reaching and clearing the cover garment. Everything is in easy reach.
I’m not sure that appendix carry qualifies as a “trend,” but I’m seeing it a lot more of it than I did a decade ago.

Ft Collins, CO –-(Ammoland.com)- “Knowledge can be communicated, but not wisdom. One can find it, live it, do wonders through it, but one cannot teach it.” ~ Hermann Hesse

“Appendix” Carry: I’m not sure that appendix carry qualifies as a “trend,” but I’m seeing it a lot more of it than I did a decade ago.

With the whole idea of concealed carry still a “novelty” in many parts of the country, and so much of it being poorly and unsafely displayed in Hollywood productions, more than a few students of our Art are currently experimenting with the Appendix Carry practice.

Simultaneously, holster-makers make available a never-ending variety of gun holster wares designed to accommodate #ad appendix carry.

More than a few concealed carriers opting for appendix carry have accidentally shot themselves in the leg or groin!

Of course, during the same time period, probably an equal number of concealed carriers opting for hip carry have likewise accidentally shot themselves in the buttocks, but those wounds tend to be less life-threatening than with the former category.

I’ve been asked to comment on the Appendix Carry practice, as I know respected instructors who don’t allow appendix carry in their venues.

Here are the main points:

1. Guns are dangerous! Risk attaches to all forms of concealed carry, no matter how careful we try to be. None are “risk free.”

2. The most dangerous thing we do with pistols, by far, is place them into holsters! Upwards of ninety percent of range/training accidents happen as the student is holstering/reholstering. It is at this very moment that we must be most alert and careful, no matter the carry method for which we’ve opted.

3. Carrying a concealed pistol, for the purpose of personal protection, absolutely requires that the pistol be loaded! Carrying concealed, in any body location, where the pistol has no round chambered, represents foolish self-deception. Those who are not prepared to carry a loaded pistol, are not ready for concealed carry at all, and shouldn’t.

When you produce your pistol during an emergency, who promised you that your support-hand will always be available? Is that a “given?”

When the practice of routinely carrying concealed, a modern, high-quality pistol with a round chambered, frightens you, my advice is to not carry at all, in any position, as noted above.

4. I ask appendix carriers to do two things I don’t of require those employing other carry options:

a. I ask students to holster only when standing up. I ask them not to holster while they are sitting (as in a car).

b. I ask students to thrust their hips forward slightly as they holster, insuring that only empty space (rather than their thigh or groin) is directly in front of their pistol’s muzzle as the pistol is seated in the holster.

5. As with off-body carry, appendix carry (with all its risks) not only represents an acceptable option. For some, it represents the only option.

Back to point 1:

I don’t think it is possible to handle, nor bear, deadly weapons “safely.”

I think we can handle them CAREFULLY! Even then, there are no guarantees.

The practice of routine concealed carry, in any form, is ill-suited for clueless snowflakes. Only the assiduous, serious, and sober need apply.

/John


Defense Training International, Inc

About John Farnam & Defense Training International, Inc

As a defensive weapons and tactics instructor John Farnam will urge you, based on your own beliefs, to make up your mind in advance as to what you would do when faced with an imminent lethal threat. You should, of course, also decide what preparations you should make in advance if any. Defense Training International wants to make sure that their students fully understand the physical, legal, psychological, and societal consequences of their actions or in-actions.

It is our duty to make you aware of certain unpleasant physical realities intrinsic to the Planet Earth. Mr. Farnam is happy to be your counselor and advisor. Visit: www.defense-training.com

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runswiththunder

My first pistol, a PPK/s was carried in a pocket holster. When I changed to a belt holster, I’ve only carried a Sig P239 in 9MM or 40S&W. At the appendix position, I prefer a DA/SA, rather than one of my Glocks.

TexDad

So a major requirement I have for myself when I carry appendix is that I do not reholster on the body at all. I place the gun in the holster, and the holster on the belt. Reholstering should happen when things have slowed down. Yes, there is some extremely unlikely situation where that could be awkward or limiting. I’m OK with that risk.

Eighty

So many experts; so little information.

RoyD

So, John, which one of the below statements do you really believe? They seem diametrically opposed to me. How about you stick with suggesting what you think is best and stop making asinine demands that you haven’t the power to enforce. I think that would be “best.” “As a defensive weapons and tactics instructor John Farnam will urge you, based on your own beliefs, to make up your mind in advance as to what you would do when faced with an imminent lethal threat. You should, of course, also decide what preparations you should make in advance if any.” “Carrying… Read more »

Whatzit

I’ll just stick with the standard 4 o’clock hip carry. Too hard to sit with it in the front. I don’t like the barrel jammed into my junk every time I bend over. No thanks. I think people see this method of carry in the movies and think it’s cool. It ranks right up there with firing a pistol sideways like gang-bangers.

StWayne

Hey Whatzit! Don’t you know that a sideways nine is the most lethal form of carry there is?

StWayne

For me, I carry a full-sized double stack 9mm auto that is simply too big for that carry position. Besides, it makes all the girls think I’ve got something going on for which later I can only prove them wrong. No stuffing-stockers for this ol’ boy!

GoBoy

I don’t want my we we shot off, besides it is very uncomfortable. I carry a small 10 round pistol in a leather pocket holster in my right front pocket. I can wear my shirt tucked in and the gun does not print in the leather holster.
If carrying a large gun say a Glock 22 it is in an outside level 2 holster on a good pistol belt and wear a light wind breaker. The only time I carry visible is when I am in uniform.

Gerry

Well said. Inside the waistband holstering (IWB for those that insist on being Tactically Correct) is not something anyone should try without hours of training and practice.