I want to try Appendix carry

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So I typically carry a paddle just because it's easy to remove since I can't carry at my work. Slip on, slip off. However; that hasn't been an issue lately....

I used to carry about 3:30 and have found myself slowing moving my holster to the 1:00-1:30 area. No idea why, just seems better. So I want to try appendix carry without it costing me a fortune on a good holster that I don't know if I'm going to like or not.

I typically like Fobus holsters, they seem decent quality and they are cheap. I ordered an Fobus appendix for my G26 and it is horrible. I've adjusted retention and if it's in place, you can't even pull the weapon, not to mention it poking into my gut. This can't be what all appendix carriers deal with. I'm going to return it (Amazon)

I like the concept of the Tier 1 Concealment systems. Like the Axis Elite
https://www.tier1concealed.com/collections/iwb-holsters/products/axis-elite?variant=17963595235399

I just don't want to drop $134 on a holster and not know if I'm even going to like carrying this way.

Sorry for the long winded question, just wanted to see if anyone had some suggestions, tips, tricks etc. for Appendix carry. 5'11" @175 lbs.
 
I sometimes carry a Shield in a $25 Blackhawk ARC. It works so long as I don't have to sit down too much. That's more due to my waist size than the holster.
 
Last year I switched to Appendix carry and am still extremely happy with it. I'm 5'10" 165-70 and have found through trial and error that AIWB does indeed suit me best of all.

I use the T1 Xiphos 2 and, after experimenting a bit with height and tension variations, have found it to be exactly what I want and need to be comfortable, confident, and capable with my EDC.

FWIW, if you do indeed decide to appendix carry, I suggest you find someone whom you admire and trust and who carries that way. Make sure that you ask like minded folks for advice and then just GO FOR IT full bore to see if it's for you.

At the same time, I strongly recommend that you stay the heck away from the internet naysayers and all those who wish to convince you, by hook or by crook, that what you are doing is somehow wrong.

Good luck and enjoy the journey. PM me if you need another AIWB sponsor ;)

 
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I suggest you find someone whom you admire and trust and who carries that way. Make sure that you ask like minded folks for advice and then just GO FOR IT full bore to see if it's for you.
Great advice for any carry questions. I tried may ways and even now will try other things, but always come back to my tried and true....lol.
 
At the same time, I strongly recommend that you stay the heck away from the internet naysayers and all those who wish to convince you, by hook or by crook, that what you are doing is somehow wrong.

Just so everybody knows, some of the best pistol trainers in the world won’t let you carry that way in their classes. And you can’t carry like that in pistol matches (not IDPA anyway).

Much of this I expect is due to the amount of holstering and unholstering of a hot gun that goes on in a class or match.
 
I carry appendix and found a Kydex Vedder holster ... their LiteTuck. It is not the cheapest but not near as expensive as some of my leather ones ... I think it was $55 with discount code. What I really like is it is not bulky, has a easily adjustable cant and height and it’s clip it very easy for taking it on and off. Since you already carry IWB it shouldn’t take you to long to get use to the Appendix position ... just remember big belt buckles can stick out a little farther with Appendix so a belt like a Fatboy with no buckle really comes in handy!
 
Glock 19, I use a leather Blackhawk.

Glock 43 & 43X, I use a Stealth Gear USA.

I really like the Blackhawk and I used it daily for 12 years. I still use it now just not as much since getting the 43X. It allows re-holstering while wearing which was important feature for me. I use the Stealth Gear USA because it was part of a package deal. Once it is no longer serviceable I will get another Blackhawk for the 43s.


https://blackhawk.com/premium-leather-inside-the-pants-holster/


https://stealthgearusa.com/ventcore-appendix-holsters/

Edited to add reasons

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
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Last year I switched to Appendix carry and am still extremely happy with it. I'm 5'10" 165-70 and have found through trial and error that AIWB does indeed suit me best of all.

I use the T1 Xiphos 2 and, after experimenting a bit with height and tension variations, have found it to be exactly what I want and need to comfortable, confident, and capable with my EDC.

FWIW, if you do indeed decide to appendix carry, I suggest you find someone whom you admire and trust and who carries that way. Make sure that you ask like minded folks for advice and then just GO FOR IT full bore to see if it's for you.

At the same time, I strongly recommend that you stay the heck away from the internet naysayers and all those who wish to convince you, by hook or by crook, that what you are doing is somehow wrong.

Good luck and enjoy the journey. PM me if you need another AIWB sponsor ;)


Thank you. Well that Tier 1 is a little cheaper than the one I am looking at. It appears we are about the same size. Nobody I know Appendix carries. I don't currently carry an extra mag very often but typically have one in the car.

I've seen a few reviews of the Tier 1 Axis and Agis and they seem to swear by them. Thanks for your feedback.

Just pray for the boys... Joking.
 
Thank you all for the feedback, I'm looking at all your suggestions.

I don't mind paying for a quality holster but I don't want to buy an expensive holster and hate it.
 
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Thank you all for the feedback, I'm looking at all your suggestions.

I don't mind paying for a quality holster but I don't want to buy and expensive holster and hate it.

You can generally find the N8 holsters barely used on ebay at a good discount.
 
I have been primarily carrying appendix for close to 10 years. I use Watch Dog Tactical appendix, with the claw foot. I didn't check where you are, but he's in Charlotte, and has a store front also (no clue what that situation is because of the china virus). Also, I tried a G-26 many years ago, and it just didn't carry well. I do better with a little bit longer barrel length, as I carry a G-19 or 48 as my edc. Good luck on your search.

Sent from my LM-Q710.FG using Tapatalk
 
I have been primarily carrying appendix for close to 10 years. I use Watch Dog Tactical appendix, with the claw foot. I didn't check where you are, but he's in Charlotte, and has a store front also (no clue what that situation is because of the china virus). Also, I tried a G-26 many years ago, and it just didn't carry well. I do better with a little bit longer barrel length, as I carry a G-19 or 48 as my edc. Good luck on your search.

Sent from my LM-Q710.FG using Tapatalk

CJ is open 10-6. Great guy, great products. He can tweek stuff if you want to make little changes. Here’s a couple he just did for me
142862acaef3311864673b1f2310b34a.jpg

874042dafc9b9bae8faee31573e18a0e.jpg
 
I have been primarily carrying appendix for close to 10 years. I use Watch Dog Tactical appendix, with the claw foot. I didn't check where you are, but he's in Charlotte, and has a store front also (no clue what that situation is because of the china virus). Also, I tried a G-26 many years ago, and it just didn't carry well. I do better with a little bit longer barrel length, as I carry a G-19 or 48 as my edc. Good luck on your search.

Sent from my LM-Q710.FG using Tapatalk

Thank you. G19 w/rmr is coming but not sure how much I'll want to carry it.

I'm south of Raleigh and rarely make it to Charlotte.
 
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Thank you. G19 w/rmr is coming but not sure how much I'll want to carry it.

I'm south of Raleigh and rarely make it to Charlotte.
You'll love it. I have 2 for the 19's from WD, and one is for a 19 with RMR. He made me one for a G-30s, and I carried that big lug appendix, and it carried very well.

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It took me awhile to come around to appendix carry but glad I did. It is definitely inherently quicker on the draw than behind the back. I have t-rex arms sidecar for my glock and allows for a spare mag to help not show the pistol and give more ammo. It did take some getting used to when sitting.
 
Spider concealment out of Florida off Ebay. Nice rig, came missing one belt hook.....it better be on the way. $45

It was made for a G19 but I asked him not to flare the barrel end inward so I could also carry my G17. There's a G26 in it for the picture. Took about a day to get used to it since I was used to a leather appendix but I do like it.

One of the MOST IMPORTANT things I have learned about holsters using belt hooks IS THE BELT HOOK itself. I have had some great holsters in my time but the hooks made them almost useless. These are pretty good with a 1.5" belt. My favorites are what they used to call "J-hooks" that went over the pants top, behind the belt and hooked under the belt, amost making them invisible. You hardly ever see those anymore...shame.I

****Edit - just got my second belt clip...now this holster works great.

20200522_222618.jpg
 
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Take a look at the leather holster from jm4tactical.com. He uses a magnets to secure the holster to the belt and to secure the gun in the holster. Lightweight, easy to get on and off and not expensive.

John Ciolino
 
My favorite appendix holster is the Vedder Light Tuck. I’ve tried a few different holsters and these work best for me.
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Galco tuckable for a j-frame. Works well except for the hammer when sitting down, then its positional. (Was my wife's but she went with a shield, so I carry it sometimes). Check and see if they make them for your pistol.
 
These are the appendix holsters I use and am very happy with.
JM Custom Kydex https://www.jmcustomkydex.com/c/AIWB-Holsters.html
Black Rhino Concealment for a P320RX https://blackrhinoconcealment.com/holsters/acs.html
IMO the belt is as important, if not more important, than the holster. Something with either infinite adjustability like the Ares Aegis, or very small adjustment increments without a bunch of fiddling about makes a YUGE difference. Though the buckle isn’t super low profile, it doesn’t stick out much more than any of my Hanks double layer leather carry belts. The adjustability and ease of use more than makes up for it. If I had stuck with a leather belt and traditional buckle, I would have given up on appendix carry long ago. https://www.aresgear.com/index.php?...id=454&zenid=1535d51a27d2160d00c5193feb4d4c48
 
Ah, yes... the old "I don't wanna spend a lot of money on a holster I may not like" problem.

Well...if you want to carry appendix, and you've been slowly moving to that position, you'll just have to do what a lot of us do when shopping around.

Look at the designs, read reviews, talk to people who carry the way you want, then make the leap.

If you've been carrying appendix by moving your current holster around, and if you've tried another holster besides, then you already have an idea what you may or may not like. So you're not as ignorant as you may think.

Especially since you've been carrying IWB for a while anyway.

What you are is scared of dumping a pretty penny on a holster that you may not like.

In my experience, if you've done the research and invested in a quality holster, you'll probably not be truly upset with your purchase. Maybe something that COULD be better about it, but not a deal breaker.

Pick something and make the leap.
 
Spider concealment out of Florida off Ebay. Nice rig, came missing one belt hook.....it better be on the way. $45

It was made for a G19 but I asked him not to flare the barrel end inward so I could also carry my G17. There's a G26 in it for the picture. Took about a day to get used to it since I was used to a leather appendix but I do like it.

One of the MOST IMPORTANT things I have learned about holsters using belt hooks IS THE BELT HOOK itself. I have had some great holsters in my time but the hooks made them almost useless. These are pretty good with a 1.5" belt. My favorites are what they used to call "J-hooks" that went over the pants top, behind the belt and hooked under the belt, amost making them invisible. You hardly ever see those anymore...shame.I

****Edit - just got my second belt clip...now this holster works great.

View attachment 215784

I bought one of these while still working out some AIWB kinks. It was pretty comfy, but I still wasn't ready to carry it up front.

Changed guns and all, ordered a JMCK at just under $100, and should be here tomorrow. Very excited to try it.

If you choose JMCK, read the FAQs all the way to the bottom, it's worth it.
 
I've been happy with my vedder light tucks + claw. Found a youtube review with a coupon code ( 32ICON ) and got 6.50 off. Rounds out to basically just cover s/h but it put it at 70$ shipped.

I haven't had any comfort issues and the angle/height is really adjustable as well as the retention. Just make sure to loctite it when you find your ideal spots. The claw helps push the grip back into my belly. They're well received on the ccw subreddit. I do have to move my belt buckle over one of my pockets or the belt bulge is huge.

Here's a list of some other vendor discounts
 

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I was skeptical of the claw and at first it didn't seem to serve its purpose but, once I lowered the holster by moving the clips higher, the claw does an excellent job pushing the grip towards the waist. Many folks seem to like using the foam wedges as well. I haven't tried that properly but honestly with the claw I am very happy with how well concealed this set up is. Now, if I could just learn to shoot better...:rolleyes:
 
I wanted to thank you all for the info. I ended up with a Spider Concealment "The Combo" and I've had the chance to carry it a few times now and it's pretty comfortable. I have carried wearing a simple t shirt and a G26 pretty successfully. I may want to carry a G19 w/rmr at some point and I think I can probably do that with this setup or similar.

If I add a mag carrier it does make it a little more obvious but I've been carrying so long and I'm of the age that I just don't care if it prints a little. I surely haven't ever had anyone call me on it. I have had a couple folks take off suddenly on occasion :)
 
I wanted to thank you all for the info. I ended up with a Spider Concealment "The Combo" and I've had the chance to carry it a few times now and it's pretty comfortable. I have carried wearing a simple t shirt and a G26 pretty successfully. I may want to carry a G19 w/rmr at some point and I think I can probably do that with this setup or similar.

If I add a mag carrier it does make it a little more obvious but I've been carrying so long and I'm of the age that I just don't care if it prints a little. I surely haven't ever had anyone call me on it. I have had a couple folks take off suddenly on occasion :)
If you were an old fat lady like me, nobody would even notice! Nobody pays any attention to me at all! It's great camouflage! LOL.
 
I carried a J-frame in an AIWB holster for several years with no problems until my belly got too big. One of those inexpensive soft leather holsters with a metal clip did quite well with my athletic six pack but not too well now with my pumpkin.
 
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One comment as an aside, the Vedder Claw on the Light Tuck is fixed in an upright position. If you the cant the holster forward, the claw stays upright.
 
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I want to try an appendix setup before I buy, if you’re local and can let me try it for 15 minutes, that’d ba great. John Lovell suggests the Tier 1 and T-rex Sidecar. @rantingredneck do you have an appendix setup?
I’ve a Vedder for the Hellcat, it’s uncomfortable ‘down there’ when sitting, it sits low and doesn’t allow for a grip purchase. I have to grab, then adjust my grip. Because of that, my Crossbreed SuperTuck at 5:00 position is a faster and safer draw.
71A3B773-C3FB-41F2-8E81-8A760CD0FD3B.jpeg
 
I want to try an appendix setup before I buy, if you’re local and can let me try it for 15 minutes, that’d ba great. John Lovell suggests the Tier 1 and T-rex Sidecar. @rantingredneck do you have an appendix setup?
I’ve a Vedder for the Hellcat, it’s uncomfortable ‘down there’ when sitting, it sits low and doesn’t allow for a grip purchase. I have to grab, then adjust my grip. Because of that, my Crossbreed SuperTuck at 5:00 position is a faster and safer draw.
View attachment 273508

I make one IWB holster.


PXL_20201204_125913925.jpg


It's a simple taco, no claws or the like. With a comptac IMax clip that is adjustable for cant.

I wear this appendix. Daily. For the last 2 years or so. I forget it's there.
 
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