[Barbarian]

Reviewing some pistols I own that are safer for appendix carry I came up with this list:
HK P 2000 ( DA SA pistol )
S&W M&P compact 2.0 with safety
Sig 320 compact with safety
HK P 30 compact ( 10 round limit though )
WALTHER P 99 ( DA SA).
I would be a bit anxious trying to carry a Glock, PPQ, PDP etc as they have short trigger pulls on them. I imagine there are some more; but those I have.
The Walther P 99 is one sweet pistol and it is too bad Walther dropped it. I understand everyone wants optics and the P 99 does not fit that desire. I still like the P 99 though.

 

[Depenau]

For appendix carry, I think the most meaningful difference between a Glock/PPQ/PDP and a P99 AS is that the P99 AS can be decocked after chambering a round.

 

[Plus1]

I carry Glock during certain times of the year and I do not have much concern about appendix carry. I holster the gun before positioning it on my person and I go about my day.

However, I do feel an extra layer of safety when I’m carrying the P99 knowing it is decocked.

In regards to P320s I tested the trigger at a LGS by dry firing and the take up to me was very short and very light before firing. I am not sure how much truth is behind all of the accidental discharges or negligent discharges, but I can say that I could see how a trigger like that could go off from poor discipline.

 

[Revchuck]

There's an accessory for Glocks called the "Striker Control Device". It replaces the rear plate with one that pivots; the new one has a small dome that fits in the striker channel. You holster the same way you do with a hammer-fired gun, with your thumb on the rear plate rather than the hammer. With your thumb on the rear plate, the striker can't move to the rear if you snag the trigger on something. I wouldn't have bought the G45 I have if that hadn't been available.

 

[ronnierichard]

Does anyone else get nervous when they appendix carry? I tend to not, or have it further off to the side, there's just lots of important stuff in that general area and if I ever actually needed to draw it'd probably be the one time I screw up and pull the trigger as I pull the gun out.

 

[romeo_alpha01]

Used to bother me maybe for a week but that's always how I've carried. I carry the P99 AIWB regularly.

 

[Plus1]

Does anyone else get nervous when they appendix carry? I tend to not, or have it further off to the side, there's just lots of important stuff in that general area and if I ever actually needed to draw it'd probably be the one time I screw up and pull the trigger as I pull the gun out.

Based on my experience, it is the most accessible, convenient, and easy to use/ conceal, so I had to learn how to get comfortable with it. The first time getting into a car with a loaded handgun pointing in that direction was an interesting moment but I’ve learned to live with it.

All things considered though, I don’t think I would prefer carrying any other way.

 

[balance]

For appendix carry, I think the most meaningful difference between a Glock/PPQ/PDP and a P99 AS is that the P99 AS can be decocked after chambering a round.

I'd go even further and mention that if the decocker on the P99 is pressed, and held into the slide, it physically blocks the striker from impacting the primer on a chambered round. It is not a "striker control device", but instead, it is a "striker block", in that the trigger can still cock and release the striker, but the striker will stop before the impacting the chambered round if the decocker is pressed and held into the slide while holstering.

That being said, I'm not a fan of AIWB. Something about pointing pistols at femoral arteries and reproductive organs while holstering steers me away. There are workarounds, like removing the holster first, but that is not a practical way to practice on a shooting range, for real life. It surprises me that the same guys who are against manual safeties seem to forget most of their arguments against them when it comes to AIWB.

 

[Barbarian]

There's an accessory for Glocks called the "Striker Control Device". It replaces the rear plate with one that pivots; the new one has a small dome that fits in the striker channel. You holster the same way you do with a hammer-fired gun, with your thumb on the rear plate rather than the hammer. With your thumb on the rear plate, the striker can't move to the rear if you snag the trigger on something. I wouldn't have bought the G45 I have if that hadn't been available.

Yup I have one on my G 19.

 

[spin40]

I appendix carry with my holster positioned just in front of my hip bone. I take my time to holster my weapon. There is no rush to get my weapon back safely in my holster. I keep my boogie picker out of the trigger guard and watch to make sure nothing else is entering the holster but the gun.

The ranges I visit do not allow drawing from a holster on the days I can visit, so it isn't a training issue for me.

I find any gun with a barrel over 3.5 inches troublesome for me to carry IWB. So, go with a gun that you can comfortably carry throughout the day.

 

[FMHD]

Idk guys I’m a new hand at holster carrying anything but anything striker fired seems insane. You all can do whatever you want but what would it take for a shirt or something to clog the holster. No one is everytime perfect. It’s the reason we follow safety rules like treat every gun as loaded and point in a safe direction. Carrying is gonna already stretch that to crazy limits if not violate them.
The holstering first than inserting in pants seems the safest but it still couldn’t make me mentally feel better. Too close to a quick bang in a spot I didn’t want that happening. The Bruen descision made many states suddenly start issuing ccw permits. I’m not against that but I’m pretty sure someone, especially since so many new, inexperienced people are suddenly at it, will make a bad mistake.
I tried hip carry and that was hard to reach with beat up shoulders. Plus I’d always feel weird at tractor supply or Walmart on line. Gun is accessible to anyone behind you should they suspect you have one.
I changed to a Da/Sa with a safety. Prob don’t need the safety but it’s not very hard to practice the simple downward sweep with thumb. The only thing I needed to practice was the actual initial grip having my thumb up sweeping down as I draw to disengage safety. Same type timing I’ve used 40 plus years wingshootimg small game. That easy practice and correct, imo, choice of weapon brought me peace of mind.

 

[Revchuck]

@FMHD - Your concern about re-holstering is why a lot of folks who carry concealed have switched to DA first-shot pistols or pistols with a safety. I'm one of them. Some things to consider:

• You need a holster that does not collapse when you draw the gun. You need to be able to re-holster with one hand, using the other to hold your shirt or other concealment garment out of the way.
• Take your time re-holstering. Watch your gun back into the holster.
• It sounds like your gun has an external hammer. If so, after you decock, place your thumb on the hammer and keep it there until the gun is all the way in the holster. This way, if the trigger catches on something and the hammer starts to come back, you'll know immediately and can fix the situation.
• Get some training. Carrying concealed is not instinctive, and youtube and Instagram don't help much here. You need someone with experience to show you, watch you and correct you as needed. As a longtime hunter, you already have a good handle on the safety part. If you had to get training to get your concealed carry permit, that's not enough, though it does help. You've pretty much got the hardware problem figured out, now you need to work on the software...which is the more important part.

 

[FMHD]

@FMHD - Your concern about re-holstering is why a lot of folks who carry concealed have switched to DA first-shot pistols or pistols with a safety. I'm one of them. Some things to consider:

• You need a holster that does not collapse when you draw the gun. You need to be able to re-holster with one hand, using the other to hold your shirt or other concealment garment out of the way.
• Take your time re-holstering. Watch your gun back into the holster.
• It sounds like your gun has an external hammer. If so, after you decock, place your thumb on the hammer and keep it there until the gun is all the way in the holster. This way, if the trigger catches on something and the hammer starts to come back, you'll know immediately and can fix the situation.
• Get some training. Carrying concealed is not instinctive, and youtube and Instagram don't help much here. You need someone with experience to show you, watch you and correct you as needed. As a longtime hunter, you already have a good handle on the safety part. If you had to get training to get your concealed carry permit, that's not enough, though it does help. You've pretty much got the hardware problem figured out, now you need to work on the software...which is the more important part.

Thanks Revchuck I do all these things. I’m also an archery instructor certified in 2 formats so I’m used to seeing the potential for future probs and avoiding them. I actually do plan on attending a couple classes for myself but thank you

 

[balance]

I’m not against that but I’m pretty sure someone, especially since so many new, inexperienced people are suddenly at it, will make a bad mistake.

I think it happens a whole lot more often than you think, and has been happening for years.

The guys I know who are into pistols have all heard of a few local instances by different people, and I'm not counting the countless reports over the internet. There was one instance in a large mall close to me where one guy had his pistol go off while eating at the food court, everyone thought it was a mass shooter, and the entire mall evacuated in a rush with some people pressed against glass around the exit doors. I know someone who was there at the time, they called me asking what to do, and the words that I used to get this person to get out of there are not allowed on this forum.

One person hurt in shooting at SouthPark Mall, CMPD says

www.wsoctv.com

This was at a public place, this was in a crowded food court, this was in a mall that has "no guns" signs on most of the entry ways into the mall, everyone panicked, the person carrying shot himself, someone other than the shooter could have gotten shot, and many people could have gotten hurt trying to stampede out of the exits. Think about the consequences, and then ask yourself if you really want to deal with the consequences if something like this happens to you.

Do I think that carrying a DA/SA pistol with a safety on is overkill. I'd say yes, but if that's what you feel safe carrying, go right ahead. I've yet to have an argument with someone claiming that they were too safe. If this person was carrying AIWB, he may be dead, or missing reproductive organs. I've heard of reports of that as well, which is why I stay away from that method of carry.

 

[FMHD]

I think it happens a whole lot more often than you think, and has been happening for years.

The guys I know who are into pistols have all heard of a few local instances by different people, and I'm not counting the countless reports over the internet. There was one instance in a large mall close to me where one guy had his pistol go off while eating at the food court, everyone thought it was a mass shooter, and the entire mall evacuated in a rush with some people pressed against glass around the exit doors. I know someone who was there at the time, they called me asking what to do, and the words that I used to get this person to get out of there are not allowed on this forum.

One person hurt in shooting at SouthPark Mall, CMPD says

www.wsoctv.com

This was at a public place, this was in a crowded food court, this was in a mall that has "no guns" signs on most of the entry ways into the mall, everyone panicked, the person carrying shot himself, someone other than the shooter could have gotten shot, and many people could have gotten hurt trying to stampede out of the exits. Think about the consequences, and then ask yourself if you really want to deal with the consequences if something like this happens to you.

Do I think that carrying a DA/SA pistol with a safety on is overkill. I'd say yes, but if that's what you feel safe carrying, go right ahead. I've yet to have an argument with someone claiming that they were too safe. If this person was carrying AIWB, he may be dead, or missing reproductive organs. I've heard of reports of that as well, which is why I stay away from that method of carry.

I’m basically referring to the frequency in incidence. At my local gun range you could hear crickets chirping almost always as no one was there. Now it’s not that way. 50 pistol stations all full many with multiple shooters. Add this to the over easy qualification which would allow many to pass with limited shooting/safety experience and you can see what I’m getting at. I always say, most don’t know what they don’t know. What seems so common to some might not even be a thought to others. You ever teach someone to shoot? Where does their finger start off?
The qualification classes should have higher standards being this is the case. I’m by no means against anything. Just the opposite. Just wish guys would practice and learn more on their own but they don’t. It’s important they do

 

[balance]

Just wish guys would practice and learn more on their own but they don’t.

I'm not so sure about higher standards for qualification, but we're in agreement on a lot here.

 

[Depenau]

This is how I weigh the risks, as a civilian not engaged in police or military actions, I think the chance of a negligent discharge is likely greater than ever having to use a firearm in a combat situation.

 

[SteveB2187]

The entire premise of appendix carry completely contradicts the non-negotiable 2nd rule of firearm safety: "NEVER point a firearm at ANYTHING that you're not willing to destroy or kill." We spend hours of training learning how not to sweep the muzzle of our weapons past any part of our body during firearm presentation and/or re-holstering.

However, AIWB carry with a chambered-round firearm (typically with a cocked striker/hammer) pointing directly at some VERY precious body parts is totally contrary to proper firearms safety. I'm sorry, but I don't understand how the risk of severe injury or death is worth the few advantages of appendix carry.

 

[Plus1]

The entire premise of appendix carry completely contradicts the non-negotiable 2nd rule of firearm safety: "NEVER point a firearm at ANYTHING that you're not willing to destroy or kill." We spend hours of training learning how not to sweep the muzzle of our weapons past any part of our body during firearm presentation and/or re-holstering.

However, AIWB carry with a chambered-round firearm (typically with a cocked striker/hammer) pointing directly at some VERY precious body parts is totally contrary to proper firearms safety. I'm sorry, but I don't understand how the risk of severe injury or death is worth the few advantages of appendix carry.

I guess I live dangerously. One could argue the point about “pointing” when I holster my weapon in the appendix position the muzzle is not flagging any of my body parts. When I sit down, it is definitely facing my lower body but there is no “pointing” involved. Meaning no hand is in control of the gun, guiding/ directing it to be towards my lower body.

Do what you feel best with/ safest with. The most comfortable/ accessible/ concealable/ practical is appendix for me.

 

[Barbarian]

The entire premise of appendix carry completely contradicts the non-negotiable 2nd rule of firearm safety: "NEVER point a firearm at ANYTHING that you're not willing to destroy or kill." We spend hours of training learning how not to sweep the muzzle of our weapons past any part of our body during firearm presentation and/or re-holstering.

However, AIWB carry with a chambered-round firearm (typically with a cocked striker/hammer) pointing directly at some VERY precious body parts is totally contrary to proper firearms safety. I'm sorry, but I don't understand how the risk of severe injury or death is worth the few advantages of appendix carry.

I understand you point and appreciate it. I have revised the pistols I would carry this way. The only ones that meet my safety criteria are hammer fired da sa pistols with a thumb safety. I consider that the height of manual safety. That means only a few of my hammer fired HKs would qualify such as the HK P 30, HK 45 series, HK USP series.
If you violate two safety rules someone will get shot. Don't violate two. .