Ohioans For Concealed Carry Discussion Forums

So the P320C in .45 acp i bought recently came with a AIWB holster. Took it out back to ring the steel gongs and figured I would try out the holster, too. I have a lot less "appendix" than I used to have so why not, right?

It's weird. I'm used to a 3:30-4:00 O'clock OWB holster.

It makes it hard to bend over when picking up brass. The way it moved the butt of the gun I was afraid it would let the gun fall out (it didn't).

I didn't even try to sit down.

Maybe if I started pulling my pants halfway up my chest like the old man in the movie "Up" it would work better for me. I don't know. Meanwhile, I can say that I tried it and really don't favor it.

Before Allen comes along and takes eight paragraphs to tell you a couple things, allow me:

1) Vast difference in design among AIWB holsters; comfort is critical mass carrying up front, much more so than around the dial to one's hip.

2) Appendix ain't for everybody; a Kahr, Shield, or Glock single stack is about the biggest I can go up front all day with, regardless of the rig.

I tried it for a bit as well last year with a Sig P938. Since I still have a fair amount of "appendix covering material", I found it to be uncomfortable.

I really didn't evaluate it from a speed perspective, only from a access and comfort factor. About the only place it seemed to make access easier was my vehicle - but I have practiced for my 3:30 position enough that it did not make enough difference for me.


Maybe if I can get some major shrinking going on - I may try again. Until then, I am staying with strong side hip.

Brian D. wrote:Before Allen comes along and takes eight paragraphs to tell you a couple things, allow me:

I resemble that statement!

Yeah, I tried it too. I'll put it in not so pc terms... I'm short and fat. Was uncomfy for me. I really don't know if I've got enough waist for it. Some people are long between their belt line and legs, I'm not

With AIWB, a 1/4" can make or break it. Having a belt too tight can demolish it. Pants will have to go up an inch or two vertical, and belt loops can prevent a sweet spot from being found. I go with pull the dot loops for that reason - I can stradle a loop if needed.

It is more beneficial to those with less stomach - it's easier if chest DIA is a bit larger than waist DIA - good reason to hit the weights.

If I start lifting weights again, I'll wrinkle the clothes hanging on my squat rack!

^ - Laughing *_with_* you, not at you.

I like it, but in a tshirt the end of the grip always prints for me, almost no matter how small the gun is. I would need comically disproportionate dimensions for a tshirt not to do that.

Apart from that, to me it conceals better, draws faster, and stays more out of the way for any bent over or sitting task. Also more comfortable in crowded areas, for whatever reason. I still prefer strong side hip or behind hip, especially in heavier clothing.

And the partial beaver tail that this Sig has doesn't help, at least with me.

concreteguy wrote:And the partial beaver tail that this Sig has doesn't help, at least with me.

I left the backstrap off the glock for that reason.

2:00 is my favorite place to carry the ruger lcp ii, come to think of it. That's one that doesn't print much on me, and I think it prints even less at 2 than pocket carry. Same with any other pocket pistol I tried.

It doesn't work for all people. Body type has a lot to do with that. My P320C with the Compact small grip is carried that way,
but I'll be the first to admit that swapping one of my two subcompact grip modules sometimes makes it easier.

Generally have the holster @ ~ 11 o'clock on my belt,so perhaps not "true" appendix carry. (Southpaw)
But still able to access & draw better IMO.

My chest is still larger than my belly, but both are too large.

Biggest difference I noticed came from wearing my pants a bit higher. No problems with a P226.

jeep45238 wrote:Biggest difference I noticed came from wearing my pants a bit higher. No problems with a P226.

See - I thought about trying that. But I was deathly afraid of looking like an old man...

Going up an inch isn't going to make you look like an old man, unless your pants are too short anyway and there's a big air gap at the bottom. Give ti a try - and if it works and you need longer pants, well, now you know.