Never. Think where the barrel points when you are sitting or moving around. I have a strong bias in favor of never pointing a gun at myself!

 

If you do it right there is no issue.

 

AIWB is a trendy carry mode these days, but most of the major training schools don't allow it, nor do many folks in my line of work (LE) utilize it. Lots of inherent risk, unwieldy draw stroke required, certainly not practical for a steel-framed full size pistol. I do carry Commander-sized 1911s IWB, but strongside in Milt Sparks VM II or SS. If you're going to commit to carrying anything other than a sub-compact polymer-framed pistol, recommend you look to strongside OWB (or IWB) with a real holster and dedicated gunbelt.

As an instructor and trainer, I oppose the mode of carry. But I note a lot of the younger, YouTube "content providers" are proponents.

 

As an instructor and trainer, I oppose the mode of carry. But I note a lot of the younger, YouTube "content providers" are proponents.

I am 52 so that doesn't apply

 

Many years ago this was trendy at the large IPSC Club I belonged to - till one of the stages required a seated start. Most saw the light.

 

I'm not sure what you see as the problem. I've practiced this while seated, from behind a desk, a table and in a vehicle, both as a driver and as a passenger. Can you clarify please?

 

Is your OWB or IWB concealed?

 

I've been carrying a 1911/2011 AIWB for a couple of years now. I have a hard kydex holster of my own making that not only covers the trigger guard (of course), but also has a small ledge that fits up under the safety lever to hold it in the "ON" position. Between the grip safety, the safety lever, and the ledge in the holster that holds the safety ON, it would take an act of God for a negligent discharge.

I always say this. If you're carrying a pistol that you're afraid could accidentally discharge, you probably need to switch to a SA/DA pistol (round chambered, hammer down, requiring a long DA trigger pull to fire) or a revolver.

 

I've been carrying a 1911/2011 AIWB for a couple of years now. I have a hard kydex holster of my own making that not only covers the trigger guard (of course), but also has a small ledge that fits up under the safety lever to hold it in the "ON" position. Between the grip safety, the safety lever, and the ledge in the holster that holds the safety ON, it would take an act of God for a negligent discharge.

I always say this. If you're carrying a pistol that you're afraid could accidentally discharge, you probably need to switch to a SA/DA pistol (round chambered, hammer down, requiring a long DA trigger pull to fire) or a revolver.

It's not "fear." It's just basic adherance to basic safety rules, sir.

 

I appendix carry my commanders frequently. It just depends on where I am going and what I am doing. I do admit it will be an issue if you are driving for more than an hour or doing lots of sitting. Hence the when and what I am doing.

For appendix I use a kydex Vedder LightTuck. Slim, tuckable.

 

I appendix carry my commanders frequently. It just depends on where I am going and what I am doing. I do admit it will be an issue if you are driving for more than an hour or doing lots of sitting.

The longest I've driven has been about 5 hours with a break in the middle for lunch. I've often removed my hip carry IWB holsters (several makes and models) due to discomfort. I've found that with the AIWB holster, I can pull it away from my body, move it a small amount, and it disappears again.

 

I like IWB, but carry at about the 4 o’clock position. Appendix carry makes me worry about shooting my pecker off.

 

Appendix carry makes me worry about shooting my pecker off.

Two things you take into consideration.. and hopefully will start carrying AIWB:
1. do you need your pecker?
2. two safeties make your pistol inoperable, so your pecker is safe.

 

I used to be in the crowd that is worried about shooting your junk off, but I researched the carry method and saw that some of the issues were really unwarranted. I have yet to see a 1911 with the safety on the grip. safety not depressed and the trigger not pressed go off in a holster. So the risk is when you holster the weapon. Safety on and thumb on the hammer reduces the risk significantly. Try looking your gun into the holster with the holster at 3:30 or 4:00, hard huh? Now look straight down and watch the gun into your holster. Much easier? For me it is. Appendix carry is now legal in both IDPA and USPSA. My EDC is a 365X that I carry appendix. I also carry a G19 from time to time the same way. Spencer Keeper of Keepers Concealment carries a 92FS appendix. With a good holster it is no more difficult to carry a Commander AIWB than 3:30 or 4:00 o'clock. With your gun unloaded put your gun at 3:30 4:00 sit in the driver seat of your car and put the seatbelt on. Now draw the gun. Try the same exercise AIWB. If you don't have a holster just stick it in your waist band , verifying that the gun is unloaded and safe.
My AIWB holsters are equipped with clips, in the AM when I am getting dressed. I do a chamber check EMS on into the holster it goes. Now with the gun in the holster I place the holstered weapon into my waistband and clip it over my belt. If nature calls I remove the holster and pistol as a unit and return it to my carry position the same way I did when getting dressed.
Finally the Belt. I suggest the KORE belt that has a ratchet buckle and no holes in the belt. This allows for precise belt tension. Sitting down reduce the tension on the belt to where it is comfortable. Stand up tighten it up a smidge. The only way you will know if AIWB is for you, Sorry you have to try it. Nobody here has the same exact body type as you and what works for me may be unbearable for the next guy.

 

Try looking your gun into the holster with the holster at 3:30 or 4:00, hard huh? Now look straight down and watch the gun into your holster. Much easier? For me it is.

I think it would be great walking around but I spend most of my day seated... and have a little belly

 

I am looking very seriously at the Mitch Rosen TRV Transverse or a high ride OWB for cross draw carry. Appendix just doesn't work for me sitting so much. I have 2 other Rosen holsters and they are great. I am thinking of getting another shoulder holster in allegator made for the Wilson and lined.

 

It's not my thing, but here is a Lucky Gunner article and video with Spencer Keepers, owner of Keepers Concealment who, I believe is a 300+ lb-er, who has carried a G34 and Beretta 92 AIWB.

Can Appendix Carry Work for Big Dudes? - Lucky Gunner Lounge

If you're a big guy, can you still use appendix carry? We have some tips to help you carry appendix, even if with a little bit of a gut.

www.luckygunner.com

 

I don’t think Spencer is quite that big, but he is a large guy. He makes excellent AIWB holsters and runs some really good classes on appendix carry. His daily carry is a Glock 35 I believe. I use one of his holsters to carry a Glock 19 all day almost every day.
JM Custom Kydex also makes some nice AIWB holsters, and I occasionally use one of theirs to carry a full size 1911. I recently bought a holster from JM for my Staccato P, and it conceals pretty well if I don’t have the magwell on.
AIWB with a well designed holster is comfortable and practical for me. The draw stroke is actually fast and safe if you train and practice. Your mileage may vary. For what it’s worth, I’m 66 years old, about 6’ 1” and 180 pounds.

 

Yes. Tucker Cover Up +. 1911 is one of the safest handguns ever designed. Appendix carry requires a little more training to ensure one doesn’t break the laser rule, but once this is done, it is a good way to carry. With 4.25” barrel, have never had it point at my stuff (even while seated). Like anything else there will be proponents and naysayers. If something works safely for someone, but not for me, I tell them to rock it.

 

Fascinating. Could you show a photo or diagram of how you carry AIWB and not have it pointed at your junk when seated?

 

Taking away preferences, body type or other factors, a little simple geometry. If you draw strong side you have a 5, 6 foot whatever inch target from bottom to top, the draw stroke and the full height of the target. If you cross draw, shoulder, appendix or other, you swing across the width with a much smaller margin for error even with all of the really big folks these days. If you are expert at cross draw, and there are some so be it! I will always follow the math I learned from an old time police Captain.

 

Not a problem at all for average person. I'm 5' 9" / 180lb and was carrying AIWB M&P9 4.25". These days I'm carrying Staccato C2 in the same holster, so technically it is still 4.25".
If you use proper holster and know how to deal with appendix carry - it's much better option than any other IWB position.

 

It seems to me that appendix carry may have a lot to do with the age of the person carrying. I know that could be a “profiling” statement but I think there is some truth to it. Yes, there are older guys that appendix carry and younger guys that would not. I’ve been carrying since 1978 and am so used to carrying at 3:00 to 3:30 I don’t think there is any chance that I would ever carry appendix. I have tried it around the house but that has told me that it is a no go for me. I would never tell anyone how to or what is best for them. I don’t know that.

 

I have several 1911's. I like the 1911 Commander AIWB because the hammer area is not squared off like on the Glock. This reduces printing. I have a Tenicor Velo 4 for it. I dislike the molded in wedge for inside the waistband. It works great when carrying the gun behind the belt, but outside the pants. I much prefer my Certum 3. I have it for the 1911 Government, but it's too long. The Commander is the same size as a Glock 17.

There are some caveats with AIWB. PHLster holsters has several really good videos on setting up for appendix carry.

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=phlster+appendix+setup

Between the belt and pants is a good option. It prevents hot spots at the cost of a pocket and a little bit of concealment. I recommend this method of carry for comfort and speed of draw. I use the DCC clips because they are very secure and stable (both IWB and Behind the Belt).

There are two holsters, maybe four, that I recommend for AIWB of a 1911 Commander:

1) Tenicor Certum 3 with DCC clips and a wedge.

2011/1911 Holsters

tenicor.com

2) JM Custom Kydex AIWB Wingclaw 2.5 with DCC clips and 1.5" Pull the Dot loops in Wide configuration. Wingclaw has different heights so you can get it just right.

AIWB Wing Claw 2.5 Holster for 1911

Check out the deal on AIWB Wing Claw 2.5 Holster for 1911 at JM Custom Kydex

www.jmcustomkydex.com

Optional:
3) JM Custom Kydex George with wedge. Wingclaw molded in. Issue may be not enough torque from the molded wing, but it works great for my Glock 43.

The ”George” AIWB Holster for 1911

Check out the deal on The ”George” AIWB Holster for 1911 at JM Custom Kydex

www.jmcustomkydex.com

4) Milt Sparks Summer Special with single loop. There is no wing claw, so the butt may print unless you get it just right (see PHLster videos). This is the classic holster from Bruce Nelson, so it likely works just fine.

You can buy a wedge kit from JM Custom Kydex. I use velcro from Home Depot, but I think the wedge kit comes with velcro; I recall it being a bit small. I like more velcro so I can move the wedge up and down.

 

Strong side IWB here. I sit a lot now to work and Appendix carry is not comfortable for me. All my training has been SS IWB. I stick to what is automatic for me. If I were standing and on the go a lot I would consider it after a lot of draws and getting into action in that mode of CC.

 

Maybe a hammerless DA revolver but not a semi. Prefer a pocket or owb holster strong side carry.

 

I carry both steel and lw commanders appendix.

I personally cannot stand iwb at 3:00 or further back. Very uncomfortable.

Appendix is also very fast to draw.

 

I never allow my carry weapon to point at any part of me, especially the really important parts.

 

How do you draw your pistol then? How do you walk?

 

I don't have anything 4.25 but lots of 4" guns. This is my preferred length for AIWB. My shorter guns have holsters that are extended to 4 inches. This is especially important for all steel guns, you need enough slide length below the belt to stabilize the grip.
I have only 5 inch all steel 1911s and I pretty much carry AIWB only. I've done 660 miles drives one way, and same back, carrying that gun that way. All day carry too. I can do it, and I did the same with a Beretta 92. The heavier the gun, the more AIWB makes sense but same doesn't hold true for the size. Some people can't AIWB even a 4 inch polymer gun so you will not really find out till you tried. That's the tough part about AIWB.
I would suggest to seek out AIWB - specific instructor and spend some time with them. First AIWB holster was designed 55 years ago and a lot of lessons have been learned about how to, and how not to. One can understand from comments of people who think they know that they have not tried to learn anything meaningful about this mode. On the opposite side, there is a lot of people who stick their gun in there and think they are good to go. Don't make either of these mistakes.

This is stage 4, I believe, of a Rogers Shooting School, failure drill on two targets, reload, three heads on the wall. Year was 2013, two years into my AIWB experience. Let me check something....


....yep, confirmed. My pecker is still in place.

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

www.youtube.com

 

If it is the same video that I am thinking about (three people, a dog, and a Glock), that video was a fake.

 

I had not heard that. Any links to explain what or why?

I had meant to inquire about this post but for some reason it quoted your other post on instructors, sorry for any confusion.

 

If AIWB is the sole, always, never-changing, singular mode of carry one uses to carry every gun one ever carries... I wouldn't criticize them.

For those of us who've carried duty weapons in a specific location and with a specific mode of carry -- and trained exclusively for say, 40 years that way -- I wouldn't say AIWB makes any sense (notwithstanding where the muzzle's pointed).

Also, and I brought this up in another thread -- chances are if you get in an actual fight, you're gonna go hands-on, and chances are, if you go hands-on, you're gonna end up on the ground (maybe with your adversary on top of you). Weapons retention is always a consideration, or should be. Choose wisely.

 

Pretty much everyone who is teaching extremely close quarters these days carries aiwb themselves. It is not that difficult to figure out why.

 

I had not heard that. Any links to explain what or why?

 

In the juridiction where I live I can open carry if I like. If I CC there is no penalty for a "peekaboo" or printing.
I guess I am not that worried about perfect concealment as I am performance and safety.
I am a owb guy and I doubt that many would look more at the crease in my shirt than they would me with a crease on another part of my shirt with IWB appendix carry.

 

In the juridiction where I live I can open carry if I like. If I CC there is no penalty for a "peekaboo" or printing.
I guess I am not that worried about perfect concealment as I am performance and safety.
I am a owb guy and I doubt that many would look more at the crease in my shirt than they would me with a crease on another part of my shirt with IWB appendix carry.

Cover vs casual concealment vs making gun disappear is a personal consideration that depends on many factors, most of which are best left offline.
Besides that there are many other considerations such as comfort, speed, defense against gun grab, accessibility to both hands, accessibility in a sitting position etc etc.

 

I have carried my CCO in an appendix carry holster for the last 3 years. If your 1911 is mechanically sound and you have safe handling techniques, you’ll be fine. It’s not for everyone though. I’ve never heard of anyone shooting themselves or removing any appendages. From a 63 y.o. retired copper.