Carrying any firearm entails risk. Critical thinking is the best way to mitigate those risks. Yet, many people let their emotions sway their thoughts when it comes to safe appendix carry options. In fact, some people let their emotions push them to believe that there is no safe way from them to carry a gun in this position and even extend their opinion to others. There are far too many professional shooting instructors, holster companies and serious students of defensive shooting advocating, training and practicing safe appendix carry to make the emotional position tenable. So how do are so many people performing safe appendix carry methods despite the initial concerns that many people have? Take a look at these videos.
First, we’re going to address the emotional concerns. Actually, I’m going to let my buddy John Johnston, host of Ballistic Radio address them very directly. John is a leader in the latest generation of Firearms Media and a bit of training junky. for the last handful of years, he has spent huge amounts of time with some of the most established instructors in the field of defensive shooting and tactics. In this video, he uses a training gun with simulated ammunition to try to settle this issue once and for all. He actually demonstrates what happens how hard it is to shoot yourself while drawing or holstering in the appendix carry position. He does this demo, of course, with full expectation that it will get the attention of those who are obsessed with the idea that this position is recklessly dangerous and possibly get them to reconsider. He goes to great lengths to point out the potential mistakes and unlikely they are with anything approaching a safe appendix carry holster and technique.
Next, take a look at this video that I did several years ago with Tom Gresham for his Guns & Gear show. Tom is one of the most established voices in our community and we’ve worked together on many projects over many years. He would be unlikely to present information in any of his productions that was commonly thought of as dangerous by the training community. After we discuss some aspects of Crossbreed‘s appendix holster (… it is a show about gear, after all!), the clip cuts to me actually teaching the proper method for safe appendix carry presentation and holstering that tens of thousands of people utilize to avoid hurting themselves while carrying their defensive gun in this incredibly convenient position. 
Finally, take a look at this video that Rob Leatham and I recorded earlier this year. One of the frequent comments on social media whenever Appendix Carry comes up is the myth that only skinny people can use this method. Well, you night have noticed in the first video that John Johnston isn’t a tiny human… well, neither is “The Great One”. Take a look at this video from the Springfield Armory/PDN World’s Collide Series to hear why and how one of the most accomplished professional shooters of all time chooses AIWB.“Safe Appendix Carry” is clearly an option.Only you can decide if this method is a good choice for you, but you should be sure to approach the question with logic and rational thinking, with a clear understanding of the concepts and techniques involved. It should be clear to anyone willing to look at the issue with an open mind that, while appendix carry may not be for you, anyone who dismisses it outright as unreasonably dangerous needs to have the value of their opinion on these matters approached with a great deal of skepticism. In some cases, of course, it is simply that they are unfamiliar with the facts, especially if they look at defensive shooting from a military or uniformed law enforcement perspective. In other cases, they may be letting their emotions get the better of them and failing to see the options for safe appendix carry.
-RJP
PS- IF you are looking for more information on the topic, we produced an entire DVD covering Appendix Carry a few years ago!
Didn’t get the video.
I have never tried this type of carry but when I try to visualize sitting down with the gun there, it does not seem possible. How do you draw when you are seated in the car or at a table or seated anywhere?
I love appendix carry. For me, it just seemed natural since day 1 of trying it. I find now that I have trained so much with appendix carry that when I try a side holster (required with some classes) I mess up more and feel allot more uncomfortable,
Question: Would you point a loaded, holstered pistol at someone? I am not against appendix carry, I have repeatedly tried it with different holsters and different firearms to no avail. It just does not work with what I do for a living. I just wish if people were going to continue promoting it, just be honest and say we are going to break a cardinal gun rule and point a loaded firearm at something we are not willing to destroy. That is just my opinion.
I use appendix carry almost exclusively. It is by far the most comfortable way to carry for my slim body style. About a year ago, I discovered the Blackhawk TecGrip holsters and decided to buy one and give it a try. Prior to that, I was using an Alien Gear IWB holster. I quickly found the TecGrip holster to be fantastic for appendix carry. There are no clips and the outside material of the holster does a great job of gripping once you slip the holster into your waist band, and it stays put....even upon the draw. It's also great and safer when reholstering because you simply pull the entire holster out, place your gun back into it, then slip the holster back into your waist band. Very comfortable.
You are making an issue out of nothing to fill space on your blog.
Great article. The links to the videos don't seem to work, however.