Safe Appendix Carry Presentation with CrossBreed Holsters
Rob PincusDescription
Presenting a firearm from the appendix carry position can be done safely, should be done safely, and can be done comfortably if you wear the right type of holster. Rob Pincus demonstrates how.
Carry the Cross
Rob is wearing the gun and holster he carries more than any others: a Springfield Armory XD-S 4-inch in a CrossBreed Holsters Appendix Carry AIWB Holster. It’s sitting relatively low and close to Rob’s body and he has the UltiClip, which he likes because he can put it behind his belt.
The comfort factor is important when using gun holsters because if the gun/holster combination is not comfortable to wear all day, you won’t do it. Get a comfortable gun/holster and commit to wearing it all day every day, as much as you legally can.
Safe Appendix Carry Presentation
Normally Rob would have his shirt untucked, but he has it tucked in for demonstration purposes so he can talk about safe appendix carry presentation.
Part of the natural startle response is to lower the center of gravity. After doing this, when you draw the firearm from an inside-the-waistband holster worn in the appendix carry position during concealed carry, you will cover your body, which you do not want to do. Worse, if you have any kind of belly, you will point the gun at your body even more when drawing it from a lowered center of gravity position.
But the solution is extremely simple: when you reach for the gun, push your hips forward. The sequence of movements is:
- 1. Lower center of gravity in response to a threat.
- 2. Reach for the gun and establish a good grip.
- 3. When reaching for the gun, simultaneously push the hips forward.
- 4. Draw the gun. With the hips pushed forward, the gun will come out in front of the body, not covering any part of it.
- 5. Orient gun toward the threat, drive out, and take the shot.
To reiterate: The entire time the gun is coming out of the holster, it does not cover any part of the body if the hips are pushed forward.
Appendix Carry is Safer Than Other Carry Positions
Rob is a firm believer in this (when appendix carry is done right as he has demonstrated here). He has seen many people cover their hip, leg, foot, and/or other body parts when drawing the gun from on-the-hip or behind-the-hip positions.
Re-holstering shouldn't be a problem. Nobody ever won a fight by being the fastest one to get a firearm back in the holster. That being said, my instructor taught to slide both feet together for the 3-4 o'clock carry before putting the handgun back in the holster, and taking a step back with the foot on the side you are carrying your appendix holster on to avoid covering any part of your body when putting the handgun back into the holster. I understand the reason for your drawing technique, but it looks like it was inspired by "The Rocky Horror Picture Show"! 😁
What Belt are your wearing in this appendix carry presentation video?