Appendix vs Strongside Inside The Waistband Carry

Appendix Carry and Hip Inside the Waistband (Strongside) are both very popular ways of concealed carrying nowadays, and while people often want a clear answer to what is “better” the answer is seldom that cut and dry. After using these carrying methods for decades I learned their advantages and disadvantages. Today, I will be happy to pass down this knowledge. Let's dive into the Appendix Carry and Hip Inside the Waistband (Strongside) Carry together.

What Is An AIWB Holster?

Let's get into the terminology of Appendix carrying, you will see the acronym AIWB being used very often when it comes to holster manufacturers. It stands for  Appendix Inside Waist Band, which when you think about it is pretty obvious, but if you’re terrible at acronyms like me, they can hold you up for a second when you first see it.

Is Appendix Carry Comfortable?

Appendix holsters can be comfortable depending on three main factors; your shape, your holster, and your belt. 

• Your shape is a big factor. If you are a bigger dude like me it can easily be uncomfortable to Appendix carry, especially sitting or bending over. But even as a larger fella, there are things you can do to make it more comfortable to carry Appendix. Such as adjusting your holster and belt selection.

• Your selection of AIWB holster changes your comfort level as well in a few different ways. First off, the size of the holster is important, a sidecar is great for the extra magazine but depending on you it could be uncomfortable to move around in. Second, besides the size of the holster, the adjustability of the holster is important, that way you can make the holster work with you, not against you.  Lastly, the material a holster is made from makes a big difference. A leather-backed AIWB holster will be more comfortable to wear for long periods compared to a Kydex-only holster, but it will hold more heat.

• Your belt choice is the final part of the comfort equation. You need something sturdy, specifically designed for gun carry, that makes sure your holster is held in place as you move around. That way you don’t have to adjust your holster as you go about your day. Additionally, an infinite adjustment style belt could help by giving you flexibility throughout the day to go from standing and sitting comfortably. Again, for us larger guys, this can make or break Appendix carrying.

What Are The Advantages Of Carrying Appendix?

• Appendix carrying comes with several advantages. The first of which is accessibility, having your carry gun in front of you at all times. This gives you easy access to your carry gun if the need for it ever arrives. When properly positioned, your carry gun should be within easy reach of your dominant hand, making drawing very easy with proper training. If you get into a scuffle and the fight goes to the ground, having your carry gun in front of you instead of on your hip lets you still have easy access to it.

• The second big advantage is a better concealment factor across the front of your body. With a broader plane across your front, there is just more real estate there to hide the flat form of a carry gun and holster. This means carrying a larger carry arm can be easier to conceal Appendix vs other carry positions. Also when it comes to printing, bending over to pick something up won’t flash your carry gun if you are carrying Appendix compared to Strongside.

• Lastly, Appendix carry is better if you have to be seated in a car for long periods. It again keeps your carry gun in front of you for easy access while seated if needed. It also is just more comfortable in the bucket seat of the car. A seatbelt puts a lot less pressure on your holster and carry gun compared to the seat of the car itself.

Is Appendix Carry Safe?

Yes, it is a 100% safe way to carry as long as you are safely handling the firearm. So that means using a high-quality holster that properly covers the trigger of the pistol. As long as your carry gun is safe to use, you should not expect it to randomly go off on you.

Additionally, appendix carrying is considered by many to be an even safer way of carrying. With your carry gun in front of your body, you have easier access to it while un-holstering with a reduced risk of getting tangled up in your clothes or other objects.

Finally, the Appendix carrying lets you see your carry gun as you re-holster, taking all the guesswork out of it and letting you know for a fact nothing is getting into the trigger guard as your re-holster.

What Is a Holster Claw And What Does it Do?

A holster claw is a plastic extension that often comes equipped on Appendix carry holsters. The role of a claw is to push against your belt and make the holster follow the counter of your body better. This keeps the grip of your concealed carry pistol closer to you and reduces printing through your clothes.

What Are The Advantages Of Carrying Strongside?

• The biggest advantage of Strongside IWB carrying is comfort. Most Strongside IWB holsters will tend to be very comfortable to wear. Excelling if you need to stand a lot or have to regularly bend over. Also a quality leather-backed IWB holster forms to the body to reduce hot spots. Also, Strongside IWB carrying comfort is not affected by your body shape as much as Appendix carry.

• Other benefits of Hip or Strongside carrying include that the draw stroke is a very natural motion that doesn’t rotate your arm on its way up. Another is being able to easily blade your body to your attacker as you draw and having your non-dominant arm available as a buffer.

What Are The Disadvantages Of Carrying Strongside?

• There are tradeoffs with carrying on the Hip. First off you need to reach around your side to be able to draw. Second, if you are wearing more layers of clothing, clearing those cover layers can be a bit more problematic. This not only is a concern for the draw of your carry gun but reholstering as well. Being unable to see your holster easily you must be careful that nothing gets into the trigger guard and cause a problem.

• Strongside also struggles when seated. While it is more comfortable you might need to adjust your body position to draw from a seat. This is more evident in a car where the bucket seats impede access to strongside holsters.

• Finally, concealment can become an issue. While you can easily bend over to grab something you have to keep your carry gun in mind. That sort of movement can cause printing or even hike your shirt over your carry gun letting the world see what you got.

So to Hip Carry or Appendix Carry?

So is Appendix Carry a better option than Hip or Strongside Carry? I wouldn’t say so, but I am also not saying Hip or Strongside is a better choice either. Both have their strengths and weaknesses. Appendix is the best concealment option available, with people even being able to carry full-size pistols concealed. Strongside is just more comfortable and forgiving to different body shapes but this comes at the cost of concealability.

There are a couple of things to here though, especially for our newer gun owners who are just getting into carrying. The first is that no matter which way you choose to carry, the first time is going to be uncomfortable. The second is that you have to practice and train. Wear the holster and pistol around the house, and get used to how it feels. Safely practice drawing and re-holstering your carry gun, so that you get used to the motions and know what to do if push comes to shove.

Author: Eugene Lee