Appendix Carry/AIWB: Pros and Cons
While appendix carry is by no means a new trend, it certainly is en vogue at the moment. Those recently getting into concealed carry and firearms are choosing appendix carry, often referred to as AIWB, over the more traditional strong side carrying. Because of its surging popularity, we thought we’d cover what this carry style is, the pros, the cons, and what you need to know going forward.
What is Appendix Carry?
This style of firearm carry is rather self-explanatory, getting its name from the placement of your holstered firearm. A 9mm handgun or another pistol will sit just in front of your hip inside the waistband, right about where your appendix would be—hence the name. It is also known by the acronym AIWB, which stands for appendix inside-the-waistband.
Appendix Carry Pros
This style of carrying has become increasingly popular in recent years with the most recent generation of firearms carriers. For concealed carry purposes, this seems like the ideal. Firearms are much easier to conceal, accessibility is a breeze, and this form of carrying works well for both men and women.
Easy Concealment
First and foremost, this is hands down one of the best places for concealing a firearm. Appendix carry holsters are designed to be as low-profile as possible. Whether you have a compact handgun or something larger, not a single person would know you are carrying it.
Ideal for Women
This style of carrying is great for women for several reasons, primarily because ladies can wear just about anything, barring skin-tight clothing. Because of how low-profile the holsters are, appendix carry is simply easier to work with than strong-side, especially for women. There is no spillage or accidental exposure.
Accessibility Like None Other
Accessing your firearm from the 12 o’clock position is often more natural than from the 3 or 4 o’clock position. Instead of having to reach around your side and deal with clearing your clothing, an appendix carry pistol is right there to remove. Faster out of the holster means faster target acquisition.
Bigger Potential
This primarily applies to women, but men can also benefit from it as well. With an appendix carry, you can essentially carry any firearm you want. Because the firearm is tucked away inside your pants, there is virtually no limit to the size of concealed carry handgun you could choose.
Take a look at GrabAGun’s selection of inside-the-waistband holsters
Appendix Carry Cons
Like anything, there are downsides to something good. While appendix carry has many positives, it still has negatives that won’t make it great for everyone. It can be harder to conceal, uncomfortable, and even dangerous when used incorrectly.
Discomfort
The main complaint against this style of carrying is the discomfort experienced while sitting. As you may have suspected, when you sit or bend over your firearm and holster will ultimately dig into your stomach or thigh. For men, this is usually incredibly uncomfortable.
Negligent Discharge
Negligent discharge is what happens when a firearm goes off when someone is attempting to remove or replace it from the holster. This can result in a bullet graze along the thigh or groin area, something no one wants to experience.
Quality Holsters Needed
For a good appendix carrying experience, you will need a quality inside-the-waistband holster. Most are made from Kydex, a reliable and durable material, while some are made from leather. Though leather is far more comfortable, it’s less likely to maintain its shape. This means re-holstering your weapon each time can be harder and could even result in the negligent discharge mentioned above. On the other hand, Kydex will maintain its shape but is not flexible in the slightest. This means carriers may experience more discomfort doing simple things like sitting or bending over.
Inside-the-Waistband Only
No matter what, an appendix carry holster will exclusively be an inside-the-waistband mount. Unlike strong-side carrying, which can be either/or, AIWB holsters will always be tucked away. For some, this means changing their clothing, belt, and other aspects of their wardrobe.
Browse GrabAGun’s entire collection of holsters here
How to Choose What’s Right for You
As you can see, appendix carry has its pluses and minuses. While this is “on-trend” in the firearms community, it’s not necessarily right for everyone. How do you know if this is the right everyday holster for you? Practice! With a completely empty pistol, take the time to train drawing and replacing your firearm to get a feel for the best angle and grip for you. Wear the holster with various types of clothing as well to get a better feel for what is most comfortable and, more importantly, what will and will not give away your firearm.
No matter what, appendix carry will remain a popular and reliable form of everyday carry. GrabAGun has a wide range of AIWB holsters in a variety of colors and materials to pick from. If you are looking for an affordable concealed carry holster, we are the best place to stock up!
—Kellie Krevosky