Thoughts on what to carry for small framed people.

[snatchel]

Start here. Everything is concealed.


I'm using my left hand to raise my shirt for a better view of what I'm doing, but it's actually as fast for me to use only my right hand--this leaves my left hand for fighting off attackers during a draw.


Notice the full combat grip. Also, you may notice that my belt buckle is off center. This is to keep the bulk of gun and buckle spread apart, reducing bulge.


I usually bring weapon up to nipple level before assuming a proper stance. Both hands on weapon, finger off trigger.


Engage & repeat as necessary



Here is a closeup of the gun holstered in the appendix position. The grip rides higher than your beltline, so there is no digging for a gun to be spoken of.

[surprise_i'm_armed]

snatchel:
Thank you for that full-featured explanation.

I guess I was confusing "appendix carry" with "Smart Carry", which I think is the one
where your gun is 'way down there' if you catch my drift.

SIA

[snatchel]

snatchel:
Thank you for that full-featured explanation.

I guess I was confusing "appendix carry" with "Smart Carry", which I think is the one
where your gun is 'way down there' if you catch my drift.

SIA

Yeah, I also have a smart carry, but I let a forum member borrow it while recovering from surgery. The smartcarry is designed to ride just below the belt line, but I never could get used to that.

Glad I could be of help!

[jerry_r60]

Snatchel, looking at the pictures, it looks like the barrel would jab you in the top of your thigh when you sit down, specially in a car. Is that comfortable sitting?

[cheezit]

I tend to carry the same way. biggist issue I have is the butt pressing into my ribs. to correct it I just recant the holster.
Im 5,6 135lbs, so pretty small myself. I have yet to find something I can not carry. I also dont ever ware a belt.

[discoqueen]

AIWB is precisely how I intend to carry - if I can find the right holster. I'm 5'2" and 115lbs. Anything in the 3-5 o'clock position is an obvious bulge, and a little difficult to get to since I don't have full range of motion in my right (strong side) shoulder.
Thanks for the demo, snatchel, and the detailed info. You've confirmed for me why I want to carry this way.

[snatchel]

Jerry-- It doesn't jab me in the thigh, no sir. As I sit, the barrel follows the natural curve of my thigh/groin, and doesn't dig at all. Nor does it jab my ribs... Then again, I'm not carrying a full size gun either. I think the barrel on this particular M&P9c is somewhere in the neighborhood of 3 in.

Disco-- finding the holster is the tough part. My advice is to start with a middle-of-the line priced holster...maybe up to $40 or so, just to give you an idea of where you want the holster to sit before you spend big money. I use a DeSantis TuckThis II, paid $35 for it. I plan on picking up a leather galco this weekend.... I can also recommend WRB holsters. They are very inexpensive, and if my buddy is to be believed, worth their weight in gold.

[OrangeAnimal]

Snatchel. You still have a thicker frame than myself. I have to say I own one of those wrb holsters and just went and tried AC and no way. I have this large lump in front of me now. Lol. Now I will admit that you are going to have a tough time seeing it but this is a little p238 not even a double stack sub compact like my glock. I will fool around with it but sitting here right now is downright painful I have to lean back slightly. I am still thinking about sticking to my owb at 430. But I do see an advantage in the draw from AC.

[OrangeAnimal]

Something else I just thought of this would never work out when I ride my motorcycle. I ride a cbr and never could lean forward to reach the bars. Matter of fact doing so just seems like a good way to end up shot in the groin. Lol. Oh well worth trying and yes for the most part it is very concealed and the draw is awesome. So don't everyone shun this for what I am saying try it yourself. Its still an option that may work for many just not myself.

[snatchel]

Snatchel. You still have a thicker frame than myself. I have to say I own one of those wrb holsters and just went and tried AC and no way. I have this large lump in front of me now. Lol. Now I will admit that you are going to have a tough time seeing it but this is a little p238 not even a double stack sub compact like my glock. I will fool around with it but sitting here right now is downright painful I have to lean back slightly. I am still thinking about sticking to my owb at 430. But I do see an advantage in the draw from AC.

If at all possible, post a pic of you + your rig with things at AC.

As far as being painful--something is wrong. It takes some getting used to- and is uncomfortable at first, but never painful. How snug is your shirt? Too snug & it may not conceal. I wear regular shirts in my size, but my chest sticks out further than my belly, so it helps to conceal...

[snatchel]

Something else I just thought of this would never work out when I ride my motorcycle. I ride a cbr and never could lean forward to reach the bars. Matter of fact doing so just seems like a good way to end up shot in the groin. Lol. Oh well worth trying and yes for the most part it is very concealed and the draw is awesome. So don't everyone shun this for what I am saying try it yourself. Its still an option that may work for many just not myself.

Yah, this prolly won't work riding a rocket....LOL.

[speedsix]

...carry my P90 just that way every day...conceals very well...accessible seated and driving...safe as the gun/holster carried that way...carry my BUG behind my belt buckle...I've raised the clips about 1" on my IWB holsters letting the gun sit a bit lower than standard...this pulls the grip against me and it doesn't tend to lean out, no matter how big/heavy the gun is...

[OrangeAnimal]

Yeah really I figured out how to make it less painful. But not being able to ride the bike and have things easy to get to and in the way is an issue. I am shaped like a piece of paper lol. A stick of gum sticks out on me. The shirts are loose and I wear my pants pretty close to my waist.

A note on those wrb holsters. They are OK my only issue with it is it doesn't cover enough of the gun. The bang switch is completely covered but if they would make them to go to the end of the slide so the grip serrations weren't rubbing and the (in my case) the safety was covered it would be pretty nice. These are made somewhat one size fits all for either left or right handers though and at 20 bux it was not a bad deal just for starting out.

[discoqueen]

Disco-- finding the holster is the tough part. My advice is to start with a middle-of-the line priced holster...maybe up to $40 or so, just to give you an idea of where you want the holster to sit before you spend big money. I use a DeSantis TuckThis II, paid $35 for it. I plan on picking up a leather galco this weekend.... I can also recommend WRB holsters. They are very inexpensive, and if my buddy is to be believed, worth their weight in gold.

Thanks again, snatchel. I've looked at the DeSantis, and may try one out of the one I'm waiting on doesn't work out for me. I'm partial to all kydex or cross breed style, mostly for the retention factor. I like to hear that click when I holster. I have a Remora that I've been using AIWB, but I'm interested in something that fits my gun a little more snugly and with a clip on it so I can be sure it will stay put. Anyway, I'll come back and update and/or seek additional opinions.