Appendix carry, a holster worn in front of the hip at about 1 o'clock, has gone from fringe to default in a decade because it draws faster, conceals better, and keeps the gun where you can protect it. It also punishes a bad holster more than any other position, since the gun sits against your body and rides with you when you sit. This guide covers what an appendix holster needs, the ones we make that have it, and how to set one up.
What an appendix holster needs
- Neutral or slight cant. The grip should sit straight up or angled a few degrees toward the centerline, so the draw is a straight pull.
- A claw. A wedge on the holster that pushes against the belt and levers the grip into your body. It is the single feature that makes a double-stack disappear at appendix. Our holsters accept one on the retention screws.
- A full sweat shield. Keeps the slide off your stomach and keeps your shirt out of the trigger guard on reholster.
- Molded retention with a click. The gun has to stay put when you bend and stand.
- A short, clean bottom edge. The muzzle end is what you feel sitting down; a folded edge and no excess kydex matter here more than anywhere.
The holsters
Clip & Carry IWB Holster for the Sig P365
The gun most people buy for appendix in the holster molded to it. Thin enough that the claw is optional. Every Clip & Carry IWB holster is molded in .08-inch kydex to one gun with no excess material, so it seats with an audible click, has a full-length sweat shield and folded edges, a belt clip that cants 20 degrees either way, adjustable retention screws whose spacing accepts a claw, and comes right- or left-handed. Handmade in the U.S.A. by a military veteran, lifetime guarantee, $44.99.
Clip & Carry IWB Holster for the Glock 19
The proof that a double-stack works at appendix: neutral cant, claw on, and the 15-round grip tucks in. Same construction.
Bodyguard 2.0 IWB Plus Line
Ships with the claw and a spring steel clip, optic-ready, for the smallest gun on this list. $61.95.
Clip & Carry IWB Holster for the Springfield Hellcat
The other micro-compact people carry at 1 o'clock, in its own mold.
Setting it up
- Set the clip to neutral cant.
- Add a claw on the retention screws.
- Position the holster at 12:30 to 1:30, grip toward the centerline.
- Sit down. If the muzzle end digs, move the holster half an inch toward the centerline or loosen the belt one hole.
- Practice the draw slowly with an unloaded gun; appendix rewards a clean, deliberate reholster.
Sitting, driving and reholstering
Sitting: the muzzle end should rest on the flat of the lower abdomen, not on the hip crease. If it digs when you sit, move the holster toward the centerline half an inch and loosen the belt one hole; a wedge at the muzzle end is the last adjustment. Driving: a seatbelt sits over an appendix holster; practice unbuckling with the support hand before the draw, and keep the holster slightly toward the centerline so the buckle does not sit on the grip. Reholstering: this is the step people worry about, and the rule is simple: look, go slow, push your hips forward so the muzzle points away from your leg, clear the shirt with the support hand, and holster with the trigger finger straight. A rigid kydex holster with a full sweat shield is what makes that safe; never reholster into anything soft.
Frequently asked questions
Is appendix carry safe?
With a holster that covers the trigger, a slow deliberate reholster, and a gun that stays in the holster until it is needed, yes. The rules are the same as any carry; the consequences of ignoring them are higher.
What is a claw?
A wedge on the holster that presses against the belt and rotates the grip into the body. Ours mount to the retention screws.
Can I carry a Glock 19 at appendix?
Yes, with a claw. Many people do.
Why does it hurt when I sit?
The holster is too far toward the hip or the belt is too tight. Move it toward the centerline and loosen the belt.
Do I need a different holster for appendix?
No. Our IWB holsters adjust to neutral cant and accept a claw.
The bottom line
A molded Clip & Carry IWB holster at neutral cant with a claw is an appendix holster. Pick the one for your gun and set it up right.
Related reading
Most comfortable appendix carry holster
What does IWB mean? IWB vs OWB vs AIWB
What makes a good concealed carry holster
