Why Appendix Carry Didn’t Work For You
Disclaimer: Appendix carry isn’t for everyone—and that’s okay. If you’ve decided you don’t like it or have no interest in trying it, this article probably isn’t for you.
But if you’re one of the many shooters who’ve said, “I tried appendix carry, but it just didn’t work for me,” keep reading. Chances are the issue wasn’t the position—it was the holster setup.
At a recent event, I spoke with a handful of people who tried appendix carry, hated it, and moved on. In nearly every case, they were using a holster not designed for appendix. A holster that may be great at 3–4 o’clock can feel miserable up front. Appendix carry demands a holster that’s purpose-built for that position.
So what actually makes a holster optimized for appendix? Let’s break down the three big features and where they matter most.
#1: A Holster Wedge
A wedge sits between the inside bottom of the holster and your body. It cushions the hard holster edge from your soft tissue and changes the angle of the holster against your body. Without a wedge, the bottom edge can dig in while the grip tilts outward—hurting comfort and increasing printing.
With a proper holster wedge, pressure distributes more evenly, the muzzle end sits better, and the grip tucks tighter. Less pain, less printing.
The Lexington, Revere, and Declaration are built to run wedges cleanly, with attachment points and geometry that make them effective for long-term comfort.
#2: The Right Holster Length
Short guns are popular for concealment, so holsters often get cut short to match. In appendix, that can backfire. A too-short holster concentrates pressure and exaggerates the top-heavy pivot above the belt, pushing the grip outward.
Extending the holster slightly below the muzzle spreads pressure and gives the wedge more leverage, stabilizing the system. Think of your belt as the fulcrum—a little more length balances the lever.
This holster is extended an extra inch beyond the length of the gun
When you order a Lexington, Revere, or Declaration, you can request it be extended beyond the firearm’s length. This is especially helpful for guns with barrels under 4″.
#3: A Wing (a.k.a. Claw)
The wing is a small lever that uses belt pressure to torque the grip inward. That rotation tucks the base of the grip into your body and reduces printing dramatically. A good wing complements the wedge; together they make the gun disappear under a T-shirt.
The ModWing is shown on this KSG Lexington
All three appendix-optimized KSG models ship with an integrated wing—it’s not an afterthought, it’s part of the system.
Dialing In the Sweet Spot
Even with a wedge, smart length, and a wing, you still need to fine-tune position and ride height:
- Side-to-side: A half-inch left or right can change everything.
- Ride height: Raising or lowering the holster affects comfort, concealment, and draw efficiency.
Not every holster lets you adjust ride height—but the Lexington and Revere do, so you can find your personal sweet spot rather than suffer whatever a “one-size-fits-none” holster dictates.
Final Thoughts
At the event this last weekend, after explaining these three main attributes I'd hand the holster to the person and suggest they put it on and then that they sit down and then crouch down. This was followed by surprise and shock from the person when they realized it had addressed all their issues.
Appendix carry isn’t a magic trick—it’s a system. Get the right features (wedge, smart length, wing), and then tune position and ride height. If you tried appendix before and hated it, don’t write it off yet. With the right gear, it can be faster, more secure, and more concealable than any other position.
Have you tried appendix carry again since reading this? Tell us about your experience in the comments.
I’ve never found it possible to sit down when carrying in this position. I don’t think any wedge is going to fix that.
All of the thousands of people who carry in that position sit down without issue. I’m sitting right now. Your anatomy isn’t soo different so I am inclined to think something there can be done to address the problem. Probably the position of the holster from side to side, ride height, and extending the holster beyond the length of the gun would all have a direct impact on the comfort and ability of sitting down with the holster in that position.
Thanks for this excellent article. Clear. Concise. Right on point.
I have been appendix carrying for a couple years. Took a lot of trial and error on my own to make it comfortable. Very happy with it now. Following your suggestions will greatly speed-up that process.
Rick
Being a traditionalist from the early 1970’s carrying my off-duty revolvers, it took me a while to get the hang of semi-autos, with the exception of 1911. Back in the day, police brass considered the 1911 hazardous because of the carry method including locked and cocked. Eventually we came around to other, “smarter” pistols which were “safer” without the exposed, cocked hammer of the 1911s. More recently when appendix carry was being adopted, I was very concerned with where the muzzle was pointed. It wasn’t for me, so I stayed with outside carry at 3 o’clock. It wasn’t for me that is, until I tried it. Now I’m a believer, very comfortable and easier to conceal in all kinds of weather for my full size .40 XDm, 9mm XDs, and LCP Max, just not all at the same time. Oh, I still have my beloved 1911, and revolvers, but I opt for capacity while they rest in retirement, in my safe. Now retired and living in the realm of respectable obscurity.
I tried it, even with the PHLster Enigma. The trouble is I have a small rib cage for a man my size, and a bit of lordosis, so my stomach extends a bit forward right where the grip would ride, causing printing. Sitting down makes this worse, pushing the grip forward. Enough wedge might hold it in — painfully.
But a wedge is no solution if you want to carry with a tucked in shirt, because a wedge makes the belt bulge over the gun. You won’t see it with an untucked shirt, but I cannot always count on being able to dress like a slob.
Pocket carry has worked for me, but it has limitations. I’m still working on a deep-concealment below-the-belt carry variation, which conceals for me (except when the belt slides down exposing a bit of the gun), and I have not mastered a good draw carrying that way.
Let me voice my 2 cents worth, many will not agree with this but it is tried and true for me. Try one of the Clinger Comfort Cling or a holster like it. Several other makers have a similar holster style which is one of the holsters that is soft, and just tucks into your waist band. Belt pressure only holds it in place. The trigger is completely covered, the ride is adjustable for angle and ride height. When standing, leaning, bending, or working, a quick nudge will reposition it to a more comfortable spot. it stays put if your belt is properly tensioned and I do not mean so tight you cant move. Snug is enough. I have worked many whole days with a pistol in the waist band. The holster stay in the waist band when the pistol is drawn. Re holster is simple, take the holster out of your waist band, reinsert pistol, reinsert holster into waist band. I have dropped my pistol twice, both times when I unbuckled my belt and unzipped my pants without removing the gun first; because it was so dang comfortable I forgot I was carrying. I carry my pistol every where and this carry mode just hides the gun so well and it is instantly accessible and so secure. Dont knock it until you try it. I carry either a full size 1911 or a G-19, am 6-2 and 195 lbs.
I have tried it. I’m glad it works for you. For me I find those styles of holsters allow rotation of the grip of the gun down against the belt which interferes in a major way with an efficient and consistent draw. Additionally, these holsters make practice and training a nightmare. The constant removal of the holster (which I feel is necessary for a safe reholster) is a pain in a training environment. However, I sincerely am glad you found something that works for you.
I have a real issue with where the muzzle may be oriented towards with “appendix carry”.
After carrying a firearm on my hip for a 25 year LE career and several car accidents and now in my 60’s I was finding carrying a firearm on my right side to be uncomfortable and at times painful. I never thought that I could adapt to an appendix carry. But I have and the P365 is my EDC. I’m still not comfortable about the position of the weapon in a scuffle but I’m making it work.