Belly carry

[orangebottle]

In the last few weeks I've run across 3 different cops in plainclothes that were carrying their firearm in a hoster tucked in on the right side of the belly. Is this a thing now?

Til now, the only people I saw carrying a gun in the belly were 'bangers, with no holster.

With my middle-aged gut, there's no chance this would be comfortable. Is there some advantage I'm unaware of? Or just another tacti-cool idea?

[clof2001]

Are you talking about appendix carry? I think that's the official term. Or do you mean someone is strapped literally across their stomach?

I carry my off duty appendix style in my waistband, halfway between the pants button and the right pocket. Been doing it for years with no issues. Every other position felt unnatural and uncomfortable for me. I don't think it's that uncommon, I see it frequently.

[BNWS]

It was common in the revolver days. Some guys wore shoulder holsters and ankle holsters like the guys in the French connection. I caught the tail end of the old time cop days. It was great!

[CCCSD]

In the last few weeks I've run across 3 different cops in plainclothes that were carrying their firearm in a hoster tucked in on the right side of the belly. Is this a thing now?

Til now, the only people I saw carrying a gun in the belly were 'bangers, with no holster.

With my middle-aged gut, there's no chance this would be comfortable. Is there some advantage I'm unaware of? Or just another tacti-cool idea?

More things you are unaware of.

[orangebottle]

Boo-hoo, you hurt my feelings :-(

[Captain Max]

I knew a FAM who said that they wore belly holsters because of the likelihood of having to draw quickly from a seated position. When my last agency issued backup weapons, they only funded belly holsters (though there was no restriction of purchasing your own holster and wearing it elsewhere). I think the mindset of the agency was that you were most likely to be ambushed in your car and the belly holster made it the most accessible, though you had to rip open or up your shirt first.

Personally, I think it's trendy.

[orangebottle]

Are you talking about appendix carry? I think that's the official term. Or do you mean someone is strapped literally across their stomach?

I carry my off duty appendix style in my waistband, halfway between the pants button and the right pocket. Been doing it for years with no issues. Every other position felt unnatural and uncomfortable for me. I don't think it's that uncommon, I see it frequently.

Yeah, that describes it perfectly.

I never noticed anyone carrying that way in my area until recently.

I'm more of a kidney-carry (to maintain the theme) person myself when off-duty or plainclothes.

[9L81]

From what I have seen, appendix (1 o'clock) is a lot more prevalent than small of back (5 o'clock). I had to fly to STL to pick up a vehicle back in January. I bought tickets that week so didn't get to pick my seats and was middle seat for both legs. So I decided to carry appendix which I thought would be better than hip like I normally do. Drove the vehicle home over the next 3 days. Flying day and the first day in the road I kept with the appendix carry. Day 3 when I woke up and put the holster on it felt a bunch of soreness in my abs and couldn't figure out why. Then realized sitting while flying or driving for 15 hours was the culprit so I switched back to my hip for the remainder of the drive. I assume if I was 25 lbs lighter that wouldn't have been an issue.

[TheTick]

You haven't noticed it, but I guarantee you that they are... which is sort of the point.

Appendix carry is not a fad.  After getting used to it, it is very useful as it makes the weapon almost disappear.  Most people don't look for heaters there and there is no bulge on your hip and you don't need to worry about your shirt pulling up in the back and/or sitting on the gun.  Also, it does not affect your gait that is sometimes a dead give away that someone is armed.

I went to appendix carry years ago and do it mostly with a SW Shield, but have also done it with my issued G17-5MOS with RDS and TLR-1.  Quality holster and belt make it all possible.

Give it a shot. You may be surprised at how quickly you adapt to is after getting over the initial hot spots from trying a new wear position.