5 Must Know Concealed Carry Positions And Their Pros And Cons (Part 2)

Choosing a position to carry a gun is as important as the gun being carried. However, when selecting a concealed carry position for your gun, the ideal spot is the one you can access easily. This article covers the five best concealed carry positions and their pros and cons.

Appendix Carry 
The most popular concealed carry position is appendix carry or the IWB (inside the waistband) method. In this position, the gun is kept in front of the waist or over the appendix in an IWB holster. This method is mainly preferred because it allows you to access your gun with either of the two hands. In situations where you cannot use your dominant hand to draw your weapon, the non-dominant hand can access and draw your weapon. In addition, this method allows you to draw your weapon while you are in a sitting position. For instance, you can quickly draw your weapon if you need to access your gun while sitting in your vehicle.

However, in the appendix carry position, the gun's muzzle is aimed over an artery in your thigh. In case of an accident, your artery might get severed, causing you to bleed to death within a few minutes. Therefore, pistols with a light trigger pull should not be carried in this position. Most people prefer the appendix carry to carry their DA pistols that have a long trigger pull or manual safety.

Pros
 - Allows access to your weapon with either hand
 - Easier to draw while driving or sitting down

Cons
 - This position is not safe because the gun is aimed at the artery in your thigh

Pocket Carry
Due to the increasing preference for pocket carry, every gun manufacturer is making pocket pistols. It is an ideal concealed carry position to carry the smallest handguns, including .380 semi-auto or .38 snub-nose revolvers. If you keep your shirt tucked in, this method provides you with a discreet and easy way of carrying your weapon.

However, the pocket carrying position allows you to draw the weapon only with the dominant hand. In addition, it is only suitable for tiny handguns. For mid-sized weapons such as GLOCK 19, pocket carry will not work. But if you want to avoid the hassle of attaching a holster to your belt or if you want a discreet mode of carrying, pocket carry is the perfect option.

Pros
 - Pocket carry is a good choice for a backup weapon
 - It is the most discreet and easiest way to carry a gun

Cons
 - It only works for the smallest handguns
 - Pocket carry allows you to access the weapon with your dominant hand only

Strong Side Hip 
Another noteworthy concealed carry method is strong-side hip carry. This is the most comfortable concealed carry position and a swift and easy way to draw the weapon with your dominant hand. However, this method makes it difficult to draw the weapon with your non-dominant hand.

Pros
 - Allows easy and quick access to the weapon
 - It makes it comfortable to carry the gun
 - A strong side hip allows you to carry a full-size handgun

Cons
 - It may not be possible to draw the weapon with your non-dominant hand
 - It is the most prominent position to carry a gun where the attacker will look first.

The ability to quickly access your gun depends on your location, situation, and the type of outfit you are wearing. Although the most common concealed carry positions are on your hip or by your kidney, try different positions to find out what works best for you.