Popular Concealed Carry Positions

There are various concealed carry positions and each has their own pros and cons. There's more than one way to skin a cat, so to speak, and really the best is what's going to work for the individual in question.

By far the most popular concealed carry positions are on or inside the waistband, because waistband carrying tends to work better than carrying positions like pocket, ankle or shoulder carrying. Since it’s the most popular a vast selection of holsters are made for this purpose.

The 3 O’clock Position

This is the most often used carrying position in which the weapon is placed on the on the hip, this placement is also known as the 3 o’clock position. It's very versatile since it works equally well in both open carry and concealed carry. Concealed carriers can easily conceal their firearms by wearing an untucked top.

If a tuckable inside the waistband holster is used then the holster can have the shirt tucked inside also. Firearm with longer grips can be detectable at times. If you are a slimmer or of a smaller stature the carrying a full-size firearm can result in the weapon being more detectable, and individuals who are of a heavier build or of a larger stature will be able to conceal a full-size firearm.

Drawing your weapon is a pretty straightforward procedure since the weapon is located right on one’s hip. The 3 o’clock position is not without its drawbacks. Some users complain that there exists the possibility for the weapons hammer may dig into one's side when in a sitting. You may negate this possibility by having a holster with a hammer guard.

The Appendix Carry

When a firearm is carried close to the 2 o'clock position which places it around where the front pant pocket is located it and is often times called an Appendix Carry, and is becoming a very popular carry position. When using an appendix carry, one can execute a cross-draw. A reason users like to perform that draw is the elbow motion required won't reveal your intent to draw as much, giving the user of this draw an advantage. This carry method is not without its shortcomings.

The appendix carry is not the easiest concealed carry for those on the heavy side, since the firearm is placed on the front of one's belt. The other drawback is the direction in which the firearm points the barrel is towards one’s feet, leg or more notably one’s privates. Also, when going into a sitting position it may be required to readjust its position so it doesn’t dig into your abdomen. Appendix carrying is not recommended when carrying a full-size pistol; a larger gun will be more easily detected than a subcompact.

Small Of The Back Carry

One of the easier concealed carrying positions is The Small of the Back Carry. Concealment and possible detection is negligible, the firearm is placed flat across the back, firearm might be detectable if you’re sitting and have the shirt tucked over the pistol and holster.

Drawing the firearm can be a bit more cumbersome than if it were drawn from the hip, but can be handled well enough, the firearm can be drawn easier if the gun grip is facing the strong side for easier drawing.

A few belt-slide holsters the fit in the small of the back can hold a pistol at a 0-degree angle, which positions the barrel parallel to the ground. For some users the sitting position can seem awkward, as you may end up sitting on a stool instead of a chair. Drawing while seated is almost impossible to achieve.

Kidney Carry

Kidney carry places the firearm on the waistband at the 4 o’clock and 5 o’clock positions, between the hip and the small of the back. Just like carry on the hip, concealment and accessibility are both pretty straightforward. Detection can easily be avoided with an untucked article of clothing, and many who choose to carry while wearing professional attire can tuck their shirt or blouse over their holster and pistol in this position. Limitations for this carry are that the draw is not quite as clean and simple as in the hip or appendix carry, though is still very doable.

Drawing while sitting is difficult, as one is almost sitting on one's sidearm, and seating will cause the firearms grip to be almost parallel to your chair. Now that you have some concealed carry positions to try, see which one matches your style and needs.

Holsters for Every Carry Position

No matter where on your body you wear your holster, we have options for every carry position. Browse our selection IWB holsters for top gun makes and models.