Appendix Carry Safety Considerations

Today, we’re talking about the dangers of Appendix Carry (really the dangers of carrying in any orientation), especially when you are trying to draw quickly and shoot quickly.

Short and simple, Appendix Carry has higher stakes.

What I mean by that is if you screw up and fire a round during your draw, you could hit your femoral artery, the bullet could bounce around your pelvic girdle, or you could blow off your family jewels, all of which ends with you dead.

I don’t have to harp on this. You need to be extra careful and train extra deliberately when choosing Appendix Carry. Now, if you do everything right, Appendix Carry is fast, concealable, and effective.

So, let’s break down the risks of Appendix Carry, the common mistakes shooters make, and the safeguards you need to build into your training.

The Two Danger Zones: Drawing and Reholstering

The highest-risk moments are the draw and the reholster. Let’s break them down.

1. Drawing From Appendix Carry

The main dangers are:

• Finger discipline failure: if your trigger finger slips inside the trigger guard early, you may initiate a negligent discharge while the gun is still angled at your own body. Your trigger finger needs to remain fixed to the frame of the handgun until you are ready to engage your target. Basically, be so confident that you will bet your life that you won’t pull the trigger.

• Inconsistent grip: a holster that shifts position or inconsistent garment clearance can cause “fishing” for the grip. If one of your fingers slip into the trigger guard during this, the results can be fatal.

• Garment interference: clothing trapped between your grip and the gun can cause you to muck up your draw and fire prematurely, perhaps hitting your support hand or someone else. This could even result in your inadvertently throwing your gun (another reason to avoid the P320).

Fixes:

• Finger on the frame until the sights are on target, no exceptions.
• Invest in a quality holster that stays put and provides repeatable grip clearance.
• Clear your garment aggressively on the first motion to guarantee access.

2. Reholstering Into Appendix Carry

This is where many shooters get complacent, and it’s where tragedies often occur.

Dangers include:

• Finger still on the trigger: the holster itself can push the finger inward and press the trigger.
• Garment bunching: clothing folds can act like a lever inside the trigger guard.
• Brass or debris: spent casings or fabric inside the holster can act like an artificial “finger” and engage the trigger.

Fixes:

• Take your time. Slow is smooth, smooth is safe.
• Clear your garment with your support hand before reholstering.
• Tilt your hips slightly forward, look into the holster, confirm it’s clear, then reholster deliberately.
• Always use a rigid holster that completely covers the trigger guard.

Equipment Matters

Don’t skimp here. A cheap holsters are dangerous. Look for:

• Rigid material that won’t collapse.
• Full trigger guard coverage.
• Secure belt attachment to prevent shifting.

Holsters from Tier One Concealed are a good standard: consistent, safe, and tested under real-world use.

Training Matters Even More

This isn’t a substitute for live, in-person instruction. Come train with us so can correct bad habits in real time. In the meantime, dry-fire and slow, deliberate practice will build the muscle memory you need to develop into a safe and capable gunfighter.

Final Thoughts

Appendix carry is fast, concealable, and popular for a reason. But it carries higher risks and demands stricter discipline.

• Keep your finger indexed until it’s time to fire.
• Clear your garment aggressively.
• Slow down when reholstering—it’s not a race.
• Invest in quality gear.
• Dry fire, dry fire, dry fire.

The goal isn’t just to carry — it’s to carry safely.

Remember, Train hard. Train smart. And train safe.