Concealed Carry Methods

CCW – Having to Adapt

Don Hume Clip-on IWB HolsterIt’s funny how we get set in our ways. I have been carrying a concealed weapon for about 20 years. I carry my pistol just behind my right hip. I am on the thinner side, so I found if I carry IWB, I can conceal most service size pistols that way. It works for me. It works on the range, in training classes, and seems to work when I am out and about. When I look at holsters, I evaluate them based on their usefulness to me in a behind the hip position.

Last Summer I suffered a rotator cuff injury that prevented me from not only raising my right arm more than about 20 degrees, I was also not able to reach backwards. At all. My right arm was pretty much useless for the better part of 6 weeks. During physical therapy, I regained limited use of my arm and shoulder and achieved some degree of movement, although not enough to reach back to my normal carry position. I decided to try carrying in the appendix position. Using a Don Hume H715MWC, I found that I could easily reach in front of me to access my pistol. As my PT progressed, so did my ability to quickly access my handgun. With practice, carrying the H715M at 2 o’clock (rather than 4 o’clock) became second nature. I have found that the lack of cant in the H715M makes it much easier for me to draw from now. There is no strain on my shoulder when I lift the gun straight out of the holster like there is when I draw from a rig with a slight forward cant. This simple holster is proving to be very versatile and is capable of serving its user in other ways besides just as a strong side IWB.

It has been 9 months since my injury. I started lifting weights again about 4 weeks ago. I can finally reach back behind my hip and draw a handgun without pain, but I do have to limit the number of repetitions to avoid soreness the next day. Strange thing is, I now find myself grabbing one of my Hume H715M’s and using appendix carry rather than strong side.

As I continue to heal, only time will tell if I move back to strong side carry. Each has its merits and its drawbacks, but I would not have discovered this other option for CCW if I had not injured my shoulder. Take a look at your own habits, maybe there is a way that you do something now that you could improve on. If you have a Don Hume H715MWC, try it in the appendix position and see how it works for you. You may just discover another (or a better) CCW option that you have been overlooking.

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Comments

    • Jeff A
    • March 4, 2015
    Reply

    It is the best holster strong side or appendix. The article makes great sense due to the fact many people will incur what this person had, and how well they adapted is a testament to this holster as well as the persons determination.

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