Sidearms & Scatterguns AIWB Comfort w/ Glock 19 or PDP Compact

[treillw]

Thinking of getting my first AIWB holster for a Glock 19 or more likely a PDP compact. Regardless of the gun, it's going to live in a Tier 1 Concealed Axis Elite or Agis Elite holster. How comfortable is it carrying a gun of this size AIWB?

I've carried guns ranging from a 3" 1911 to a 4 pound 500 S&W (literally over 20 miles through the mountains in a day hunting) in the 3:00 position OWB. Practically nothing can be as uncomfortable as that 500 after a few days of putting on miles, but I don't want to live in agony if avoidable. I also carry the 1911 at 4:00 IWB. But I've never carried anything AIWB. I guess I could always spin the 1911 around to appendix to get a rough feel for it with the IWB holster that I have now.

I stumbled across this website that is pretty awesome for comparing gun sizes. It looks like a compact PDP wouldn't be a ton bigger than my 3" Kimber. If you align the grips in the "Tabletop Comparison", the PDP is about an inch longer on the slide and nearly an inch longer on the grip.

Kimber 1911 Ultra vs Walther PDP Compact 4" size comparison | Handgun Hero

Compare the dimensions and specs of Kimber 1911 Ultra and Walther PDP Compact 4"

www.handgunhero.com

I'm also considering the G43x. Don't know if I want to go down that road though - I only feel that it's worth me carrying if the SA 15 round mags work, which seems to be a real dangerous crap shoot. The G43x is about the same size as my Kimber and isn't much different in capacity either. If I'm feeling lazy, I have a Kahr P380 that fits in just about any pocket.

EDIT: I'm 6', 180-185 pounds, athletic build, minimal tactical cushioning around the beltline.

Thanks for the input!

 

[valsport]

Really personal preference. I carry a micro 9, also have a 4" gun the size of a G19 and its too much generally. Colder weather with jeans and some outerwear I'll carry the 4" but micro compact 9 is where it's at for me.

 

[Old Man with Gun]

I never stuck with AIWB for long, too uncomfortable for me when sitting or driving. I can carry a Hellcat with a pocket holster, if I pick the right pants. Most often I have a 380ACP that I don't even feel. If I want bigger it rides IWB over my wallet pocket.

 

[E. Bryant]

How are you built?

What are you doing while carrying the gun?

What are the consequences for "printing"?

How much value do you place on weapon performance vs comfort?

These are all significant factors.

I'm 5'6", 180 lbs with a reasonably muscular build. I can hide a G19 (or more commonly nowadays, a 509C) under a t-shirt in a grocery store. But it's not something that I'd consider wise for NPEs where there are potential legal consequences for printing. As a side note, hoodies and flannel shirts are three-season wear in my AO, and under one of those I can hide a G17 if I want. Climate matters.

With a gun of this size, I can walk around just fine, and tolerate a 30-minute drive into town. But this isn't what I'd want to wear for a half-day in the car, or for jogging or hiking. There are times where it's not really possible for a piece to be too small or too light.

SD firearm use in public is itself a rare event for any given individual, discharging the firearm even more so, and running the gun dry even more so than that. So maybe demanding that I must have 15+1 in the gun and another 15 in a spare mag is a bit overkill, and a smaller gun with "only" 8-10 rounds would be more than adequate for 99.99% of an already-rare occurrence.

I'm not trying to talk you into or out of this gun for AIWB carry. The G19 is probably what I'd pick for a one-and-only-one hypothetical situation.

I'd also discourage on-paper comparisons. There's only ~0.15" difference in thickness between the G19 and G43X/48; my waistline various by more each day. But it makes a significant difference in the way the two guns carry.

 

[treillw]

How are you built?

What are you doing while carrying the gun?

What are the consequences for "printing"?

How much value do you place on weapon performance vs comfort?

These are all significant factors.

I'm 5'6", 180 lbs with a reasonably muscular build. I can hide a G19 (or more commonly nowadays, a 509C) under a t-shirt in a grocery store. But it's not something that I'd consider wise for NPEs where there are potential legal consequences for printing. As a side note, hoodies and flannel shirts are three-season wear in my AO, and under one of those I can hide a G17 if I want. Climate matters.

With a gun of this size, I can walk around just fine, and tolerate a 30-minute drive into town. But this isn't what I'd want to wear for a half-day in the car, or for jogging or hiking. There are times where it's not really possible for a piece to be too small or too light.

SD firearm use in public is itself a rare event for any given individual, discharging the firearm even more so, and running the gun dry even more so than that. So maybe demanding that I must have 15+1 in the gun and another 15 in a spare mag is a bit overkill, and a smaller gun with "only" 8-10 rounds would be more than adequate for 99.99% of an already-rare occurrence.

I'm not trying to talk you into or out of this gun for AIWB carry. The G19 is probably what I'd pick for a one-and-only-one hypothetical situation.

I'd also discourage on-paper comparisons. There's only ~0.15" difference in thickness between the G19 and G43X/48; my waistline various by more each day. But it makes a significant difference in the way the two guns carry.

I'm 6', 180-185 pounds, athletic build, minimal tactical cushioning around the beltline.

 

[Odysseus1911]

AIWB tends to be most comfortable for lean bodies. There are always exceptions, but generally, the more your belly pushes the breech end out, the more the muzzle is going to dig in to you, so guys packing a beer belly usually don't like AIWB.

If you don't have a belly working against you, then the biggest determinant of comfort is going to be the holster design and construction.

1. A holster that is properly designed for appendix is not going to have the widely-spaced attachment points, or the same cant, ride height, and other features of a standard 3 O'clock IWB holster. Unfortunately, most companys' AIWB is just their IWB repurposed. You want one actually designed for this position or it's not going to be comfortable.

2. Leather is more comfy than kydex.

I AIWB a full size 1911 all day, every day in a 5 Shot Leather SME.

5 Shot Leather, LLC - SME

Even with a gun this big, it's so comfortable I forget I have it on, and it barely prints even under a fitted t-shirt. In my opinion, no other AIWB even comes close, but it was $245 and I had to wait 4 months for him to make it. Was it worth it? To me, absolutely. To you? Depends on how much you value comfort and concealability.

 

[Gustav7]

I'm 6', 180-185 pounds, athletic build, minimal tactical cushioning around the beltline.

This is my exact build. I will say though, I used to have a larger chest and it seriously helped conceal my gun more as it pushed my tshirts out further. Since becoming a dad, I've done more calisthenics and general labor around the house to stay in shape and my chest and back are smaller now. I'm not quite as lean as I used to be and those two things do make it a little harder to not print as much. I just have to be more cognizant and make sure I'm not breathing through my stomach and pushing the gun out.

For comfort, I do wear tank undershirts. I sweat a lot and I find them more comfortable for both purposes.

The biggest thing for comfort I did was get a NEX belt for carry. IT has the ratcheting buckle, so I can make micro adjustments to the tension my belt has. If i'm driving, I just pop the little buckle button and it loosens up. Then whenever I get out of the car, I just push from both sides and tighten it up. Just looks like I'm adjusting my waistline, like many people do when they get out of a car.

Other than that....wear it every where, all day until you go to bed for a few weeks and just get used to it. I will say, theres still better/worse days after a few years now of carrying in the same spot. Some day I don't notice it at all. Some days it seems to bother me all day.

 

[calling4life]

I carry a Wilson 320 Carry, and I carry it with the 21rd mag as often as the 17rd mag. 6'1 175lbs or so

I carry with a Tier 1 Aegis Elite and would recommend it
I carry with a PHLster Enigma with the JP Enigma holster for it and would recommend this ten fold, you can use it naked if you want, huge flexibility with this, from side to side of where you carry, to the height, to having no garments on to having a suit on, this is an extremely flexible option.

Here's Tier 1s video on Appendix carry and some of the BS with "I can't sit down" and so on


You want the full breakdown of AIWB, and as noted in this video, they have a ton of others, for all possible issues, clearing up about any mess you can think of so you can carry AIWB very well.
A lot of education about this in their videos, they are done well.

Here is a great overview, we'll see if this works this is still a private video at the moment.

 

[gigamortis]

AIWB is hit or miss for some folks depending on how high their belt line is above the crease of their thigh/torso hinge point. I couldn't do a 5" barrel pistol AIWB without the bottom end of the holster making things rather uncomfortable while sitting. I can AIWB a G26 no problem.

 

[Baron85]

I aiwb a Glock 19 when I’m able to wear a hoodie or jacket, summer light clothes I use a hellcat. The hellcat is more comfortable no matter what since the shorter barrel doesn’t go down as low and poke into my crotch. My belt line to crotch is lower than most probably. I’m 6’5” 210 with a bit of a dad bod. When I was fitter with more chest less belly the aiwb was much easier to conceal. It’s getting a little harder now but get the foam wedges and makes a big difference in concealment and comfort.

 

[redneckbmxer24]

Tenicor, you can thank me later.

 

[308pirate]

Thinking of getting my first AIWB holster for a Glock 19 or more likely a PDP compact. Regardless of the gun, it's going to live in a Tier 1 Concealed Axis Elite or Agis Elite holster. How comfortable is it carrying a gun of this size AIWB?

I have three CCW pistols: Glock 19, CZ P-10C, and CZ P-07

I have carried all three in all day comfort using a Tier 1 Xyphos V2.

For me there are three main elements to carrying that size of gun and their full size counterparts in all day comfort

1. A holster that has dual clips spaced as far apart as possible. This keeps the holster flat against the abdomen and eliminates the tendency to tilt and shift around on the belt.
2. Finding the exact location on your body. For me 1:30 conceals best, presents the grip to the hand most naturally, and is the most comfortable when I sit.
3. Having the right wedge. Still experimenting here. Currently I'm using the heel portion of a gel shoe insole but sometimes struggle with how sticking it is against skin and underwear. Might cover it with moleskin. I've seen some wedges that looks like they're made like cornhole bags.

 

[ECK]

We’re about the same size/build. I sometimes carry a P10C (roughly Glock 19 size) in an AIWB, but most of the time I prefer carrying the 365XL AIWB due to it being more comfortable. And to be honest I don’t feel like I‘m giving up anything with the smaller 365XL vs the P10C. Both have optics on them.

The P10C/Glock 19 pistols are chunky, and you wouldn’t think they are significantly wider just looking at the specs, but it is definitely noticeable when you add the additional width of the holster and stuff in down your pants. The 365XL is thinner, which helps with the overall profile.

For best concealment, muzzle length is not so much of a factor, it’s more the grip. To reduce printing, the grip needs to be pulled into your abdomen. This slows down the draw a little, but it’s a trade-off.

Two ways to pull the grip inwards: a wing or a wedge, or both. I experimented with foam wedges offered by JM Custom and Tier 1, and even played around with the Doc Shoal’s foot inserts. What seemed to work best was taking a $5 yoga block and cutting it down to the shape I wanted and adhering it to the skin side of the holster with some spray on adhesive. This is in addition to the wing on my holster. The wing rotates the grip inward and the wedge helps cant the entire gun into my abs (and points the muzzle away from the beans and frank).

With the above setup I can sit/drive for most of the day while wearing the 365XL AIWB. I do own a Tier 1 holster for the 365XL, but most days I find myself grabbing the Vedder AIWB holster with a JMCK IWB mag pouch.

 

[PBWalsh]

Yeah its definitely personal preference. I mainly EDC a CZ Shadow 2/TLR7/Steiner MPS in a T-Rex Arms Sidecar 2.0. I’m 5’8” 211 and am not the leanest body. Its fine though.

Sometimes I carry a Glock 26 if I gotta go somewhere after the gym while wearing gym shorts.

Find the gun you are best with, and figure out how to carry it.

 

[wpeach1912]

I am of similar build, and I carry a P320 compact with a TLR7a in a sidecar 2.0 with a spare mag pretty frequently. With a shirt behind it, it’s comfortable to wear all day and conceals with most flannel shirts and sweatshirts. It does ok under big t shirts too. If I’m wearing a t shirt, I prefer my sig p365xl in a T. rex arms raptor. That is only mildly comfortable without a shirt behind it due to the rough stippling on the grip, but it does conceal well.

ETA: I carried my p320 compact without a light in a T. rex arms raptor AIWB backpack elk hunting, mule deer hunting, and multiple hikes last year with relative comfort below the waist belt of my MR beartooth and it was definitively comfortable. Killed like 6 grouse with it too

 

[Gustav7]

Yeah its definitely personal preference. I mainly EDC a CZ Shadow 2/TLR7/Steiner MPS in a T-Rex Arms Sidecar 2.0. I’m 5’8” 211 and am not the leanest body. Its fine though.

Sometimes I carry a Glock 26 if I gotta go somewhere after the gym while wearing gym shorts.

Find the gun you are best with, and figure out how to carry it.

You're the David Goggins of conceal carry hahaha, and I mean that as a compliment.

 

[Gustav7]

I am of similar build, and I carry a P320 compact with a TLR7a in a sidecar 2.0 with a spare mag pretty frequently. With a shirt behind it, it’s comfortable to wear all day and conceals with most flannel shirts and sweatshirts. It does ok under big t shirts too. If I’m wearing a t shirt, I prefer my sig p365xl in a T. rex arms raptor. That is only mildly comfortable without a shirt behind it due to the rough stippling on the grip, but it does conceal well.

ETA: I carried my p320 compact without a light in a T. rex arms raptor AIWB backpack elk hunting, mule deer hunting, and multiple hikes last year with relative comfort below the waist belt of my MR beartooth and it was definitively comfortable. Killed like 6 grouse with it too

If you don't wear an undershirt, I recommend taking some emery cloth to the left side of the grip. Doesn't need to be smooth but you can rough it up a big to where the plastic almost feels a little soft. Definitely helps with the rubbing and doesn't really impact grip much.

 

[PBWalsh]

Yeah an undershirt is a need. I wear a compression shirt as a general base layer year round. Helps with comfort, cooling, and even warmth in the winter months.