AIWB uncomfortable when seated?

[JAH 3rd]

My question is pretty much stated above. I see pictures of folks with their AIWB holster setup, but they are always standing when the pic is taken. So if you have a pistol that is 3.5" to 4" in barrel length, how comfortable or uncomfortable is when seated. I love the concept, the firearm is handy to get to. But sitting and standing are two different things, and I am just looking for feedback from those folks that use this setup.....particularly comfort from seated position. Thanks in advance!

[Duelist]

My question is pretty much stated above. I see pictures of folks with their AIWB holster setup, but they are always standing when the pic is taken. So if you have a pistol that is 3.5" to 4" in barrel length, how comfortable or uncomfortable is when seated. I love the concept, the firearm is handy to get to. But sitting and standing are two different things, and I am just looking for feedback from those folks that use this setup.....particularly comfort from seated position. Thanks in advance!

This is why I don’t use it. I tried it, it is uncomfortable, so I do other things.

[Tyrok]

For me, very comfortable when seated. The muzzle sits right on the crease where my right leg meets my torso, plenty of room.

For reference I'm 5'8'' at 170 pounds (currently working to get back down to 160 though), Bravo Concealment holster.

My gun is a compensated G26 so it's basically as long as a G17. In the past I have AIWB'd a Makarov and then a USP compact with comfort too.

AIWB is extremely dependent on body type

Hope this helps!

[GhastlyTT]

In my experience, if your belt line stays horizontal to the ground when seated, AIWB should be comfortable. If the front or rear drops lower than the other, you're probably going to experience some degree of discomfort. Body type dependent, yes, but posture and pant choice have an impact, too.

[WobblyPossum]

I carry a G19 in a G17 holster. I regularly spend hours driving and have not had any real discomfort. The longest I’ve spent sitting with the holster is two 15 hour road trips. I don’t remember any issues. All gun carrying is very individual though and you’ll have to get the correct belt and holster combination for your body. You’ll also have to experiment with where on the belt the holster rides and where on your body the belt rides. It will likely take some work.

[jetfire]

30511

I tucked my shirt in behind the gun for the purpose of this photo, but when I’m not getting paid to carry something else, I carry a 92D AIWB, and spend 8-9 hours seated every day, plus another 3-4 hours walking. It’s fine. I’m testing the mag holder, and that was great too. I don’t normally carry a reload though.

[miller_man]

I carry pretty much the same as the above picture. I do occasionally have a little discomfort when getting seated but I can quickly and easily raise my holster and belt to make the holster /gun more vertical and this always eliminates the discomfort. This is another reason I don’t prefer or carry with too stiff or tight of a belt.

[M2CattleCo]

Very uncomfortable for me. I have to take an AIWB mag carrier off to pick up brass. AIWB is very uncomfortable for with a seatbelt too. Not to mention that it would probably cause a pretty good injury if the seatbelt caught you with a gun under it.

[jetfire]

Not to mention that it would probably cause a pretty good injury if the seatbelt caught you with a gun under it.

No it won’t, not if you’re wearing your seatbelt properly, low and across the hips. The pre-tensioners in the seatbelt will snug the holster down to your body. You might have a bruise, but it won’t be the serious soft-tissue injury that people are worried about.

[donlapalma]

G19 with minimal beer gut. Very comfortable while seated. Extra mag carried up front is comfy as well.

[Gio]

I find if the AIWB holster rides too low it can be uncomfortable sitting. I carry mine (JM) on typically the highest ride setting that it comes with and find it's not uncomfortable. Bending over to tie a shoe is a different story, but at least you don't have to do that all the time.

[ubervic]

I'm short and stocky---5' 7", 185 lbs.

I can carry G17 all day in total comfort, no matter whether it's walking, sitting, driving, etc. The only action that is slightly limiting or uncomfortable is reaching down to tie my shoes. That's it. Really.

With the right holster and fitment, including some trial & error, most people are fine with it.

[theJanitor]

Sitting was the most uncomfortable for me. When I'm active, it posed no problems, but I sit at a desk for many hours a day. A generous foam pad (that extends beyond the edges of the holster) on a long holster made it work for me. I'm running JM or SME in G34/5" Gov't lengths.

ETA: My dad bod measures 5'10"/200lb/46R

[DamnYankee]

I carry either a G19 in a T-Rex Sidecar or a Walther PPS M2 in a Tier 1 Axis Slim held up by a Blue Alpha Gear low profile EDC belt. I have no issues while sitting with either setup. AIWB comfort has a lot to do with body type. Some people are just not going to be able to pull it off as well as others just because of how their built. A proper purpose built AIWB holster and a proper gun belt is also imperative.
https://i.imgur.com/XvFXyn0.jpg

[Hizzie]

My question is pretty much stated above. I see pictures of folks with their AIWB holster setup, but they are always standing when the pic is taken. So if you have a pistol that is 3.5" to 4" in barrel length, how comfortable or uncomfortable is when seated. I love the concept, the firearm is handy to get to. But sitting and standing are two different things, and I am just looking for feedback from those folks that use this setup.....particularly comfort from seated position. Thanks in advance!

No issues with quality holsters. Not just seated but throughout range of motion.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=XEn1oedewlo

[Prdator]

Done properly AIWB is The most comfortable to carry a gun seated... period really

A lot of factors go into this

body type
holster
belt tension
Cant
Ride height
holster width
holster length ( longer is normally better)
pant fit
waist height
shirt fit
etc..

If only someone taught a AIWB class.... OH wait.. LOL

[JAH 3rd]

Thanks to all who replied with their perspective from personal experiences.

[JAD]

180#, 5'9", 32" waist, 40 reg. No issues with a Commander or G17. I haven't found the right holster for a government model yet. Leather holsters are much better than plastic for me. If I'm going to be seated for a while I usually have to run my hand behind the butt to get it out from under my ribs.

[HCountyGuy]

Oddly enough I’ve been experiencing more discomfort standing versus sitting. Usually it’s the foam wedge giving me issues in that I feel it somewhat dig in to my leg. It does sometimes become uncomfortable in lengthy drives, but otherwise despite bending, squatting and all sorts of physical activity no problems. Until I’m standing or walking normally.

[jwperry]

As others have mentioned, a good belt is necessary and it is dependent on the size of the pistol.

I find G17/P226 sized holsters to be most comfortable and will frequently use the full size holster to accommodate a compact G19/P229 sized pistol. I normally carry with a WML, so the Inforce APL gets most my $$ because the size is so similar to the G17/P226 so the holster footprint stays the same. I try to have the holster set to ride as high as it will go, to me this gives enough below the belt so that it doesn't tip over when seated and having my gut pushing against it as well as enough to draw efficiently.

That sized holster doesn't interfere with the family jewels and normally tucks in between my leg and open area while seated or just above.

[Mark D]

Seated AIWB is extremely comfortable for me with a HK P2000 or G19 sized gun. I've driven all day in this arrangment without any problems. I'm 5'10" 180". I might have problems with a pistol with a longer barrel.

I generally prefer a belt that is not super stiff. JM Custom Kydex or Dark Star Gear are my go-to holsters. Ride height and cant adjustment is good. If I carry a spare mag, it's usually in my pocket.

FWIW I find the Side-car holsters horribly uncomfortable.

[Hambo]

30511

I tucked my shirt in behind the gun for the purpose of this photo, but when I’m not getting paid to carry something else, I carry a 92D AIWB, and spend 8-9 hours seated every day, plus another 3-4 hours walking. It’s fine. I’m testing the mag holder, and that was great too. I don’t normally carry a reload though.

I carry a 92G and it's fine seated or driving. In fact it's more comfortable driving for a long time than IWB. I think it's that the contour of my truck seats makes me lean a bit with a gun on my hip.

[JAD]

I carry a 92G and it's fine seated or driving. In fact it's more comfortable driving for a long time than IWB. I think it's that the contour of my truck seats makes me lean a bit with a gun on my hip.

When I do carry IWB it's right at 3:00, sometimes even 2:45, for this specific reason.

[TAZ]

I’m a fat ass, just shy of a lard ass. 5’6, #200+

Carry G19+RMR in an Eidilon. No issues sitting unless I’m wearing a really stiff belt. Then sitting and other positions have hot spots.

For my body, I’ve found that a stiff belt = pain. Arkteryx Conveyor or belts of similar stiffness work the best.

[Hambo]

I don't wear an incredibly stiff belt either.

[BWT]

I find I need pants a size bigger (I wear 36” but I could fit in 34”) and wear the belt looser a few notches for the gun to move with my body some.

Does it sacrifice draw speed a bit and gun location? Probably. But, the benefits of AIWB are worthwhile IMHO.

But I can fit a Glock 19 Gen 5 with spare mag comfortably.

I use a Jmck 2.0 with Wing claw, AIWB high rise height Glock mag carrier, and Alonso Defense Emissary Gun Belt.

Wearing a belt with notches and loosening/tightening easily has made this much better for me compared back to when I loosened/tightened Wilderness Tactical Belts. I never had a good idea how tight or loose I was from belt tie to belt tie, and that made a huge difference honestly with carrying for me and comfort. I could let the (ETA: belt) bet out an inch with each eyelet and measure/test/fit/verify easily. I think that’s an underestimated thing.

Losing 50 lbs also helped (260 down to about 211 this morning).

[Super J]

I have carried aiwb for well over 10 years. My belly has recently become bigger and now I am experiencing discomfort when seated from the added pressure of my belly pushing on the grip which in turn causes the muzzle end of the holster to press harder into my lower region. If I know that I am going to be seated a lot, I pass on carrying my G17 and carry my G26 or G19. The pressure is far less apparent with the decrease in pressure from the smaller grip interacting with my belly.

[vcdgrips]

6'2, 196.6 this am. 34Waist/34Inseam, 44L sportscoat, L/XL top depending on cut. I have carried a G35 or G34 in a CCC Shaggy or Keepers "Beta Testing" holster since 2009ish (with the occasional G19, 17 or 1911 thrown in ) on a near daily basis with no comfort issues to include multiple 8hr plus car trips. Great holsters mated to great belts (Maxpedition Liger, Wilderness or old school Rafter S leather gun belt) = no issues.

Spencer's comment above re AIWB variables are spot on.

YMMV Greatly,

david of vcdgrips
www.vcdgrips.com
"get a better grip on your working gun"

[Rex G]

I cannot comfortably sit very long while carrying a full-sized G19 or 1911 AIWB, but a G19 works well enough for comfort, on a good day. (If I have consumed much of a “trigger food,” my gut will bloat, badly, which is a bad day.) My challenge is concealment. Glocks are too blocky, where the outside rear corner of the slide presses against the cover garment, so an untucked shirt is not enough, to satisfy my eyes.

Revolvers work better, for me, especially in JM Custom Kydex AIWB rigs. One of mine is a JMCK George, with a rigid belt loop, for the SP101 snub-length gun, and the other is one of the more normal JMCK AIWB holsters, with soft loops, for the 4” K-Frame, which I just bought pre-owned. If/When my left shoulder heals well enough for my left hand to resume being the “primary” handgun-shooting hand, I will probably order a new lefty JMCK holster, or two, with the soft loops; weapon model(s) to be determined, but probably for revolver(s).

My specs: 6’ tall, jacket size 38L to 40L, able to fit into 32” VERTX trousers, but I buy an inch or two larger, 34” inseam.

For better comfort in the humid Texas coastal prairie climate, I tend to wear my guns outside the trousers, often @ “AOWB,” with the Kramer “Crossdraw” version of his Vertical Scabbard.

[Robinson]

I'm 5'11" 240lbs, pretty fit build. I carry either a 1911 Government model or Glock 34 AIWB. Sitting is no problem, but tying shoes is. That's why I always double knot my laces before putting on my gun.

[03RN]

30558
30559
No problamo

511/215

[Sherman A. House DDS]

30558
30559
No problamo

511/215

I like your hat. Shiny.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180922/153520abff96f7da87ca6f9447e5a14b.jpg


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[03RN]

I like your hat. Shiny.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180922/153520abff96f7da87ca6f9447e5a14b.jpg


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To bad you don't need nurses at work. I think we'd get along

[CCT125US]

HK USP9c
JRC CDAII worn at 12 o'clock
125 lbs
5-00
32" waist
Ares Aegis belt

Typical day is 3-4 hours in the car, 4-6 hrs sitting with clients.

No discomfort, pinching or poking.

[Sherman A. House DDS]

To bad you don't need nurses at work. I think we'd get along

Agreed!

Also, I carry an M&P 9 FS. I’m 6’4”, 250 pounds. 52L jacket, 38/36 trousers, DSG ORION, Keeper or JMCK depending on how I’m feeling. I drive 3 hours a day round trip to the office, and spend a good amount of my work day, sitting. Carrying AIWB is infinitely MORE comfortable for me than wearing my duty belt with my mag carrier and cuffs pushing onto similar anatomy as the AIWB and mag carrier. Haven’t quite figured out that dilemma yet.


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[Drang]

I’m 6’4”, 250 pounds.

thread drift Animal Mother was probably glad to see someone almost as tall as him... /thread drift

[StraitR]

I carry a Commander in a 5 Shot SME with no issues sitting, driving, or extensive bending/lifting at work. I put my pistol on at 7:30am and take it off at 5:30pm everyday. To me, it's the most comfortable place to carry. Like Caleb's photo above, the pistol lays against my stomach when sitting or bending, which is perfectly comfortable. I actually think it works better than strong side carry when driving, because I can access the gun easily without any leaning, bending, or shifting in the seat. As far as factors that make it work, I can only echo what others have said, which has been my experience with AIWB for roughly the last 4 years. The high points...

It's very body type dependent - Not just weight or gut. Torso length, which partly determines where your belt rides, is a big factor.

Gun Size & Shape - My G43 in JM Claw 2.0 Long will poke me in the stomach occasionally when bending due to the whole gun/holster being smaller and not laying higher against my stomach. My G19 in a G17 length RCS Eidolon is incredibly comfortable, just like the Commander/SME combo. In the past, I've attempted to carry a Govt 1911, G34, and Beretta 92, all of which I find too long (slide) below the belt and I literally cannot bend over. I did recently find a AIWB holster that allows me to carry the Govt 1911, but that's because I can adjust the ride height so much that it's roughly the same length as a Commander/G17 below the belt.

Pant selection - I find some jeans/pants/shorts work better than others. Again, a matter of ride height. Cut too low and I can't bend comfortably. Just right and there is no difference in bending with the gun and without it.

Holster selection - Huge, but not every high quality purpose built AIWB holster will work for everyone. It takes considerable testing and tweaking, over the course of several weeks to really figure out if it's a holster issue, a positional issue, a clothing issue, or maybe AIWB just won't work for you. I really hate to talk in absolutes, but I can almost guarantee the first AIWB holster you buy will not be your last in search of ultimate comfort and concealability.

Little tweaks - 1/4" left/right, 1/4" higher/lower, a touch of reverse cant, or any combination, can make a huge difference and that takes time to figure out. I'm not saying it will for for everyone, but it's a process, and I think more people would actually find that AIWB works for them, but they get frustrated and throw in the towel.

I don't see a lot of sitting 3:00 IWB pics either, but I'd say the reason you don't see sitting AIWB pictures is because nobody likes crotch pics.

[10mmfanboy]

It can be extremely uncomfortable if it's not done right. I think it takes a lot more time to make it work for you than other forms of carry. I carry aiwb all the time. I train from aiwb all the time too. Only time it can start digging in is lifting heavy stuff off the ground. Other than that it's not bothersome at all for me. I bush hog all day long aiwb and have gone on long road trips and find it more comfortable sitting than other forms of carry. I have a bad back and torn rotator cuffs though too so 3-4 o'clock carry can be down right painful for me.

I think belt choice makes a huge difference in comfort. I find less stiff belts like a standard The wilderness 3 stitch frequent flyer belt is perfect for me. Pant size too I think makes a difference. Don't need everything overly tight just snug enough. Holsters are either Dark Star Gear or JM Custom. Carry a glock 19 with xc-1 more times than not and even known to carry a glock 20 with 6" barrel during hunting season aiwb lol and a m9a3 too. Short barrels don't work for me aiwb though, the longer the barrel the better it seems to work for me. 4" barrel seems goldilocks to me 5-6" barrel is fine standing and sitting but not if I'm squatting a whole lot.

Best of luck!

[Appalachained]

I’m 5’9” and weigh 185 pounds. I carry a G19 in a Bladetech AIWB holster. It doesn’t bother me at all sitting down. In fact it’s more comfortable for me when driving than carrying at 4:00.