Adjustable Fill Appendix Carry Pillow

[Mack]

We are happy to announce a new addition to the ACP line up; the ACP-Adjustable. We received countless requests for an ACP that was end user adjustable, so we decided to engineer one.

We have designed a hem that makes use of the specialized hook/loop featured on the Specialist Underbelt to make it as secure and low-profile as possible. The ACP-Adjustable is sized in-between the standard and king size pillow and works well at all fill levels. It can be filled only slightly to mimic the performance of the ACP-P or filled to the max to work like a King Size.

Additional or replacement fills can also be purchased separately and of course you can fill it with whatever other fills you may want outside of the ones we offer.

https://www.mastermindtactics.com/shop/acp-adjustable

[Clusterfrack]

Outstanding!!! Can’t wait to try.

[DC_P]

Nice to have something adjustable.

Excuse my ignorance on the subject, but is there a reason an inflatable air pocket would not work? Something along the lines of the inflatable back pillows? It seems an easy solution so the fact that I thought of it rather than someone in the business makes me think it is not doable.

[GearFondler]

Nice to have something adjustable.

Excuse my ignorance on the subject, but is there a reason an inflatable air pocket would not work? Something along the lines of the inflatable back pillows? It seems an easy solution so the fact that I thought of it rather than someone in the business makes me think it is not doable.

I'll take a stab at that...

Most people don't have a hand pump and needle to inflate such a bag... Yes, they are cheap to buy but it's an extra hastle.
The inflation bag could rupture and then it's trash.
An air bag isn't exactly "cushy" unless it's under inflated rendering it either less effective or less comfortable.
It would need to be a tiny little bag, relatively speaking... Manufacturing or sourcing something like that would be a challenge.

[Clusterfrack]

I'll take a stab at that...

Most people don't have a hand pump and needle to inflate such a bag... Yes, they are cheap to buy but it's an extra hastle.
The inflation bag could rupture and then it's trash.
An air bag isn't exactly "cushy" unless it's under inflated rendering it either less effective or less comfortable.
It would need to be a tiny little bag, relatively speaking... Manufacturing or sourcing something like that would be a challenge.

I agree with all of this. I'll add that the ACP breathes a lot better than a closed cell foam wedge. I imagine an air bladder would get sweaty very quickly.

[Clusterfrack]

@Mack sent me a Gen3 ACP-w, and the new ACP-adjustable. Below is my T&E report after 3 days of using the new pillow-wedges.

TLDR: I think I have reached Junk Carry Nirvana. If you carry AIWB, an ACP will make your rig more comfortable, with the same concealability as a foam wedge. The latest MasterMind ACPs now come in a wide range of sizes and options to match any body type and gun combination (see below for details).

The previous generations of ACP were good, but there was room for improvement. The first "Gen1" ACP-w pillow-wedge was under-stuffed. That made it comfortable as a pad, but for many people, it lacked the volume of a good concealment wedge. The fill Mastermind uses is a premium bed pillow fiberfill, and is compressible and breathable--a good thing for comfort--but it compacts with time and use. After a few weeks, I found the Gen1 ACPs to be similar to the newer ACP-p model. They work well for a small gun and a skinny waist. The Gen2 ACP-w was overstuffed. Over time it broke in and compressed, but it took up a bit too much volume for my body type. The Gen2 ACP-p is a thinner pad, and I like it a lot. I have it on a Glock26 in a G19 JMCK George holster, and it’s pretty much perfect for that use.

ACP-w, Gen3
The new Gen3 ACP-w has a momma-bear amount of fill, and I think it’s perfect. It compresses as I move or sit, but wedges the gun solidly enough for me to conceal a P-07 under a Smedium t-shirt.

ACP-adjustable
The newest ACP is the adjustable pillow-wedge that you fill yourself. It comes with a baggie of the same fill used in the other ACPs, but you can experiment with your own stuffing as well. I had tried poly beads in an ACP, like a hacky sack. The beads weren't very comfortable or breathable, so I filled my new ACP-adjustable with Nestl gel memory foam. After filling, I put the ACP in the drier on low for 15 minutes to expand the foam fully. The total weight of my ACP with the foam is 25 grams. So far, this combination provides the best comfort I've experienced carrying AIWB, and also excellent wedging for concealment. The memory foam conforms to holster and body shape better than fiberfill, and feels cool.

The adjustable ACP lacks the stitching keeping the fill out of the top 1” of pillow. We want to keep the thickness under the belt line at a minimum, and that’s the reason for the stitching in the other ACPs. I solved the problem by shoving the filling deep into the pillow with my finger before I closed the velcro aperture. As well, the hook-and-loop section on the adjustable pillow is 1" wide so securing it all the way should provide a fairly close approximation of the vertical stitching on the other pillows.

Note: ACPs should hang about 1/2" past the end of the holster for both comfort and concealment. The ACP can be used to make a short holster act like a long one. You can also adjust where the pillow sits horizontally as well. I put mine a bit toward the right side to pad my leg.

Summary of ACP models:

• ACP-pad: if you want to add padding for comfort, but don't need a wedge to tuck the grip for concealment. Also good for skinny people carrying small guns.
• ACP-wedge: this appendix carry pillow should work for most body types and guns.
• ACP-king size: this is a good pillow for bigger people or anyone who has a large difference in circumference between tummy and groin.
• ACP-adjustable: If the standard ACPs aren’t perfect for your body/gun combo, or you want to try your own fill, the adjustable ACP is the way to go.

ACP-w and unstuffed ACP-adjustable


ACP-w on JMCK P-07


ACP-adjustable on JMCK P-07. Note how memory foam allows pillow to wrap around holster and conform to its shape.

[Mack]

@Mack sent me a Gen3 ACP-w, and the new ACP-adjustable. Below is my T&E report after 3 days of using the new pillow-wedges.

TLDR: I think I have reached Junk Carry Nirvana. If you carry AIWB, an ACP will make your rig more comfortable, with the same concealability as a foam wedge. The latest MasterMind ACPs now come in a wide range of sizes and options to match any body type and gun combination (see below for details).

The previous generations of ACP were good, but there was room for improvement. The first "Gen1" ACP-w pillow-wedge was under-stuffed. That made it comfortable as a pad, but for many people, it lacked the volume of a good concealment wedge. The fill Mastermind uses is a premium bed pillow fiberfill, and is compressible and breathable--a good thing for comfort--but it compacts with time and use. After a few weeks, I found the Gen1 ACPs to be similar to the newer ACP-p model. They work well for a small gun and a skinny waist. The Gen2 ACP-w was overstuffed. Over time it broke in and compressed, but it took up a bit too much volume for my body type. The Gen2 ACP-p is a thinner pad, and I like it a lot. I have it on a Glock26 in a G19 JMCK George holster, and it’s pretty much perfect for that use.

ACP-w, Gen3
The new Gen3 ACP-w has a momma-bear amount of fill, and I think it’s perfect. It compresses as I move or sit, but wedges the gun solidly enough for me to conceal a P-07 under a Smedium t-shirt.

ACP-adjustable
The newest ACP is the adjustable pillow-wedge that you fill yourself. It comes with a baggie of the same fill used in the other ACPs, but you can experiment with your own stuffing as well. I had tried poly beads in an ACP, like a hacky sack. The beads weren't very comfortable or breathable, so I filled my new ACP-adjustable with Nestl gel memory foam. After filling, I put the ACP in the drier on low for 15 minutes to expand the foam fully. The total weight of my ACP with the foam is 25 grams. So far, this combination provides the best comfort I've experienced carrying AIWB, and also excellent wedging for concealment. The memory foam conforms to holster and body shape better than fiberfill, and feels cool.

The adjustable ACP lacks the stitching keeping the fill out of the top 1” of pillow. We want to keep the thickness under the belt line at a minimum, and that’s the reason for the stitching in the other ACPs. I solved the problem by shoving the filling deep into the pillow with my finger before I closed the velcro aperture. As well, the hook-and-loop section on the adjustable pillow is 1" wide so securing it all the way should provide a fairly close approximation of the vertical stitching on the other pillows.

Note: ACPs should hang about 1/2" past the end of the holster for both comfort and concealment. The ACP can be used to make a short holster act like a long one. You can also adjust where the pillow sits horizontally as well. I put mine a bit toward the right side to pad my leg.

Summary of ACP models:

• ACP-pad: if you want to add padding for comfort, but don't need a wedge to tuck the grip for concealment. Also good for skinny people carrying small guns.
• ACP-wedge: this appendix carry pillow should work for most body types and guns.
• ACP-king size: this is a good pillow for bigger people or anyone who has a large difference in circumference between tummy and groin.
• ACP-adjustable: If the standard ACPs aren’t perfect for your body/gun combo, or you want to try your own fill, the adjustable ACP is the way to go.

ACP-w and unstuffed ACP-adjustable


ACP-w on JMCK P-07


ACP-adjustable on JMCK P-07. Note how memory foam allows pillow to wrap around holster and conform to its shape.

Thanks for taking the time to provide your feedback with all of the pillows. We appreciate you taking time to share your experience and thoughts with us and others! Thanks again.