Centerline Carry - An Advantage

[Gabe Suarez]

Centerline Carry

In force on force training drills, as well as on the street, we see a pressing urgent need to get the gun into the fight. This is affected dramatically by your perception of events and situational awareness. Are you being ambushed, or have you taken the initiative in the event (started the fight a little ahead of the "start signal")? As the old saying goes, "the fastest draw is having the gun in your hand". Regardless of this, and even if you have the requisite information to justify doing so, few god guys will pre-emptively start the fight...even when they know it is a tactically wise thing to do.

And for those who have no conceptual problem with being "off sides" on the play, unless they have the clear perception of danger, they will not draw or pre-emptively grip the pistol. Remember, one party will take the initiative and the other party will respond. Most of the time, good guys will not take the initiative.

I strongly disagree with the notion that you will always be alert, or always be in condition yellow, or always have the initiative in the fight, or always anything. It won't happen that way. The fight is just as likely to cme when you are eady as when you are preoccupied with something else and do not see it coming. I agree that if you can take the initiative, you should. But I think a large part of the training must involve developing a skill set to regain the initiative in the fight. Our studies and experience has shown that this is most easily done vis-a-vis sharp movement off the line of attack coupled with a quick draw to enable you to return fire immediately. In this study we will look at the draw.

A combat draw involves three different parts.

1). The hand moving to the gun.
2). The gun moving to the target.
3). And the shot being fired.

A good time for this is about 1.25 - 1.50. A really sharp hand can cut that down to well under a second from open carry. At close intervals (less than 5 yards) where most urban gunfights take place, the mechanics of actually firing the shot take minimal time. Let's look at the first two steps - hand to the gun and gun to the target.

The hand moves to the gun. Where will your hands be when you need to draw? Impossible to say isn't it. The only true measure of a starting point is arms and hands at rest hanging at your sides. The hand moving to the gun will be affected by starting position, but also by whatever is used as a concealment garment. This must be eventually factored in and tested because people do not go around with uncovered guns outside of the firing range. But one thing at a time.

There are three potential carry positions on the belt. These are from left to right, cross draw, appendix carry, and kidney carry (aka strong side hip). Of the three, which one can you get to the fastest? Look at how the body works. Look at the arms in particular. Notice how it is relatively easy to move the arms toward center line. A "hugging action" or crossing the arms, is far easier and more positive than a "spreading the wings action", or opening the arms wide. It is easier to grab the belt buckle than to grab the belt at the small of your back.

For most people the arms tend to hang slightly forward of the shoulders. At a dead hang, measure the distance from your hand to the cross draw position, the appendix carry position, and the kidney carry position. Which is the shortest distance? For most people appendix carry is shortest, followed by cross draw and finally the longest distance for the hand to travel is the kidney or strong side carry positon. If I am looking for the shortest arrangememnt of "hand to gun", appendix is less distance, thus less time.

The gun moves to the target. Once the hand is on the gun, the draw should take the shortest possible distance to the target regardless of starting point. I am against any draw process that takes a round-about way to get on target.

Get the tape measure out again. Clip or pin the end of the tape at the point the holster would be (cross draw, appendix cary or strong side kidney). Grab the other end and stretch the tape tight as you point your hand as if you were shooting. Which position places the holstered pistol closest to the target? Again, for most people it will be the appendix carry followed by the cross draw and finally the strong side kidney position. A cumulative foot (more or less) of less travel time means a savings of time and a faster draw.

Let's look at two other contributing factors: body type and concealment garments. I have students that could give a sumo wrestler some concern in a push-and-shove. Because of waist girth, appendix carry may not be a comfortable option for them. Cross draw may simply be out of reach as these guys can't readily reach accross their chests. For them, the only available option is strong side kidney carry. Like Guro Innosanto said, via Marc Denny, "You can't ignore nature".

I also have students whose activities require business attire. They go about their day wearing designer suits. Its difficult to hide an appendix carry pistol, or a cross draw, in an Armani suit. Their choice must also be strong side kidney carry.

But excluding those instances, anyone esle can profit tactically from either cross draw or appendix carry. While, with a little care, you can conceal a cross draw with an open front coat, an appendix carry position requires a closed front cover. You can use an oversized t-shirt or sweat shirt, or a plo shirt, or simply a button down shirt worn tails out. You need to integrate the clearing of cover into the draw, but then again, that is how you should be practicing anyway. Open carry, beyond the novice stage, is to be avoided.

Side benefits of appendix carry and cross draw are; It is far easier to protect the gun in a crowded environment because the gun is in front and not behind you. It is easier to draw from a seated position. It prevents "printing" or outlining the weapon under the clothing when moving, reaching, or stooping. It eliminates he intentional or unintentional "bump frisk". It is easier to obtain and deploy the gun in a grapple situation or when the attacker has tangled up with you in the fight.

If appendix carry is so good, and cross draw almost as good, why isn't it seen more? Simply because some competitive environments and some traditional training venues prohibit them. Becasue of this, those trainers coming from those places eschew anything but traditional strong side hip. These two dynamics also influence holster makers and Appendix holsters are few and far between. They have their reasons. We are working on changing that.

Excluding those artificial prohibitions, individuals whose life style, physical make up, and daily dress allow it, can use these carry modes to good benefit.



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[Gorilla]

If appendix carry is so good, and cross draw almost as good, why isn't it seen more? Simply because some competitive environments and some traditional training venues prohibit them. Becasue of this, those trainers coming from those places eschew anything but traditional strong side hip. These two dynamics also influence holster makers and Appendix holsters are few and far between. They have their reasons. We are working on changing that.
THANK YOU GABE!
As a new member and someone just beginning to really seriously study the Way of the Warrior I am very grateful not to have to "be discipled" in some "guru's" school where the truth is subserviant to that schools particular dogma. Before coming to WT I had never considered the merits of the Appendix Carry, and now after some experimenting I have found that for my body and my lifestyle this option is by far the most effective method of carry and deployment Good Show! God Bless and keep moving forward.

[Marc "Crafty Dog" Denny]

Woof Gabe:

Sorry for the basic question, but why are you not discussing a 0300 carry position?

CD

PS: My tail is awagging the arrival of my G26 and then it will be time to start trying out holsters.

[Cold War Scout]

Originally Posted by Gorilla

If appendix carry is so good, and cross draw almost as good, why isn't it seen more?

In the business I was once in, cross draw offered bandits a great opportunity to draw your gun for you. And I know it works because I did it several times to a close friend (yeah I know it was stupid but when one is young and invincible, one does stupid sh!t).

Cross draw is one method I would never willingly carry in.

[michael]

Originally Posted by Cold War Scout

In the business I was once in, cross draw offered bandits a great opportunity to draw your gun for you. And I know it works because I did it several times to a close friend (yeah I know it was stupid but when one is young and invincible, one does stupid sh!t).

Cross draw is one method I would never willingly carry in.

I agree with one caveat, that being if you spend a lot of time seated in a vehicle, and you move the pistol before exiting.

The appendix position is the greatest thing since sliced bread, and I wish I had learned it years earlier. After going through ECRG, there is no doubt that it is much faster than strong-side hip, and the arm movement is imperceptible compared to strong side hip. The only drawback are the range nazi's that will not let you use it, but I won't be training with them anyway, so I couldn't care less.

[Guantes]

I completely agree with the initial thoughts in that no one is always alert, few people will pre-emptively act and that taking or reacquiring the initiative is requisite to a successful conclusion to most incidents.

Irrespective of the above, if we take as a given that there are limitations placed on method of carry due to physical makeup and various limitations necessitated by required mode of dress for a percentage of the people, the rest are open to choose the method of carry they prefer.

To the parts of the combat draw, I would add the clearing of the garment.

I fruther agree that the true measure of a starting point is with the hands at the sides. There is also no question that the concealment garment and method worn will affect not only the method of draw, but the time required to accomplish it.

I would like to note a difference between strong side hip and kidney positions of carry. I consider strong side hip in close proximity to 3 o'clock and kidney in the 4-5 o'clock plsition I am not an advocate of the kidney
position.

With the arms at a dead hang the distance from the hand to hip and appendix positions are virtually identical, with cross draw a distant third.

The gun moves to the target. From appendix position the muzzle of the gun must move on two different planes to come on to the target. It must rise to horizontal and it must turn horizontally to come to bear on the target. From the hip position it moves on only one plane, the muzzle rising horizontally to bear on the target.

Similar to cross draw, hip carry can be concealed by an open front garment, while appendix requires a closed front garment. The problem that I have observed herein is that most people use the off hand to clear the garment on appendix to accomplish an expeditious draw. I see this as problematic if the off hand is necessarily engaged with an opponent. To clear the garment with the drawing hand, I believe the nature of the movement inhibits the speed of the draw.

With regard to protecting the gun, I would agree with appendix being superior to kidney in that respect. I don't believe that holds true for hip carry as the arm naturally hangs over the gun, not only protecting it, but perventing "bump frisks".

In grappeling, I believe the hip position provides easy deployment and makes it more difficult for the opponent to attack the gun, in place or during the draw.

As may be gleaned from the foregoing I favor hip carry (3 o'clock). I believe it is faster and protected as well. I will concede that appendix may conceal somewhat better.

[Gabe Suarez]

why are you not discussing a 0300 carry position?

When we look at the way clothes hang on a typical man's body we note that there are several areas where the clothing "overhangs".

These areas are in the front of the waistband area (if chest is more pronounced than belly), and the rear kidney areas (right and left as the shirt hangs off the shoulders.

This provides for some good concealment under a shirt.

The 3:00 and 9:00 positions do not offer than "overhang", and thus a pistol carried there is harder to conceal for most people.

[Paco]

I can see how 3:00 could be a problem for some in theory. I have I found appendix the most comforting to be super sure of discretion. However, nowadays, I have found the 3:00 to be my best all around for a major gun like a G19, G17 or Colt Commander. My right hand hangs right over the gun. Most of the time, I employ an untucked garment covering and my right hand can rest just below the hemline and be on the butt/grip (can't remember which term Col Cooper approves of in a blink. I find it very workable when seated in a car. I also find appendix carry very workable when seated in a car, even belted in. Those are the two superior carry locations IMO.

Far far superior to the 4:00-5:00 I used to employ. That kidney area carry is a relic of my '80's.

[Cold War Scout]

I carried a pistol for 25 years at 4 o'clock. And when I do carry these days, I carry in the same spot without reservation.

[Gary Hartzell]

I decided to give this appendix carry thingy a try today. Used a 642 with a Barami hip grip.

Comfort wise is ok for me. However I have waht Gabe calls a "succesful life body" so there is a little discomfort in certain sitting positions. Car was very very comfortable whiel driving but sitting at a resturant was very uncomfortable due to body position.

Hovever it seems this will be very fast from the draw.

I think for a lot of situations I think I still prefer the 4 o clock position. Especially if i am goign to carry anything bigget than a snubbie.