Concealed Carry: The Strong Side

posted on March 23, 2010
2010323172521-strongsiderev_f.jpg

As reflected by increases in firearm sales and CWP applications, more Americans are expressing their 2nd Amendment right to bear arms. This also means more people are now trying to determine the best way to carry a concealed handgun.

There are multiple factors that influence carry method such as the handgun’s size and type, the person’s body shape and clothing worn, and the carrier’s imagination. However, there are a few accepted methods such as ankle, shoulder and strong side. Each of these has its advocates, but strong side (high on the waist near the strong hand) is the preferred method of many experts including American Rifleman Field Editor Wiley Clapp: “There are many ways to carry a gun, but the one that makes the most sense is high on the waist.”

Holster Choices
There are three types of commonly used strong-side holsters: inside-the-waistband (IWB), outside-the-waistband (OWB) and belly band. Each type provides varying degrees of concealment and accessibility.

IWB—Provides good cover via shirt or coat while keeping a handgun accessible, but requires an overly large waistband to allow fit. IWB works best with medium-sized, narrow handguns.
OWB—Keeps a handgun easily accessible, but requires a long cover garment to keep the holster from showing when bending or reaching. OWB allows carry of larger handguns.
Belly Band—Deepest cover for strong side, but handgun must be accessed by pulling up or ripping open the shirt. Belly band carry is best for small to medium polymer handguns as the gun is close to the body and susceptible to sweat.

The Good and the Bad
Regardless of the type of holster, strong-side carry has some definite advantages over other methods. First and foremost, the handgun is easily accessible. There is no reaching across or around the body as the hand is already near the gun. Another strong-side advantage is that it allows the use of the weak arm for close-quarters defense without interfering with the draw. Most importantly, the strong-side draw can be simplified to its most basic motions, which, with practice, creates a very smooth, fast draw. And practice is more readily available since many gun ranges limit how shooters can train from retention (holster), if allowed at all, to strong side for safety.

Of course, every carry method has its disadvantages. Strong-side carry has three distinct problems for shooters, the most significant of which is that it is difficult, if not impossible, to start with a hand on the gun. Lifting the cover garment for the draw almost always reveals the gun to potential threats. The other issues with strong-side carry are “printing” and car carry. Care must be taken to not print (when the cover garment tightens and shows the imprint of the gun) when bending over or reaching for an item. This is especially a problem in summer months when light, airy shirts are the norm. Car carry is difficult because with the gun on the strong side, the cover garment and seatbelt combine to make drawing the gun nearly impossible, but it can be conducted with forethought and practice.

Draw Strong
There are four basic motions to drawing a handgun from the strong side: the grip, the pull, the rock and the extend. Conducted properly, these motions lend themselves to the fast, smooth strong-side draw.

The Grip: Throw the elbow straight back, bring the hand back and grip the handgun firmly with the supporting fingers while keeping the trigger finger straight along the slide, outside of the holster.
The Pull: Pull the gun up and completely out of the holster keeping the trigger finger straight along the slide.
The Rock: Once the gun is clear of the holster, rock the barrel forward toward the target.
The Extend: Extend the gun into shooting position while bringing the support hand up and forward to the gun.

Draw Often
Drawing under stress requires muscle memory created through training and practice, especially if drawing from under a vest, shirt or other cover garment.

The best way to perfect the draw is slowly on a live-fire range with a partner watching for safety and mistakes. Start with smooth, deliberate motions and slowly build up speed. When practicing, keep in mind that slow is smooth and smooth is fast. Build on a smooth draw and speed will come.

If unable to conduct training on a range for lack of time, ammo or availability, you can practice in the privacy of the home. First, unload the firearm and remove all ammunition from the area. Then, practice drawing with slow, sure motions in front of a mirror while watching for mistakes. This will not provide the full experience, but it will improve your draw and provide the muscle memory to make the draw when the chips are down.

Regardless of the carry method, one of the most important factors of making a smooth, practiced draw is consistency in both the motion and the method. Acclaimed holster maker John Bianchi once doled out some excellent advice for concealed-carry advocates: “The same gun, in the same place, all the time, makes the reactive draw second nature.”

Latest

Creedmoor Sports Multi-Caliber Bullet Comparator
Creedmoor Sports Multi-Caliber Bullet Comparator

Preview: Creedmoor Sports Multi-Caliber Bullet Comparator

When loading rounds tailored for a precision rifle, ensuring the bullet is loaded until it sits just off the lands is a crucial component of accuracy. Measuring this distance involves the use of a bullet comparator tool.

Mike Fuljenz Wins Highest Numismatic Honor

Prominent rare-coin and precious-metals dealer Michael Fuljenz of Beaumont, Texas, an NRA Golden Ring of Freedom member, is the 2023 recipient of the Chester L. Krause Distinguished Service Award—the highest honor bestowed by the congressionally chartered American Numismatic Ass’n, the largest organization of coin-collecting enthusiasts in the United States.

Colt's Rarest Clandestine Pistol?

According to advanced Colt collectors, only about 35 or so of the original 400 factory Colt 1911s chambered for .38 Super have surfaced in the United States postwar, with only about a dozen of those remaining in their issued condition with their original finish, and given that the war officially ended on August 14, 1945, and since the OSS was dissolved on October 1, 1945, it isn’t likely any of them were issued before the Armistice. 

New For 2023: Taurus 917C

Taurus is re-introducing a Beretta 92 clone in the form of its 917C, and this compact variant provides a "Commander-sized" option for fans of the DA/SA semi-automatic pistol.

Preview: Springfield Armory Hellcat Pro 17-Round Magazine

Springfield Armory’s Hellcat Pro is a slightly larger, yet still easily carried, version of its micro-compact Hellcat for personal defense, and the gun’s flush-fit magazine capacity was also increased to 15 rounds.

Gun Of The Week: Browning X-Bolt Target Max

Watch American Rifleman staff on the range this week to get a close look at an improved X-Bolt rifle from Browning. The Target Max is the latest iteration of the famed X-Bolt action, and it’s designed for long-range work, thanks to its Target Max customizable stock, adjustable trigger, bull barrel and more.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.