Moving to the big city comes with its share of adjustments. New restaurants to try, new trails to explore, new laws and building codes, and, for me, a new appreciation for pocket and appendix carry setups.
Having grown up in the Ozark hills of southwestern Missouri, carrying a gun on your hip was pretty commonplace. My high school even still taught outdoor education, complete with hunter’s ed, shotgun sports, and competitive archery. A program that, I think, should exist in every school, but that’s a story for another day.
I grew up with that small-town feel, the quiet countryside, and darn-near non-existent crime. Well, violent crime, at least.
One could open carry a six-shooter in a shoulder holster, a Glock 17 on the hip, or even ride your horse through town with your lever gun tucked neatly in a saddle scabbard, and no one batted an eye. Yeah, it was that kind of town.
The biggest threat was ol’ Ike’s steer getting loose again or a few scraggly teens tokin’ it up in the woods by the city park.
But now, living in the suburbs of Kansas City, a city of half a million, things are a tad bit different. And with all those people, some of them pretty scummy, the crime map lights up like a damn Christmas tree.
Unlike my hometown, crime stats and local news stories become a real part of daily life and careful route planning. You start paying attention to lighting in parking garages and exits in crowded restaurants. You notice how tightly packed people get on the KC Streetcar (don’t even get me started on the bus lines), and you’re keenly aware of the man at the back of the tram having an entire conversation with someone who’s not there.
It’s uncomfortable; you’re hyper-vigilant. And in an environment like this, your choice of carry position and holster makes all the difference.
Let’s break it down a bit.
Why Concealed Carry Beats Open Carry (Especially in the City)
Open carry in a major city is… a choice. A bold one. One that’s legal in many places, sure. But advisable? Not really, no. I wouldn’t do it, at least.
Concealed carry is significantly more advantageous in urban, big-city life. You blend in. You don’t advertise.
And let’s be honest, you don’t want to give anyone a reason to size you up, whether it’s a criminal looking for an easy mark or someone with a political axe to grind. Concealed carry puts you in control of the narrative. The element of surprise isn’t just a tactical advantage; it’s a way to move through your day without the unnecessary attention or potential drama.
It’s also worth considering how unpredictable public spaces can be. You might start your afternoon grabbing a coffee, and before you know it, you’re caught in the middle of a protest, a road rage incident, or someone’s personal meltdown on a street corner. The last thing you need in those moments is to be the one person visibly armed, instantly becoming a focal point. For better or for worse.
Going Incognito
With concealed carry, you remain an unknown variable, which is exactly where you want to be in a dynamic situation.
Beyond that, personal security and weapon retention in a crowded area becomes a serious issue when your new Springfield Echelon or G17 is just hanging out in plain sight. It’s one thing to open carry at a buddy’s farm or while pedaling those backcountry roads of my hometown.
Out there, people either don’t care or they’re packing, too.
But it’s a whole ‘nother story to try it at a music festival down at the Crossroads district, or a packed Chiefs tailgate. One that’s ill-advised… for everyone’s sake.
I’ve seen it firsthand, too. I’ve been the guy who, out of a busy BBQ joint on the Missouri/Kansas border, immediately picked out the individual with the Taurus G2 on his hip. I watched him and kept my distance.
Not because I was scared, or that he was doing anything of questionable legality. I just wanted to make sure that in the event something went sideways, I knew where he was and that I was as far away from him as possible. Because if I noticed him, surely others did, too.
And in that scenario, I felt it made him more of a target, not an asset. Again, there’s nothing wrong with open carry if that’s what you want to do. And of course, uniformed LEOs don’t have much of a choice, so they’re naturally exempt from any open-carry complaint.
But as an open-carrying civilian or off-duty officer, read the room. Know the risks. Personally, it’s not my jam, and I fancy concealed carry with a decent appendix carry or pocket carry holster over open carry any day. But as always, know your local carry laws.
Appendix Carry: Close, Comfortable, and Quick
Once considered borderline reckless by some old-school types, appendix carry has had a bit of a renaissance over the last decade or so. It’s kind of become the method of choice, really. And I get it. Done right, it offers fast access, excellent concealment, and decent comfort.
Appendix carry solves a lot of problems in an urban carry environment. The gun sits at the front of your waistband, typically around the one o’clock position, which makes it easier to conceal with your everyday attire. It works just as well with shorts and cut-off tees as it does with jeans and a flannel. It also speeds up your draw, since your hands naturally fall toward your centerline under stress.
I can tell you from experience that there’s something reassuring about knowing your heat piece is within immediate reach while walking the busy center city streets, meandering through alleyways, or navigating mass transit systems. That, and in the event of a scuffle, I find it faster and easier to draw inconspicuously from the appendix position than, say, the cross-draw, ankle, or even, in some cases, the strong-side position.
Not everyone’s cup of tea
Granted, appendix carry isn’t for everyone. It takes some getting used to, and you’ll probably tweak your belt position, holster ride height, and wardrobe choices before you really get comfortable with it. And figuring out how to sit comfortably with an appendix holster can be a learning curve on its own.
But when it comes to staying strapped while in the big city, it makes a ton of sense.
That said, the gear you choose makes or breaks the experience. I’ve run a rotation of appendix rigs over the last few years as I’ve adapted to big city life, and while I’ve tried everything from the Alien Gear ShapeShift to the Tier 1 Concealment APX holster, I’ve found three that have earned their keep with permanent spots in my rotation: Safariland’s Schema, Species, and, my personal favorite, the near-perfect Incog X.
You can read more about those holsters (and more) here.
Pocket Carry: Old-School Concealment
Not surprisingly, there are days when even the most low-profile AIWB setup feels like too much. Even though I look a little rough around the edges, I’m a business guy and enjoy formal social events from time to time, complete with slim-fit suit jackets and tucked-in shirts. So, naturally, a more traditional IWB/AIWB holster is kind of out of the cards for me. In those moments, I lean on one of the oldest and most overlooked methods of concealed carry: pocket carry.
It’s not tactical or flashy, and it’s not always the pragmatic choice. But, a good snub-nose revolver or a micro-compact 9mm in a quality pocket holster can be practically invisible and still give you a fighting chance if things go sideways.
Limited Options
For me, pocket carry started with a Smith & Wesson 642 Airweight, and for a while, it was my go-to pocket piece. Five rounds of .38 Special isn’t much, but it’s better than nothing, I figured.
And in those scenarios where discretion was more valuable than firepower, it made sense. The key was finding the right holster. Those cheap, floppy nylon options print like crazy, shift around as you walk, and tend to fall apart fairly quickly. But with the Safariland Inside-the-Pocket holster, it kept the revolver upright, broke up the outline, and stayed put. Nice and secure in my pocket, even as I drew the gun.
Friggin’ game-changer.
Lately, though, micro-compacts have changed the pocket carry game. Pistols like the Springfield Hellcat and G43 cram 10, 13, and even 15 rounds of 9mm into a package little larger than that little S&W snubbie. The extra capacity is a big win, but it’s how well they disappear with a good pocket holster that caught my attention. With the right setup, it’s pretty easy to pack some serious heat with your fellow urbanites none the wiser. That’s a huge advantage.
Sure, there are trade-offs to pocket carry. Reloads can be a bit slower. Not every pair of shorts or pants is up to the task. And I suppose it means a bad guy can also conceal a gun a little more easily, too. But when it’s 95 degrees out and you’re in a T-shirt and athletic shorts, or rubbing elbows with the who’s who of the big city at some formal event, pocket carry is hard to beat.
Like appendix carry, pocket carry is about adapting to your surroundings. It’s not my go-to every day, but it fills a specific need, and honestly, that need comes up a lot more often in big city life than I ever expected.
Adapt & React: Final Thoughts
If there’s one lesson I’ve learned while carrying in Kansas City, it’s that your environment shapes your carry style. What worked on the sleepy streets of my old hometown wasn’t gonna cut it here in the city. Bigger crowds, tighter spaces, and a higher chance of unexpected encounters mean you need a setup that’s secure, safe, and discreet.
Appendix carry and pocket carry each have their place, complete with their own sets of advantages and drawbacks. And with the right holsters, such as the Schema, Species, Incog X, and Safariland’s pocket rigs, you can tailor your EDC setup to fit your daily needs. Don’t shy away from shaking things up a bit and breaking away from what you’re used to. When life throws you a curveball, you adapt, right? The same should be true with your concealed carry setup.
Just be sure to abide by all local laws and ordinances.
So here’s my call to action: take a good, hard look at your carry gear. Think about where you live, where you travel, and what you might realistically have to deal with. You might find it’s time for a loadout upgrade. Take it in stride, but be willing to make some changes. Your life might just depend on it.
