The Tactical U Standard: No Free Lunch

At Tactical U, we do not teach carry positions as preferences.

We teach them as mechanical trade-offs.

Every carry position solves one problem while creating another. There is no universally “best” option—only solutions that work for specific anatomy, environments, and constraints.

Your body type, daily movement patterns, time spent seated versus standing, and concealment requirements dictate whether a given carry position produces access—or failure.

I. Appendix Inside-the-Waistband (AIWB)

Carrying at the 12 o’clock to 1 o’clock position.

The Pros

● Access Speed: Shortest path of travel for the hands to the firearm.

● Defensive Security: The firearm remains in the frontal “workbox,” making it easier to protect during physical contact.

● Accessibility: More accessible with either hand and often more viable while seated, depending on belt, holster, and abdominal geometry.

The Cons

● Anatomic Sensitivity: Highly dependent on pelvic tilt, abdominal mass, and torso length. For some body types, the grip is mechanically buried.

● Muzzle Direction: The muzzle is oriented toward the femoral arteries and pelvic floor, demanding absolute trigger-finger discipline during holstering.

● Mechanical Sensitivity: Requires specific holster geometry (claws, wedges, ride height) to prevent grip rotation or collapse.

AIWB is not forgiving. When it works, it works exceptionally well. When it doesn’t, it fails early in the draw sequence.

II. Strong-Side Inside-the-Waistband (IWB)

Carrying at the 3 o’clock to 5 o’clock position (right-handed shooters).

The Pros

● Comfort: Generally tolerable for a wider range of body types, especially during prolonged standing.

● Muzzle Orientation: The muzzle is oriented away from the body’s midline during draw and holstering.

● Motor Familiarity: Leverages a reach-back motion familiar to many shooters.

The Cons

● Telegraphing: The elbow-up motion required for a clean draw is visually obvious from the front.

● One-Hand Limitation: Access with the non-dominant hand is extremely difficult.

● Seated Inaccessibility: Vehicle seats and chair backs frequently compress the holster, blocking access entirely.

Strong-side IWB trades concealment comfort for access consistency—especially in seated or entangled environments.

III. Outside-the-Waistband (OWB)

The Pros

● Mechanical Reliability: The holster is not compressed by the waistband, allowing consistent Master Grip acquisition.

● Low Friction: Reduced resistance during extraction.

● Training Standard: At Tactical U, OWB is the preferred starting point for foundational training to ensure safety before concealed carry transitions.

The Cons

● Concealment Demand: Requires substantial cover garments. Printing is difficult to avoid in light clothing.

● Retention Exposure: Increased vulnerability to rearward gun grabs due to external holster profile.

OWB offers the most reliable mechanics but the least concealment flexibility.

The Circumstance Variable: Anatomy and Environment

A 150-lb shooter and a 300-lb shooter cannot use the same mechanical solution.

Neither can a person who spends eight hours a day driving and someone who works on foot.

Tactical U Principle:

Do not choose a carry position based on trends or aesthetics. Choose the position that allows you to establish a Master Grip under the friction of your actual life.

If you cannot access the gun reliably, the draw sequence never begins.

Training & Application

Carry position must be validated—not assumed.

● Concealed Draw Mechanics Pillar

Review the 6-Phase Diagnostic Framework.

● Interactive Gunfighting

Test access against a moving, resisting adversary.

● Pistol Courses Hub

Foundational and advanced training in South Florida.

Author

Stephen L. Cohen

Founder & Lead Instructor, Tactical U Firearms Training

Operating in South Florida since 2010, Stephen L. Cohen is a law-enforcement-certified firearms instructor with over three decades of experience training law enforcement, military, security professionals, and responsible armed civilians in technical weapon handling, decision-making under stress, and post-incident risk management.

Instructor Bio & Credentials: https://www.tacticalu.com/stephen-cohen/

 

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Basic Pistol Course in Miami, FL | NRA Handgun Fundamentals Training.