The Best Position for Concealed Carry 

Carrying a concealed firearm is a personal decision, and so is the position you choose to carry it in. With so many options available, it’s natural to ask, “What’s the best position for concealed carry?” The short answer is it depends. 

The right carry position for you comes down to three key factors; concealability, comfort, and accessibility. What works great for one person might not be a good fit for another based on body type and mechanics. How you like to dress and the holster you choose also play a role. 

In this guide, we’ll examine the most common concealed carry positions, outline the strengths of each, and help you better understand which might fit your needs and preferences best.

What Makes a Carry Position Work?

Before getting into your carry options, consider the three factors that are most important to safe and efficient concealed carry. 

Concealability

Can you keep your firearm hidden without ‘printing’ (when your clothing or other concealing garment reveals the shape of a concealed firearm, it’s called “printing”)? Are you able to move around, bend down, sit, stand, or do other activity without revealing the firearm? Some positions are easier to conceal under light clothing than others. While you won’t mind tossing on a large jacket during the winter months, you’ll want to dress more lightly during summer. 

Choose a concealed carry position that works throughout the year. Otherwise, you’ll have to adjust to different wardrobes and carry positions as the seasons change. While that may not seem like a big deal, it can impact your proficiency with drawing your firearm. In an emergency, you don’t want to reach for your usual carry spot, only to realize that you slid it over 5-6 inches to adapt to a different season. 

Comfort

Will you be comfortable carrying for hours, or while doing daily tasks like driving, walking, and sitting? If a holster pinches, digs, or feels awkward, you’re less likely to carry consistently.

With that in mind, consider your body type and the size of your frame before purchasing a concealed carry weapon. If you are a smaller person or have a petite frame, you may need a compact or subcompact firearm. On the other hand, if you have a large frame, you may feel comfortable concealing a larger weapon. 

Accessibility

How quickly and safely can you draw your firearm? A position that is hidden and comfortable won’t help much if you can’t get your weapon in a time of need. Your body mechanics are unique. With that in mind, you should experiment with different carry positions and practice drawing from them (with an UNLOADED firearm, of course). 

8 Concealed Carry Options

Now that you know the most important factors to consider, take a look at your concealed carry location options. 

1. Inside the Waistband (IWB) Carry

The name of this carry position is self-explanatory: it’s carrying the firearm inside of your waistband. Your firearm rests completely against your body, and the grip is typically covered by your shirt, jacket, or other outer clothing. IWB holsters typically have clips which will extend over your belt or waistband to keep the holster and firearm from falling into your pants.

The benefits of this position are:

• Excellent concealment under a shirt or jacket
• Works with many types of outfits
• Keeps the firearm close to your body

Things to consider with the IWB approach are:

• You may need one pant size larger for comfort
• The firearm can dig into your side when sitting or bending
• Comfort depends on holster quality and your body shape 

The IWB approach is ideal for everyday carriers who want to balance concealability and accessibility. However, it may not be the most comfortable option if you will be sitting for long periods or going for an extended drive. 

2. Outside the Waistband (OWB) Carry

The outside-the-waistband approach positions your firearm in many of the same areas as the IWB option. The obvious difference is that the holster is outside your waistband instead of between it and your body. 

The key benefits of the OWB approach are:

• Optimal accessibility and comfort 
• The ability to draw smoothly and quickly
• Compatibility with full-size handguns

Some things to consider:

• More difficult to conceal without a long or oversized shirt
• May require wardrobe adjustments

If you are going to try the OWB approach, make sure you invest in a quality holster and belt. 

3. Appendix Inside the Waistband (AIWB) Carry

Appendix carry is one of the most popular variations of the IWB. Your firearm will be holstered at the front of your waistband, roughly at the 1 to 2 o’clock position (if you’re right-handed). 

The pros to this approach are:

• Quick, natural-feeling access
• Easier to protect your firearm from being grabbed or dislodged
• Can be concealed with light clothing

Some things to consider:

• Not comfortable for everyone
• Some people feel uneasy about the muzzle direction
• Requires a sturdy holster with complete trigger guard coverage

Appendix carry is ideal for someone who is experienced with proper holster and draw safety techniques. It provides great accessibility. 

4. Hip Carry (IWB or OWB)

The hip carry option involves positioning the firearm directly on your hip. The weapon and holster will be at around the 3 o’clock position for right-handed shooters and the 9 o’clock position for left-handed shooters. 

The strengths are:

• A natural, intuitive draw option
• Can work well with IWB or OWB
• Familiar for those with military or law enforcement backgrounds 

Some things to consider:

• Harder to conceal, especially OWB, without a jacket or oversized shirt
• Possibly uncomfortable when seated in a vehicle

Hip carry is ideal if you prioritize accessibility and don’t mind adjusting your clothing choices to keep the weapon concealed. 

5. Small of Back Carry

As the name suggests, this carry option positions the firearm along your spine in the 6 o’clock position. 

Some benefits of this option are:

• Easily concealable under fitted clothing
• Out of sight, even when reaching or bending

Things to consider before using the small of back carry approach:

• Hard to reach when seated or driving
• Drawing requires good shoulder and arm mobility
• May be slower to draw

The small of back carry approach is great for concealability for occasional carry. Just make sure you understand and are proficient with the draw mechanics involved. 

6. Crossdraw Carry

The crossdraw position involves holstering your firearm on your non-dominant hand side. This means you’ll use a crossdraw movement (reaching from right to left or vice versa) to draw your firearm. 

The benefits are:

• Increased comfort when seated or driving
• Good option if you have limited mobility

Some things to consider before trying the crossdraw are:

• May be a different draw motion than you’re used to
• Can flag yourself during the draw without proper technique
• Requires lots of practice 

The crossdraw option can be beneficial if you’ll be driving for long periods and do not want the holster pressing against your seat belt buckle. 

7. Off-Body Carry

Off-body carry refers to different methods where your firearm is stored in a separate object, not on your person. 

Some off-body carry options are:

• Shoulder holster
• Fanny pack
• Backpack or sling bag
• Briefcase
• Purse

Shoulder holsters and fanny packs are secured to your body, so the risk of forgetting your firearm is much lower. 

On the other hand, setting down a backpack or briefcase that contains a handgun can be very risky. There is a chance you could become separated from your weapon. Remember, you are responsible for the firearm at all times, even if it is in a briefcase or backpack. 

8. Pocket Carry

If you have a small firearm, you could place it in a holster inside your front or cargo pocket. 

The strengths of this approach include:

• Excellent concealability
• Very comfortable for compact firearms
• Great for casual dress or summer carry

Some things to consider are:

• Slower draw speed
• Can’t put other items in the same pocket
• Only practical with small firearms

Pocket carry is ideal if you prefer a lightweight, no-fuss option. However, pocket pistols are typically chambered in a smaller caliber and have lower capacities. 

Honorable Mentions 

There are a couple of other carry positions worth mentioning. An ankle or boot carry is ideal for backup guns or deep concealment. This method is often used by law enforcement or armed security. 

Bra carry involves a special holster that allows a weapon to be carried under the chest area.

These niche options aren’t right for everyone. One of the mainstream carry options will be the best fit for most shooters. 

Which Carry Position Is Best for Concealability?

Off-body carry options tend to offer the best concealability. For instance, carrying your firearm in a fanny pack eliminates the risk of printing or accidentally revealing the weapon when moving, turning, or bending. 

Which Carry Position Is Best for Comfort?

Comfort is highly subjective, but off-body and OWB tend to stand out. With these, there’s nothing pressing against your body and no grip sticking into your side. If you prefer an IWB carry option, try different positions and angles until you find the most comfortable variation for you. 

Which Carry Position Is Best for Accessibility? 

Outside the waistband is the clear leader here. The draw is simple and fast. You won’t have to worry about the weapon getting hung up on your belt or waistband. If you are drawing from a seated position, the appendix carry approach works well. 

The Best Overall Concealed Carry Position

While this may be different based on body type, mobility, and body mechanics for you individually, generally, the position which will be good at all 3 factors (accessibility, comfort, and concealability) is some form of IWB carry, either appendix or hip. Whichever position you end up choosing for yourself, we strongly recommend practicing your draw and spending time dry firing.

Concealed Carry 101

Carrying a concealed firearm allows you to exercise your Second Amendment rights while protecting yourself and your loved ones from harm. When exercising this right, there are multiple factors you need to consider:

• Safety
• Legality
• Accessibility
• Comfort
• Concealability

You must always prioritize safety (both yours and that of others) when carrying, using, and storing your firearm. Choosing the right concealed carry position and investing in a quality holster helps you promote safety and maintain control over your weapon. 

Hopefully, you will never need to use your firearm in a real-world self-defense scenario. Most people don’t. However, if you find yourself in a life-or-death scenario that justifies the use of a firearm, you need to be able to access the weapon quickly. How you carry your concealed firearm will directly impact the smoothness and speed of your draw.

Do I Need a Permit?

Many states do not require a permit in order to carry a concealed firearm. These states are known as “constitutional carry” states. Some states, however, require a permit or license in order to carry a concealed firearm on one’s person.

Nevada requires you to have a concealed carry permit to carry a concealed firearm. NRS Chapter 202 lays out the criteria, which are as follows:

• Be a resident of Nevada and the county in which the permit is sought
• Be 21 years of age or older
• Not be prohibited from possessing a firearm 
• Demonstrate competency with a firearm

To meet the last criterion, you must take an approved Nevada CCW permit class. The course will include a classroom portion and a live-fire portion. You must pass both portions before applying for your concealed carry license. 

Nevada is also a shall-issue state, meaning the county sheriff in your home county is required to issue a concealed carry permit to any applicant who meets all eligibility criteria. For context, may-issue states have discretion when deciding whether to issue a permit, even if the applicant meets all requirements. 

Even though a permit is required for concealed carry, Nevada allows you to open carry a firearm without a permit, according to the Nevada Bar.