How We Actually Conceal Carry IWB & Train

Intro and Concealed Carry Focus

Eliza and Jason welcome instructor Daniel Richardson from Richardson Precision and Training to discuss practical concealed carry work. The focus for this session is appendix inside-the-waistband carry and how people actually carry day to day. Richardson explains that they will look at typical concealed carry positions, with an emphasis on appendix, and compare performance to previous open carry drills. The goal is to improve draw-to-first-shot times from concealment while maintaining control and consistency. The group sets up to run structured drills that highlight how everyday concealment affects access to the handgun and how to address those challenges through training.

Baseline One-Shot Drill from Concealment

The group begins with a simple one-shot drill from concealment to establish baseline times. Each shooter runs three timed draws from concealment to a single shot on target. Richardson notes that many people never practice speed from concealment even though that is how they actually carry. He emphasizes solving problems like clearing garments under time pressure. Jason and Eliza run several reps, with times in the 1.1 to 1.5 second range and some issues with grip consistency. Richardson points out that their concealed times are not far off their open carry benchmarks, setting a solid starting point for improvement.

Dry Fire and Garment Clearance Fundamentals

After the initial live runs, Richardson has them unload and move to dry fire to isolate garment clearance. He explains that simply trying to move the hands faster is not the answer; the key is defeating concealment efficiently. Many people just grab and yank the cover garment with no plan, which leads to inconsistent access and slower draws. He instructs them to focus on a deliberate clearance method before worrying about the shot. The shooters practice dry, working only on clearing the shirt and establishing a clean path to the pistol, with no ammunition involved. The emphasis is on repeatable mechanics rather than speed alone.

Appendix Carry Clearance Methods

Richardson demonstrates several specific clearance techniques for appendix carry. First, he shows a simple “C” hand method: form a C with the hand, use the body’s centerline as a reference, slide the fingers under the shirt, and let the garment rest in the fingers without gripping. Activating the fingers toward the body lifts the shirt with minimal effort, avoiding snags from aggressively grabbing fabric. He then addresses issues with clips and recommends starting the clearance slightly to one side where there is slack. Next, he introduces a more discreet stance with one hand over the other, using the lower hand to quietly stage fingers under the shirt so the draw can begin from a natural-looking posture while keeping both hands working together.

Additional Clearance Options and Multi-Layer Clothing

To give them backup options, Richardson adds a thumb-driven clearance method suited for multiple layers like hoodies or heavier outerwear. With fingers closed and the thumb activated, the hand starts on the side opposite the gun, works under the shirt, and drives across the body up to the chest. This “judo chop” style motion opens a large space, clearing shirts, jackets, and even magazine caddies before the hand drops to the grip. He stresses avoiding a lazy thumb and ensuring the thumb is engaged to generate power through the layers. The idea is to have several reliable techniques so the shooter can adapt garment clearance to different clothing setups rather than relying on a single method that may not work in every situation.

Choosing Preferred Clearance Techniques

After working through three main clearance methods, Richardson asks which techniques feel most natural. Jason prefers coming straight in from the front with the C-hand style motion, finding the thumb-driven sweep to be extra movement for his usual clothing. He notes that he often wears an undershirt and needs to ensure both layers clear consistently. Richardson explains that the thumb method is particularly useful when a thick hoodie or single outer layer covers the pistol, and that shooters should maintain at least one alternative method for different attire. Eliza agrees that the efficient front clearance method works well and acknowledges its effectiveness. Richardson credits the approach to Scott from Modern Samurai Project and highlights how quickly it can work when executed correctly.

Live Fire: Applying Clearance to Speed Draws

The group transitions back to live fire to apply the refined clearance techniques at speed. Richardson reminds them that his shot timer is set and that they will run individually. Eliza goes first, aiming to match or beat her open carry times while drawing from concealment. Her runs quickly drop into the low 1.1-second range, with a best time around 1.02 seconds after correcting earlier grip issues. Richardson then has Jason step up. Jason’s first runs are in the 1.06 to 1.07 second range, and he eventually posts a 0.99-second draw-to-first-shot time with an alpha hit centered on the target. Richardson points out that Jason’s movement does not look frantic, illustrating how efficient mechanics can produce very fast times without appearing rushed.

Pushing for Additional Speed Through Efficiency

With strong times already established, Richardson challenges them to increase speed by about 10 percent while maintaining control. He emphasizes that the improvement should not come from simply moving the arms faster but from cleaner, more consistent garment clearance and draw mechanics. Jason runs additional reps, focusing on smooth clearance and a straight path to the grip. Times remain close to his earlier performance, with draws around 1.06 to 1.23 seconds and accurate hits, including a shot to the facial area of the target. Richardson reinforces that the goal is to live at this improved pace, using efficiency in clearing concealment and building the grip to generate speed rather than sacrificing technique for raw quickness.