Middle Of Back Carry? Anyone? - Page 2

QKShooter · June 21st, 2007, 10:08 AM

I don't carry SOB so I don't want to come across as being some sort of super advocate for Small Of Back carry but, I like to keep things realistic.

The last time that I fell over backward was probably when I was two years old.
So I don't think that most "everyday ordinary people" fall over back wards too many time in the course of one lifetime unless they have a serious drinking or drug problem.

When you factor in that not every backward fall is going to damage your spine just because you have a firearm located there and that even if you did end up with a sore back not every backward fall is going to result in any permanent injury....the actual "real world" danger is super minimal.

Normal people just do not fall over backward that often.
So by using some "common sense" and not carrying at a 6:00 location if conditions are "Icy" I'd guess the the "risk" was near zero.

I remember that a friend of mine was late for work and he went running out of his house one winter morning and when he hit the top porch step it was a sheet of ice...his feet went out from under him and his lower back hit the very edge of a concrete step which caused him permanent low back injury.
He was NOT carrying a firearm but, if he was carrying one SOB his spine probably would have been damaged LESS as the actual impact would have been more "spread out" than the sharp corner of the concrete hitting one vertebrae.
Just an added FYI.

Drawing from SOB it's possible to come straight out of the holster and then muzzle to the ground - come to the side of the body and then up...so while it's technically possible to draw from SOB without covering innocent folks and your own body...I'm not sure that I could do it in a SHTF "firearm needed lightning fast" scenario.

My own personal objection to SOB carry is that I feel that re-holstering is potentially more dangerous.

LoveLeather · June 21st, 2007, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by QKShooter

So I don't think that most "everyday ordinary people" fall over back wards too many time in the course of one lifetime unless they have a serious drinking or drug problem.

Normal people just do not fall over backward that often.

Very true...but you must consider that if you are in a scenario where you might need your gun ie: a fight that is escalating into a deadly encounter, then hitting the ground is much more likely. Personally, I'm not that worried about spine injury carrying that way, I just don't because I don't like having my gun behind me...and it stinks for sitting down.

kavity · June 21st, 2007, 01:10 PM

SOB carry seems like a good idea until you fall backwards and paralyze yourself...

Plus it wouldn't be that hard for someone to take the gun from you...at least when its on your side your arm is usually in the way--or can easily be placed in the way.

maclean3 · June 21st, 2007, 01:34 PM

I'm one of those few that actually DO fall quite often. Several reasons that's so but I'll just say ... it only takes once to change your life forever.
Jack

cockedlocked01 · June 21st, 2007, 01:48 PM

My point I was trying to make to the original poster is that I didn't believe he'll get much positive info from people on this forum.

Whether you think you're risking spinal injury or that's it's unsafe to draw from, protect from, or just plain uncomfortable when you sit down, I haven't heard anyone come out & say it's the best way to carry.

Personally, I don't know anyone who's hurt their spine from falling while carrying SOB & I've been in LE for over 14 yrs. I have heard 2nd & 3rd hand stories (& some from members here). Regardless, I too have a back injury that I've been dealing with for the last 4 yrs. (Fractured vertabrae & 4 torn discs), so I wouldn't carry that way.

If you want to, go ahead, but it's just not a popular method of carrying. Typically, people carry strongside "somewhere" around their hip (just in front, at, or behind the hip), & some carry appendix (Like myself for my Kahr PM9, Taurus PT145, & Glock 19). & I imagine there's some that actually carry it crossdraw (Or do when they're driving).

Far be it from me to condemn someone SOB carrying, but it's just not a popular method of carrying, & COULD (In the right circumstances) injure you. Of course, I suppose you could fall on your gun & injure yourself, no matter WHERE you carry.

retsupt99 · June 21st, 2007, 02:31 PM

When I use that method, it IS very comfortable...and it works for me. I don't buy the 'dreaded' spinal injuries...if you carry strong side and slipped on your hip...what?...no injury then?

The last time I fell flat on my back was in college (40 years ago), I'd tell you about it, but I don't remember a thing!

My SOB holster is actually at about 5:00, not over the spine. I can sit, drive, ride my Harley, whatever...no problem. I guess I found that spot in the 'folds'...where the gun hides, and I can get it quickly.

Let my also clarify! I believe that I have seen some OWB/SOB's that I thought were awkward and unsafe for SD reasons. My weapon CANNOT be seen anymore than when I carry IWB/strong side (at 3:30).

Remember, my IWB carry strong side and SOB are only 1.5 hours apart...3:30 swings around to 5:00...I believe that we are experiencing a 'nomenclature' problem here...you have to see it to understand that it works.

Actually, if I were to get into a tussle...I would feel more comfortable with the gun at 5:00 than at 3:30...while rolling around on the ground...but that just isn't going to happen!

I know of several others who use that same carry method also. Printing?...of course it prints if you bend over, just like it prints if you bend to the side with strong side carry...or perhaps, just lift your hands over your head...

I'm very congizant of that fact, I make sure that I DON"T print.

OMO...others certainly vary...

ret

dairycreek · June 22nd, 2007, 04:38 PM

Several years ago I thought that MOB carry would be sexy and heard all the conventional wisdom about injuring the back, uncomfortable carry, etc. But, I went ahead anyway and, much to my surprise, the conventional wisdom was pretty much true when you wore the gun centered over your spine. A real pain in the - - - as it were.
By he way I was carrying a Ruger hammerless SP101 with the 2.25" barrel. One day I just moved the holster a couple of inches to the right (I am right handed) and voila' it turned out to be a safe, comfortable, carry and I used it that way (beteen 4 & 6). As a holster for the middle of the back placement it sucks. As a holster for right of center it has worked well for me.

June 21st, 2007, 10:08 AM	#11
QKShooter Assistant Administrator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Off Of The X Posts: 23,479	I don't carry SOB so I don't want to come across as being some sort of super advocate for Small Of Back carry but, I like to keep things realistic. The last time that I fell over backward was probably when I was two years old. So I don't think that most "everyday ordinary people" fall over back wards too many time in the course of one lifetime unless they have a serious drinking or drug problem. When you factor in that not every backward fall is going to damage your spine just because you have a firearm located there and that even if you did end up with a sore back not every backward fall is going to result in any permanent injury....the actual "real world" danger is super minimal. Normal people just do not fall over backward that often. So by using some "common sense" and not carrying at a 6:00 location if conditions are "Icy" I'd guess the the "risk" was near zero. I remember that a friend of mine was late for work and he went running out of his house one winter morning and when he hit the top porch step it was a sheet of ice...his feet went out from under him and his lower back hit the very edge of a concrete step which caused him permanent low back injury. He was NOT carrying a firearm but, if he was carrying one SOB his spine probably would have been damaged LESS as the actual impact would have been more "spread out" than the sharp corner of the concrete hitting one vertebrae. Just an added FYI. Drawing from SOB it's possible to come straight out of the holster and then muzzle to the ground - come to the side of the body and then up...so while it's technically possible to draw from SOB without covering innocent folks and your own body...I'm not sure that I could do it in a SHTF "firearm needed lightning fast" scenario. My own personal objection to SOB carry is that I feel that re-holstering is potentially more dangerous. __________________ Liberty/Tyranny ___________________________ Ain't That A Shame! Be Happy! *http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OG3u...1&feature=fvwp*

June 21st, 2007, 01:34 PM	#14
maclean3 VIP Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 3,062	I'm one of those few that actually DO fall quite often. Several reasons that's so but I'll just say ... it only takes once to change your life forever. Jack __________________ "The sheep are everywhere. We are raising up a nation of cannon fodder types and we are screwed." HotGuns

June 21st, 2007, 01:48 PM	#15
cockedlocked01 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: S. California Posts: 966	My point I was trying to make to the original poster is that I didn't believe he'll get much positive info from people on this forum. Whether you think you're risking spinal injury or that's it's unsafe to draw from, protect from, or just plain uncomfortable when you sit down, I haven't heard anyone come out & say it's the best way to carry. Personally, I don't know anyone who's hurt their spine from falling while carrying SOB & I've been in LE for over 14 yrs. I have heard 2nd & 3rd hand stories (& some from members here). Regardless, I too have a back injury that I've been dealing with for the last 4 yrs. (Fractured vertabrae & 4 torn discs), so I wouldn't carry that way. If you want to, go ahead, but it's just not a popular method of carrying. Typically, people carry strongside "somewhere" around their hip (just in front, at, or behind the hip), & some carry appendix (Like myself for my Kahr PM9, Taurus PT145, & Glock 19). & I imagine there's some that actually carry it crossdraw (Or do when they're driving). Far be it from me to condemn someone SOB carrying, but it's just not a popular method of carrying, & COULD (In the right circumstances) injure you. Of course, I suppose you could fall on your gun & injure yourself, no matter WHERE you carry. __________________ "Use human means as though divine ones didn't exist, and divine means as though there were no human ones." Baltasar Gracian Integrated Close Combat NRA Member Glock 19, Kahr P45, Kel-Tec P-32, S&W 442, & Dan Wesson 14-2

June 21st, 2007, 02:31 PM	#16
retsupt99 VIP Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Central Florida Posts: 22,747	I Do Sometimes Carry IWB/SOB... When I use that method, it IS very comfortable...and it works for me. I don't buy the 'dreaded' spinal injuries...if you carry strong side and slipped on your hip...what?...no injury then? The last time I fell flat on my back was in college (40 years ago), I'd tell you about it, but I don't remember a thing! My SOB holster is actually at about 5:00, not over the spine. I can sit, drive, ride my Harley, whatever...no problem. I guess I found that spot in the 'folds'...where the gun hides, and I can get it quickly. Let my also clarify! I believe that I have seen some OWB/SOB's that I thought were awkward and unsafe for SD reasons. My weapon CANNOT be seen anymore than when I carry IWB/strong side (at 3:30). Remember, my IWB carry strong side and SOB are only 1.5 hours apart...3:30 swings around to 5:00...I believe that we are experiencing a 'nomenclature' problem here...you have to see it to understand that it works. Actually, if I were to get into a tussle...I would feel more comfortable with the gun at 5:00 than at 3:30...while rolling around on the ground...but that just isn't going to happen! I know of several others who use that same carry method also. Printing?...of course it prints if you bend over, just like it prints if you bend to the side with strong side carry...or perhaps, just lift your hands over your head... I'm very congizant of that fact, I make sure that I DON"T print. OMO...others certainly vary... ret __________________ "That I cannot do." "Give this to, uh, Clemenza. I want reliable people, people who aren't going to be carried away. After all we're not murderers in spite of what this undertaker thinks." *********************************** NRA Life Member

June 22nd, 2007, 04:38 PM	#17
dairycreek Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: North Plains, Oregon Posts: 467	Several years ago I thought that MOB carry would be sexy and heard all the conventional wisdom about injuring the back, uncomfortable carry, etc. But, I went ahead anyway and, much to my surprise, the conventional wisdom was pretty much true when you wore the gun centered over your spine. A real pain in the - - - as it were. By he way I was carrying a Ruger hammerless SP101 with the 2.25" barrel. One day I just moved the holster a couple of inches to the right (I am right handed) and voila' it turned out to be a safe, comfortable, carry and I used it that way (beteen 4 & 6). As a holster for the middle of the back placement it sucks. As a holster for right of center it has worked well for me. __________________ GOOD SHOOTING ALWAYS PROTECT YOUR VISION AND HEARING De gustibus non est disputandem

June 21st, 2007, 01:10 PM	#13
kavity Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Virginia Tech Posts: 591	SOB carry seems like a good idea until you fall backwards and paralyze yourself... Plus it wouldn't be that hard for someone to take the gun from you...at least when its on your side your arm is usually in the way--or can easily be placed in the way.

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