If we compare the body to a clock with the navel being at 12 o’clock, the small of the back carry places the handgun at 6 o’clock.

I’m right-handed and I have determined by trying different positions that if I were to carry small of the back style, I would want the handgun closer to 5 o’clock and the grip at 4:30 to 4:40 o’clock.

Some would also prefer the holster to lie horizontally along the belt, with the grip going up their back instead of down. That way they can easily reach behind and grip the pistol with the palm of their hand facing their back. The draw would come around the hip with the muzzle of the handgun at about a 45-degree angle and the wrist staying straight as the gun is pushed straight ahead toward the target.

Like myself, they find that the draw is more comfortable and fluid when drawn with the palm facing the body during the entire motion. However, having the handgun horizontal, on top of the belt, makes the gun point at anything or anyone that is immediately to the shooter’s weak side while holstered, and that concerns me.

However, I have never carried small of the back style. I have simply tried to see how it would work best for me.

If my impression is correct, small of the back, or S.O.B., carry is more prevalent than many people realize. It is a reasonably popular method of carry for law enforcement officers, particularly as a method of carrying a backup gun.

But there are several disadvantages to S.O.B. carry as I see it.

1. I find that drawing from the small of the back position requires a longer arm motion, and unless the handgun is horizontal, it is a little awkward to grasp the grip and pull the handgun toward the strong side hip.

2. When carrying concealed, and the wearer bends over, the bulge in the small of the back is noticeable.

3. If one is grabbed from behind, it is very difficult to draw the handgun.

4. When sitting down in a chair or in an automobile, S.O.B. carry is uncomfortable as it pushes the gun into the back close to the spine.

5. Re-holstering takes longer, particularly if you have to snap a retention strap over the handgun.

6. The gun rides close to where most people carry their wallet and retrieving the wallet become a chore unless the wallet is moved somewhere else.

7. With the gun so close to one’s spine, a fall can slam the gun into the spine and cause serious injury to the spine or kidneys.

8. If one wants to carry a large frame revolver or semi-auto pistol in the small of the back it won’t be as comfortable as a smaller frame gun.

S.O.B. carry also has some advantages that people like really like.

1. From the front the gun simply disappears when wearing clothing like a suit jacket or loose fitting shirt over the handgun.

2. If the wearer is standing or walking, the gun is hard to discern.

3. In winter, more clothes conceal S.O.B. really well, although it makes accessing the handgun a little more difficult and slower.

4. S.O.B. is pretty comfortable while walking or standing during the day.

If you choose S.O.B. carry, there are several ways to do it.

If you wish to carry the gun concealed in an “in waistband holster,” the small of the back position shouldn’t be too uncomfortable while sitting if the gun is a small frame revolver or semi-auto.

You can also carry the gun in a horizontal position outside the waistband with the grip facing the wearer’s strong side. However, with holsters of this type there must be strong retention to keep the gun in the holster until the wearer wants to retrieve it.

Given the challenges of comfort, the draw and the potential for injury to the spine, S.O.B. may not be the best concealed carry method, which is why some people only carry S.O.B. when they are wearing a backup gun. In that regard, there may be more preferable options such as a shoulder holster or ankle holster.

I realize that my opinion concerning S.O.B carry is only my opinion, but I was never able to become very fond of it.

Smokey Merkley was raised in Idaho and has been hunting since he was 10 years old. He was a member of the faculty of Texas A&M University for 25 years. There he taught orienteering, marksmanship, self-defense, fencing, scuba diving and boxing. He was among the first DPS-certified Texas Concealed Handgun Instructors. He can be contacted at mokeydo41245@hotmail.com.