Wedge on appendix carry holster--purpose?

[OhioGuy]

What is the real purpose of placing a wedge (usually a piece of foam, I think) on an appendix carry holster? Is it more about angling the muzzle away from your leg? I would think it also rotates the grip in closer toward your body which would help some with concealment, but might also make for a harder draw if there's less room for your thumb to get in between your body and the grip...?

"nuther question -- I have a pretty ordinary single-clip kydex holster for my XD subcompact currently. Can I just attach a wedge to the existing holster, or do I have to get some custom and expensive rig? Does anyone sell foam wedges that could attach through Velcro, maybe? With some simple adhesive to keep the backing on the kydex?

I've found a few holsters sold specifically as AIWB...most seem to have these wedges...some have a "claw" sticking out sideways that I assume is meant to rotate the end of the grip inward toward the body?

Thanks!

 

[DubC-Hicks]

The neoprene wedge is designed to tuck the grip in, and make it more comfortable than kydex pressing into your body. I've found it to be more comfortable, but it bulges out the belt line more. I use a JM Custom Kydex Glock 17 AIWB wing claw 2.0 right at my 12:00 without the wedge and love it. The claw helps way more than the wedge.

If you decide you want to try the wedge, JM Custom Kydex sells it. The kit comes with an adhesive backed velcro strip to put it on any holster.

 

[OhioGuy]

Thanks! I just ordered a wedge from them online. Seems worth $20 to see if it works. I'm mostly interested in comfort and angling the muzzle away a little bit. I think a slight rotation of the grip will help with concealment under light shirts. It's an XD subcompact so it's hardly a Glock 17! I'm going back to carrying double stack after a few months of shooting a single stack--it's a GREAT single stack Walther--but I just plain can't shoot it as quickly or accurately as I can a wider gun.

Thanks for the tip!