Is anyone familiar with the Belly Band? I've yet to find a comfortable means of carry.

I tried the Belly Band years ago, under my uniform shirt to carry my back-up piece. As I remember, it was an uncomfortably hot and sweaty mess to wear, and after several days of soaking up my perspiration the odor started becoming a problem.

I have one that is now well over 35 years old. It was, at the time, a clever way to hide a small weapon in limited circumstances. When I was working midnight to eight's during summer months, I used to go to the beach when I got off duty. I found the bellyband to be a pretty good "on the body" device for wear under my swimming trunks while I snoozed for a few hours on the beach. Aside from that, I never used it much otherwise because it was uncomfortable to wear for prolonged periods of time under a gunbelt. There just wasn't any cushion barrier between the weapon or acessory pockets and ones anatomy. I agree with Ray that eventually they do absorb perspiration and have to be laundered. Over time washing degrades the elastic and the velcro closures, a dryer will kill it in no time. On the other hand they are (were) cheap enough to be disposable. I never really found them to be more useful in any other circumstance. Hope this helps.

Cheers;
Lefty

Yep! You talked me out of it. I guess I'll stay with the pancake. Thanks

My belly band is over twenty years old now and I doubt if I have worn it more than a dozen times. I find it works best (for me) with small pistols only and even then it becomes uncomfortable after just a few hours. This is not my first choice for concealed carry by any means.

I sometimes use the belly band for my Walters PPK .380. It is great under a sweat shirt or other outer garment. Also, I use some form of a t-shirt under my outer garment to absorb the persperation. I purchased it many years ago and use it periodically. The elastic has stretched a little but still usable. It has a pouch in the back for an extra magazine and two pockets for a small frame auto or j-frame revolver. It is just another means of carry to add to the wardrobe of holsters. You will not be disappointed and the cost is minimal.

Nick

I've had a Bianchi bellyband for about 13 years. I used it mainly with my 640-1 although I carried K,L and even N-Frame revolvers in it occasionally, under tucked in shirts without a problem. I also used it with my Glock 27.
The mistake most users make when they get one is they don't use it properly. If you look at ads in gun magazines it shows it being worn around the belly. The proper place to wear it is at belt level. I had the butt of the gun at the same place behind my hip as I carried when I carried IWB. This was extremely comfortable for me, I once carried the 640-1 and a Speed Strip that way under a tucked in shirt for 17 hours, and literally forgot it was there. It can also be used with the gun in front, but I didn't find that comfortable. The shirt obviously has to be bloused or the gun will print. This is an excellent way to carry if you are wearing a suit and may have to take off your jacket. If it is done properly, it is extremely comfortable.

I agree with what the other guys have said about belly bands. I've had a belly band for well over a year and can count on one hand the amount of times that I needed to use it. This was based on the type of ("dress") clothes I was wearing and where I was going. Keep in mind that the "deeper" the concealment, the longer it will take to access and present your SD weapon, when necessary. Like anything else, if you decide on getting one, make sure you have a plan on how to use it, then practice, practice, practice...unloaded, of course.

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MotorCityGun

Hi:
I used a "Belly Band". Secret is a undershirt between the skin and belly band. I have alway wore a white "Hayes" T-shirt under my outer shirt.
"On Duty" I wore the belly band around my vest. Negative problems.
Jimmy

The "BellyBand" was not something new during the 70's. Long, long before nylon and velcro models, it was done much like a ladies truss, with a shoelace tie closure up front. One of Chic Gaylord's early ankle rigs (c. 1940) was constructed much the same way, except it was leather with heavy felt padding. The distinction though, was the (lambs wool/shearling) padding he used for the belly rig, which made it tolerable to wear for hours. However, the fashions were very different back then and easier to hide the piece. I don't know how a T-shirt could make such a significant difference in felt comfort as the other posters claim, but I will tell you that it made no difference to me at all when I tried it with the nylon type. I carried a PPK from time to time and there were alot of sharp edges at the rear of the slide/frame that were agonizing after many hours. I believe it (the bellyband) is an option as a "special use" design for very limited circumstances and that your own personal body type and size will dictate it's usefullness and level of felt comfort. It's not a 24/7 design and it wasn't ever meant to be.

Cheers;
Lefty

I have worn a bellyband off and on for about 15 years. I have had Bianchi and others. Several years a go I bought a Galco Underwraps. It is far more comfortable than any I have ever tried. I feel it is more secure than most. I also wear a t shirt with it most of the time.

I want to thank everyone for your input. The two I usually carry are a .45 SA or a .38 revolver. It sounds to me the .380 is best for the band, but that's my wife's gun. So I guess I'll make do with my galco pancake. I just need to ware it and get use to it. Anyone have experience with a shoulder holster?

I have several of the things. They work and that is the good part. As others stated, they become uncomfortable, iritate the skin, are hot on even a cool day but they do work.

But buy one anyway. Most all of those here have bought at least one at gun shows. Of course, we have bought a lot of things in the way of holsters, accessories, chemicals and gadgets that we found did not work as expected and now collects dust in the cabinets.

Hi:
I wore a Galco "Miami Classic" shoulder holster for a long period of time. Liked it. Many advanages. Two advanages were 1. easy on-easy off.
2. weapon, extra ammo, and handcuffs were in one unit. In a late night/early morning emergency call out-slip on-ready to go.
Another advanage for me was sitting down in a public rest room the weapon was still on your person.
Jimmy

Don't have one so that will probably be my next investment. Thanks