Belly Band holster

Kensterfly · Dec 30, 2013

Do any of you have, and use, a belly band holster. Please tell me what you like and don't like about it. I recently bought my 10-5 snubby carry gun and will be taking my Texas CCL this weekend. My gun came with an Uncle Mike OWB holster but I'll be wanting to conceal better than that. IWB, pocket holster, belly band?
I'm thinking I want something that will be easy to slip on, like an IWB with just a belt clip. Something that is quick and easy and doesn't require you to lace it through a belt.

I don't have the funds to buy a dozen holsters for experimentation. What are your suggestions?

Thanks!

haywood · Dec 30, 2013

I have 2 belly band holsters. I don't use them that often. I think they would be too hot for Texas. A in the waist holster with metal clip is my normal carry. The most I use the belly band for is a back brace. I also pocket carry with a pocket holster.

Clovishound · Dec 31, 2013

I use a small IWB single clip molded leather holster for my EDC. Of course, it is a compact 9mm, so is a little easier to deal with than a K frame.

I find that I much prefer a molded holster. Good retention without the thumb strap to deal with.

You may have more trouble finding the holster you want for a K frame. They are out there, but not as plentiful as the holsters for semis. I recently picked up a nice little Tagua IWB single clip for my 10-5. Got a really good deal on a clearance table at my LGS. It is a bit of a stretch making a square butt K frame with a 4" barrel conceal comfortably and still be stealthy. Still, it works. Barely.

SWIll · Dec 31, 2013

I have a 10-2 snubbie, and find it a little heavy and large for pocket carry. I use a Sideguard 'slide' for mine, owb. It is comfortable and holds the gun well and conceals well for an owb holster. Erik at Sideguard makes nice holsters for k-frames.

Ivan the Butcher · Dec 31, 2013

I have a Galco belly band and the wife has a different brand. I think summer in Ohio gets hot, My son is a hour south of San Antonio and he gets 80 and 90 degree days in December, so I'm sure the belly band is out of your comfort zone. As far as using with a K-frame snubby, I have a 2" model 15 and it works fine. Different brands size the models they hold differently. My Galco holds any snub revolver well, the trouble starts as barrels and auto slides get longer and I've had a problem with Sig and 1911 alloy frame full size autos "walking" out of the band. hope this was of some use. Ivan

Silvergoose · Dec 31, 2013

I am not a fan of the Belly Band holster, I have a belly band already. The pressure that must be applied to hold the band along with the gun is more than I amwilling to endure.

I have been using,with great success, a Romora IWB holster. I have carried my model 15 snub with very good results. My prefered carry is a Sig Sauer P290 in a Romora holster. In bothe cases the gun stays put and will not pull out on draw. I opted for the Romora hide lining, makes for a thiner holster.

Good Luck with your choices.

thebeamanater107 · Dec 31, 2013

The uncle Mike's iwb waistband holster is fabric and mighty comfortable. The plastic clip on it is rather flimsy, but mine costed $13 so flimsy plastic is expected.

Other guys preached good gun leather so I got one at a good price at theholsterstore.com. it has real thick sturdy leather and a sturdy metal belt clip, and they make a holster for just about any gun. It fits the gun fine, draws fine after it wore in, and hangs on to my pants with a death grip... But is not all that comfortable. It's ok, but the cheap uncle Mike's is more comfortable.

Other guys are saying the n82 holster is the best. I'm checking them out right now.

Don't bother with that versacarry one. I tried it, tried to like it, but it was about as comfortable as carrying a cactus iwb.

I've bought 6 holsters so far. Rounds and range time and holsters will exceed the price of the gun faster than you think.

the original point and click interface, by Smith and Wesson

P&R Fan · Dec 31, 2013

I have had a Bianchi Belly Band for about 16 years. I used to carry my M640-1 in it when I wanted deep cover. I carried at the 4 o'clock position, not at the midriff like you see in the ads. It was very comfortable, even in hot weather. I once carried that revolver in that position for 17 hours straight, and literally forgot it was there. I always carried it with my shirt tucked in over the gun.
If you have a bit of "blouse" to the shirt you can carry some pretty good sized guns this way. I also carried my Glock 27 and K and even N-Frame revolvers, in total comfort, completely concealed.
It is a very useful holster.
Jim

jack the toad · Dec 31, 2013

Tried one years ago and in theory they were ok but didn't work for me, so sold it. My belly band has grown since those days too.
Today I use and much prefer OWB but occasionally IWB is about as deep concealment as I get.

Grayfox · Jan 1, 2014

I prefer a good leather belt holster myself. I do sometimes use IWBs but all of mine are molded leather with loops and snaps. Never trusted the ones with clips.

As for belly bands, A very good friend of mine (retired LEO) was a firm believer in them. Only he never wore it around his belly. Instead he wore it high on his chest with the gun under his left arm much like a shoulder holster. He also had a fondness for slightly oversized western shirts with snaps instead of buttons. The "Superman Carry".

BTW: the gun he carried daily in this rig was a 6" Model 29.

You'd never know it was there even if you looked.

BC38 · Jan 1, 2014

Grayfox said:
I prefer a good leather belt holster myself. I do sometimes use IWBs but all of mine are molded leather with loops and snaps. Never trusted the ones with clips.

As for belly bands, A very good friend of mine (retired LEO) was a firm believer in them. Only he never wore it around his belly. Instead he wore it high on his chest with the gun under his left arm much like a shoulder holster. He also had a fondness for slightly oversized western shirts with snaps instead of buttons. The "Superman Carry".
BTW: the gun he carried daily in this rig was a 6" Model 29. You'd never know it was there even if you looked.

I've been following this thread closely because, like the OP, I've been giving one of these some serious consideration. Due to the amount of belly I have to "band" I think the just-below-the-armpits option would work best for me as well. Thanks for that input Grayfox...

Jamie · Jan 1, 2014

Pistol Wear - Comfortable Concealment Holsters For Concealed Carry Give this a look, I use one when jogging, quick run to the store, T shirt, sweat shorts, the Shield goes in it. Just bought one for my daughter, she has a Glock 26, she runs a lot.

Belly Band holster

Kensterfly

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haywood

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Clovishound

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SWIll

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Ivan the Butcher

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Silvergoose

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thebeamanater107

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P&R Fan

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jack the toad

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Grayfox

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BC38

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Jamie

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