Seventeen years teaching a few thousand students, I learned a
few things. One thing I learned is that most women and some
men don't wear a belt all the time. What do you do if you want
to carry a holstered gun, but do not wear a belt? I looked for the
answers.

First, I believed a holster that would clip on to the fabric of the
waistband would probably work the best. But there are two
requirements.

1. The clip must hold tight enough that the holster does not
come out wrapped around the gun on the draw.

2. The gun, holster and ammo need to be light enough that they
are not sagging outward. A 15 oz. gun, or lighter, and fairly
light holster are necessary.

Next, I wondered where would be the best place to carry.
Women reported that appendix carry is most comfortable.
Some men agreed.

Here, left to right, are a few holsters that I recommend, based
on the above.

On the left is a Magjic. It is canted for crossdraw or appendix
carry, which I believe is not only most comfortable for women,
but also quickest. A strong magnet snaps the belt loop on for
easy on/off without unbuckling the belt. It's also handy to clip
over the seatbelt strap when driving.

The remaining 3 are all IWBs. They have all been tested (by me)
The holster does not come out wrapped around the gun on the draw.
(I have no problem wearing a belt all of the time.)

2nd from left is Garrity's Inconspicuous IWB, shown with my
S&W 642-1.

3rd from left is FIST's 1K with Ruger's LCR.

4th from left is Bell-Charter-Oak's Chicago Rocker with my
Charter Undercover.

Of the three IWBs my first choice would be the Garrity Inconspicuous,
because of the offset clip.

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__________________
In Omnia Paratus

I have carried my P-365 in a minimalist IWB kydex arrangment without a belt. It’s not something I want to do fulltime though. I’ve put on a few pounds lately and my britches are just a bit tighter these days, so I can do it without too much sag for now.

I'm thinkin', if someone really doesn't want to wear a belt.... Shoulder holster. Or, if spry enough, ankle holster. (Or, maybe hire a gun bearer...)

CC without a belt screams fanny pack to me. This one pictured has hand sanitizer, my wallet, keys, and a P365XL w/dot.

I never wear a belt. Inside the waistband, about 2 o’clock. Today it was a Beretta Model 85, tomorrow it might be a Colt Cobra or a Pocket Hammerless. Just pick a holster with a strong clip.

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__________________
Rule of law, not a man.

I have not been successful when the belt loop is lower that the center of gravity of the gun, unless IWB. The darn things want to flip upside down. What good is that?

__________________
"Don't Give Up the Ship"

When the belt loop is below the cylinder, the tendency is to sag and tip
outward. When the belt loop is above the cylinder it could jeapordize
concealment. Ideally the belt loop would be at the cylinder level.
Here are three IWBs, left to right, that I believe are close to ideal:

Mark Garrity's "Inconspicuous"

Lou Alessi's Hard Shell Talon

DelFatti's shark trimmed IWB

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__________________
In Omnia Paratus

Opinions vary, but if pants fit normally - not tight, not loose, a snub nose .38, regular or airweight, will fit snugly in the waistband on the side, butt forward without a holster. I didn't post this to start an argument, but know that it works very well for me and for many others.

Yep, the so called "Mexican carry" has quite a few advocates.
I think they have to have the right physique to pull it off though.

__________________
In Omnia Paratus

Sticky works well for me in that situation... doesn’t need a clip.

Groo here
Depends on the gun.
If an auto , there is a "clip" that can be added that hooks over the material.
no holster at all.[my m-27 glock has one,, quick on/off so is a glove box gun]
If revolver there is a clip OR a grip that does the same thing.
If put on a light gun [like an airweight J frame , or a small auto]
the "sag" will not be a problem.

You could try "Neck lanyard Carry"........ like Tuco( the Ugly dude) in "The Good the Bad and the Ugly"!!!

My brother used to carry a .38 revolver tucked into the waistband of his pants. It had black plastic replacement grips on it and one had a hook molded into it that kept it from sliding down the leg of his pants. Can't remember who made the grips. He carried it that way for years.

Desantis clip-grip maybe.

The Barami Hip Grip was a thing for a while way back. I tried it a couple of times but it wasn't for me -- carried the gun too deep.

I've tried the little add-on hook thingies, too, and there are times when they work well -- and times when they don't, and therefore be prepared to take it on and off a lot unless you have alternate carry iron.

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Pisgah

My first thought would be a shoulder holster for those who aren't wearing a belt, and for a larger compact or revolver, might be the better option.

However, a pouch carry inside the waistband is a great option when a cover garment isn't being used or is inappropriate. I have a Thunderwear pouch, fits inside the pants and has a velcro strap that goes around the body. Doesn't depend on the pants to hold it. It will hold a subcompact like a LC9 in either right or left hand position, has a pouch for a magazine and a larger pouch behind the small ones for cash, ID, credit cards, etc. Works great in summertime, can be worn inside a smallish pair of shorts without a shirt.

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Received my first ever belly band in the mail yesterday and wore it for the first time on my walk with the wife tonight. (Worn low, just under the waistline of my sweat pants.) It will take some getting used to but worked well. Mine has an elastic strap to secure the gun.

An Airweight, with a trigger guard Kydex "holster" fits nicely in the coin pocket of my Wrangler jeans.

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Ret. LE, FA Instr, S&W Armorer

I'd also ask what the point of carry without a belt is. If you're carrying something IWB, or in normal pants with belt loops, adding a belt (even a fashionable one if that's the issue) isn't going to cause a concealment issue.

If you're wearing elastic waisted shorts, yoga pants, something like that, I get it, and fanny packs, belly bands, and similar solutions make sense, but it seems like a lot of the options suggested here rely on pants firm enough (jeans or similar) to securely hold a gun, in which case the person should just be using a belt in the first place.

This clip might be just what you are looking for.
I changed out the clips on a couple of IWB holsters.
Great with a lightweight firearm for sweatpants or gym shorts.

ULTICLIP Classic – UltiClip

Yep, I agree that the clip on is best with just the fabric of the
waist band to clip on to. But be sure the clip is strong enough
to not allow the holster to come out, wrapped around the gun,
on the draw.

When I was suggesting this method to my students, I would
test the various clip on IWB holsters with 100 draws. If they
failed once or more they were eliminated. Only a few survived.
I mention of them in my #1 post above. Holsters 2, 3 and 4.

__________________
In Omnia Paratus

I've used a fanny pack holster with my 642 when jogging.

I use an ankle holster to carry a BUG, but it would never be my first choice for a primary/only gun (though, admittedly, I did do that once).

Shoulder holsters would be a viable option. I've often thought about getting one of Ken Null's upside-down rigs for my 642.

Bellybands can work. The Kangaroo Carry and Pistolwear holsters look like intriguing options.

Personally, I'm not comfortable wearing any gun on my hip without a holster and a good belt to anchor it. Even with pocket carry I'd want a belt, mostly because I normally have enough stuff in my pockets that my pants would be down around my ankles quickly without a belt.

Just my opinion.

These seem to be discontinued. Any other similar designs? (Nothing too expensive.) I'm looking for a crossdraw holster for my S&W 638.

Thunderwear. 25 years experience with compact, single stack autos in the right pocket, lined with plastic. Invisible, secure, comfortable and accessible but not so much as above the waist. Carried a spare mag, flashlight and knife in the left side pocket. Complete set-up. Still do sometimes. Shield works great.

I wore this rig mostly when I’ve had a belt on, because for decades I dressed in a suit and tie with a tucked dress shirt. I could remove my suit coat and not expose my gun.

However, gym shorts, sweats, bathing suit—any non-belted “pants” = same rig, all the time.

I went through a pat-down as a pretend crime victim with our local Sheriff SWAT. For safety I had unloaded the gun but it was still in my T’wear. It was not found. I privately showed the deputy when the exercise was over.

My wife is very into fitness (female bodybuilder, in the gym 5-6 days a week picking up heavy things), and has a belly band holster that she wears when running or doing cardio on the treadmill. She carries Sig P2022 9mm and has never had a problem with it slipping or shifting during her workout sessions.

Might want to check out Side Guard Holsters. They make an OWB crossdraw holster. They also make IWB holsters where you can specify a cant of 0 degrees, which may work as a crossdraw. If you contact them they may even make one with a negative cant for crossdraw use.

I have used their Quick Clip IWB holster with a 15-degree cant worn at about 4:00 for several years, and still do when I carry my 642 on the belt, and it carries the cylinder in line with the belt, something I always recommend with revolver holsters. Even after nearly a decade of use, more than half of that as an EDC rig, it still passes my shake retention test. Excellent quality and value, IMO.

Since the belt supports the weight of the gun, no matter how light it is I always wear a belt. And a clip around a belt will always be more secure than just the pants. Unless you are sporting sweatpants I can’t see not wearing one.

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Thirty characters. Exactly...

Remora- Great for no belt. Been carrying a 3914 for many years , all sorts of clothing, swim trunks to tuxedo , extra mag pouch on opposite hip rear. Love that it’s easy to adjust if needed for one car seat vs another. Never had any concern of coming loose. I’m a fan for life . Great company and products .

max503 - As far as I know Mark Garrity is still in business, and I'm quite
sure he would make you an "Inconspicuous". That would be my first choice.
By the way, I just looked at Mark Garrity's web site, and he still
offers the "inconspicuous". Last one on the list of IWBs.

__________________
In Omnia Paratus

I've been using the Barami Clip Grip for the last year or so. I normally clip it to the edge of my front pocket then drape a shirt over it. Or it easily slips deep in the pocket for deep concealment. I can also clip it over my waistband behind my right hip. Works well for me.

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When lounging around in sweatpants, I use a soft holster tucked into a belly-band. Believe it or not, it is comfortable and secure.

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I just ordered and received an inconspicuous from Mark a few months ago. Very easy to order and work with, great holster for my S&W 4013 TSW. Especially since very few holster makers seem to make holsters for the 3rd gens...

Everything is made so complicated these days.

I have no clue what you people would have done back when the guns we carried weighed POUNDS< not ounces.

Geez, Louise. Carry a dang knife or something.

I chuckled when I read this......

After the Covid lockdown I gained about 7 - 8 pounds and I no longer need a belt to keep my pants tight - LOL! Now in the process of loosing that extra weight.

Make sure the clip is tight and grabs the pants well so you don't wind up with a gun covered by the holster when you draw.

Simple but effective.
I wear suspenders witch holds the weight.

Someone used to make a metal clip that attached to the sideplate of a J-Frame using extended screws. It worked well enough for situations such as carrying underneath the Sam Brown and underbelt and could also be clipped to a boot top or vest strap if needed. I know, it sounds hokey, but we were experimenting with ways to stay alive in an Onion Field situation and guys were carrying razor blades in their wallets and taping derringers to their legs. I won't get into where we hid cuff keys.

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I need ammo, not a ride.