Anyone with experience on Belly Band holsters for an older model J frame model 60 38 special? I was looking at a Comfort tec I believe it was called. Would this 60-7 be too heavy or bulky for one of these?

Some folks swear by them. I can see the draw to them. I just can't imagine they would hold up to a full steel gun. Polymer or Aluminum (insert other lightweight smith material here) would likely be fine. I just can't imagine a belly band is a long term product. I feel like it would stretch out or lose its snugness after a while. Keep in mind I have zero experience with them and would love to hear from others who have tried them. These have just been my thoughts about them thus far. For me I carry an DW ECO or a S&W 649. I don't see either of those doing well in a belly band but maybe I'm wrong!

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Personally, I've never really cared for them. However, a good friend of mine absolutely swore by them. He'd wear his up around his chest with the gun positioned under his left arm in a shoulder holster type position. Cover that with a shirt for a Superman carry.
He was a big barrel chested guy and you'd never know he was carrying unless he told you.
BTW: his EDC was a 6" Model 29.

I had minor experience with one, (no brand name on it), and it held up well. for awhile I carried a J Frame Mod 640 under my left arm pit and it was comfortable for quite a few hours. In summer heat I would imagine it would be a little uncomfortable.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

I've tried them and never felt comfortable with them. It's really dependent on your body shape. I'm not a "hard body", so it felt most comfortable to wear it at about sternum level with the gun somewhat under my arm, sort of in shoulder holster position.

The issue then is what do you wear over it to conceal it but still afford yourself a reasonably quick draw. I've always thought the best would be wearing the BB over a tee shirt and under a button up shirt so you could reach through an opening in the shirt to get to the gun.

I wore mine with a Kahr PM9 subcompact. In the end, I found it better to just wear the PM9 in my front right pants pocket and bagged the BB for good.

I’ve used them on occasion for short term carry. I found them very warm in warmer weather. I’ve used them under a Suit but Placed them very low at belt line and lower. I much prefer pocket carry. I use them after a shower when wearing PJ’s mostly. Mine is thin and not real strong. It holds a J-Frame ok.

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Two Handguns every day

I owned one for a while, but didn't really care for it. Used it with a Glock 26. Gave it to a buddy with a big gut. He carried a PPKs in it, with it wrapped up high on his chest, in the hollow above his gut. With a T shirt over it, you wouldn't know he was carrying, and he likes it. More than anything, I guess I just didn't like the constricting, girdle feeling it gave me above my waistband. They can conceal well though.

Larry

As an alternative, look at one of the under garment shirts that are out there that have built in under arm holsters that you would wear like a t-shirt. Also look at the new product from PHLster called the Enigma. Very interesting modular system that you attach a variety of holsters to and wear under any clothing. Can be worn without a belt, with sweats etc.

I've used one casually on occasion for J frames with no problem.
Perfect for some situations. I wore one after spine surgery when I couldn't tolerate a leather belt. It was relatively comfortable considering the circumstances. However, I never really trust anything held together by velcro for heavy duty use.

I tried several models for my steel & lightweight Js over the years and never really liked them. They do tend to wear (stretch out) quickly if used daily. I’m now in my mid 70s, a bit lumpier than I used to be, & the belly band is too uncomfortable.

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Old Cop
LEO (Ret.)

I used to carry with a belly band for many years. I placed it at waist/belt level and used it as an IWB with the belt cinching the gun. Never had any issue with it.

My only concern, and why I switched, is that if you have to "re-holster" it was very difficult to near impossible to do so.

I tried one of those too. It felt pretty weird, a lot like the belly band.

I carried a model 36 in one. Over a tee shirt, a under a button up shirt with one button undone. carried it low right above my belt. never had any problems felt comfortable.

I have a couple and have used them a few times. Two problems: it is essentially a tight rubber band around your waist or belly, so it isn't really comfortable - it's squeezing you. You can't loosen it too much or it will slide down. Second problem is that if it's low enough around your waist, it will roll up on itself from the bottom as soon as you sit. It may also roll down from the top if you're overweight as I am and you place it low on your belly.
As for a steel-frame gun, that's not an issue, especially with a J-frame, which is what I used with mine. No shifting or other issues related to the gun itself. It stayed where I put it, at least until the bottom started rolling up as described before. I am a few pounds overweight, so I'd say if you have any sort of "hangover" (over your belt) you won't like a belly band.

Have used one for years carrying a 36, and then a 642.
Now days it carries an LCP when out for my daily bike ride, and occasionally my 365 when I'm driving into the city and want quick access without the handgun laying on the console.

I've used them and find the o.k., but a friend of mine carried a 640 for years in a bellyband. He carried the 640 crossdraw with the gun not under his arm with the barrel about level with his belly button. I haven't seen him in years, but I wouldn't be surprised if he still doesn't carry that way.

One thing to be cautious of, is rusting. The band will absorb sweat, and that will get on the gun. Be sure to check the gun nightly and keep a wax or moisture barrier finish on it.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

Honestly without actually seeing this , this sounds ridiculous in theory.
If pointed down, did he rip his shirt off the get the piece?
If pointing up, was it aimed at his chin. Sounds odd.

Bianchi made a belly band holster, have one in my holster collection, never wore it, might try it out just to see how practical it is.

I had one that I think I wore twice. For sure once. Quite a while back. Besides not being comfortable I was never really sure how I was going to reach my gun in a timely fashion.

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Come and take it!!

IMHO they are ok for small guns and short amounts of time in cooler weather. A T shirt is a must (at least for me) and rapid access to firearm is restricted. Better left for deep concealment of a back up rather than for a primary gun.

I had one for a while and wore it a lot. I walk 3-4 miles every day out here in the sticks where we live. On these walks I can and have encountered everything from two legged idiots to bears. Very few two legged idiots but it has happened. So to be prudent carry . Mine was comfortable enough and not overly warm. However getting the gun out was slow. Getting it back in slower. I tried everything from a full size 1911 to a Ruger LCR in it. Needless to say the lighter guns were much easier to carry. After about a year a snap broke. I threw the holster away and won't buy another one. Sort of OK but not real handy for me. I use a Simply Rugged holster for the LCR now and it is much better.

Belly band? Nope, never tried one. Kangaroo Carry? Works great for me!

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Luke 23:34

I've tried several belly band holsters and this is the one I settled on.

If you already have a nice in the waistband holster for your J frame you can use this belly band with it. It's called the Sport tuck. THE BEST BELLY BAND ON THE MARKET!

It allows you to use their holster or yours. You adjust the tension on the belt.

In the picture I am wearing PJs, Sport tuck and a .45 Beretta Cougar in it's own holster.
Easily Convert IWB to Belly Band Carry | Alien Gear Holsters

Attached Images

conceal in your pj.jpg (55.1 KB, 58 views)

It’s one of the only carry methods I have never tried. I have had to wear similar neoprene back supports so much I think I could do it without many issues. I often wear heavy full-size handguns with workout shorts. I wear a belt and holster and then pull my shorts over it.

It's like wearing a girdle and it gets hot . If you have middle aged spread or a beer belly and live in the hot humid South ... be prepared for "heat rash " ...
If you already have to wear a back support just have local tailor sew a pocket in or on it to fit handgun of choice .
Baby powder works well for heat rash .
Gary

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Certified Cajun
NRA Member

It does but it works. I've done this with an M&P 4" 9mm. It's quite comfortable. I did it under a loose fit hoodie over my shirt. Only for short periods if I just threw on sweatpants to do a quick errand. I had the band just under the chest on the top of the stomach. Same location gun under left armpit. Worked just like a shoulder holster.

I have experienced with the crossbreed modular belly Band Holster that I bought on Amazon.
Check IDFholsters for the best belly band holster.
But I don't use it regular basis.

I used a Comfort Tac belly band holster for my 60 with 3" barrel. It fit well & with the retention strap, it was very secure. As others have said, they can be difficult to fit, depending on your body shape. I used mine when it was still cool, but I can see how they would be really hot during the summer months. I found it to be much slower to draw from & as was mentioned above, almost impossible to reholster unless you remove the belly band first.

I didn't use it a lot, as my regular mode of carry (IWB) on my belt has none of those draw backs. I only used it when my wardrobe didn't lend itself to belt carry. It's more difficult for us women to find pants with sturdy belt loops.

However, I can't recommend the Comfort Tac. After 2-3 months of occasional use, the velcro wore out & would not stay fastened when my weapon was holstered. I checked & rechecked the velcro - it wasn't clogged or worn. The Comfort Tac would no longer support the weight of the gun.