Belly Band Holsters

[acroreef]

I have no experience with belly band holsters. I retired from law enforcement so have carried a heavy pistol OWB for many years. Have also carried aiwb with a compact, thin gun. (Kahr CW-9). As I get older, I'm looking for other ways to conceal a pistol that work well to prevent printing and to help improve comfort while carrying. For those familiar with this style of carry, is the belly band a viable option? Any suggestions as to carry position to help alleviate printing and improve comfort? Specific brands to recommend?

Thanks in advance.

-Dave

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

Belly bands are great for big guns if not moving around a lot. Think being at a little league game, sitting and watching a festival. I've had very good success with 1911's and Sig 220's.

More movement, smaller gear!

Bulky sweaters and sweatshirts work great!

Ivan

 

[Venom6]

Have had and occasionally used a Bianchi for decades, mostly when carrying large amounts of cash in rough neighborhoods. Ivan is right.

Might not be comfortable or workable if one is much overweight. The presentation is quite a bit different from conventional OWB or IWB, so practice is prudent ("A fight is a poor place to learn new skills."

 

[Dave Baird]

I love the concept but my slacks always slide down while I wearing a bellyband. The nylon must be too slippery for the slack material (cotton) to hold onto.

 

[pasound]

Like a lot of "getting older" people, I've found over the years my nose and ears are growing, and my butt is shrinking. Tried a belly band a few years back, and experienced the same problems. I can hitch up my pants with my belt to keep my 39-13 or my 365XL at the same place on my body. Otherwise, it's my 637 or Mdl38 in a cargo pants pocket. Not ideal.

 

[JMalone]

I wear one to work almost daily. I wear it high with the pistol just below my tit and toward my side. It’s unnoticeable with a loose shirt, comfortable and safe. Although it’s not super fast to draw.

 

[Dgfrtsgt]

I wore one for years carrying a s&w 37 and later a new Colt king Cobra. It was a NPE and the revolvers were never noticed. I was even padded down a couple of times, didn't get me. Being so deep of course the presentation was slow, thankfu.ly I never had to present.

 

[URIT]

I toyed with the band when I first decided to carry IWB rather than OWB that I'd done for decades. I borrowed my neighbor's band (can't remember the name), but didn't like it because my cargo pants slid and the band took up more room under my waistband.

I tried several things before settling on a low riding single clip open mouth holster from Don Hume that I position just in front of my hip bone. Also, a good gun belt helped.

My gun was a Walther PPS40, which is just a tad larger than your Kahr CW9. The gun rides lower along the beltline with the Hume than in the band, but still allows for a solid combat grip on the draw.

Today, I still use a H715-M holster model with my S&W3953 in hot, humid NC summers wearing t-shirts and cargo pants. No printing problem with that pistol either.

Good luck with your search. I hope you the find the right solution for you without the expense it cost me to find mine.

 

[cd228]

You cover garments will also play a role as will your activity. If you are moving alot, it may not be best.

 

[Dave Baird]

They can get hot too and draw a lot of perspiration.

 

[somorris]

Here is another option I heard about a few days ago:

Enigma | PHLSTER Kydex Holsters and Medical Accessories

 

[Grayfox]

A good friend of mine wore a belly band daily. He was a big barrel chested guy. He wore the band high up on his chest with the gun positioned under his left arm similar to a shoulder holster. If you didn't know about it, you'd never guess he was carrying.
He was also fond of western style shirts with snaps instead of buttons. If needed he's just do the Superman thing and could draw surprising fast.
BTW: his EDC was a 6" Model 29.

 

[haywood]

I use a belly band on occasion. If I have to get dressed up I will wear the band low with gun in the appendix area. It seems not as warm in that position. I can tuck a shirt. I’ll place the grip under my belt or just below. On cooler days I’ve used it at waistband level under cargo pants or shorts that stretch enough to fit over band and gun. I found one that has the higher area so the grip and slide don’t hit your skin. It also has a removable small panel that velcros on the bottom for longer barrels so they don’t rub you. The built in mag carrier’s are just ok. I don’t use them. It also had a strap to secure the gun but, I cut it off.

 

[chief38]

IMHO they are for DEEP concealment and for a limited amount of time. Not something I'd like to use on a daily basis and fairly slow to get into action. Certainly not for a gun that's really big and heavy.

 

[LCC]

Have a Comfortac belly band in the holster quiver, use it cross draw with a 365, bottom of the band riding on top of my belt line. Very comfortable, immediate access when sitting via a half zipped jacket.

 

[LCC]

Have a Comfortac belly band in the holster quiver, use it cross draw with a 365, bottom of the band riding on top of my belt line. Very comfortable, immediate access when sitting via a half zipped jacket.

 

[Adk.IBO]

Love my Kangaroo Carry holster.

 

[Robspeire]

Been wearing a Kangaroo Air Marshal for quite awhile with .45 Shield
or Sticky Pocket with 642. Depending where I am headed , sometimes both.

 

[star1]

I know you asked about belly band but I bought a soft vertical shoulder holster and it is very comfortable with my Shield ....mot of the time I don't even know it is there and my wife has asked several times if I am carrying (cause she can't see it)

 

[Rustyt1953]

My front porch requires a hammock.