So, for all the CCW folks... what are your thoughts on the "Belly Band"; does it work, is it safe/secure, is it really "junk"?

LCDR Joshua Gillespie — Fri, 24 Jul 2020 11:09:45 -0400

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 24 at 2020 11:13 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 24 Jul 2020 11:13:22 -0400

I've always preferred a shoulder holster

Response by CW5 Jack Cardwell made Jul 24 at 2020 11:15 AM

CW5 Jack Cardwell — Fri, 24 Jul 2020 11:15:53 -0400

I could never get it to felt right. It works ok for me with a small pistol like a SIG P238.

Response by LCDR Joshua Gillespie made Jul 24 at 2020 11:16 AM

LCDR Joshua Gillespie — Fri, 24 Jul 2020 11:16:16 -0400

Alright-so here's why I'm asking. For YEARS I was taught the only "right" thing was whatever "works for you"... with the "nod-nod-grin" suggestion that what BETTER work for you is Kydex, IWB, for both handgun and spare mags. I've dutifully followed that advice ever since. I'm a pretty trim guy, so things "fit" well with this system, and I carry my handgun at the 4 o'clock, with the spare ammo on the "weak" side, about 10 O'clock. Trouble is, I've started to develop a permanent "mag bruise" around this area (not much "padding" there), and have been looking into more comfortable options. I use a "belly band" for exercise (running/gym/etc.) so I can carry while not having a belt... but I've been wondering if this would work equally well for EDC, under some circumstances-especially during the summer when I normally don't wear an undershirt. I would generally think the "risks" would be ND due to "soft" trigger protection... but with my M&P compact, I'm not too worried. Reholstering would be a no-go, but then again... I'm not really worried about swapping from carbine to pistol while I'm CCW anyway. Just wondering what the RP community thoughts are... NOOB trash, or a viable option for comfort.

Response by SGT Steve McFarland made Jul 24 at 2020 11:18 AM

SGT Steve McFarland — Fri, 24 Jul 2020 11:18:02 -0400

It works for some people, but I prefer a good IWB holster, which I carry at the 4:30 position. I have holsters from Alien Gear, Tulster, Concealment Express, and We The People, and they are all good holsters. I also have a couple of Blackhawk CQC OWB holsters for the situations when I can open-carry.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 24 at 2020 11:26 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 24 Jul 2020 11:26:58 -0400

You're right. Whatever works for you, and properly secures the gun, works. But having the gun and the spare mag on the same side never made sense to me.

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Jul 24 at 2020 12:44 PM

LTC Stephen C. — Fri, 24 Jul 2020 12:44:21 -0400

I'm not comfortable with belly bands or IWB holsters, LCDR Joshua Gillespie. I just don't like all that stuff inside my pants! I've always used an OWB holster on my belt at about the 4:30 position. I usually cover it with an untucked shirt, or a jacket or sweater. It may sound like heresy or unpreparedness, but I rarely carry an extra magazine. I've always thought that with a pistol that holds 15+1, I was good to go.

Response by SSG Paul Headlee made Jul 24 at 2020 1:23 PM

SSG Paul Headlee — Fri, 24 Jul 2020 13:23:28 -0400

I'm new here to Rally Point and let me say I am pleasantly surprised to find a thread such as this one. So now my uniform is blue jeans and a t-shirt everyday. My state passed a very good carry law back in 2010. I own many handguns and carry daily, even while I am at home. I have always stressed the importance of marksmanship over volume of fire. When all the ammunition you're going to have available is that which you are carrying you can't really expect to blow through all your rounds upon initial contact and then repel a counter attack. Nowadays my concern is not to secure the far side of the objective but rather to stop a potential robbery or other aggravated assault. I've done it bare handed before and must say that I prefer this method. Every round that you unleash in conus has a lawyer attached to it. If you don't get indicted for a criminal act you will at least be sued in civil court for wrongful death because the perpetrator's family will smell money even though their innocent baby tried to rob you at knifepoint or gunpoint, having had a "rough childhood". This situation has shaped my philosophy of use for a personal defense weapon. My principal PDW is a S&W model 640-3. Its a 5 shot J frame .357 Magnum revolver with a 2 1/8 inch barrel. The reason this weapon is so well suited to my purpose is that it is small enough to where I will actually have it with me and it is easily concealed inside my front right pocket using a DeSantis pocket holster and my t-shirt pulled over the grip. I sewed my pocket in such a manner that it will not allow the holster and gun to slip down so far inside my pocket that it is difficult to draw. The only drawback to this method is that it is difficult to draw while seated in a car. The 357 Magnum is an excellent anti-personnel cartridge. I don't need to shoot a threat multiple times. The fewer rounds I fire, the less extensive the collateral damage potential. So far so good. While this gun sees a lot of range time I have never even had to pull this gun much less fire it. Let's hope that continues indefinitely. I don't care for the idea of a belly band or a traditional inside the waistband holster. The reason is that drawing will often require two hands. One to get your shirt or jacket out of the way and the other to actually pull the weapon. Front pocket carry, should your pocket design a allow, keeps the weapon readily accessible yet concealed.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 24 at 2020 3:02 PM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 24 Jul 2020 15:02:04 -0400

I have one and I love it. Most comfortable IWB carry I have experienced. What I like about mine is it also has a retention strap for the weapon and a movable mag pouch. I don't use the mag pouch (just don't like it) and have a different one that clips to my belt.

And as others have opined, whatever works for you.

Response by SSG Roger Ayscue made Jul 24 at 2020 3:11 PM

SSG Roger Ayscue — Fri, 24 Jul 2020 15:11:18 -0400

I prefer a good In the Waistband holster. You need to get one that is "Tuckable" in that the attachment clip comes out from the side and the shirt can be tucked behind the clip and in front of the gun. Add to this your cell phone in an OtterBox right at the holster clip and you can camouflage the phone "Bulge" by drawing the eyes to the Phone. Most people seeing it will just say "Crap he has a big phone" not noticing the M1911 in your waistband.

Response by CMSgt James Nolan made Jul 24 at 2020 3:18 PM

CMSgt James Nolan — Fri, 24 Jul 2020 15:18:33 -0400

For concealed carry you need four things:
Accessibility
Conceal-ability (minimal gun print)
A degree of retention (remember it is concealed)
Comfort (if it hurts you won’t wear it)

IWB are more stable. Consider going with a hybrid of kydex and leather.
Belly Bands allow for more “athletic “ attire. Some have a retention strap, some have neoprene holsters and some have kydex. Belly bands tend to be a pain in the add to reholster, but...at that point you are no longer concealed..

The goal should be to have minimal “printing”. Ease of access, and comfortable wear.

Just remember when you wear a gun, every confrontation becomes a potential armed confrontation.

Response by MAJ John Lavin made Jul 24 at 2020 3:47 PM

MAJ John Lavin — Fri, 24 Jul 2020 15:47:58 -0400

Looks like if you accidentally shoot you self you are going to shoot your balls off at the same time you blow your prick away. If anyone was stupid enough to pack a shooter like this they would deserve what they get. But that is just my immediate response to this picture. My real response is why would anyone want to pack a shooter like this one in the first place? And my next response is if I ever heard about someone shooting themselves in the balls because they packed the shooter this way is “you would behave to pick me up off the floor because I would be laughing so hard I’d probably fall over because that would be so funny”. Packing a shooter like this is just outrageously stupid in every sense possible.

Response by TSgt George Rodriguez made Jul 24 at 2020 8:49 PM

TSgt George Rodriguez — Fri, 24 Jul 2020 20:49:55 -0400

I make my own as I do Leather work. Shoulder holster rig when I use a coat or an open shirt. outside carry with holster and mag combined for my Springfield MDX 9 with a laser light. Western style cowboy rig for my Hawes 44mag Western Marshall. Boot holsters for my 38 snubbies. Inside the waist band for the 38 snub revolvers. Civil war holsters for my cap and ball 44 cal Uberti, Remingtons.

Response by CPL Douglas Chrysler made Jul 24 at 2020 10:52 PM

CPL Douglas Chrysler — Fri, 24 Jul 2020 22:52:55 -0400

I haven't tried one, but the inside the waist band never appealed to me. In my early days I carried a "6 gun" in a traditional western style holster. It didn't matter where I was because laws transporting etc weren't what they are today. So, if I needed to leave it in the car, no problem. With all the changes over the years, I have found 2 types of holsters to my liking at no small expense. Before my discovery, I slowly filled a small foot locker type chest with all sorts of holsters. Hard plastic, some that lock, nylon, shoulder rig, etc. But the most comfortable and versatile are the Tagua belt slider and the BullDog molded leather belt slider. Both keep my weapons secure and well concealed. They're fast on the draw and easy to safely return the pistol to it's neutral status. And, you can get them in different sizes to fit you gun.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 24 at 2020 11:56 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 24 Jul 2020 23:56:54 -0400

I am happy with mine. I only use it when i want to carry in gym shorts. Should be called a "hip band" but if i go with a small pistol i can even run with it.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 25 at 2020 5:46 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 25 Jul 2020 05:46:58 -0400

My wife absolutely LOVES it. She runs with it several times a week as well as uses it to carry on the regular.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2020 2:17 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 27 Jul 2020 02:17:00 -0400

I have been in the military, law enforcement, and security side of the house. I have also deployed a few times. I am not a fan of them. I understand the "what works for you" but everyone that ever ND'ed was doing something that was working for them. I am not a fan due to the position of the firearm when in various positions. If you forced forward you might be put into a position where you would force your holster to fail. This is why I don't use leather. I like the IWB. I am very familiar with it and it works. There is a reason why law enforcement carry their firearms on their side.

Response by SPC(P) Geoffrey Fansher made Mar 23 at 2021 10:08 AM

SPC(P) Geoffrey Fansher — Tue, 23 Mar 2021 10:08:23 -0400

I use a ComfortTac belly and, bottom of the band at bellybutton height. I carry at the 2 o'clock position and it's hardly noticeable. In general, those that don't carry will never notice it & those that do carry would have to doubletake. Compared to iwb/own, it's just more comfortable imo. I can sit, drive, etc, and there's never an uncomfortable position really.

Response by CPT Keith Celebrezze made Mar 23 at 2021 10:58 AM

CPT Keith Celebrezze — Tue, 23 Mar 2021 10:58:46 -0400

Junk. If your weapon system permits, get a screw on holster clip. Stay under 3.5 barrel length or it will look like you have a tail lol

Good luck.

Response by CPT Keith Celebrezze made Mar 23 at 2021 10:59 AM

CPT Keith Celebrezze — Tue, 23 Mar 2021 10:59:09 -0400

Ankles work decently too.