How many people use a bellyband - Page 2

JimmyC4 · December 2nd, 2006, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Wesley

I use a belly band occasionally. I wear it around the chest and the gun sits under my left shoulder similar to a vertical shoulder holster.

Same here, and like your comment, I needed a "wife beater" or t-shirt under it, since it seemed a bit harsh on the hide.

Not the fastest access, but put the gun with me when other methods wouldn't work.

ELCruisr · December 2nd, 2006, 06:14 PM

I also use one as a chest band to carry a J frame BUG. It has also served as primary carry on rare occasions.

cray · December 2nd, 2006, 07:21 PM

I use one when/if the situation warrants. I much prefer strong side, IWB; but that's not always possible, especially in the summer. Even though the BB isn't my "go to" carry method, it's very versatile and I'll always have one.

I actually used it as an IWB a few times by turning the pocket to the strong side and adjusting it between 3 & 5 oclock. I adjusted the elevation (gun butt) to the height I wanted, and put jeans with a tight belt. It was very secure that way, but drawing still was hindered a bit. But, it served the purpose I needed. YMMV.

Tony

oldgunteacher · December 2nd, 2006, 11:22 PM

The Action Direct belly band was my first concealment purchase. At first, I used it as deep concealment, like a Smart Carry. Then, like Cray says, I turned it to strong side at 3-4 oclock, adjusted the height and used it as IWB. It worked well enough that way I stayed with it for a while. I have IWB holsters now, but on certain occasions, I still use the BB. It's nice to have as an alternative.

badgerw · December 3rd, 2006, 05:48 PM

I've been using a Galco UnderWraps belly band at work for the past few months. My EDC gun is a 3" Kimber 1911. It nestles in nicely at 4 o'clock at my waist. My belt keeps it tight to my body.

I use the UnderWraps because the dress code at work requires all shirts to be tucked in. A dress or camp shirt covers it well. Knit shirts like polos aren't as good, as they seem to cling to the gun when stretched across it (such as when bending over).

The downside is comfort. My Tucker Gunleather "The Answer" holster has me spoiled. I can carry 12-16 hours per day with no pain, fatigue, or "hitching up the trousers." After about 6 hours of sitting with the UnderWraps, I begin to notice the muzzle pressing into my butt. After 12 hours, I'm glad to get it off.

YMMV one hell of a lot.

Bill

my2cents · December 3rd, 2006, 08:06 PM

I've used one occasionally - it depends on the mode of dress. It's pretty comfortable.

badgerw · December 4th, 2006, 07:34 AM

One advantage of using the bellyband comes in using a public toilet. With my IWB, I have to draw the gun from the holster and keep it out of sight while my trousers are down. With the bellyband, the gun stays in its holster. I just pull it higher on my chest and take care of business.

A disadvantage of the bellyband is when you have to reholster the gun. In my situation, I occassionally have to go into an NPE. This requires that I untuck my shirt enough to remove my gun. Then I have to tick my shirt back in. When I leave the NPE and need to reholster, I have to drop my trousers and hike up my shirt to get the gun back in place. On days I know I'm going to an NPE, I use an ankle holster.

Bill

Zundfolge · December 4th, 2006, 12:44 PM

An Action Direct Defender was also my first CCW holster.

I carried a Steyr M40 in it.

Nothing beats it for "deep concealment" ... however its not the quickest draw.

The biggest problem I started to have is that the pressure around my midsection from the belly band caused a serious bout of IBS ... seriously.

Anyway, after I bought my first good leather holster I dumped the belly band and haven't looked back (although I still have that Action Direct Defender, and I've sewn a Don Hume leather holster for my Kahr into it so I can use it if I find I need a real deep concealment rig ... like when I went to my nieces wedding ... and wearing the BB for a day doesn't adversely effect my bowels).

December 2nd, 2006, 06:14 PM	#12
ELCruisr VIP Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Central FL Posts: 2,071	I also use one as a chest band to carry a J frame BUG. It has also served as primary carry on rare occasions. __________________ If you stand up and be counted, from time to time you may get yourself knocked down. But remember this: A man flattened by an opponent can get up again. A man flattened by conformity stays down for good. ~ Thomas J. Watson, Jr.

December 2nd, 2006, 11:22 PM	#14
oldgunteacher New Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Independence, Mo Posts: 5	The Action Direct belly band was my first concealment purchase. At first, I used it as deep concealment, like a Smart Carry. Then, like Cray says, I turned it to strong side at 3-4 oclock, adjusted the height and used it as IWB. It worked well enough that way I stayed with it for a while. I have IWB holsters now, but on certain occasions, I still use the BB. It's nice to have as an alternative. __________________ A stupid question is the one you won't ask!

December 3rd, 2006, 08:06 PM	#16
my2cents Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Apex, NC Posts: 584	I've used one occasionally - it depends on the mode of dress. It's pretty comfortable. __________________ Walk steathly - and carry a big Springfield.

December 4th, 2006, 07:34 AM	#17
badgerw Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 121	A few other thoughts One advantage of using the bellyband comes in using a public toilet. With my IWB, I have to draw the gun from the holster and keep it out of sight while my trousers are down. With the bellyband, the gun stays in its holster. I just pull it higher on my chest and take care of business. A disadvantage of the bellyband is when you have to reholster the gun. In my situation, I occassionally have to go into an NPE. This requires that I untuck my shirt enough to remove my gun. Then I have to tick my shirt back in. When I leave the NPE and need to reholster, I have to drop my trousers and hike up my shirt to get the gun back in place. On days I know I'm going to an NPE, I use an ankle holster. Bill

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December 2nd, 2006, 07:21 PM	#13
cray Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 117	I use one when/if the situation warrants. I much prefer strong side, IWB; but that's not always possible, especially in the summer. Even though the BB isn't my "go to" carry method, it's very versatile and I'll always have one. I actually used it as an IWB a few times by turning the pocket to the strong side and adjusting it between 3 & 5 oclock. I adjusted the elevation (gun butt) to the height I wanted, and put jeans with a tight belt. It was very secure that way, but drawing still was hindered a bit. But, it served the purpose I needed. YMMV. Tony

December 3rd, 2006, 05:48 PM	#15
badgerw Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 121	I've been using a Galco UnderWraps belly band at work for the past few months. My EDC gun is a 3" Kimber 1911. It nestles in nicely at 4 o'clock at my waist. My belt keeps it tight to my body. I use the UnderWraps because the dress code at work requires all shirts to be tucked in. A dress or camp shirt covers it well. Knit shirts like polos aren't as good, as they seem to cling to the gun when stretched across it (such as when bending over). The downside is comfort. My Tucker Gunleather "The Answer" holster has me spoiled. I can carry 12-16 hours per day with no pain, fatigue, or "hitching up the trousers." After about 6 hours of sitting with the UnderWraps, I begin to notice the muzzle pressing into my butt. After 12 hours, I'm glad to get it off. YMMV one hell of a lot. Bill

December 4th, 2006, 12:44 PM	#18
Zundfolge Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Colorado Springs Posts: 491	An Action Direct Defender was also my first CCW holster. I carried a Steyr M40 in it. Nothing beats it for "deep concealment" ... however its not the quickest draw. The biggest problem I started to have is that the pressure around my midsection from the belly band caused a serious bout of IBS ... seriously. Anyway, after I bought my first good leather holster I dumped the belly band and haven't looked back (although I still have that Action Direct Defender, and I've sewn a Don Hume leather holster for my Kahr into it so I can use it if I find I need a real deep concealment rig ... like when I went to my nieces wedding ... and wearing the BB for a day doesn't adversely effect my bowels).