smartcarry or bellyband?

Snakelady · July 16th, 2007, 11:09 AM

I'm new to CC and guns in general. My husband bought my a G19 for my birhtday a couple of weeks ago and we order a IWB holster from KD but that will take about 12 weeks to get here. Soooo in the mean time we found a "generic" IWB to get me by until the good one arrives, unfortuately I hate it. I can't get the 19 to sit comfortabley without it sticking out about 2 inches from my side. Anyway was looking at a smartcarry or bellyband for the interm and running. Just wonder what would be perferred by those who may have used them and why so as I mihgt be able to make a better decsion.

pgrass101 · July 16th, 2007, 11:14 AM

I use Smartcarry, but I'm a guy.

Check out The Cornered Cat It is Paxs website she's a member here and has great advice for women.

Hopefully Betty, Limatunes or some more of our female members will pipe up soon.

Freedomofchoice · July 17th, 2007, 10:57 PM

I use a smartcarry holster and I like it alot, but, it's not for everyone and you will get as many negative comments as you will positive. That said, I would not feel comfortable carrying a Glock in a soft carry rig because of the chance that the trigger could accidently be pulled. I'd only carry a Glock in leather.

ExSoldier · July 17th, 2007, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by can'tshoot4crap

I use a smartcarry holster and I like it alot, but, it's not for everyone and you will get as many negative comments as you will positive. That said, I would not feel comfortable carrying a Glock in a soft carry rig because of the chance that the trigger could accidently be pulled. I'd only carry a Glock in leather.

Welcome to the forum. Given your handle, I'd think that the smartcarry might NOT prove to be so if there's any truth in advertising. I personally hate the smart carry. Mostly because my wife didn't like the grins I got from waitresses and hostesses. It's also dang uncomfortable when seated. I like the flexability of the belly-band. JMO.

ckd · July 18th, 2007, 11:15 PM

My wife doesn't like the smart carry for style and lack of comfort, and the belly band she likes, but as you would expect when its hot & humid so is it. She likes the belly that the DeSantis version is available in black and tan to better match her wardrobe, what she has had problems with is acutally what makes it work so well, it hugs very tight to the body but found she was getting poked so much no matter how she positioned it, she now carries a j-frame with complete comfort. IWB sadly won't work with her body type and clothing.

Welcome Snakelady, nice first post question and choice of HG.

Bark'n · July 19th, 2007, 01:56 AM

Snakelady,

Welcome to the forum and thanks for the post. I hope this method may help with some of your questions.

I have carried about 5 different guns in this including G-23 for many years and now XD9sc. I'm working on my second one of these and am having a custom one made for two guns and handcuffs plus spare mags.

Trust me, Glocks and similar are quite safe. The elastic is thick and firm enough there is no way you are going to accidentally pull the trigger.

This is extremely comfortable and can be easily adjusted while wearing if needed. I can wear it for 12 & 14 plus hours and some guns like my revolvers, you can not even feel they are there.

Plus the shoulder straps help distribute the weight of the gun which really aids in the comfort for extended periods. Even under a T-Shirt will not cause it to print but does slow the draw compared to a button up shirt or blouse.

Gun level buttons on shirts can be removed and sewn directly on the front of the button hole and then the shirt closed by attaching velcro underneath making essentially false buttons but still having shirt securely closed with the velcro.

I feel for women having the gun tucked up next to and slightly below their breast would be very concealable and not uncomfortable, but you would have to try for sure.

A Federal Agent who is a member here carries with this type of set up but it is incorporated into an entire undershirt (instead of an elastic band like this one) can consistently draw from concealment and fire two shots on target at 7 yards in something like 2.4 seconds.

Holster can be found here: http://www.gunnersecurity.com/holster-shoulder.html

tk4878 · July 19th, 2007, 08:58 AM

I don't know how hot and humid NH can get. Here in the south, it can get a tad uncomfortable. I have used the bellyband with great results (minimal printing with close fitting shirts). I will suggest a tank top or a mens sleeveless undershirt to wear under the bellyband. I like the looks of the holster that Bark'n
posted. I may have to get one of those. I do not have a Smartcarry but from what I have read, these are great for skirts.

Sloman · July 19th, 2007, 09:27 AM

I personally use a SmartCarry/thunderwear holster (I own both) more than any other. You don't have to worry about your shirt coming up and showing the gun or a bulge on your side in public. Just my two cents!

NikatKimber · July 19th, 2007, 12:09 PM

Good question! My fiance is trying to figure out the same thing. We were looking at the Kramer shirt holster, very similar to what Bark'n posted. The only problem I have thought of with that style, is that the wearer must use button front shirts for best results, or be satisfied with having to reach all the way under a Tshirt.

Sloman · July 19th, 2007, 01:06 PM

I had a Kramer shirt and the 5.11 shirt, both ain't worth the money! At least for me they weren't! IMHO

July 16th, 2007, 11:09 AM	#1
Snakelady New Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 7	smartcarry or bellyband? I'm new to CC and guns in general. My husband bought my a G19 for my birhtday a couple of weeks ago and we order a IWB holster from KD but that will take about 12 weeks to get here. Soooo in the mean time we found a "generic" IWB to get me by until the good one arrives, unfortuately I hate it. I can't get the 19 to sit comfortabley without it sticking out about 2 inches from my side. Anyway was looking at a smartcarry or bellyband for the interm and running. Just wonder what would be perferred by those who may have used them and why so as I mihgt be able to make a better decsion.

July 16th, 2007, 11:14 AM	#2
pgrass101 Moderator Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Alabama Posts: 7,654	I use Smartcarry, but I'm a guy. Check out The Cornered Cat It is Paxs website she's a member here and has great advice for women. Hopefully Betty, Limatunes or some more of our female members will pipe up soon. __________________ Noli nothis permittere te terere "If ignorance is bliss then shouldn’t most people happy?" -Thomas Jefferson-

July 18th, 2007, 11:15 PM	#5
ckd Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: USA Posts: 200	My wife doesn't like the smart carry for style and lack of comfort, and the belly band she likes, but as you would expect when its hot & humid so is it. She likes the belly that the DeSantis version is available in black and tan to better match her wardrobe, what she has had problems with is acutally what makes it work so well, it hugs very tight to the body but found she was getting poked so much no matter how she positioned it, she now carries a j-frame with complete comfort. IWB sadly won't work with her body type and clothing. Welcome Snakelady, nice first post question and choice of HG. Last edited by ckd; July 19th, 2007 at 12:32 AM..

July 19th, 2007, 01:56 AM	#6
Bark'n VIP Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: West Central Missouri Posts: 4,298	Snakelady, Welcome to the forum and thanks for the post. I hope this method may help with some of your questions. I have carried about 5 different guns in this including G-23 for many years and now XD9sc. I'm working on my second one of these and am having a custom one made for two guns and handcuffs plus spare mags. Trust me, Glocks and similar are quite safe. The elastic is thick and firm enough there is no way you are going to accidentally pull the trigger. This is extremely comfortable and can be easily adjusted while wearing if needed. I can wear it for 12 & 14 plus hours and some guns like my revolvers, you can not even feel they are there. Plus the shoulder straps help distribute the weight of the gun which really aids in the comfort for extended periods. Even under a T-Shirt will not cause it to print but does slow the draw compared to a button up shirt or blouse. Gun level buttons on shirts can be removed and sewn directly on the front of the button hole and then the shirt closed by attaching velcro underneath making essentially false buttons but still having shirt securely closed with the velcro. I feel for women having the gun tucked up next to and slightly below their breast would be very concealable and not uncomfortable, but you would have to try for sure. A Federal Agent who is a member here carries with this type of set up but it is incorporated into an entire undershirt (instead of an elastic band like this one) can consistently draw from concealment and fire two shots on target at 7 yards in something like 2.4 seconds. Holster can be found here: http://www.gunnersecurity.com/holster-shoulder.html __________________ -Bark'n Semper Fi "The gun is the great equalizer... For it is the gun, that allows the meek to repel the monsters; Whom are bigger, stronger and without conscience, will prey on those of us who without one, would surely perish."

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July 17th, 2007, 10:57 PM	#3
Freedomofchoice Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Wesley Chapel, Florida Posts: 474	I use a smartcarry holster and I like it alot, but, it's not for everyone and you will get as many negative comments as you will positive. That said, I would not feel comfortable carrying a Glock in a soft carry rig because of the chance that the trigger could accidently be pulled. I'd only carry a Glock in leather.

July 19th, 2007, 08:58 AM	#7
tk4878 Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: South Carolina Posts: 152	I don't know how hot and humid NH can get. Here in the south, it can get a tad uncomfortable. I have used the bellyband with great results (minimal printing with close fitting shirts). I will suggest a tank top or a mens sleeveless undershirt to wear under the bellyband. I like the looks of the holster that Bark'n posted. I may have to get one of those. I do not have a Smartcarry but from what I have read, these are great for skirts.

July 19th, 2007, 09:27 AM	#8
Sloman Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: The Great South Posts: 23	I personally use a SmartCarry/thunderwear holster (I own both) more than any other. You don't have to worry about your shirt coming up and showing the gun or a bulge on your side in public. Just my two cents!

July 19th, 2007, 12:09 PM	#9
NikatKimber New Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 9	Good question! My fiance is trying to figure out the same thing. We were looking at the Kramer shirt holster, very similar to what Bark'n posted. The only problem I have thought of with that style, is that the wearer must use button front shirts for best results, or be satisfied with having to reach all the way under a Tshirt.

July 19th, 2007, 01:06 PM	#10
Sloman Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: The Great South Posts: 23	I had a Kramer shirt and the 5.11 shirt, both ain't worth the money! At least for me they weren't! IMHO