Anyone use a "belly band" for their CCW?

[inSight-NEO]

Sorry to ask but how mcuh fire power, gun and extra ammo, would you need in a place of work where you wear scrubs?

Well...one gun and a few spare mags I suppose.

Its not that I carry each and every day. But, I like to keep my options open. After all, health care facilities are certainly not immune to violence.

 

[lloveless]

Nope, but they are a bastion of politically correct thinkers, and freak at the thought of a co-worker carrying. At least at most places.
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[balin]

I use one on occassion. Wish I could find a left handed one. I know you just turn them inside out and they are left handed. But I find they don't retain as well that way. As the leather is on the outside and can stretch more.

 

[Sonnyone]

That depends on how much belly you're trying to band! If you're in good shape and don't hang oner your pants they work fine.

 

[Mikefln]

I use a belly band a lot, I find it conveint and comtable. I use it for my 642 when I am in work out gear at the gym, and I use it for my Beretta 92 when I am in anything from jeans, Khakis, or a suit. I have no trouble with it at all. Like everything else, you need to practice with it because it is not as smooth to use as a regular holster.

 

[HexHead]

I've had a Thunderwear holster for years, since I had my Beretta 9000s which was almost impossible to find a decent holster for. I haven't worn it in a while, but as I recall it was all they said it was. Very comfortable and totally concealed. I need to start wearing it again. Especially since I've lost some weight and all my pants have some extra room.

Damn, and I just bought a shoulder holster too. HAHAHAHA

 

[DrShooter]

Any preference between Galco's underwarp and the Original Belly Band and Active Pro Gear's unit? Thanks

 

[content]

Hello friends and neighbors // I have em, tried em, didn't like the retention of them for a handgun but for a knife or money belt they are great.

Been a while though, mine are all elastic, 2 handgun slots and bill pocket. No hook and loop to secure the handgun, the new ones might retain the weapon better.

 

[Zundfolge]

When I started carrying eons ago I started out with a belly band (the Active Pro Gear Defender ... back then they called themselves "Action Direct").

Anyway, I carried a Steyr M40 and it carried very discretely and somewhat comfortably.

But I'm convinced there was an unacceptable side effect ... after several months of regular carry with the belly band, I developed a pretty bad case of IBS. I'm convinced the belly band was to blame because I ordered a good leather holster and started carrying IWB and the problem went away.

I suspect the constant, constricting pressure caused the problem.

Also you tend to sweat under them a lot.

 

[LightningMan]

I wear a belly-band during cooler weather months, when I can wear a t-shirt under my regular button down long sleved shirt. That means the temps don't get much above 60-70 degrees for the day, for me anyway. One of the reasons I wear a BB is I don't like wearing my shirt loose, I tuck it in, IMO it just looks sloppy to wear a button down shirt, untucked. I wear my BB so while seated the muzzle of my Kahr PM9 is a my belt line, and leave one button undone so if I ever need my gun, it makes it easy to reach in to get it out quickly. Of course this works best if you are right handed. Unfortunatly in warmer months I take a step down and use a pocket holster for my LCP or P238. LM

 

[Skillet]

I love how those manicans that they mold for the forming of those shirt pictures (press the link above to get my idea) have a perfect body shape that you only see on TV

 

[jcs271]

Can you draw while seated (say at a desk) with a smart carry, or is it kind of folded into your lap below your waistband?

 

[Lakeshore]

I occasionally wear a belly band that I bought at a gun show for 20 bucks.

For me the best feature is the versatility of the elastic gun pocket; it accommodates all but the largest pistols. Weak features are discomfort in warm weather, as others have observed, and the lack of durability of a fabric/elastic band versus a regular holster.

 

[XavierBreath]

I too, am in scrubs on a daily basis. I know several other people who wear scrubs and pack. We shoot together as well, and occasionally attend schools together. We recruit new people into the effective self defense mindset. The solution to scrub carry among us was unanimous. SmartCarry was the solution. Get Charlie's product. It whoops the others handily. Order your scrub pants a size larger with a drawstring so they will bunch a bit in front. Be careful bellying up to stretchers and surgical tables lest you give an audible "thunk" and have your patient look at you quizzically.

Ankle carry is generally ineffective and resigned for BUG duty IMHO. I do use a Belly Band, worn high while biking. I don't wear biking jerseys though.

What job puts you in scrubs that will allow(legally)ccw?

Laws are different from state to state regarding carrying in hospitals, clinics and private residences. There are no laws that prohibit doctors, nurses and other medical professionals from carrying firearms. Even if the OP lives in a hospital carry prohibitive state, or if his hospital has legal "no guns" signs, he just might stop by the Handy Mart on the way home, wearing scrubs. It would be nice to carry at that time.