Is a belly band a good or bad way to try the weapon in different positions to see how the weapon will hide BEFORE choosing a carry location and buying a for real holster? Does the belly band offer a realistic representation for carrying in that position?
Oh! That is a somewhat different question. I don't believe it would. A belly band rides higher and draws completely differently than any belt holster. Conceals differently as well. You certainly can try one if you like (they're pretty cheap) but I don't think it's really going to make up your mind for you.
Anyone answering with the IWB option, can you further share which position works best for you.
The "4 o'clock" position, just behind the strong-side hip, is the almost universal carry location. Trust the thousands and thousands who've already done the experimenting for you!
A few folks like "appendix" carry (more like 1-2 o'clock, up front). That only really works for small guns, for obvious reasons. If you try to sit down while carrying a 5" Gov't model up front like that, you'll figure out why it's not a great idea. Also, the tendency to print, especially right up front where folks are actually more likely to notice, and where an open, unbuttoned shirt can't cover the gun, is indeed greater.
A very few will prefer a cross-draw style (at 10-11 o'clock on the opposite side). That's mostly good for folks who drive constantly. The draw from a cross-draw holster is easily fouled/blocked if you are pinned in by your attacker, and these are hard to practice with as most ranges won't allow you to use a holster that makes you sweep everyone on your support-side when you draw -- and point your loaded gun somewhat UP-range when re-holstering. Also, the same printing/concealment garment issues apply here as do with the Appendix style.
A few old hold-outs still cling to the Small-Of-Back style (6 o'clock, right behind or beside your spine). That one's just completely worthless -- dangerous, in fact -- for several reasons explained in a bunch of threads on this site. If you're really curious, do a search, but otherwise just don't consider it.
So that leaves a gun carried IWB or OWB somewhere on your strong side. Most folks find it conceals better and is more out of the way when it's located just behind the point of your hip. A lot of folks also prefer a bit of forward tip to the holster -- the "FBI cant" -- that lifts the butt of the gun higher against your side for even better concealment.
I've looked at the Desantis and Cross Breed tuckables on line and the leather (pancake?) just looks huge. I'm surprised by the positive comments about these options but haven't worn one.
Actually, it is probably counter-intuitive but to some extent, the more leather or other material there is, the better the holster often will conceal and the more comfortable it will be. The more flat, wide leather there is against your body, the more it will spread the pressure against you. Having your belt and pants run outside the hoister (IWB) will smooth out the lump of the gun on your hip and make it less noticeable under a cover garment, and will of course cover the muzzle end of the holster if your shirt rides up a bit.
An OWB, especially the "pancake" or "Speed Scabbard" style conceals extremely well, too. In that case, the outer layer of leather, stretched taught between the forward and rear belt slots, smooths out the profile of the gun on your hip and draws it in tight against you. Wonderful concealment and very comfortable, too.
