Pancake-style holster question

[bdg146]

I've always wondered this, but never thought to ask. So I have a pancake style holster with two slots for the belt to go through; one on either side of the pistol. How is the belt supposed to go through the slots? Does it go around pistol, or between the pistol and your body? Is this one of those things that people sort of pick which they like best, or is there a traditional way of doing it? I've played around a bit and don't know if I can tell a difference (besides which hole I go to on the belt)

Just curious what others think

 

[Big Daddy Grim]

I wear mine so the belt holds the pistol course the only time I use a pan cake is when I am working in the yard so I like the added hold so it doesn't move during activities.

 

[Iggy]

 

[kd7nqb]

Like so much, wear it how you find that it works best for you. I am sure one way is more traditional than the other and I think the more "designed" way is with the belt behind the holster.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

While there are a few holsters specifically designed to be worn between your belt and pants, they are not commonly encountered, so I will assume this is a conventional "pancake" style OWB with belt slots fore and aft. The belt goes through the slots on the back side of the holster, between the pistol and your body. If you run it along the outside, the thickness of the belt will be added to that of the holster, will also have to make tight bends to get around it, and unless the leather of the holster is extremely rigid (many are not), the pressure of the belt will tend to pinch the holster closed when the gun is out of it.

 

[bdg146]

The particular holster in question is a Bianchi for my P90. I've been looping the belt around the pistol. Looks like I"ll have to try it the other way again to see if I can notice a difference. Thanks for the responses!

 

[StrawHat]

When Roy Baker introduced the Pancake holster he described it as being able to be worn in a variety of ways. The belt around the pistol or behind the pistol are both "correct". I have one for an N frame S&W and find if I have my belt around the revolver, it is a bit more secure and discrete.

It also depends on how much belt versus waist you have!