Recommendations For Quality Belly Band

[Bartholomew Roberts]

Anybody have any recommendations for a good quality belly band capable of holding a 1911 sized pistol? Ideally, I would like to be able to wear the band below the waistline, shirt tucked in, with the pistol at the 3 o'clock position.

I need the band to hold the pistol close to the body to prevent printing. I have an Action Direct Deep Concealment holster that I cut the shoulder-straps off of so that it no longer looks like a man-bra. It does a decent job; but it can't handle larger sized pistols, has a fierce retention, and doesn't hug the gun into the body as well as I'd like.

Wear the band low and the pistol barrel prints. Wear the band high and the grip prints. I'd like a belly band that can pull the gun into the body the way a Milt Sparks VM2 rig can... am I dreaming?

 

[sm]

http://www.masterofconcealment.com/pgroup_details.php?pgroupid=1116

I used one of these for a full size 1911 and it worked very well. I have used for other guns as well. I chose to position the firearm on my weakside for car travel.

Being right handed this meant ~ 2:30 position. With a tucked in oxford shirt , slighley "bloused" I wore no cover garment - worked in the hot summers here.

I had some shirts with Hook&Loop and didn't fasten the buttons. Okay - but too much noise. I tried using "snaps" for those buttons...not happy with this either. Rust spots on shirts attracts eyes, and don't "unsnap" as fast as I thought they should.

In the car, I unbuttoned , dark, stoplights, I had easy access. Out in public...well I went to not sewing them real tight and secure. Yes I lost a few buttons in normal everyday use...bought extra buttons and figured the trade off was worth it.

FWIW, I cannot find the thread were runt_of_ the_litter gave a review, and showed pics. IIRC Correia uses a system for a 1911 - perhaps he will chime in.

I too am looking for another system.

Steve

 

[pokynojoe]

I have a Bianchi Ranger belly band, I've never used, still in the package. Not sure it would work for you, but if your interested, send me an email.

Take care
Joe

 

[30 cal slob]

I haven't found one yet that doesn't chafe the skin (darn velcro!).

(Well, I am a fat slob with a beer gut)

 

[Zundfolge]

I had the idea of sewing a regular leather or kydex holster into a bellyband ... I don't know if anyone sells such a thing, but you could buy an Action Direct Defender and an inexpensive molded holster and try to put the two together somehow.


EDIT
I knew I saw one somewhere, and it was on PCRCCW's site
http://www.hbeleatherworks.com/

look on page 2 of his "For Sale" page click here


click picture for larger picture

 

[Tomac]

I was looking at bellybands until I heard about SmartCarry: http://www.smartcarry.com/ . It works well for comfortable carry for extended periods when carrying my all-steel Makarov but I haven't tried it w/a full-size .45 .
Tomac

 

[pax]

Never used anything but Galco's. That one works well for me.

I haven't found one yet that doesn't chafe the skin (darn velcro!).

Okay, you're going to think I'm nuts. But walk over to the women's department and buy yourself a tube top. Wear it around your waist, under the belly band. Problem solved.

pax

 

[sm]

pax,

The tube top works, once I found one in white and all cotton. Afraid the neon green one would clash with my eyes...lady at checkout gave me a funny look.

Galco - thank you! I couldn't for the life of me remember the name of the one I used to have. Seems these things shrink eventually over time *ahem* . I gave it to a lady that needed one.

 

[Correia]

I have used a Be Secure bellyband for the last several years. It was the kind that Gunslinger used to sell before he passed away.

The problem is, my second one is wearing out, and needs replacing, but I can't find Be Secure online. I love this bellyband, and don't really want to switch to another brand, since I like this one already. Anybody know how I can contact these folks?

 

[Excalibur]

Have you thought of the Smart Carry or "Thunderwear"? I have a belly band but it doesn't work well for my 1911's. It's okay for a small gun. But I often carry my CQB compact in a Smart Carry. It is very comfortable and after a little practice I can draw very quickly. I've never been suspected of packing when wearing it.

 

[Stevie-Ray]

I use DeSantis. Very comfortable.

Look here:
http://www.holster.com/gunny-sacks--belly-bands--gun-caddies.html

 

[Mikul]

I have Action Direct's Defender and carry my CZ-75 in it. It's not quite a 1911, but it's close. I never wear the bellyband directly on my skin, it wraps around my hips on top of my underwear. It's actually slung lower on my weak-hand side. If I wear an undershirt, it's on top of that.

 

[bsg]

stumbled across this thread; 5 1/2 years late but... the Bianchi Belly Band is actually a nice setup. it's perfect for a G26 and magazine; i've used it for my older P series Sigs as well, but stability seems better with the lighter Glocks. no printing when i have worn mine with only a loose fitting tee shirt over the rig.

i'm average build and have worn the Bianchi above my waistline. by simple alteration of the band (horizontal left and right) you can have the gun accessible from several different points. depending on your body structure, there is some room for vertical adjustment of the belly band as well. the belly band is for true deep concealment.

the downside of the Bianchi is that a fast draw is not it's strong point. reholstering; the band is a thin ballistic nylon and velcro assisted rig, and reholstering is not fast. the shape of "holster" mouth is not retained after drawing gun.

Bianchi no longer offers the belly band; you'd have to get one from the secondary market.

is it worth the effort in finding one and purchasing it? yup.

 

[josephbw]

I have a Smartcarry that works for me. I have the small one for my Kel-Tec P11, but they come in larger sizes too. The velcro doesn't contact your skin if you wear it right.

 

[Gold Bar Guns]

Sportsmans Guide