Congrats to WI for doing the right thing!
I'm 6'4" and 250# and use a Galco belly band. As with anything it has its pros and cons. Or rather, the things I like and the things I don't like about it! Read on.....
Pros.
-Inexpensive. About $70. My wife bought it for me at the LGS so I'm not certain. Probably cheaper on line
-Doesn't require a belt. (Further reduction in cost, of course.)
-As it doesn't require a belt, it isn't weighing down my belt/pants
-Since it isn't attached to a belt, it's easier to manage things while in a public restroom stall
- It's elastic so sizing isn't a huge issue, really. They do come in sizes, though, so pay attention when ordering
-IWB carry (In both sections because some may prefer OWB!)
-Although you can tuck your shirt in over it, it requires some care to ensure complete concealment
-Can use most oversize shirts to conceal, including a t-shirt
-Conceals large handguns. I use a 92FS and a P220. Have not tried a wheelgun yet
-Can actually adjust my belt/pull my pants up without revealing or "flashing" the firearm
-Sitting with the pistol in place all day is no big deal. On occasion, I can feel it's there, but most of the time, I don't even notice.
-Flexibility of carry method. Just position the gun wherever you want it. I haven't tried to move it up to chest level yet, but I imagine it's possible
-More or less universal as to which guns you can carry in it although I haven't tried any smaller guns, only full size pistols
-Ambidextrous with two pistol pockets. I suppose you could carry two guns if you wanted to do so
Cons.
-Best worn on top of a t-shirt/undershirt to prevent chafing
-Will chafe badly if you don't wear the aforementioned t-shirt
-I don't know yet, but it seems like it could wear out in short order and negate the cost savings. Still pending
-No retention strap. I haven't lost it yet even while working under the car, in the yard, etc. but I worry about it. If you cinch your belt down too tight, it seems like it could cause it to get squeezed out. After several months, though, it seems like its not going to be a huge problem
-Summer heat makes it a bit of a sweat fest
-IWB carry (In both sections because some may prefer OWB!)
-Difficult to tuck in a shirt over it, however, not impossible. Just takes some effort to ensure complete concealment
-When sitting in the car, it can work itself up above your belt line. It will still conceal, but the feeling of having it up that high is eerie and you have to get to a private location to adjust
-Sitting in a car and some seats with the longer barrel pistol can cause some pinching if the gun isn't holstered JUST right
-On occasion, the pistol will move a bit wrong and pinch me. Requires a quick trip to a bathroom stall to readjust
-Speaking of which, depending on the gun, it has to be positioned JUST right in order to be truly comfortable. It can take a while to figure this out. The Sig is easier to get comfortable than the Beretta
-Spare magazine pouch can "lose" the magazine, depending on how you're seated. Not a problem in a car or chair but a cushiony couch can somehow pinch it right out. Fortunately, this only happened at home on one occasion
-Generally, the spare magazine pouch seems to be comfortable enough, but again, takes some effort to figure out how to position it just right.
I carry at just a hair forward of 3:00 with a forward cant. I use the belly band "backward." By that I mean that judging from the shape of the holster pockets it's supposed to be on the "other"side with the velcro in the back and the spare mag pouch up front. My wife uses this holster as well and that's how she wears it.
For me, however, I find it's better for me to turn it so that the velcro is in front and the spare mag pouch is in the small of my back. It's not uncomfortable but YMMV on this point. If I have the Beretta, I don't use a spare mag anyway. With the Sig, the mag is pretty skinny but as mentioned, it can work itself out if I'm not paying attention.
I may be forgetting something. I'm sure all holsters have their share of goods and bads which is likely the reason why there are so many different holsters out there.
Of a certainty, I'm not saying this is
your best solution but something to consider.
--Wag--
