I've carried using an almost identical method for as long as it's been legal to CCW in TX. It is absolutely, hands down, my least favorite method of carry in every way (comfort, ease of draw, comfort, reholstering, comfort, size of gun I can carry--and comfort) and I only use it when I can't carry any other way.
Did I mention I find it uncomfortable?
It was the first way I ever carried concealed, and I still do it on a regular (though infrequent) basis. Just carried that way today for 8 or 9 hours, as a matter of fact.
I'm carrying a small, sleek, single-stack .380 with that method and I've modified the gun so that the side that's towards me has been melted somewhat. Still uncomfortable.
It is a very useful carry method, but the only way I could see it being comfortable would be if I were wearing pants way too big for me. Absolutely no way I would consider carrying anything bigger than my little .380 that way.
Hey, if it doesn't work, it doesn't work. The only way to really know though is to give it a try like anything else. Most of the negative comments come from those who have never used one. Youre actually the first that Ive heard that has, that had a negative experience.
These are not "belly bands" either, and not worn like one.
I wear one mostly at work during the summer, for 10-12 hour workdays, and I work actively outdoors in heavy construction, so Im moving around a lot doing physical things.
I wear my normal pants (Carhartt or Dickies carpenter jeans) of the proper size, and find it to be very comfortable. I dont "upsize" my clothing when I carry, with this, or my IWB holsters.
As with anything, it takes a little getting used to and "break in" so to speak. Anything new is rarely instantly perfect. I didnt find this to be any harder than anything else, but, it is different.
As I said, these days, I normally carry a Glock 26 with a 17 reload in mine. I started out with a Seecamp thinking only a small gun would be possible, which I was wrong. Once I tried the 26, I realized pretty quick, it didnt have to be.
The largest Ive carried has been a SIG P239, and a Glock 19. And yes, the larger you go, the looser the pant the better. A looser office or dress type pant, thats looser, with a more full cut through the front, does work better with near full-size guns.
But hey, if youve given it a try and it doesnt work for you, it doesnt work. I think we probably all have or have had holster boxes full of things that didnt.
One thing here too, dont confuse the Smart Carry holsters with the Thunderwear. Ive owned both, and the Thunderwear is not the same product.
They look similar, but the quality of the Thunderwear isnt there, and I would not carry a loaded Glock or similar handgun in one. They are made with thinner material, and I was able to trip the trigger on my Glock through it almost right away just massaging the holster with the gun in it.
I tried hard to do the same thing with the Smart Carry, and wore one around for about a year with an empty chamber and going about my daily routine, and have never been able to get the trigger to trip with the Smart Carry.