hey everyone, first time posting here. I own a S&W SD9VE with a Fobus OWB polymer holster. The problem I'm having is finding a strong enough belt to support the weight of my pistol. Im confused as to looking online and no one in my area carries a heavy duty belt. I ordered a garrison belt online but it turned out not to be strong enough, as it crushes if you squeeze it. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Take a look at Hank's belts. They work fine and aren't expensive for what you get.

Welcome to the forum. I'm not sure if you are looking for leather or something else. If leather, then take a look at Bullhide belts. I have two that I use (with jeans loops) that I love. They hold up my 4 inch 681 and my Md 4506 just fine for backwoods hiking and fishing. The leather is thick, really thick.

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I'm gonna grow fins.

Simply Rugged makes nice ones at reasonable prices. I have several.

I have always used a 1.75" all leather garrison belt. works for me.

Bianchi # B12 in leather is what I've used since the 1980s.....1 1/2" IIRC $50ish on Amazon

or

Wilderness Tactical's 1 1/2 inch "Frequent Flyer" (5 stitch) which is a version of their Instructor's Belt. in reinforced nylon. $35ish from WT.

Cross bread holster has excellent belts

Don't know where you live, but just go to your local gun store/range and get a Galco gun belt or 5:11 Tactical.

Either will work fine and you don't have to wait for something you order online.

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Stay protected my friends.

I found a real nice class A CHP duty rig on e-bay. 2" belt, holster for a Sig 9mm but my SD9VE fits perfect, and two mag pouches all in high grade patton leather. Looks outstanding for $65. Pay close attention to belt size and holster design when buying online. There are a lot of holsters and belts on e-bay and amazon. You can get a good deal because people don't know the value of what they are selling.

Hubby and I both got Galco SB2 belts. Worn daily for a couple of years and still look new.
Bought from these folks, and shipping for a size swap was free.

Galco SB2 Sport Belt SB2-40 Up To 27% OFF Best Rated

I use a belt made by Ted Blocker Holsters. It is their "H" belt that is 1.5" wide, fully lined and has a spring steel insert. Supports my M&P40c without any problems. I can't even tell it has a steel insert when wearing it.

If you don't like to pay big money, then Bullhide belts offers their returned items at clearance prices. They are about the only company that will take returns if it don't fit, which they sell discounted.

I bought one from Bullhide. At first, they didn't do the metal insert like other companies. Considering their belts measure 1/4" in thickness, I figured it would be just as good as one with a metal insert. I only paid $40 for my belt, and it had upgrade options, but was on their clearance.

It's a great belt, but even with 1/4" thick leather, it is still developing a small sag in the section my holster rides. It works great though and that minimal sagging has no ill effect. Bullhide now makes belts with the metal insert, so that must be better for them to get in the market. My next belt purchase will have the metal insert.

Plus 1's and 2's on the Galco gun belts for open carry,

I wear jeans (both blue and dress khaki/tan/black) almost daily and have found the 2 inch belt loops on most jeans take that big Galco (have a black and a tan) belt just fine.

I have several Galco holsters too, so the Model 15, 28, almost any of the 4 inch ride just right for me.

I'm a 38" waist and the Galco's come in length increments so you can it just right or a tad larger and still not have a great big over hang flapping around.

The real quality of the Galco (and I'm sure other quality real "gun leather") is the double thickness, heavy duty stitching
that for me supports anything I'm carrying up to the 1911A1's

Once put the K 14-3 w/8-3/8" barrel in a 12" long Buckheimer.. and yea...that was not the most comfortable, but on the other hand any of the 38 snubbies on the Galco belt...you don't even remember they are there.

Good luck on your decision.

PS Galco is on-line and price is same as at my LGS, arrives in 2 days if your LGS is out of your required length or style.

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Charlie B
SWCA#3083, SWHF#570

Original Instructor Belt

Some folks say they're a little pricey but I've been wearing one of these for 7 or 8 years and I know people who have individual belts by this company that are 25 years + old and still quite serviceable. Which drives the actual cost down.

I will say that if you get one follow their sizing instructions to a "T" then add an inch.

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Retired Career Security Guard

I use the 5.11 Casual Leather belt with Permastiff insert. It's held up well, as I wear it every day.

5.11 Tactical Leather Casual Belt 1.5" | Official 5.11 Site

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

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Improvise, Adapt, Overcome

I bought a Hanks at Amazon. Worth the $50.

I have been using a ComTac 1.5" belt with a Kydex insert for about 10 years now. I take care of it... clean and treated. It has carried 1911, Sig 229, glocks, and S&W J,K and N frames without a whimper. I also have a
Tucker and Byrd that is very stout and will carry any of the above with ease.

I wear Milt Sparks or Matt DelFatti belts exclusively. Have for over 40 years.

Don't cheep out on belts or holsters.

1.5"
All leather double thick.

Cheep isn't a good choice in belts or holsters.

Plan on over $100.00 for a quality belt.

Armour Belts is another good choice. I think they're well priced for what you get.

I have a Lenwood Double Layer belt and couldn't be happier with it.

The key thing is you want a belt that is vertically rigid and won't twist or sag, providing a solid platform for the holster and the firearm it's carrying.

FWIW, I think you are on the right track. A substantial belt is key to successful carry. These guys have given you some great suggestions.

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America First

Another recommendation for Milt Sparks. I have one of his 1¾" lined leather belts that works with my jeans and my Carhartts. Comfortable, superior quality, and strong as steel. I carry a S&W Model 640 Pro at 4 o'clock all day every day, and sometimes a S&W 500 4" at 10 o'clock, and thanks to Milt's belt I don't even know they're there. Comfort right out of the package is unreal.

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Wrangler of stray Chiefs
Bob

I have several holsters and gun belts made by Jason Adams at ArchangelLeather.com . Good prices and outstanding gun leather. Made to your liking.

Be careful looking at gun belts, some of them make really nice holsters too and you'll end up spending more on a carry rig than some people do on their carry rig. That said, I really like Tucker Gunleather

I have one of Comp-Tac gun belts too. They have a choice and I chose the ! 1/2 inch belt with the tapered front___in front it appears similar to a dress belt. That Kydex interior will hold up a
105mm howitzer! And, the buckles are removable so you can use
your custom buckle.
Actually, I picked the tan color and the original brass buckle has remained on it and exceptional quality, belt and buckle.
Customer service is outstanding. I even suggest ordering by their
free phone number___because of that very friendly service.
Stay safe
Poli Viejo

Big recommendation for Simply Rugged; I've got a few of their belts, and the holsters are good too. If you want a different look, Saddleback Leather has excellent gear; their belts are reasonably priced, but their other stuff is $$$. You will get value for the money with either.

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50 Years of DSOTM

Another fan of Hank's belts. I have the stitched model, got it from AMAZON for $50.00 + free shipping.

Duluth Trading Company has a number of quality belts at good prices.

I have a couple of theirs, this is my favorite for carrying.

Work Belts - Men's Gets Better with Age Work Belt - Duluth Trading

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- Change it back -

I love my two Dillon belts. The reloading people. Have a black
and a brown. Thick, double layer with solid brace buckle. Used
them for years. I also love supporting Dillon as they set the
standard for customer service.

I'm surprised no one has mentioned Beltman, his belts are very popular among the members of another forum. I have his and Galco belts. While I have no real complaints with Galco, I carry IWB, and if I carried OWB I would definitely want the extra stiffness of the Beltman.

I have seen good references to Beltman too. I just got a couple of dress belts from Mean Gene Leather, and he is a great guy with great service. I bought them based on what turned out to be old information about my waist size; returned them on my dime and had them back 3" smaller in an amazingly short time. I think from original order to correction was less than 2 weeks.

I'm not a fan of O/C, a discussion we should not start, but in general, if you do, you need a real security holster. The Fobus holsters are not, and are often prohibited by attentive LE agencies.

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NHI, 10-8.

5.11 Tactical Trainer belt, purchased from Cabelas for around $40. A good rigid belt that holds up exceptionally well under EDC & serious training. You can cinch it up as tight as you want, then attach the leftover to the hook & loop Velcro.

Don't forget to look at A&G Custom Leather. I have two of their 1.5" belts and one 1.75" with stiffener. They work great and are holding up very well.

AG Custom Gun Leather - Premium Hand Crafted Leather Belts

Wild Bill's Concealment Leather makes double thickness bullhide belts. I bought two when I went into a plainclothes assignment at work and they support the weight of a decent size handgun very well.
You are wise to consider buying a good belt. It is the foundation of successful waist carriage of a fighting size handgun.

I'm another fan of Milt Sparks - belts and holsters. I also have one from A&G Gunleather that is also a good belt.

D.M. Bullard is worth a look.

Gun Leather, Concealment and Cowboy holsters, Azle, TX.

Stiffness is very important. For some folks (like me, in the northeast), it would be nice if the belt doesn't scream "gun."

While I'm pretty sure that there are quite a few good belts out there, and even more not so good, my experience with www.thebeltman.net has been excellent. Stiff, inconspicuous, and good service. I believe that most choices are still a little under $100, or maybe more than a little under $100.

Wright Leather. Larry

5.11 Tactical #59409 is my favorite. If I want a more traditional looking leather belt I use a 1 1/2" MTR Custom Leather Bull Hide. The MTR is definitely stiffer but the 5.11 is more comfortable and because of the design it still does the job great (cinch it and go) and should have no problem supporting your SD9VE.

I carry all the time with the Super Bio belt from DaltechForce.com, it is a polymer gun belt and it is great. Does not sag with what ever gun I choose to carry on it. They offer a lifetime warranty on their products, so it is a no brainer for me.

Bigfoot Gun Belts

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Eccentric old coot

Another Galco lover here.
I wear the SB-5 1.75" x 40" in black. My waist is around 36.
Has stood up to literally everyday wear for several years and will support a 2.5-3 lb revolver easily.
They are pre-contoured and require no break in at all.
That's the widest belt you can fit into most jeans.
The tight fit in the loops helps with holding the holster+gun close to the body in OWB carry.
Speaking of jeans I like the LL Bean classic fit.
They are available in "half" sizes like 35 and more importantly have extra belt loops.
This gives me a belt loop in between the slots of most holsters.
The pants in these pix are not the LL Bean.
They would have another loop right on top of the label as well as one underneath the holster.

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NEMO
"Everything 44"

I ordered a 1/4" thick 1 3/4" wide belt from Bullhide and it just showed up. I have to say I am really impressed with it. Really solid belt and for what you get the price was decent.

I got an Uncle Mike's instructors belt so I'd have one for working in the yard or the garage. Something I wouldn't care about ruining. I wear it more than all my others combined. I think it was $20 on Amazon.

Really very little to be confused about .. Simply type "quality leather gun belts" and you'll find several pages .. then according to how much you would like to pay its very easy to order one .. Bull hide is stiffer and usually thicker then cow hide if you order one with a steel web insert it won't ever sag .. don't be cheap and buy a good one .. it will last for years .. a cheap one will last about a month ..

nothing complicated at all .. really don't understand all the difficulty people have buying a gun belt for conceal carry .. except people especially someone just starting to carry are cheap .. or to me at least seem to be .. and try to get by with just getting by and that simply doesn't work with pistols and the accessories you need for conceal carry !! many have just bought a pistol, and a holster or two paid for the conceal carry license and in some states the class and shooting to qualify to get a license .. according to what they bought or were talked into buying there down as much 500 to 700 dollars and when buying a belt it seems like a cheap one will do ..

It won't !!

I just got two gun belts yesterday from Goodwill Industries for $0.99 each. Both of them are thick leather and one of them still has a $20 price tag on it. I also have a 1911 that weighs me down but with these new belts I'm not worried anymore.

Very happy with my Beltman.

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USN Submarine Service '66-'71

What he said.

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I'm 67. I don't do timeouts.

Not sure if you live in a state that has boot or saddle makers, if so that is a good place to look, they will make whatever you need.

5.11 or Eagle Industries. That Fobus holster shouldn't need a leather belt. Heavy duty ballistic nylon will do just fine . . .

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Wisdom comes thru fear . . .