1.5-inch v. 1.75-inch belt width: Does extra 0.25-inch make a difference for CCWing?

For civilian carry mostly with cargo style shorts and blue jeans which is better for carry heavier full size firearms IWB? Steal Core or non-steal core what is your experience?

Let me modify my original post in that does anyone prefer to modify their concealed carry belts also in that they prefer a tapered front or a "ranger style" front?

I figured get the widest belt for the best support. When I ordered the belt they cautioned that due to the belt being 1/4” thick to get the 1.5” or it might not fit through the belt loops.

I received the 1.5” belt and it fits the belt loops just right.

For extra support for my heavy 629 5” Classic, I sewed an extra belt loop on the pants next to the holster.

Now that is a smart move. I will remember that and incorporate that myself. THANKS!!! Rocky

That is why I am asking. I have a 1 1/2" gun belt now and it has some room in my shorts and jeans belt loops so I am thinking about getting an up graded gun belt anyway. The one I have now is a mid-grade belt and the two I am considering are top of the line. One only comes in 1 1/2" but is a Steal Core but the other has the option of 1 1/2" or 1 3/4". The 1 1/2" is a Steel Core, 1 3/8" thick, the other is not but is off the highest quality leather 1/4" think. That is why I am seeking others input and council as well as I am sure others viewing can learn from the input given here.

This is my first time trying IWB.

I'm not sure that the actual width of the belt is that important. Probably the most important is that the width of the belt is the same width as the slots in the holster or as above, wide enough to prevent the holster from rocking on the belt. It is nearly impossible to pull a belt tight enough to prevent the rocking on an undersized belt without making the belt uncomfortable.
Your "style" of dress will probably influence the width of the belt chosen.
Another reason why those of us who have concealed carry for a long time have a bunch of belt/holster combos for different guns.

+1 In my experience the stiffness of the belt is more significant than the width, within reason. Whether that stiffness comes from thickness or a steel or plastic liner is another matter. I had a 1.25" money belt that worked well for my M39 in a pancake and a couple of stretch woven belts that did okay for IWB carry of a Colt Lawman 2" in a Bianchi Pistol Pocket. I'd call it a team concept. In any case the belt needs to fit the holster slots and belt loops or it is next to useless.

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I need ammo, not a ride.

The standard carry belt is 1.5" and will fit the average carry holster. Also more dressy pants will accommodate the 1.5". The conceal carry gun, for wearer comfort, needs to be limited to something around 30 oz. loaded with this setup. If you want to tote something heavier I advise a 1.75" belt. It's necessary to pay more attention to wardrobe choices and holster belt capabilities in this case.

Trying to carry a heavy (say 43 oz 1911 plus it's ammo) on a 1.5" belt all day long won't be necessarily be pleasant for some people. It can be done with judicious holster selection.

I think belt construction is more important than belt width.

I use a 1.25" double-layer horsehide belt by The Beltman and can carry my all-steel 5" 1911 in a Kramer IWB#3 all day long with good comfort and support. The belt doesn't have any internal reinforcement. A double-layer 1.5" belt will fit snugly in most casual slacks, but it won't fit in any of my suit pants where the 1.25" will. My 1.5" Beltman belts are snug in my jeans.

Suspenders.

Specifically Perry brand.

It can be harder to find pants that will work with a thick 1-3/4” belt. It can be harder to find holsters that will work with a 1-3/4” belt. Not a lot harder for either, but it can limit some of your choices. I went with a Kore Essentials 1-1/2” belt recently. It’s stiff. Supposed to support up to 8 lbs on the belt (pistol plus mags). They don’t make a 1-3/4” in the model I got. If they did, it wouldn’t fit the belt loops on my pants.

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Vegan by proxy.

I use 1 1/2” Milt Sparks or DelFatti belts with holsters from those makers. These have worked perfectly for many years.

I use a belt keeper instead of the extra belt loop and sometimes put one in front and in back of the holster - just like old times...

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S&W factory revolver armorer

I always use 1.5" belts. My standard CC belts are handmade by Murray Leather in Aledo, Texas. I have a plain brown one and a "ranger-style" black one. Both belts fit my jeans and cargo pants perfectly and since I seldom wear shorts except for exercise I don't think about it much in re shorts.

In the event I wear a dress belt that is less than 1.5" (with slacks or a suit - - a VERY VERY rare occurrence) I just carry a smaller gun.

And full sized firearms are not a concern; I never carry those concealed. YMMV as always.

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Come and take it!!

I think the tapered front belts are best for those that use a concealing garment that opens in the front, like a jacket or suit coat, to give the appearance of a thinner belt while still being wide enough under the coat to support a gun. I don't think it offers any other advantage.

FWIW, both Beltman and Mitch Rosen make belts that taper like that. I'm sure others do as well.

I use 1.25" double-layer belts from The Beltman.

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John

Have been using a double layered 1.75 from The Beltman for a year or so. I carry a heavy(ish) all steel CZ75 Compact with a TTGunleather Slim XC. Works very well. Great belt and awesome customer interaction. I wear Wranglers and Dickies shorts so loops are not an issue.

The 1.5" gun belt I am looking at is a Hanks Steel Core Gun Belt - 1.5". It is a 20oz. a tri-layer belt made of two layers of USA steer hide harness leather with a steel core sandwiched in the middle .37" thick belt. 100-year warranty. Anyone else use a Hanks Leather Gun Belt?

We just bought a beltman belt for the MBH, now I want one. It's beautiful and does the job.

Have a blessed day,

Leon

While there's certainly nothing wrong with them, and plenty of people use them with good results, I think for most CCW it's a bit overkill. Unless you're toting around something like a S&W X-frame or Desert Eagle, a regular double-layer 1.5" gun belt will be more than sufficient. And as I mentioned previously, 1.25" would be just as useful with a little bit more versatility with clothing choices. I have 1.25" and 1.5" Beltman belts, and with the same gun and carry gear I can't tell a difference in terms of support.

Remember, I am having a custom IWB holster made for my 4" S&W 625-8 JM .45 ACP N-Frame 40.5 oz (unloaded) revolver to be worn on this belt; a "Texas Heritage Revolver" Holster by Tucker Gun Leather in Texas. Similar to the one shown in the pic below.

Well, my all-steel Colt Govt Model 1911 probably weighs 47 or 48oz loaded, in an IWB holster, plus a fully-loaded spare mag, and all the cra stuff I normally carry in my pants pockets, and my 1.25" belt does a fine job supporting everything.

But like I said, if you want to go with the Hank's steel-lined belt, go for it. I can't recall ever seeing any bad reviews of them.

Getting others experience, and input before making my final choice is why I posted my initial post. I want and value others opinions!

1.5" single thickness gets kinda floppy with a N frame in a pancake. But it's fine for a K frame.

I just ordered both widths from A.E Nelson to go with a new pancake I also ordered.

I've had very good luck with them.

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SWCA #3356, SWHF#611

i wear 1 1/2" Ranger belts. they support my fully loaded pistols up to 30 oz. 1 1/2" Ranger belt of bridle leather [not cheap] is my preference.
with a nice buckle set you can easily spend $200 or more. Filson has a 1 1/2" bridle leather belt [non Ranger style] for $85. they will last forever.

I use a 1.5” all leather $30 gun belt. Works perfectly.. I tried belts with polymer stiffeners but found them uncomfortable. I would probably find a steel core the same.

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Thirty characters. Exactly...

I may also but I think I am going to try a 1.5" steel core. That way I will have less belt loop issues and it will fit more holsters. Nothing ventured nothing gained and I already have a 1 1/2" leather gun belt now to compare it to. I used to use heavy leather left belts when weight lifting which is really neither here nor there but they never bothered me so I'll see how I guess I will see how I will like it. If I hate it, I will get a higher grade 1 1/2" all leather belt. Trial and error I guess. Thanks for all the input everyone!

I've done well with the 5.11 nylon reversible belts in 1.5". The double layer of nylon, with 5 rows of stitching supports all but the heaviest CC guns. Never worn one out yet. Not as costly as leather and certainly more sweat/wet weather resistant.

It took me a few years to wear out a 1.5" double layer bullhide with spring steel insert. I think sweat finally got to it.

The rigger style belts are intended to support a person's weight and usually have heavy high strength steel buckles. Not necessarily the perfect CC belt IMO.

I wear a lined 1¾" Milt Sparks belt and a Lobo Gun Leather Enhanced Pancake holster for my 640 Pro.

The belt fills the Carhartt jeans' loops for a firm, no-slip 'n' slide feel.

As I read from a wise sage on this forum a long time ago, "My belt
is for my holster; my suspenders keep my pants up."

I wear 2" Industrial Series "HoldUp" suspenders.

PS: all this gear is "Made in the U.S.A."

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Wrangler of stray Chiefs
Bob

Wider belts are better the bigger you are. I'm a big guy and the 1.5" belts are more comfortable than the narrower ones. Think of a kite string around a grain sack... That said the 1.75" are too wide, it won't work with any of my belt loops, most clips for IWB holsters aren't long enough to encompass the entire belt. 1.5" seems to be the sweet spot. Enough beef for heavier iron but not too wide. I use Wilderness Tactical belts exclusively myself.

My personal experience is that if you need some artificial core in a gun belt, you need to buy either a higher quality gun belt or a tow vehicle for your firearm.

A leather belt will mold itself to your body. One with an insert will chafe your body until it fits the belt.

My steel core Bigfoot belt holds all the gear I carry around all day.

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Two Handguns every day

For casual wear I've gone to a 1.5" Wilderness Tactical Frequent Flyer 5 stitch belt..... infinitely adjustable to accommodate IWB or OWB holsters and mag pouches ( including a Milt Sparks double pouch worn between the belt and Wranglers).

NO issues for guns like S&W 39xx, 69xx and 3" 66...... or my Beretta 92 Compact 15+1 and a spare ( or 2) Mec-gar 18rd magazine(s).

I have carried comfortably up to a full size fully loaded 1911 on a 1.5" belt all day long without any issue. Consider looking at the question differently-rather than belt width, start with belt stiffness and durability. A Better Belt has excellent customer service and based on your needs will personally help you select the best belt for your needs. Additionally, the belt is just half the story - a high quality holster specific to your firearm that keeps the loaded holster snug to your body is just as important. For carrying anything heavier, I'd be looking for a chest rig. Good luck!

I'm presently (like right now) carrying a 4" pre 29 in a pancake on a 1.5" A.E. Nelson belt. Good support, but it is the "extra heavy" version belt.

So I'd say 1.5" is fine, IF it's a stiff belt.

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SWCA #3356, SWHF#611

x2 on the Perrys.

Attached Images

625 belt & braces copy.JPG (65.5 KB, 262 views)

Here are some of my favorite gun belts:

First, on the Left is a "Sidewinder". A gift from my friend Red Nichols.
Shown with my Colt's Gold Cup in a Brill-Persons holster, also a gift
from Red. Roy Huntington, editor of American Handgunner, said it best
about the Sidewinder: "Feels like the curvy leather belt that you've worn
for 30 years - but it's new."

2nd from left is a gun belt you are not likely to find. It was made by
Chic Gaylord and works perfectly with his speed scabbard, shown with
my Model 29 S&W.

3rd from left is a 2 ply 1.5" gun belt by Milt Sparks, with a carved
and laced Eubanks holster, and my S&W Model 10.

4th from left is a 2 ply 1.5" gun belt my Haugen, with a Seventrees
Combat Speed Scabbard, and my S&W Model 19 Combat Magnum.

5th from left is a 2 ply 1.5" gun belt by Texas Gunslinger, with a Myres
#614 FBI holster, and my S&W Model 67 Combat Masterpiece.

Attached Images

	SAM_1053.jpg (99.9 KB, 15 views)
	SAM_1401.jpg (71.8 KB, 15 views)
	SAM_1157.jpg (127.0 KB, 14 views)
	SAM_1595.jpg (84.5 KB, 13 views)
	SAM_1756.jpg (87.8 KB, 16 views)

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In Omnia Paratus

Since the 1970s, I've used 1.5" belts double width but not steel or plastic lined. If the holster maker for what I was using made belts, I bought the set. I have Roy Baker's pancakes and belts. Lately, MTR Custom Gun Leather has gotten the nod.

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SWCA 3417 HF 642 NRA-TC

My 1.5” 30dollarbelt will hold anything I own. I tried polymer lined belts but they were uncomfortable. I also have a nylon 1.5” Kore belt. Love the ratchet system and it’s super stiff but I always find my way back to my leather belt.

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Thirty characters. Exactly...

I don't find a big difference in comfort from 1.5 to 1.75 belts. Reinforced can be a big help though.
My biggest recommendation goes around the idea that you need to decide on the belt loop size that you standardize on your holster and any other items/pouches you want to wear on your belt. Galco and some other makers seem to be 1.75, while the premier holster makers seem to be focused on 1.5 to a great degree.
I like 1.5, especially like my "A Better Belt" Elephant hide belt...

I am picky. I wear a custom-made 1.75" double-thickness belt with no buckles. It has velcro over-lap instead of buckles. I tried the 1.5" and found with a higher-ride holster that it tipped and printed more. This is just me. I have worn buckleless belts since the 1970s. I grew more rotund over the years and found that buckles were not at all comfortable.

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GA 2A member
Vietnam Vet

I also carry with a Beltman 1.5" with no liner. Belt works excellent and is still comfortable enough to use as an every day belt. However, I carry an M&P340 so I can't attest to it's weight carrying ability since total loaded weight is just over 16oz. However, it is still a very stiff belt and don't see why you would need much more unless you carry an extremely heavy full size pistol.