gun belt?

johngalt

johngalt

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I still figuring out what carry method works best for me, I had been doing pocket carry in my winter coat.

I'm also considering a holster on the belt. I suppose most use their trouser belt for IWB. For OWB, I'm wondering if a separate gun belt might work better.

The gun belts I've seen appear to be very wide and sturdy, and with the firearm not attached to your trousers, it wouldn't tend to pull them down. I normally wear suspenders though, so that shouldn't be a problem for me. A trouser belt would probably hold the firearm closer to the body and conceal better.

A separate gun belt would be more convenient for bathroom duties though - just take it off and hang on a hook.
 
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70% of the time I pocket carry my Sig P365 in a DeSantis Nemesis pocket holster. The other 30% of the time in a Kramer OWB Belt Scabbard - one spare magazine in a Kramer Horsehide Pouch and on a Kramer Horsehide belt. As far as I am concerned, Kramer's Horsehide Gun Leather is the best I have ever had - no exclusions. Worth every cent of the price and I own several complete rigs for different guns. Buy once-cry once and you will be happy for the rest of your carrying time!!!

Seriously, I have had Milt Sparks, Bruce Nelson, and at least 3 others make me custom rigs many years ago and while excellent in design and workmanship they are not even close to Kramer's designs, build and materials. Now whenever I need a rig for a new EDC - I just call Kramer!
 
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I'm very much not a fan of having the gun off of my person when using the restroom. Not so much for worries that someone's gonna kick in the stall door, but because that's always the first step in every story of "child finds officer's pistol in McDonalds bathroom".

I've only used a separate gunbelt for competition shooting, and those generally looked more like a duty belt or similar, not exactly a concealment thing. I'd suggest dropping a little money on a good dedicated gun belt that's still designed to be work through the pants loops. I went from a decent but not gun focused leather belt to a kylon reinforced nylon riggers belt and it was a gamechanger for me.
 
I used to buy the leather work belts. After a while they sagged and the holes stretched. I’ve been wearing a Bigfoot Steal Core belt for Two Years. So far it has fit all belt loops of my pants. It does not sag out of shape. The buckle it came with is sturdy and works well. It holds any gun and holster combo I have tried. I’m sure there are other quality belts out there. After minimal research this is the one I picked. I’m satisfied and would buy again except, this one may outlive me. They also make suspenders.
 
waffles said:
I'm very much not a fan of having the gun off of my person when using the restroom. Not so much for worries that someone's gonna kick in the stall door, but because that's always the first step in every story of "child finds officer's pistol in McDonalds bathroom".

I've only used a separate gunbelt for competition shooting, and those generally looked more like a duty belt or similar, not exactly a concealment thing. I'd suggest dropping a little money on a good dedicated gun belt that's still designed to be work through the pants loops. I went from a decent but not gun focused leather belt to a kylon reinforced nylon riggers belt and it was a gamechanger for me.
Click to expand...
THIS!

I tried this with the Uncle Mikes reinforced ccw belt (about 30 bucks) liked it so much haven't bought anything nicer. JMHO forget a second or duty belt unless it is for open carry.
 
When I visit the public stalls I un buckle, then using my hand on my gun to help lower my pants and sit. Then I stick my gun in my undies while I do the chore. Keeps it off the floor and out of sight from anyone in next stall and no way will I forget it. You could also roll it into your pants. I agree sitting you gun down somewhere is a opportunity for a very bad senior moment.

I carry a 325 which is a bit bulky but light. I use a heavy leather belt from Bullhide belts. Unless you have them under your shirt, a coat or jacket, suspenders make concealing a problem. That means if you have to drop your pants you need to take off your top outer layers first.
 
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For OWB carry it is not so much the belt as it is the holster. A pancake
design pulls the holstered gun in and holds it firm against your body.
It is important that the loops be just about even with the belt line. If the
loops are above the belt line the holster would carry lower and be more
difficult to conceal. If the loops are below the belt line, the loaded cylinder
would cause the gun to tip outward.
Here is a black sharkskin from Black Hills Leather to illustrate what I
believe makes a good OWB holster.
The belt, although also sharkskin, is just a regular dress belt.
As you can see, about half of the cylinder is above the belt line,
so perhaps the gator trimmed pancake from KD is a better example.
Cylinder is about even with the belt line. The belt
is just another ordinary dress belt.
 

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Do you really need a gun belt? The answer is YES if you carry or shoot a handgun with some regularity.

Dress belt - those 1.25 inch single ply belts don't work as well for carrying a holstered sidearm. They tend to stretch and sag over time, which makes concealing more difficult and, more importantly, drawing the weapon.

Chances are you'll never have to draw your weapon, but if you do then you'll appreciate a gun belt. You won't have to deal with a holster that's moved out of position or sagging on a trouser belt.

When it is crunch time, requiring even a second more to get a solid combat grip on your weapon and draw it out of the holster may make all the difference in the world.

I don't like doing links on the forum , so go to gunnersalley dot com to find a good article on gun belts in their "Gun Holster Articles" section at the top of their main web page. Well, worth the read.
 
I use the Daltech Force belt with a steel core, the Kore belts are about the same but have a different buckle system. I love my Daltech . I got it from the manufacturer on ebay for less than $70 . You do not want a separate gun belt for concealed carry , as pointed out that would be a pain . My solution to the loose belt/holster when I pop a squat is to tuck the loose end of the belt back into the first loop before I unbutton and unzip. Never had a problem when I do that, everything stays in place. A pants belt with a thin steel liner and a good buckle is what you need. That's what works for me .

This is the belt I bought.
BULLBELT(R) BULLHIDE ULTIMATE THICKNESS STEEL CORE GUN BELT 15oz Black Brown – Daltech Force
 
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Two belts is a bad idea. Without belt loops the gun belt will sag just like it does in the movies.

Taking your gun belt off to do your business will (eventually) lead to you forgetting your gun.

When I started working as a security guard they issued me a cheap "Law Pro" uniform belt. It literally split in two on me one day at work.

After that someone suggested "Wilderness Tactical". I bought one that I used till I retired and it's still serviceable. The only issue is it looks like a "Tactical" belt. I dress so my belt isn't visible anyway so that's not an issue for me.
 
No, the inner and outer belt is fine for competition and uniformed duty use, but overly bulky and not so practical for plain clothes or civilian carry. I do agree that a reasonably thick and stiff leather trouser belt is the way to go for either IWB or OWB carry. A skinny belt will allow the holster to rock back and forth, a thin belt will want to sag. You want a belt that fills the belt loops of your trousers.
 
steelslaver said:
When I visit the public stalls I un buckle, then using my hand on my gun to help lower my pants and sit. Then I stick my gun in my undies while I do the chore. Keeps it off the floor and out of sight from anyone in next stall and no way will I forget it. You could also roll it into your pants. I agree sitting you gun down somewhere is a opportunity for a very bad senior moment.

/QUOTE]

Using a Sparks Summer special I do much the same but put the gun and holster in my "undies".

Like Smoke I've been using the Wilderness Tactical belts (5 stitch) but the Frequent Flyer model.... a little less tacticool. With two rings it reminds me of the "hippy" belts of the 60s! Infinitely adjustable for IWB , OWB or my current EDC; 3913 w/ Summer Special IWB with double extra mag pouch worn under the belt.
Click to expand...
 
steelslaver said:
When I visit the public stalls I un buckle, then using my hand on my gun to help lower my pants and sit. Then I stick my gun in my undies while I do the chore. Keeps it off the floor and out of sight from anyone in next stall and no way will I forget it. You could also roll it into your pants. I agree sitting you gun down somewhere is a opportunity for a very bad senior moment.
Click to expand...


BAM-BAM said:
Using a Sparks Summer special I do much the same but put the gun and holster in my "undies".
Click to expand...


I could have gone my whole life......
 
Not wanting a double thick belt, as most gun belts are made, I tried the Daltech Superbio. It's a polymer belt that looks exactly like leather. After over three years of everyday wear, it's looks like the day I got it, and it doesn't shout "gun belt". No problem supporting my Shield, Glock 23, or anything else I decide to carry.
 
Carhartt work belts have served me very well for pistol carry. Especially the web belts that have Carhartt stamped all around them...draws NO attention at all!

Randy
 
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