Kframerbluvr
Member
I have been fortunate enough to be able to teach some of our firearms in-services this year. It is a great time to stress the importance of a good belt and holster for off-duty and plainclothes carry.
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How many of you instructors teach this?
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Sounds like he made no mention of REVOLVERS either.
I agree with federali, no one item makes for concealment. Nor does any one style.
On my Monday nights, I make recommendations on purses since it is a women's shooting club.
Just as I keep an inventory of training firearms, I have an inventory of leather holsters, belts, pouches and even purses to use in the classroom session of a CCW course. And yes there are Bell Charter Oak representatives in that inventory. There is nothing better than being able to pass examples around the classroom.
rednichols
Member
I'm on a lot of holster related forums, and threads about belts are common. And this is the only good one I've seen! Other forums have gone overboard about wide, stiff belts, when a well-designed holster only needs a belt that fits the holster loops, and the trousers loops. Finis, that's all there is to it. It's when the holster is not done well, that the belt has to prop it up.
buckyjames1
US Veteran
Belts and Holsters, holsters and belts, one could make a class just on that topic alone. Even in the military there are those who like the leather vs those who like the last chance. those who like angled vs straight vs thigh vs waist lvl. Those who like secondary on armor vs legs. And numerous styles for the current mission tasking.
Point being it would be time consuming in a class and also so subjective that it might be alittle better for a brief ppt. slide on examples and let the individuals learn over time. Heck...how many of us have changed over the years
Point being it would be time consuming in a class and also so subjective that it might be alittle better for a brief ppt. slide on examples and let the individuals learn over time. Heck...how many of us have changed over the years
Whitwabit
US Veteran
Learned the need for a good belt and holster while in Alaska back in the 60's. You can't do with out either one to carry safely. And the better the holster and belt set up I have found the better you can conceal if you need to.
A good leather gun belt should be bought before thinking of carrying!
A good leather gun belt should be bought before thinking of carrying!
It doesn't necessarily need to be a $100+ "gunbelt" but it does need to
fit the holster belt loop(s) properly, and it should be fairly rigid. Depends
a lot on the weight of the carried gun.
Teaching for about 17 years, I don't remember a class when I didn't
spend some time talking about the importance of the belt. With women
it is different. Many of them (and some men) don't wear belts. That
presents another problem, that we will leave for another time and place.
fit the holster belt loop(s) properly, and it should be fairly rigid. Depends
a lot on the weight of the carried gun.
Teaching for about 17 years, I don't remember a class when I didn't
spend some time talking about the importance of the belt. With women
it is different. Many of them (and some men) don't wear belts. That
presents another problem, that we will leave for another time and place.
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You can get a good Bianchi leather belt for about $50-60 or a Wilderness Tactical Frequent flyer Instructor's nylon(?) (reinforced stitching) Belt for $35.
When I was instructed, the importance of a good gun belt was part of the course. When I became an instructor I imparted the same info to my students. At that time there was also the backup of the LGS who sold the holsters. No internet existed.
Now you can order on line not knowing a darn thing about holsters and belts, so it is imperative for instructors to school their students on the subject.
Now you can order on line not knowing a darn thing about holsters and belts, so it is imperative for instructors to school their students on the subject.
squidsix
Member
One of the first things I have my new guys do is go out and get a good leather gun belt. You would be hard pressed to find a guy in my line of work NOT wearing some version of the double-thickness 1.5" leather belt.
OP
Protected One
Member
I'm seeing more people than ever wearing a gun without a proper belt! Did I miss something? Has the price of leather skyrocketed?
nachogrande
Member
VENTURE A *GUESS* ?
For myself, any $ I got I put towards another gun. Things like quality cleaning rods, quality binoculars/scopes, chronographs, spotting scopes, quality gear in general, took a second seat, until I grew up & gained some experience. I still refuse to pay 300$ for a holster, or belt as much as I would like to have them. When I win the powerball I will get ALL THAT STUFF. The guy you mentioned had a learn the hard way kinda night. What's important to me is probly different to another.
For myself, any $ I got I put towards another gun. Things like quality cleaning rods, quality binoculars/scopes, chronographs, spotting scopes, quality gear in general, took a second seat, until I grew up & gained some experience. I still refuse to pay 300$ for a holster, or belt as much as I would like to have them. When I win the powerball I will get ALL THAT STUFF. The guy you mentioned had a learn the hard way kinda night. What's important to me is probly different to another.
And this is why we all have the "big box o'holsters" in the corner . . .
nachogrande
Member
DELFATTI AINT BEGGING ON THE CORNER.
Did I miss it? When was "quality" leather cheap? When you can go to WW and buy SOMETHING (uncle mikes) off the shelf RIGHT NOW, & "it will probably work OK" may have something to do with it. Speaking of belts, I don't see them hanging around in the big box or LGS's. They are more of a do some research, order online, & WAIT for delivery. People have become less inclined to do the homework & more inclined to want it now, IMO.
I'm seeing more people than ever wearing a gun without a proper belt! Did I miss something? Has the price of leather skyrocketed?
Did I miss it? When was "quality" leather cheap? When you can go to WW and buy SOMETHING (uncle mikes) off the shelf RIGHT NOW, & "it will probably work OK" may have something to do with it. Speaking of belts, I don't see them hanging around in the big box or LGS's. They are more of a do some research, order online, & WAIT for delivery. People have become less inclined to do the homework & more inclined to want it now, IMO.
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Rpg
Member
My instructor, Jeff Cooper, was pretty clear on the need for quality gunbelts.
Colonel Cooper addressed most significant issues in the course of his training programs.
Of course, his in person training was focused on folks who were pretty serious about gun matters as opposed to those with a more casual or transient concern about carrying and using a handgun.
Colonel Cooper addressed most significant issues in the course of his training programs.
Of course, his in person training was focused on folks who were pretty serious about gun matters as opposed to those with a more casual or transient concern about carrying and using a handgun.
They probably buy the $400. gun because they don't have a lot of money and a $400. gun will probably work just fine for defense. If a person has to watch their dollars a $30. dollar holster and a $15. belt may be all they can afford and I'm pretty sure they will work. Not everybody can afford a $2000-5000 dollar pistol with a tooled leather holster and a matching belt with with a silver and gold buckle. Larry
Rastoff
US Veteran
There is an almost universal mistake I see when people are trying to buy a gun belt; they think leather= good gun belt. It doesn't.
There are good leather gun belts out there. The problem with leather, any leather, it that as it ages, it softens. When it softens, it doesn't support the gun as well as it should. This creates pain when carrying because the weight of the gun isn't spread out and focuses on one point.
There are no absolutes in life, but for me, I'll only use a gun belt that has a polymer (or other stiffener) liner that won't break down. My Uncle Mike's Instructor belt is as stiff today as the day I bought it at least 5 years ago. I think I only paid $25 for it.
I've recently discovered Kore Gun Belts. These always fit properly, aren't too expensive, look nice and not "tactical" and have a polymer liner so, they're stiff. I really like these and highly recommend them.
There are good leather gun belts out there. The problem with leather, any leather, it that as it ages, it softens. When it softens, it doesn't support the gun as well as it should. This creates pain when carrying because the weight of the gun isn't spread out and focuses on one point.
There are no absolutes in life, but for me, I'll only use a gun belt that has a polymer (or other stiffener) liner that won't break down. My Uncle Mike's Instructor belt is as stiff today as the day I bought it at least 5 years ago. I think I only paid $25 for it.
I've recently discovered Kore Gun Belts. These always fit properly, aren't too expensive, look nice and not "tactical" and have a polymer liner so, they're stiff. I really like these and highly recommend them.
Sadly, Eagle Industries is no more, but this was/is the best all around belt I have ever worn. Luckily, I have a couple in rotation, and one near new in storage . . .
Eagle Industries Instructor's Emergency Rappel Belt | Free Shipping over $49!
Eagle Industries Instructor's Emergency Rappel Belt | Free Shipping over $49!
Check out "Wilderness Tactical Products" their 'Frequent Flyer" belt is a modified(no metal)instructors belt.......
I've been using the 5 stitch model for about 3 years now ...... great belt..... with the double rings it looks more "70s hippie" than 21st century taticooool. About $35-40
I've been using the 5 stitch model for about 3 years now ...... great belt..... with the double rings it looks more "70s hippie" than 21st century taticooool. About $35-40
nachogrande
Member
ANYONE (EVER) USE THAT FEATURE?
I have one too & think it would sorta strangle your insides if you tried to rappel with it. Better to have it & not need it???
I have one too & think it would sorta strangle your insides if you tried to rappel with it. Better to have it & not need it???
