Belt Help

[TheTinMan]

I got a belt from TT Gunleather a couple years ago when I ordered a holster. I wear it nearly every day and it still looks nearly new. Not the cheapest but not the most expensive either.

FWIW that first holster I ordered from TT Gunleather was for a 3” Model 66. Whatever OWB holster I had bought for that gun rode too high and the butt always felt like it was tipping out, no matter what belt I wore or how tight it was. Drove me crazy. That revolver only rides about 1/2” lower in the TTGL holster, but that 1/2” makes all the difference in the world.

 

[rednichols]

I appreciate your kind and reasoned reply.
I'm not sure I agree with ignoring belt design when pairing with a holster, but I wanted your take on it.
Thanks,
Mike

Thanks for that. I haven't ignored belt design, I've upended it. I'm saying that everyone ELSE has ignored belt design by saying 'get a wide stiff belt' so their holsters don't tip your pistol out on the ground!

Here's one that needs such a belt.

Then one that does not.

The difference is that the carry angle, and the carry height, are poor on the Galco (the uppermost brown one); and your gauge for that is the cylinder being above the waistbelt line.

The black one, by Hume, is ideal as to carry angle and carry height. Your gauge is the same: cylinder now is coplanar with the width of the belt.

If one were to take the Galco and use an 8-3/8" barrel on the revolver, you'd like it auite a lot, because a well designed holster lays the pistol verticallly along the body to support the pistol above and below. It is not HANGING from the belt.

With the Hume one can use any barrel length; it cannot be top heavy by virtue of its design. Real gunleather makers don't know this! And instead are copying old designs.

Doesn't help that we're all left to buy online now; and virtually no maker shows the backside of their holsters so that you can see how the holster carries your holster on the belt. Nor do they speak much about the tunnel width on their holsters.

Great thing about innovation: when one doesn't copy, one comes up with a better way. My now-discontinued version of the Avenger (the final image) floats the pistol around your waistbelt of any design because it is exactly the right height and angle. Use of horsehide prevents the leather becoming soft and allowing the holster to sag away from the body.

Not a thread hijack: the right holster obviates 'get a good gunbelt' which, if you look at all the responses, are by brand; which makes them 'lodge pins": get this brand and you will 'belong'. Vs "find a belt with the following features". Folks do the same with holsters: but not all models of holsters from the same maker are excellent (Galco is good example) because some are **** and some are great. Different designers within the company, in different eras.

 

[rednichols]

My discontinued Avenger holster image didn't appear in my prior post, my error I'm sure.

Also, here's my final take on 'gunbelts' (trousers belts used for carrying pistols).

 

[rednichols]

I got a belt from TT Gunleather a couple years ago when I ordered a holster. I wear it nearly every day and it still looks nearly new. Not the cheapest but not the most expensive either.

FWIW that first holster I ordered from TT Gunleather was for a 3” Model 66. Whatever OWB holster I had bought for that gun rode too high and the butt always felt like it was tipping out, no matter what belt I wore or how tight it was. Drove me crazy. That revolver only rides about 1/2” lower in the TTGL holster, but that 1/2” makes all the difference in the world.

You've nailed it! It's not the belts, it's the holsters. If I were in USA I would find a way to offer personal fitments to real gunmen, as did Paris Theodore in his time. Impossible where I am (coppers here aren't even allowed to carry their pistols when they are off duty!). That would then leave only the Australian Federal Police and all LEO agencies are in the pocket of Safariland here; and they don't like me so would interfere (as they have in the past in USA).

 

[Onomea]

But, if you wanted to carry your pistola, for maximum concealment, in a very high ride holster such as this:



Then a thick, very stiff, gunbelt would make it possible, even comfortable, well tucked into the body, and secure.

A regular dress belt, it would flop right on over.

Ya know, I think we are saying the same thing, Red. I'm just trying to make room for high ride concealment holsters for those among us who carry, don't like IWB, but want to conceal.

The other thing is, as we all know, what works with holsters is a very individual thing. One guy's great holster for his model pistol is another guy's disaster for his. Which is why most of us fool around with a variety of holsters over time to find those that work for us.

 

[rednichols]

But, if you wanted to carry your pistola, for maximum concealment, in a very high ride holster such as this:



Then a thick, very stiff, gunbelt would make it possible, even comfortable, well tucked into the body, and secure.

A regular dress belt, it would flop right on over.

Ya know, I think we are saying the same thing, Red. I'm just trying to make room for high ride concealment holsters for those among us who carry, don't like IWB, but want to conceal.

The other thing is, as we all know, what works with holsters is a very individual thing. One guy's great holster for his model pistol is another guy's disaster for his. Which is why most of us fool around with a variety of holsters over time to find those that work for us.

You're only proving my point . If your carry setup needs 'a good gunbelt' then the holster is substandard; in this case, top heavy. Take it from me, I designed it and Galco copied it, line for line! It's the Bianchi "Black Widow".

 

[Onomea]

Interesting that you designed the holster, Red. When you designed it, what were you hoping to achieve?

 

[otis24]

I have a Kore and love it. I would say that if you want leather, go to a leather shop and have them make you one using extra thick leather.

 

[rednichols]

Interesting that you designed the holster, Red. When you designed it, what were you hoping go achieve?

It was an assignment, designed to help counter the Baker patent given that Hume was making the slide holster prior to that patent.

Take a look at the next post after mine. Like trying to teach used bricks. I'll leave this thread for now, the subject will come up again on this or another forum sooner or later; usually followed by 'I carry AIWB and I'm not dead yet, you should try it too". On one forum there was a member who LOOKED for my new posts about the dangers of true appendix carry, so he/she could argue its merits! Since then I decided to let God sort it out.

 

[Onomea]

Thanks for the response, Red. I'll leave it alone going forward. It's all good.

(I really do appreciate your knowledgeable posts, as I am sure all of us here with an interest in holstory do, and do not want to chase you off with nitpickin' differences of opinion.)

 

[UNCLE PAULY]

Hank’s Belts

 

[keith44spl]

Interesting,
Over the last half century of carrying a sidearm.
Both revolvers and auto pistols...I prefer N frame Smiths and 1911s.

I have found that the balance of the holster on the belt is of far more concern than the belt design itself...
Although, a belt should fit the holster slots and the waist line.

As far as belt materials goes, I much prefer a pant belt split to desired
thickness and width from stirrup leather blanks.

Regardless, each must find the combination that fits their personal needs.

///

 

[Brian Parrish]

I lost weight.
I find that the fit of my belt matters more than Its width or thickness.
And not worrying about how the holster feels if it is top heavy.
Kind Regards!
BrianD

 

[Glenn R. McMannly]

Thanks, gang.

I went with a Hanks. Will report back when it arrives.

 

[Bald1]

I think the importance of tunnel width and belt width can not be overstated. Any room for movement will start the flopping process

 

[Shibadog]

I’ve ad good luck with the “$30 dollar gun belt” company. Their “standard” belt works very well

 

[raljr1]

Hanks Belts

 

[squidsix]

I have been wearing the same Aker fancy stitch 1.75" belt for 20-odd years. Still perfect.

 

[rednichols]

Let me add to this thread, a poorly known effect of 'thick, stiff gunbelts' is a syndrome called "policemans hip" that the docs call 'meralgia paraesthetica. I recently devoted a post on my blog to it because I had been assisting an FOH with his difficulties in holstering a very good brand of holster -- but getting intolerable pain and numbness while wearing it. The solution for him was to switch to either crossdraw, or foward-of-hip carry; both of which shift the hard, holtered pistol off the nerve in question.

Policeman's hip originally was caused by the Sam Browne belts of old, cinched up tightly and pressing hard on the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve that runs from inside the top of the pelvis, through the pelvis and out to the thigh, where it runs down the thigh. We experience tingling down the leg, and when we've got it bad, as pain.

Big problem since the '70s when forward draw holsters pulled LEO uniform holsters up high where concealment holsters are carried, then reinforced with hard-tempered spring steel shanks. Safariland could only counter this by dropping their LEO holsters down on to the thigh, suspended from the waistbelt by a strap. And on their paddle holsters, by making the paddle from soft, flexible polymers.

If any of you all have experienced unpleasant pain ranges while carrying concealed, it's your belt! Gunbels are not shaped like your body, they are straight and clamp right over that nerve. A curved belt, formerly known as a ladies' curve, will help. Keeping the belt soft, such as a sueded lined trousers belt will be (suede/splits has no stiffness of its own but is fully half of the belt's thickness). The triple curved belt I used to make obviated the problem completely but would take a clever maker to mass produce it cost-effectively vs straight belts.

And I don't know any clever makers who are up to the task.

 

[Malysh]

40+ years of carry, I have curved and straight belts.
I am not impressed with curved belts. For me, they don't work any better than a straight belt.
An extra curve probably won't change things for me.

As another poster said, belts and holsters are also dependent on the wearer's build and preferrences. I agree with this. Your triple curved belt may or may not
be satisfactory for all users despite it's uniqueness.
Kind of like how picky women are with their bras....