Belt Suggestions

[Sprefix]

I respect your wallets limits, but you only cry once when you spend on great quality the FIRST time. You can have $50 in your first belt then $80 or $90 in to your second one for the total of a bit more than waiting 'til your wallet will stand the best quality one time. Best of luck to you in your choice. Oh, and "My demands are low so I'll go cheaper" sounds like a justification. If you aren't making your kids go hungry, treat yourself. What will you do with the old belt? Throw it away? Hang it in the closet for a rainy day when you will always be wearing the one that works best anyhow? You could karma it on the forum to a member looking for just enough belt to scrape by. Seriously, check out the members mentioned earlier that participate in the forum. You may get all your needs handled with your price limit.

 

[cshoff]

Personally, I'm not much on leather for peripheral gear (belts, holsters, pouches, etc), though I do understand many folks prefer it over anything else. I prefer a sturdy, purpose-built ballistic nylon belt over leather any day. In my experience, they cost less and last as long, if not longer.

With that in mind, I think you would be hard pressed to find a better-built nylon belt than the Wilderness Tactical 5-Stitch Instructor belt: Original Instructor Belt

And if you are looking to save a little coin, there is nothing at all wrong with the 5-Stitch Operator Belt offered by 5.11 (you can usually pick them up for about $35.00 at most uniform stores or at nearly any dealer that handles 5.11 gear): Operator 1 3/4" Wide Tactical Belt | Tactical Belts | 5.11 Tactical

 

[The Big D]

WHAT????

Did you read the OP? Likely not.

The poster is an ACCOUNTANT. Showing up wearing web gear will hardly inspire the confidence of his clients.

Be safe.

Personally, I'm not much on leather for peripheral gear (belts, holsters, pouches, etc), though I do understand many folks prefer it over anything else. I prefer a sturdy, purpose-built ballistic nylon belt over leather any day. In my experience, they cost less and last as long, if not longer.

With that in mind, I think you would be hard pressed to find a better-built nylon belt than the Wilderness Tactical 5-Stitch Instructor belt: Original Instructor Belt

And if you are looking to save a little coin, there is nothing at all wrong with the 5-Stitch Operator Belt offered by 5.11 (you can usually pick them up for about $35.00 at most uniform stores or at nearly any dealer that handles 5.11 gear): Operator 1 3/4" Wide Tactical Belt | Tactical Belts | 5.11 Tactical

 

[BaldEagle1313]

I have a B-8 from Lobo, without any of the detailing so it looks like a plain, regular leather belt. Works great. I'd never consider trying to use a department store belt with a holster. The only one that comes close I got at a western wear store for $45 - good, high quality leather, not the garbage you see for $25 at Target or Sears.

I've seen people complain about a belt being too stiff and that it's uncomfortable, and they don't wear it, whine, whine, whine. My response is this. Like a good pair of boots, it needs to be worn and broken in to fit your body. Like a baseball glove that's too stiff when you buy it, you break it in until it's comfortable.

 

[cshoff]

Did you read the OP? Likely not.

The poster is an ACCOUNTANT. Showing up wearing web gear will hardly inspire the confidence of his clients.

Be safe.

Yes, I read the OP. It doesn't change the fact that I'm not partial to leather, nor does it change the fact that I gave him information regarding a couple of high-quality gun belts. Belt options do NOT end with leather exclusively. In fact, a properly selected nylon belt wears quite well with casual dress.

BTW - My accountant's office is staffed with employees wearing business casual. Something other than a leather belt fits right in.

 

[Dave Nash]

Your first post was very informative. I appreciate it.

While the overall favorite seems to be the Galco, It may be a little out of my price range at this time. It's not out of the question in the future though. Given that I think the demands I would be asking of a belt would be relatively low, I'll take my chances on something a little cheaper off the bat.

I've researched the Blackhawk CQC Belts some at your recommendation and they seem to generally get very positive reviews, and can be had for under $30 in a multitude of finishes.

I think I'll have to give the Blackhawk a try first.

Would you say that 2 sizes larger than what I normally wear would be enough to be worn comfortably with an IWB rig?

Appreciate everyone's help, input, and suggestions.

Thanks.

"cclark89":

Please forgive me for not getting back to you sooner but except for a posting something on another matter within a different board on this site last Friday and something else here this evening, I have not had the time to read much here let alone give your question the answer it deserves.

The internally-reinforced BLACKHAWK! cQc belts are certainly less expensive than the Galco's but they are far from "cheap" in terms of either looks or performance. I think that one of them will afford you all benefits you will need in gunbelt for your application.

As to how much larger to buy the belt for a gun tucked into your waistband, it is hard to say.

The gun (you indicated that you will be carrying an "M&P 9c"), the holster (you said that you will be using a "Comp-Tac Minotaur IWB holster"), the cut of your pants, how you are built, exactly where along the waistline you will be positioning the rig, and whether or not you will also be tucking a spare magazine inside your pants instead of into a pocket, all play a part in this.

For many, one or two sizes larger is a good rule of thumb (to start with) but I will tell you that in the days I would routinely employ a 1911 stuck into my waistband just behind my strong hip, all I needed to do was open up my regular belt a notch or two from where I normally secured it when the gun was carried in a different manner. But could my shooting partner at the time do the same thing when he switched things around? No; he was built different than I was and he didn't wear the same kind of pants that I did. It's always a matter of different things for different people. There are a lot of variables here.

If you can't go to a shop that stocks the BLACKHAWK! cQc belts so that with a verifiably unloaded firearm and holster, you can actually try a couple of different sizes in order to find the "right" one, I would tell you to try the rig (again with a handgun proven by you to be unloaded) with a currently owned belt of a known size as a quick reference to obtain what might be a good indicator of what size BLACKHAWK! belt to buy.

Just remember that generally, belts are measured to the center hole of whatever number of them are punched into it and that most leather (and some synthetic) dress belts stretch out over time and through use. So what you might have purchased in the past as a 34", 36" or 38" belt might actually be something slightly longer than that when you use it in an attempt to establish a baseline here. Also make a note of the distance between those holes as you perhaps move to a different one to accommodate the rig at the point along the body where you plan to carry/position it.

Finally, make sure that the belt is tightened/snugged up enough to support the rig for not only the kind of movements you will be making when wearing it but also the kind positions you will be occupying while wearing it AND so that it does not allow the holster to move around when the gun is both drawn and safely reinserted into the holster.

All of this might give you a better idea of what size to buy if you have to do so on line or through a catalog.

Hope this helps and again, please make sure that the gun is unloaded before you try any of this and that it is safely handled at all times (loaded or unloaded).

 

[stacy06]

Dickies. $12. Walmart. Real leather? No. But, very sturdy. And, very effective.

 

[JJEH]

I was hoping for suggestions on a belt. Hopefully a good one exists for less than say $50???

[...]

Since I'm an accountant, the more this can appear as just a dress belt, the better.

Jason Winnie

http://www.jasonwinnie.com/Belts.html

Great guys to deal with, just email Candice; info[at]jasonwinnie.com

 

[cochise]

I few I bought and liked.........

Milt Sparks 1 1/4 with the steel liner most expensive but excellent !!!
Ted Blocker 1 1/4 and 1 1/2 steel liner great value !!
Safariland 1 1/2 duty belt, good leather no liner

 

[shamelessinct]

Amish Belt 1 1/2" in black or brown, from Hank's Clothing. Currently $31.99 and free shipping from: Amish Belts - Black
And there is no wait.

 

[Larry from Bend]

I have two of these --- VERY thick and stiff (you can pull up the back of your pants by pressing down on the buckle) --- excellent quality and good workmanship and the best belt value I've seen. $55 shipped.

Not sure if it's okay to post links on this site -- The gentlemen's name is Jerry Bissell. Pay attention to the sizing info!!!

EDIT: I see others are posting links --- Here's Jerry's --- http://www.jbgunbelts.com/index.html

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

From my personal experience, I recommend thebeltman.net . I tried one and it solved back problems. In addition, my wife liked it because it doesn't look like a gun belt. It cost more than $50. but I believe that it was worth what I paid for it. I recommend 3/4" spacing on the holes.

 

[sipowicz]

Dickies. $12. Walmart. Real leather? No. But, very sturdy. And, very effective.

I also have one of these and it works great with my 442 and DS inside the pants...but if you OWB for any length of time with anything heavier, it will start to weaken...get what you pay for I guess...

 

[Moonman]

Thanks, Larry from Bend.

He posted on this thread on 10/11/12 about a new Belt Maker,

Mr Jerry Bissell from North Carolina (Jerry Bissell | Mount Airy, NC 27030). Google Him.

Today 10/18/12, just a week after finding out about their existence,

my NEW GUN-BELT arrived from Jerry, WOW!!!!!

The belt is 1 1/2" x 1/4" thickness (two-ply), double strips of

leather sewn together, very NICE and VERY WELL MADE.

Outstanding belt for $55 SHIPPED.

Post #31, on this thread, by Larry from Bend has a nice photo of a belt that's

just like mine except my belt is Black in color.

I like Heavier and Thick Gun-Belts, this specific model fits that to a "T".

If you choose to order one,

"FOLLOW HIS SPECIFIC WEB-SITE INSTRUCTIONS CONCERNING

HOW HE WANTS YOU TO MEASURE YOUR GUN-BELT SIZE."

He'll make your exact size that you asked for.

I've been doing some dieting and New Belts are in order.

Thanks again to LARRY for the post and photo,

and Especially to Jerry Bissell for marketing a fine product in his retirement.

 

[Springfeildkid585]

I usually use a safariland belt I found at a garage sale, I do use others depending on my dress, but this is the most sturdy, I always try to bend the belt in on it's self when I go belt shopping, if it flexes much, I don't buy it. I have a Levi's belt I feel very comfortable using, but when I put on the safariland, I can instantly tell the difference.

 

[Old Unk]

A Galco Contour belt w/stiffener will cost you less than a pair of Florsheim Imperials.

Most accountants I formerly worked with smoked real heavy..if you smoke..quit..your body and co-workers will thank you and there will be plenty for money for Galco and Florsheims.

I also have The Beltman and Wilderness and while good neither would fly in a suit/tie environment.

Best

 

[Easyrider49]

Check out rayban he's a member on here

Welcome To RG Leather

I have many holsters and belt from him "top shelf work" and he stands behind his stuff also . He even made me a beautiful pocket watch case for my 100 year old Elgin .

 

[chp]

Another vote for the Beltman. Have a horsehide belt and it's great. Will spend more than $50 though. Buy quality once . . .

 

[hobby-gunsmith]

The Beltman - quality is outstanding. Mine is worn everyday and I have had it for several years and it still looks new.

I agree, you can not go wrong with The Beltman. I have two belts from the company for several years and the belts still retain their shape and they are double leathered stitched for superior strength and holds the holster without saging. Check their website for more info.

Nick

 

[zoom6zoom]

I've worn a Beltman belt every day for years and it's still doing great. If you amortize the cost over the lifetime of the belt it's a great bargain even if a larger initial outlay (I'm not an accountant but I stayed at a Holiday Inn Express last night).

If you want it to look more like a dress belt, he will taper the front for you so it looks thinner when you have your jacket on.