Choosing a gun belt for open carry

[Doug M.]

I have seen good references to Beltman too. I just got a couple of dress belts from Mean Gene Leather, and he is a great guy with great service. I bought them based on what turned out to be old information about my waist size; returned them on my dime and had them back 3" smaller in an amazingly short time. I think from original order to correction was less than 2 weeks.

I'm not a fan of O/C, a discussion we should not start, but in general, if you do, you need a real security holster. The Fobus holsters are not, and are often prohibited by attentive LE agencies.

 

[progun3400]

5.11 Tactical Trainer belt, purchased from Cabelas for around $40. A good rigid belt that holds up exceptionally well under EDC & serious training. You can cinch it up as tight as you want, then attach the leftover to the hook & loop Velcro.

 

[HCH]

Don't forget to look at A&G Custom Leather. I have two of their 1.5" belts and one 1.75" with stiffener. They work great and are holding up very well.

AG Custom Gun Leather - Premium Hand Crafted Leather Belts

 

[Kframerbluvr]

Wild Bill's Concealment Leather makes double thickness bullhide belts. I bought two when I went into a plainclothes assignment at work and they support the weight of a decent size handgun very well.
You are wise to consider buying a good belt. It is the foundation of successful waist carriage of a fighting size handgun.

 

[Johnwye60]

I'm another fan of Milt Sparks - belts and holsters. I also have one from A&G Gunleather that is also a good belt.

 

[Maddog 521]

D.M. Bullard is worth a look.

Gun Leather, Concealment and Cowboy holsters, Azle, TX.

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

Stiffness is very important. For some folks (like me, in the northeast), it would be nice if the belt doesn't scream "gun."

While I'm pretty sure that there are quite a few good belts out there, and even more not so good, my experience with www.thebeltman.net has been excellent. Stiff, inconspicuous, and good service. I believe that most choices are still a little under $100, or maybe more than a little under $100.

 

[tops]

Wright Leather. Larry

 

[wheelgunguy]

5.11 Tactical #59409 is my favorite. If I want a more traditional looking leather belt I use a 1 1/2" MTR Custom Leather Bull Hide. The MTR is definitely stiffer but the 5.11 is more comfortable and because of the design it still does the job great (cinch it and go) and should have no problem supporting your SD9VE.

 

[larrydean]

hey everyone, first time posting here. I own a S&W SD9VE with a Fobus OWB polymer holster. The problem I'm having is finding a strong enough belt to support the weight of my pistol. Im confused as to looking online and no one in my area carries a heavy duty belt. I ordered a garrison belt online but it turned out not to be strong enough, as it crushes if you squeeze it. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

I carry all the time with the Super Bio belt from DaltechForce.com, it is a polymer gun belt and it is great. Does not sag with what ever gun I choose to carry on it. They offer a lifetime warranty on their products, so it is a no brainer for me.

 

[Iggy]

Bigfoot Gun Belts

 

[Nemo288]

Another Galco lover here.
I wear the SB-5 1.75" x 40" in black. My waist is around 36.
Has stood up to literally everyday wear for several years and will support a 2.5-3 lb revolver easily.
They are pre-contoured and require no break in at all.
That's the widest belt you can fit into most jeans.
The tight fit in the loops helps with holding the holster+gun close to the body in OWB carry.
Speaking of jeans I like the LL Bean classic fit.
They are available in "half" sizes like 35 and more importantly have extra belt loops.
This gives me a belt loop in between the slots of most holsters.
The pants in these pix are not the LL Bean.
They would have another loop right on top of the label as well as one underneath the holster.

 

[steelslaver]

I ordered a 1/4" thick 1 3/4" wide belt from Bullhide and it just showed up. I have to say I am really impressed with it. Really solid belt and for what you get the price was decent.

 

[Mark40]

I got an Uncle Mike's instructors belt so I'd have one for working in the yard or the garage. Something I wouldn't care about ruining. I wear it more than all my others combined. I think it was $20 on Amazon.

 

[Whitwabit]

hey everyone, first time posting here. I own a S&W SD9VE with a Fobus OWB polymer holster. The problem I'm having is finding a strong enough belt to support the weight of my pistol. Im confused as to looking online and no one in my area carries a heavy duty belt. I ordered a garrison belt online but it turned out not to be strong enough, as it crushes if you squeeze it. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Really very little to be confused about .. Simply type "quality leather gun belts" and you'll find several pages .. then according to how much you would like to pay its very easy to order one .. Bull hide is stiffer and usually thicker then cow hide if you order one with a steel web insert it won't ever sag .. don't be cheap and buy a good one .. it will last for years .. a cheap one will last about a month ..

nothing complicated at all .. really don't understand all the difficulty people have buying a gun belt for conceal carry .. except people especially someone just starting to carry are cheap .. or to me at least seem to be .. and try to get by with just getting by and that simply doesn't work with pistols and the accessories you need for conceal carry !! many have just bought a pistol, and a holster or two paid for the conceal carry license and in some states the class and shooting to qualify to get a license .. according to what they bought or were talked into buying there down as much 500 to 700 dollars and when buying a belt it seems like a cheap one will do ..

It won't !!

 

[vortex360]

hey everyone, first time posting here. I own a S&W SD9VE with a Fobus OWB polymer holster. The problem I'm having is finding a strong enough belt to support the weight of my pistol. Im confused as to looking online and no one in my area carries a heavy duty belt. I ordered a garrison belt online but it turned out not to be strong enough, as it crushes if you squeeze it. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

I just got two gun belts yesterday from Goodwill Industries for $0.99 each. Both of them are thick leather and one of them still has a $20 price tag on it. I also have a 1911 that weighs me down but with these new belts I'm not worried anymore.

 

[Jonzim]

Very happy with my Beltman.

 

[mstem]

Simply Rugged makes nice ones at reasonable prices. I have several.

What he said.

 

[joeintexas]

Not sure if you live in a state that has boot or saddle makers, if so that is a good place to look, they will make whatever you need.

 

[Muss Muggins]

5.11 or Eagle Industries. That Fobus holster shouldn't need a leather belt. Heavy duty ballistic nylon will do just fine . . .

 

[TAC]

hey everyone, first time posting here. I own a S&W SD9VE with a Fobus OWB polymer holster. The problem I'm having is finding a strong enough belt to support the weight of my pistol.

What is your normal dress attire? Since I retired, I normally wear jeans, and a button-down dress shirt. When I was working, it was Dockers, and dress shirts.

I found the Galco COP CSB7 belt was perfect, if you don't want to look like G.I. Joe, or Wyatt Earp!

GALCO COP CSB7
CSB7 COP BELT: Galco manufactures the highest quality belts for Concealed Carry Holsters. When you need to count on the highest quality belt for EDC, choose Galco. at Galco

 

[NCW Ray]

I've seen people mention the thickness of their belt being a 1/4" thick. There is no way the clips on my holster would fit that thick of a belt. So you'll want to keep that in mind when buying a belt. My Ted Blocker Holsters Belt H has a steel core and is right at 1/8 of an inch thick and very sturdy without having to be really thick.

 

[dben002]

Just a suggestion...I have a brown and black..they are great....but there are many many many quality belts available.

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtpW1ER8tjQ&t=22s[/ame]

 

[oldiegoldie]

I'm wearing a Filson Ranger belt. It does the job, but the Tucker Ranger belt has my salivary glands working overtime. It is what I call utilitarian art. Will probably spring for one in the near future. Always have worn Ranger style belts with nice western buckle and keepers.