Final Choice for 1.5" Leather Gun Belt
- Thread starter EricR
- Start date
Rpg
Member
I've used DelFatti and Milt Sparks 1 1/2" belts exclusively since 1980.
Don't cheap out.
Don't cheap out.
I have never had a complaint for or regretted getting mine from El Paso Saddlery.
I like a good stiff belt for keeping my pants up!! So, it must be a double thickness belt and I like buckles with a roller for easier cinch up!! 
Single thick belts just don't do the job!!
The best belt I ever had, and still use, is an Ernie Hill that I got about 40 years ago. It has a piece of steel sewn in on the right side where the holster fits. I don't know if that is even done anymore.
I have a couple of belts from Dillon Precision that I have that have been excellent too.
Single thick belts just don't do the job!!
The best belt I ever had, and still use, is an Ernie Hill that I got about 40 years ago. It has a piece of steel sewn in on the right side where the holster fits. I don't know if that is even done anymore.
I have a couple of belts from Dillon Precision that I have that have been excellent too.
Nowadays we are blessed by the number of skilled belt & holster makers.
I will list those belts that worked out well for me, in no particular order.
HANKS
Been buying from these guys a lot lately. They produce a lot of quality belt for a very reasonable price. I bought two of their 'Extreme" line for my own self: 1.5" and 1.75". Bought another couple for family. My dad had never owned such a quality belt. FAST delivery. Took a few days, but much faster than most any others.
EL PASO SADDLERY
I own a nice 1.5" double thick example from them. Have had it for nigh on 15 years of off & on use. Still great. EPS stuff is just plain good stuff.
BELTMAN
Bought a 1.75" horsehide from him. Good belt. I suggest you DONT call him (use the website), as while he makes a good belt, his opinions on CCW & carry gear were long on bluster and I nearly got tired of listening to it--to the point I was thinking of not buying. Glad I held on, he makes a good belt.
5.11
I own a couple (1.5" and 1.75") of their reinforced synthetic belts. Good stuff, like the Wilderness critter.
GALCO
Own one of their synthetic Wilderness knockoffs. Good, but the end of the belt tends to fray, despite this clampy-do. I also think I own one of their cheaper leather COP series belts. It is OK, no great shakes, maybe a bit too soft.
And here are some belts that did not work so well.
TRIPLE K
Their basic 1.5" belt. Not so great.
5.11
A couple plasticy belts, reinforced. No longer made, and for good reason.
MOST ANY NON-GUN BELT
Just not made for thetask. You wouldn't use your toothbrush to clean your toilet, now? Doesn't mean your toothbush is worthless, it is just not made fo rhte task.
I will list those belts that worked out well for me, in no particular order.
HANKS
Been buying from these guys a lot lately. They produce a lot of quality belt for a very reasonable price. I bought two of their 'Extreme" line for my own self: 1.5" and 1.75". Bought another couple for family. My dad had never owned such a quality belt. FAST delivery. Took a few days, but much faster than most any others.
EL PASO SADDLERY
I own a nice 1.5" double thick example from them. Have had it for nigh on 15 years of off & on use. Still great. EPS stuff is just plain good stuff.
BELTMAN
Bought a 1.75" horsehide from him. Good belt. I suggest you DONT call him (use the website), as while he makes a good belt, his opinions on CCW & carry gear were long on bluster and I nearly got tired of listening to it--to the point I was thinking of not buying. Glad I held on, he makes a good belt.
5.11
I own a couple (1.5" and 1.75") of their reinforced synthetic belts. Good stuff, like the Wilderness critter.
GALCO
Own one of their synthetic Wilderness knockoffs. Good, but the end of the belt tends to fray, despite this clampy-do. I also think I own one of their cheaper leather COP series belts. It is OK, no great shakes, maybe a bit too soft.
And here are some belts that did not work so well.
TRIPLE K
Their basic 1.5" belt. Not so great.
5.11
A couple plasticy belts, reinforced. No longer made, and for good reason.
MOST ANY NON-GUN BELT
Just not made for thetask. You wouldn't use your toothbrush to clean your toilet, now? Doesn't mean your toothbush is worthless, it is just not made fo rhte task.
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It's been a while since I've been on the forum, but I just happened to come across this post from earlier this year and I had a good laugh when I realized it must have been referring to the previous owner of Beltman (Jim Speidel). I love Jim and enjoy listening to his stories, but he has very strong opinions on MANY subjects (whether related to CCW or not) and can go on for a long time when he gets wound up.
I'm a far less talkative person (much to my chatty wife's chagrin), and I'm usually busy in production anyway, so if you call Beltman nowadays you're lucky to get more than a handful of words out of me. 
But the other part about a good belt is truer than ever.
David Giles - Beltman
I have gunbelts by Haugen and Sparks. Both 1.5" and work well.
Probably my best gunbelt is by Red Nichols called a Sidewinder.
I think he has retired, so probably not making them any more.
Here, below, is a picture of my $30 gun belt. I put a 3 Piece buckle set
on it to jazz it up a bit. It's carrying my model 10 in a Colorado Saddlery
holster.
Probably my best gunbelt is by Red Nichols called a Sidewinder.
I think he has retired, so probably not making them any more.
Here, below, is a picture of my $30 gun belt. I put a 3 Piece buckle set
on it to jazz it up a bit. It's carrying my model 10 in a Colorado Saddlery
holster.
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AZretired
Member
I bought an NRA buckle-less belt a few years ago. Uses Velcro instead of a buckle, just like the under-belt used with Sam Browne. 1 1/4 inch wide and very stiff. Love it! Made of 2 layers leather with some sort of plastic in between.
I just bought a 1.5" 1/4" thick gun belt at my local emporium. Unfortunately, the manufacturer's name isn't on it. Just thought I'd share a minor screw up: when used with the popular two-slot scabbards, the belt held and forced the holster to comply so tightly that I was unable to draw the gun from the holster. The belt should work better with the older style tunnel-loop holsters.
Please share your recommendations once you have selected a belt. I too am not done finding a belt.
Please share your recommendations once you have selected a belt. I too am not done finding a belt.
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It's been a while since I've been on the forum, but I just happened to come across this post from earlier this year and I had a good laugh when I realized it must have been referring to the previous owner of Beltman (Jim Speidel). I love Jim and enjoy listening to his stories, but he has very strong opinions on MANY subjects (whether related to CCW or not) and can go on for a long time when he gets wound up.
But the other part about a good belt is truer than ever.
David Giles - Beltman
Heh!
It was a few years back, sure enough. Didn't know it changed hands. I might just try out another horsehide from y'all, the first has held up so well. Glad I stayed on the phone those years back.
Question:
One belt I would like to add is a stiff 1.5" wide--but relatively thin--belt. It seems many of the OWB holsters made for smaller/lighter guns have stupid-tight belt loops/channels that my usual double-thick belts can not be routed through.
My first thought was a single-thick horsehide. But what do I know? I own several(1) gun belts, but do not make them.
(1) Like I own "several" handguns. I like to keep it vague, so as not to have to fess up to what might be an embarassing number.
Roo_ster, I think this excerpt from an observation by Red Nichols in a nearby thread is enlightening:
Best Modern Concealment Holster for a 2-1/2 Inch Model 19-4 Square Butt
I think a really good belt maker is gonna do his best to make a belt that will work with any holster, and a custom holster maker, at least a highly experienced, highly skilled one, is gonna make a holster that is gonna work with any belt.
We are fortunate to have so many belt choices, but I think one needs to be especially careful choosing the right holster.
Best Modern Concealment Holster for a 2-1/2 Inch Model 19-4 Square Butt
I think a really good belt maker is gonna do his best to make a belt that will work with any holster, and a custom holster maker, at least a highly experienced, highly skilled one, is gonna make a holster that is gonna work with any belt.
We are fortunate to have so many belt choices, but I think one needs to be especially careful choosing the right holster.
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elpac3
Member
Also take a look at the 5:11 Trainer belt. This is the belt I use for every day use as well as IDPA.
Nylon, velcro overlap closure, can also double as a sling.
Nylon, velcro overlap closure, can also double as a sling.
ContinentalOp
Member
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I am not Beltman, but I've used their belts made by both the current and former owners so I may be able to help.
My current EDC belt is a 1.25" horsehide double-layer belt made by the current owner. It is noticeably thinner than the two double-layer bullhide belts made by the former owner. I've noticed no difference in support between the recently-made, thinner 1.25" horsehide belt and the older 1.5" bullhide belt. My EDC is a Beretta PX4 Compact carried IWB with an OWB mag pouch. I've even tried carrying my Beretta 92FS, a larger, heavier gun, with the 1.25" horsehide belt and an inexpensive Remora IWB holster for a short period of time, and it seemed to offer sufficient support (a better holster would likely improve that).
If their 1.5" horsehide belt is the same thickness as my 1.25" horsehide belt, that may be thin enough for your needs while still providing sufficient support. I don't carry OWB, so I can't speak specifically about that.
Apologies to Mr. Giles if I'm stepping on his toes here.
On the Hanks Belts, I'm looking at the Old World Harness 16 oz versus the Premier Double Layer 18 oz stitched 1.5" belt which are at a $40 difference. Is the 16 oz good enough for carrying an N frame 4" on the hip owb?
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I've, had them all from small makers to Kramer and alike. I am wearing a hanks custom right now and it's tops for the money! The
hogblue
Member
You might look at Crossbreed 's Classic gun belt. Well made piece of equipment. I recently purchased one and am very pleased. Upside is I only live 4 miles from their facility and a walk-in purchase was easy.
