Ty sir. Just what I needed to know.
Gunbelt Recommendations
- Thread starter Rdgallo
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Ty sir. Just what I needed to know.
davemercer
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I like armour belts best. I also have Kramer and beltman which are also good belts. But Armour in addition to being my favorite is the least expensive.
As far as sizing all I can suggest is follow instructions for measuring given by the maker. Some include buckle in measurement some do not. IWB carry will add about two inches to needed belt length. Good luck.
Armour Belts
As far as sizing all I can suggest is follow instructions for measuring given by the maker. Some include buckle in measurement some do not. IWB carry will add about two inches to needed belt length. Good luck.
Armour Belts
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Murphy's Law
Member
Take sarge's (above post) suggestion on the 5.11 tactical. You can tweak it just right and it won't collapse as they are extremely stiff.
I make my own leather products including belts. I've found that all I need is a good quality 9 ounce strap leather belt to hold up a J frame snubby owb. For anything larger or heavier I'll just double it up and stitch two straps together.
SMR
Member
I honestly went to a local gun show that we have at our trade center once a month and I bought one from a gentleman that makes them for $30. It is thick and very sturdy. I was a little hesitant because everyone says you get what you pay for, but I figured for the price I would give it a try and it has not disappointed! It is a great belt. Sometimes you don't have to over spend and give the little guy a chance and the little guy came through as far as Im concerned.
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Rastoff
US Veteran
Leather belts are great, but all the ones I've used have become less stiff to down right floppy after a year or so. While those belts still work, they are less than optimal.
What I've learned is that any belt with a polymer insert is better. The polymer insert doesn't degrade over time and stays really stiff. This helps hold the gun up and is much more comfortable.
I got this one:
Uncle Mike's Reinforced Instructor Belt 1-1/2 Black Steel Buckle
It's $26 or so. I thought it would be cheap and not last long. Two years later it's still going strong and I have no intention of replacing it.
That's just one of many makers that have similar belts. As long as the have that polymer insert, I'd buy one. The difference is tremendous.
Normally, I'd say that you need to spend a fair amount to get a decent product. This is one case where that's simply not true.
What I've learned is that any belt with a polymer insert is better. The polymer insert doesn't degrade over time and stays really stiff. This helps hold the gun up and is much more comfortable.
I got this one:
Uncle Mike's Reinforced Instructor Belt 1-1/2 Black Steel Buckle
It's $26 or so. I thought it would be cheap and not last long. Two years later it's still going strong and I have no intention of replacing it.
That's just one of many makers that have similar belts. As long as the have that polymer insert, I'd buy one. The difference is tremendous.
Normally, I'd say that you need to spend a fair amount to get a decent product. This is one case where that's simply not true.
The matter of belts depends entirely upon your attire. If you wear jeans every day, buy a gun belt to match. Same for khakis. If you wear professional attire, then get a dress gun belt from Ken Null or the nice dress belt from Galco. You want a belt with a stiffener inside to support the weight of any firearm. Most people will have a gun belt for each of the wardrobe types as no one wears the same clothes every day. Each maker has unique rules for measurements. That said, there is ONE common factor: The "size" of the belt in inches will be to the middle hole, and most have 5 holes. Ken Null normally has 3, with the size being to the middle, and the design of the buckle hides the other two, which makes for a really cool appearance. Ken will, upon request, add length and additional holes, if you want.
The one style of belt I cannot recommend for anything but range use is the canvas type of "instructor belt" (Wilderness is one brand, I think - there are others) so popular with shooting school instructor people. Those, along will photo journalist or similar vests scream out "I am carrying a gun." Don't overlook a pocket holster for the Shield as it is certainly suitable for pocket carry as long as you don't wear your pants so tight the pistol "prints." If you are serious about wearing 24x7, then you will have to adjust your wardrobe to your pistols. If you carry inside the pants, buy your pants one size bigger. If you carry inside the pants, be sure to measure your belt size WITH the pistol in place. Loose clothing is more stylish these days (Saturday Night Fever and "disco pants" went out 35 or more years ago).
Taking accurate measurements for a real gun belt is always depressing because the tape measure doesn't lie. And, seemingly no one wants to admit they wear bigger waist sizes than when younger. When in college, I worked in a men's clothing store, and men would come in when Levis were on sale for under $10.00 (anyone remember those days?), or to be measured for a tuxedo rental for a wedding. If the man said 34 waist, it would measure 38, if he said 36, it would measure 42, etc. The amazing thing is that somehow they would stubbornly fit into the Levis (the fastener was under the belly, which hung way over), and you never wanted to stand in front as the metal stud fastener might launch off and injury might result.
Properly fitting clothes fit better, and you have to buy bigger to also wear a pistol. Buy accordingly.
Thanks for the detailed info!
A vote for thebeltman.net . It is certainly possible that there are other good belts, but this one is good for my back and never gets noticed. My wife likes it. You can get 3/4" hole spacing. Measure for size the way he tells you to, and don't worry about it. HINT: Your pants size doesn't count.
Florida J Frame
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BullHide Belts does a good job at a reasonable price. They will space the holes 3/4" apart and the belts are very stiff.
Water-Man
US Veteran
Some advice:
. Follow the measuring instructions exactly for whatever belt you buy.
. Add two inches for IWB carry.
. Buy a GUN BELT, not just any type of belt.
. Don't hesitate to buy a quality belt. It will pay for itself in the long run. The Beltman is a prime example.
. Follow the measuring instructions exactly for whatever belt you buy.
. Add two inches for IWB carry.
. Buy a GUN BELT, not just any type of belt.
. Don't hesitate to buy a quality belt. It will pay for itself in the long run. The Beltman is a prime example.
When the shirt is worn untucked, the belt is not visible. In this case I've found an instructor belt to be superior to leather.
Rastoff
US Veteran
I comments like this interesting.
These things "scream" nothing. Why doesn't the photo journalist vest scream "photographer"? Who takes note of a person's belt? Not most of the people out there.
These articles of clothing only scream gun to those of us in the gun community. Even then, the belt itself is not really an issue. I know a lot of guys, that don't carry, that have the belt I pictured above. I think most of it depends on how you carry yourself. If anything, it will scream "different" more than gun.
And, like stated above, no one will see the belt so, it's a non-issue anyway.
I have that same belt, I don't carry and just use it for the range. If I did decide to carry I wouldn't hesitate to use this belt. It is a nice belt and I wouldn't worry about what others think.
formernuke
Member
I have a wright leather works, very well made and thick. I would order a size 38 for which belt you choose.
I've said this before, and I have no idea where it is true and where it isn't, so don't disregard any real knowledge that you have, but I have been wearing a vest with many pockets, sometimes a phojo vest , sometimes a slightly shorter one, for many years, and I have never had any evidence that either a BG or an LEO thought that it said "gun." Granted, I don't run across LEOs much other than in my local gun store, where they wouldn't comment anyway.
FWIW, I believe that total impression is more important, and that vests are not a dead giveaway to most folks, at least not around here.
FWIW, I believe that total impression is more important, and that vests are not a dead giveaway to most folks, at least not around here.
BuckeyeS&W
Member
I bought a Mitch Rosen from Dillion 8 years ago and wear to work everyday ( I work construction) and when Im at range. If you order make sure you good two sizes bigger that you would normally would with a dress or cheaper belt. Another good thing it's made in the USA.
