Is it ok to mix belt width and holster slot size?

[BlackTalonJHP]

Are you comfortable with using a 1 3/4" slot holster with a 1 1/2" belt? Does the extra 1/4" gap bother you?

What about a 1 3/4" slot holster with a 1 1/4" belt?

I know how much people love polymer guns with leather so here's a picture of my M&P.

 

[Bladeswitcher]

You can use a smaller belt than your holster slots. The opposite set-up doesn't work as well . . . a bigger belt than your holster slots generally is a bad idea . . .

Try it and see.

 

[Rpg]

All my belts are exact fits with the holsters since the belts are made by the holster manufacturers.

 

[ContinentalOp]

I prefer holster slots/loops the same size as the belt I'm using, but sometimes that depends on the gun and/or holster.

For example, I have a Side Guard Holsters Quick Clip IWB holster for my 642. It uses a metal clip sized for a 1.75" belt, but I've used it with 1.25" and 1.5" belts. A couple of reasons why this works is that the 642 is a lightweight gun and the holster uses a rough-out construction, so fore-aft shifting is minimized. It still happens, but doesn't impede accessibility, comfort, or concealability, and typically settles into place.

My EDC is a Beretta PX4 Compact in a Kramer Handgun Leather IWB#3. I use the 1.25" loops with a 1.25" belt. The loops are not a tight fit, though. Fore-aft shifting has not been an issue as it is pretty minimal. It does become an issue if I use the 1.5" loop setting with a 1.25" belt. I haven't tried the 1.75" loop setting with a 1.25" belt, but I imagine fore-aft shifting would be more pronounced.

So, to answer your question, a belt/loop-slot gap would bother me if it allowed significant shifting to occur. As long as the arrangement is stable, I'm good with it. But it's going to be more stable when they match up.

 

[Smoke]

Not after Labor Day

 

[crazyphil]

Smaller width belts are OK on larger width loops if you don't mind your
holster rocking (changing position and angle) a little bit. I think most
experts would tell you your belt needs to be the exact width of the loops.

 

[stansdds]

I prefer belt width being a close match to the width of the slots in the holster, but a 1/4" difference isn't that big of a deal. The bigger issue is when your holster has 1 3/4" slots, but your trousers only allow for a 1" belt. That mismatch will have a holster rocking back and forth. I learned my lesson, I avoid trousers that require such small belts.

 

[Onomea]

At this point, my three gun belts are 1.5” and all my holsters are as well. i Have deliberately purchased them that way for the past 20 years or so.

(I do have one 1” dress belt from the 1990s and while I am pleased I can fit into it again, after a couple of decades when I couldn’t, I only use it occasionally around the house.)

 

[crazyphil]

At this point, my three gun belts are 1.5” and all my holsters are as well. i Have deliberately purchased them that way for the past 20 years or so.

(I do have one 1” dress belt from the 1990s and while I am pleased I can fit into it again, after a couple of decades when I couldn’t, I only use it occasionally around the house.)

Hang on to that 1" belt. I have old Chic Gaylord holsters from
the 1960s that have belt loops that measure 1.25", but it's
almost impossible to get a 1.25" belt through the loop. I went
looking for a 1" belt, and didn't find very many choices.

 

[BlackTalonJHP]

Have you tried any of the 1" belts from Bullhide Belts / Amish Made Belts? They are only 3/16 thick but I think that's about as thick as you can go and still fit through the loops on many holsters.

 

[Walter Rego]

A bigger issue is when your belt and holster slots are the same size, but you have a nice thick gun belt, as always recommended, and the slots aren't wide enough to allow the thick belt to pass through them. I recently bought a Bianchi 55L and I am going to have to buy a new belt just for that holster, or end up using a nylon belt. Ridiculous.

 

[BlackTalonJHP]

A bigger issue is when your belt and holster slots are the same size, but you have a nice thick gun belt, as always recommended, and the slots aren't wide enough to allow the thick belt to pass through them. I recently bought a Bianchi 55L and I am going to have to buy a new belt just for that holster, or end up using a nylon belt. Ridiculous.

Yep.
I'm not a big fan of 1/4" 14/15 oz leather belts. I usually carry guns that are lightweight and I use a 3/16" or thick 12/13 oz leather belt with a Bianchi 57.

Some nylon belts cost as much as a leather belt. You can get decent leather belts for less than $40. One of my favorites is 3/16" thick 1 1/2" wide with 3/4" hole spacing and no stitching. It cost $35.

 

[LoboGunLeather]

Putting together a carry rig is a lot like building a house. You cannot expect the windows and doors to function properly unless there is a solid foundation to support the walls.

Probably the most overlooked part of the carry rig is a solid belt that properly supports the holster and accessories and keeps everything anchored firmly in place. A difference of 1/4" or 1/2" in belt slots may seem like a small thing, and perhaps it is for many users. For my own use I want everything tight and snug so it rides in exactly the same position all the time.

My $0.02 worth.

 

[sipowicz]

A bigger issue is when your belt and holster slots are the same size, but you have a nice thick gun belt, as always recommended, and the slots aren't wide enough to allow the thick belt to pass through them. I recently bought a Bianchi 55L and I am going to have to buy a new belt just for that holster, or end up using a nylon belt. Ridiculous.

I’ve had that problem and opened up my slots a bit with some judicious Emory cloth sanding in the slots. A shoemaker can also open them up a bit.

 

[ContinentalOp]

A bigger issue is when your belt and holster slots are the same size, but you have a nice thick gun belt, as always recommended, and the slots aren't wide enough to allow the thick belt to pass through them.

FWIW, that's one of the things i like about my horsehide Beltman belt. It's noticeably thinner than my older bullhide Beltman belts, so less of an issue with slot thickness, but still provides good support being a double-layer belt.

 

[BlackTalonJHP]

FWIW, that's one of the things i like about my horsehide Beltman belt. It's noticeably thinner than my older bullhide Beltman belts, so less of an issue with slot thickness, but still provides good support being a double-layer belt.

I wish Beltman would give the thickness on all his belts. I might have to look into the horsehide but I was leaning towards an getting an elephant belt for durability.

 

[BillBond]

I have a couple of really thick 1.25" dress belts and some holsters with 1.5" loops that work out really well for me.
There is a little wiggle, but it doesn't bother me at all.

 

[Onomea]

I wish Beltman would give the thickness on all his belts. I might have to look into the horsehide but I was leaning towards an getting an elephant belt for durability.

He seems a pretty friendly guy. Why not call him up, or email him, and ask? I’m sure he’d let you know.

(I have a double thickness bullhide from him, and like many others here vouch for the quality of his product. It’s right up there with the best.)

 

[BlackTalonJHP]

He seems a pretty friendly guy. Why not call him up, or email him, and ask? I’m sure he’d let you know.

(I have a double thickness bullhide from him, and like many others here vouch for the quality of his product. It’s right up there with the best.)

I've emailed him before. I just can't remember what he told me and which belt I asked about at the time.

 

[Bozz10mm]

Are you comfortable with using a 1 3/4" slot holster with a 1 1/2" belt? Does the extra 1/4" gap bother you?

What about a 1 3/4" slot holster with a 1 1/4" belt?

I know how much people love polymer guns with leather so here's a picture of my M&P.

I guess that's something I've never really thought about. If the belt goes through the slot, it works for me...