[carnaby]

I've got a Filson leather 1.5" belt that's not too bad for CCW, and a heck of a lot better than the old flimsy department store jobby I had before. It's about 1/8" thick. I do find that when I'm carrying a full size autoloader that I could use some more rigidity from the belt.

It especially seems like it would pull the gun in better without having to cinch it up so tight either. Is this what others have experienced? Does the double thick belt help that much? :confused:

[fast97rs]

I have the same question...

Will be carrying a S/A 1911 Loaded full size model... and the department stor dress belts arn't cutting it....


What do you guys recommend?


Jorgy

[Ala Dan]

I use real leather betls, holsters, and mag pouches as made by
Kirkpatrick Leather of Laredo, TX~!:D

[carnaby]

I use real leather betls, holsters, and mag pouches as made by
Kirkpatrick Leather of Laredo, TX~!

And do they suck, or do they kick butt? If they kick butt, please describe :)

[BAE984]

Try thebeltman. Very nice guy to deal with, and a good product. I carry a full size 1911 on it with no problems (other than gaining 5 lbs :) ). The stiffer belt REALLY helps. I tried with a dept store belt for a bit and it just flexed and twisted down pretty bad.

[carnaby]

cool, I was thinking of thebeltman. I wonder if losing the love handles will improve IWB concealability. I hope so.

[StrikeEagle]

I use a thick, heavy, black belt... a 'work belt'. The exact kind my mom wouldn't let me have when I was a kid.

mwahahaha!

I carry a steel frame .45 most of the time... with no problems. No need to spend a lot of dough. Just get a thick men's belt and let someone else worry about 'fashion'. ;)

StrikeEagle :)

[lance22]

That double thick belt will keep your gun from tipping forward, sideways, wobbling, sinking, drooping ... besides all that, when you put on that fine quality gun belt you feel like a rich man. After I put on my first dress belt, built just for me by a holster make, I knew I'd never wear another department store belt.

http://www.mernickleholsters.com/bm_belts.html
Also Check out Mitch Rosen's very fine belts.

Shoot safe, carry always.

[ACP]

I have two Galco gunbelts and they are fantastic. I highly recommend them. www.usgalco.com. The "contour" belt is listed as $120 retail. A well-made belt and holster is just as important as your choice of firearm.

[HighVelocity]

If you're going with a leather belt, I highly recommend the Don Hume B109-L: Trouser Belt.

http://donhume.com/Products/ProductsPage.cfm?ProductID=84

Since I got this belt I have not needed, or wanted, anything else. It supports a full size stainless 1911 or a Glock 20 all day and I never have to hike it up :)

[Mac Attack]

I recevied my Milt Sparks custom belt last week. I can tell you it has made a world of difference and was a great investment. I originally tried several belts from leather to a Wilderness Instructors belt. To me, all the belts I tried had a tendancy to cause my holstered weapon to sag to one side. I read all the good things about Milt Sparks belts so I decided to place an order for one - I placed my order on Feb 20 and I received it last week. I was quoted a 16 - 18 week wait. It is one thick belt! the first thing I noticed is that I can comfortably carry a full sized 1911 without having to adjust my belt due to the weight.

Bottom line, you spend a lot of money on a handgun and holster. Why compromise on your belt? Spend the money on a good gun belt from a reputable hoslter maker. My Sparks cost $80 +$10 shipping but it is a quality belt which will be around for a long time.

[Soap]

1/8" is pretty thin for a gun toting belt IMHO. My Rosen is probably about twice that.

[Sir Aardvark]

I too have found that a thick belt specifically made to carry a gun holster is a must have for my CCW.

I currently use a Milt Sparks Contour belt and it does an excellent job of holding everything in place.

Remember, a gun belt is the foundation that everthing else rides on. Also, a holster that is properly fitted to the belt is a necessity.

You'll quite often hear about how some people use some sort of fancy dress belt as their gunbelt, and while I'm not going to say that they are wrong, I will say that they probably don't know what they're missing.

[Ala Dan]

kick butt~!:D I have in my carry rotation two 1911's, and I feel
that the extra thick leather belts are needed too support both weapons
and other accessories that I may choose too carry~!:D :uhoh:

[Bulldozer]

I have gunbelts from Del Fatti, Alessi, and Tucker in my closet.

The Alessi was my Dad's for over a decade and I've had it since he passed in 2002.

A quality gunbelt will last you many years and save you much grief. It's the best thing to invest in.

[Bulldozer]

I have gunbelts from Del Fatti, Alessi, and Tucker in my closet.

The Alessi was my Dad's for over a decade and I've had it since he passed in 2002.

A quality gunbelt will last you many years and save you much grief. It's the best thing to invest in.

[Dienekes]

Bought my first Milt Sparks rig, a #200AW revolver holster and heavy belt, in 1981; wore it 12+ hrs daily. Finally replaced it in 1995 with an identical setup, and keep it around for a spare. The combination is rock-solid, comfortable, and wears like iron.

I have always been amazed that people will try to hang three pounds and more of gun on girly-size belts and expect everything to stay where it belongs and be comfortable all day long. Gun, belt, holster, and reloads are all a package deal. Go first class--it's cheaper in the long run (and easier on the wearer!).

[dfariswheel]

There are two ways to get a stiffer, more durable belt:
Double thickness leather, or a liner material.

I used to make a special belt for large concealed pistols like 1911's and S&W revolvers, which had two thicknesses of THIN leather with a thin piece of Kydex in the critical area.

Since Kydex doesn't flex or roll over on the edges, it supports the holster much better.

I think there's someone making a similar belt today but I can't remember who.

[Kevinch]

A stiff belt - be it double thick, or with a stiff liner, or...whatever - is mandatory for proper concealed carry. You need a quality belt, designed to carry the weight.

[BilboTN]

I have one from thebeltman and it's great for a thicker everyday belt. I also bought a kydex insert belt from looper leather and it's great for a dressier type belt.

I highly endorse both of these makers.

[Old Dog]

Carnaby, my local Sportsman's Warehouse (West Sound) actually carries some of the Kirkpatrick Leather belts (only in shades of brown and tan, though); they're nice and thick, and I think, only a little over $30. Got one last year, excellent belt.

Some of our local gunshops carry Kramer Leather belts (Bullseye in Tacoma still does, I believe, and I think Wade's does as well -- pricey, but worth it), Galco and some belts by Ross (out of South Africa, pretty decent quality) ...

Does the double thick belt help that much? Absolutely, and especially for OWB carry.