[enutees]

I'm looking for a casual 1 1/2" brown gun belt. Don't really want to pay $100 for a Kramer, Milt Sparks, or Mitch Rosen.

Anything decent around $50 or so?

TIA

[ACP230]

I have been happy with one from Wild Bill's Concealment Leather from North Carolina.
I took advantage of a special: BHP holster, mag pouch and belt for $100, plus shipping. I think the belts alone are near your price range.

[TheFrontRange]

At the risk of sounding absurdly cheap...I have had some pretty good success with the likes of Dickies-brand workbelts from WalMart as well as a similar brand (the name escapes me at the moment) from Academy Sports and Outdoors. The most expensive of these was just under $20.

I work in a "corporate casual" office environment and use a brown belt of this type even for most of my non-gun-carrying wear. I've even worn them with dress slacks, sport coat, and tie and haven't stood out like a lightbulb.

These belts are right at the 1-1/2 inch mark and are quite sturdy...they help hang on to my full-size, steel-frame 1911 and two spare mags quite nicely...no sag, no movement, they keep everything nice and tight and in place.

[DigMe]

I use a Dickies belt too when I'm carrying around our property in Central Texas. It's a good sturdy belt and it cost me 9.99. It's the one that has double holes all the way around. Last time I looked at the Dickies belts at Wal-Mart there was another model too that looked nicer but didn't seem as sturdy. The one I have is thick, stiff and plenty sturdy for any realistic carry situation that I can think of. I've had it for a while and it shows very little wear.

brad cook

[Gerald McDonald]

Galco makes a pretty good one for somewhere in the $80's. El Paso Saddlery makes one if memory serves.
Gerald

[Mike990]

I got a black one with brass fixtures from Dillon for about 45.00 bucks. Very nice. Not sure about brown, but its worth checking. Very nice gun belt and I wear it everyday without any gun as well. They are at http://dillonprecision.com/default.cfm?

[goalie]

I have to second the Wild Bills belt. They are on special right now for 50 dollars, and I got mine in under two weeks. I did end up getting the wrong buckle (brass, when I wanted nickel) and they shipped me the correct buckle the day I called them. Oh, and they told me to keep the brass buckle in case I ever wanted to switch it around. I will buy from them again.

http://www.wildbillsconcealment.com/

I do wish they would remove the music from their webpage though. :eek:

[Edward429451]

I picked up a nice stiff belt at Lorigs for 20 bucks. They sell police and fireman clothes / uniforms. Plain, basketweave, whatever you want.

[B27]

www.epsaddlery.com Old world craftsmanship at good prices. I wear one of their Ranger belts every day to haul a P220 and spare mag around.

[Harold Mayo]

www.raftersgunleather.com

None better.

[HarryRod]

Let me throw in another kudos for the Dickies belt from Wal-Mart. Very sturdy. As a matter of fact i am wearing one right now.
For the price it cant be beat and imho is as good as an expensive gun belt.

[Zak Smith]

The Wilderness Tactical sells their "Instructor Belt" for around $30.

-z

[Unruely]

I just bought 2 from "Michaels of Oregon". They are their "Mirage" line, looks like nice leather, but are an imitation. They are 1 1/4" and in brown, 2 different finishes and are holding up very nice and sturdy. I paid $20 a piece for them and have been very pleased.

Martin

[RON in PA]

A second vote for the Dillon belts. I have both a black and a brown in 1 1/4" for a couple of years, good quality.

[AndABeer]

www.donhume.com

[10-Ring]

I bought a DeSantis belt last year (sorry don't remember the model) for $65-ish. They've got a pretty good selection & a very high quality product!

[Shake]

Hey enutees ,

I recently picked up a Galco from Impact Guns (http://www.impactguns.com/store/galco.html).

I bought it in the store and they gave me a pretty good deal on it. I think I paid $45. It has been a good belt so far. Stiff, good quality.

Shake

[MoNsTeR]

Rafter S (www.raftersgunleather.com) will do you a simple cowhide gunbelt for well under $50. They're better known for their exotic leathers, but the simple cowhide is just as good. My wife and I have elephant-hide belts and they're fantastic.

[mtnbkr]

I love my Don Hume Lined 1 1/2" Trouser Belt. Even if I never carried a gun, I'd buy one.

http://www.donhume.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=DH&Product_Code=B109-L.5&Category_Code=DB

Chris

[gbelleh]

I also recommend Rafter S. Very good quality and low prices. Nice people too.

[W Turner]

I am surprised that none has mentioned Aker. I have two fo their belts and at 24.99 @ I have been VERY satisified.
They are 2-ply with a polymer stiffener sandwiched between the pieces of leather....very stiff and durable. The buckles are either brass (tan) or silver (black) plated and have held up very well.
If you are looking for a true brown (not tan) belt, I don't know if they will help you or not though.....

Mino

[Mitch1911]

Another vote for Rafter S. Great belt and pretty fast service for custom leather.

[TarpleyG]

I know your looking for something ~$50 but IMO there is a reason good belts cost $100. The leather is MUCH stiffer and the belt will last years, not months. I bought a DeSantis belt about 4 months ago and it struggles to keep my IWB in place now. When I first got it all was okay. I also have a Hellweg that cost about $85 but in black so I don't always wear it. It is a fairly good belt. Better than the DeSantis. I look back and wish I'd spent another $50 to get the belt I wanted instead of the DeSantis. I will end up doing it anyway in the near future.

GT

[Jason Demond]

Another vote for Don Hume!!

[Kimber45]

Wild Bills gets my vote.

[kentucky bucky]

Filson's makes a double thickness harness leather belt for around $50.00. I have one of their regular belts and one of their double thickness belts and love them both. I got my brother in law one and he likes it to. A heavy sidearm does'nt roll it over like a cheap belt. I think they are on the west coast and I'm sure they have a websight. Alot of their stuff is too rich for my blood, but their belts are worth it for the quality.

[OF]

Rafter S (www.raftersgunleather.com). Their basic belt is very reasonably priced and a great belt. I used to own a Don Hume. Used to.

- Gabe

[Safety First]

Echo WildBills- I have his 1 1/4" double dress belt..but your in luck, He has a summer special on belts now. Mosey on over to Wildbillsconcealment.com and get your excellent belt on sale now..:)

[AtoZ]

Another vote for Wild Bill's. Great stuff for a decent price.

[SunBear]

Isn't it great to have so many choices? I have Bianchis-TOUGH? Boy howdy! Happy trails.

[Pheonix]

I have been wondering which belt to get myself. After readint this thread I decided on the Rafter S belts, black shark and elephant, that is a lot of $$. So, I went to Wallmart and bought one of the Dickies to make sure that I will order the right size. The Dickie is quite a nice belt, I am curious as to how well it will hold up.

[Preacherman]

Another vote for the Dickies belts from Wal-Mart. They're outstandingly durable... I've worn no other belts for the past 3 years, and still use the first one I bought, even after it's had all sorts of holsters, mag pouches, light holders and other stuff attached at one time or another. They clean up well enough to be used at work, and I've even worn one as a "dress" belt at a formal function (so as to hide my "dress" gun, of course! :D ). I've paid big bucks for belts from Alessi, Rosen and others, but since discovering these Dickies belts, I'll not be buying anything else.

[modifiedbrowning]

I have a Rafter S black cowhide belt. I love it, now I am looking at a maybe buyinng a holster from them as well.

[jade]

another vote for rafter s gunleather. i love my belt.

[WebHobbit]

I just ordered a 1&1/2 inch belt from Galco:

http://www.usgalco.com/HolsterP2.asp

I chose the black "cop belt":

http://www.usgalco.com/HolsterP3.asp?ProductID=2090&CatalogID=254

http://www.usgalco.com/Catalog/large/Belt1.jpg

49.95

[only1asterisk]

Another Satisfied Dillion Customer, I've worn my daily for 3 years. I got my money's worth. I would have gone through at least a couple of Dickies by now. Best $40 investment I've ever made when it comes to guns.

Dave

[Serpico]

I use the Walmart dickies belt for most IWB applications and for OWB I use the Aker belt with the polymer insert....I like the aker since the belt does not have to be super thick to hold up the holster....thatis what the insert is for....many of those all cow gun belts, like the Rafters, are way thick for my tastes....and I have two good belts for the price of one gun belt....not bad...

[Gordy Wesen]

I prefer the 1 1/4 by Wilson Combat. The hole placement is better. The relationship of the keeper (?leather loop) and buckle is better. The buckle is good and it not Oversized in width like the Rosen. His leather is as good or better and the price is better.
I prefer Wilson over Kramer, Arratoonian and Rosen.

[Kentucky Rifle]

Both are shark, but also come in leather. The belt for my Glock 27 is 1.5 in wide. I don't think you could do much better than Rafter. I also liked the fact that when I called to place my order, I was TALKING to the guy who was going to make my stuff.

KR

[Marko Kloos]

I have a Ted Blocker gun belt, 1 1/2" wide, that's been the best gun-related investment in a long time. You don't realize how essential a good belt is until you get one and see just how badly your Wal-Mart belt sucked for holster use.

The Ted Blocker belt ran me about $55. Worth every penny.

[Zip06]

I also have the Ted Blocker. I have had it for about six years, wear it daily and its just great. Not only does it keep my pants up, it gives great support to my Kimber. The belt is tan, 1.5 inches wide, double thick and indestructible. I also have the same belt in 1.25. Blocker gets my vote.

[Erik]

I cannot speak highly enough of my Rafter S belt. Great work at the right price.

www.raftersgunleather.com

[doctorhumbert]

$65 Rafters Gun Leather Black Shark Skin belt.
Other guys easily charge more than double for same thing.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid66/p52677977641984cf9c55aae114f148df/fbdfc382.jpg
www.raftersgunleather.com

[UltimaSE]

Take a look at the Aker B21, it comes in brown and black. The buckles are held there by sturdy buttons (very useful for airport checkpoints or whereever you have to usually take your belt off). I read a good review on tfl about this belt and found the belt at my local firearms shop for $30. I've been wearing it everyday and it hardly shows any wear. As for sturdiness there is a polymer insert inside the belt, this keeps the belt stiff. It has doubled as my gun belt and as my dress belt for the past year or so now.

UltimaSE

[Gordon]

I have some very expensive gunleather BUT in a 1-1/2" or 1 1/4" belt I second the Wilderness Instructors Nylon belt. It holds up to sweat and water better than leather, is lighter and stronger. Only would consider leather for looks, then a Milt Sparks belt rings my bell.

[Alvin Hammer]

After reading about how great a bargain the Dickies' belts were I headed straight for Walmart. Those of you who think these make "good" gun belts haven't experienced really good examples. The Dickies will do until you can get something better, but you will be very happy when you get something better.

I have a Milt Sparks 1 1/2" lined belt that is over 10 years old. Is still worn except when a dress belt is needed. It was expensive, but has been worth the money.

[Kentucky Rifle]

Glad you posted a picture. My Rafter shark set-up looks just like that for my G27. For my J-frames, I got a brown shark set with a 1.25 inch belt.

KR

[DigMe]

After reading about how great a bargain the Dickies' belts were I headed straight for Walmart. Those of you who think these make "good" gun belts haven't experienced really good examples. The Dickies will do until you can get something better, but you will be very happy when you get something better.

I'm not saying that the Dickies belt touches any of those really expensive ones in quality but I can only speak from experience. I've used mine for open carry on our land (which is more than you'd think) for several years and it's been great. I'm talking about the one that has double holes all the way around the belt...not the nicer looking ones that you could wear with khakis or whatever...those were noticably crappier belts.

So yes, the belt has been a "good" gun belt. It's not a fantastic, amazing 100 dolllar Milt Sparks gold plated batbelt but it has been good for my needs.

brad cook

[Gordy Wesen]

The Rafter Shark looks pretty nice. And oops to my 1 1/4...its really 1 1/2.

[harrydog]

QUOTE:
"I know your looking for something ~$50 but IMO there is a reason good belts cost $100. The leather is MUCH stiffer and the belt will last years, not months. I bought a DeSantis belt about 4 months ago and it struggles to keep my IWB in place now. When I first got it all was okay. I also have a Hellweg that cost about $85 but in black so I don't always wear it. It is a fairly good belt. Better than the DeSantis. I look back and wish I'd spent another $50 to get the belt I wanted instead of the DeSantis. I will end up doing it anyway in the near future."



I agree. A high quality leather belt will remain strong and stiff and will look good for many many years. You get what you pay for. Spend the extra money for something like an Alessi, and you won't need to buy another belt for a very long time.

[PCRCCW]

I make them for around 35-45$ dending on the waist size and buckle you want........single very thick leather or double..........
My site should up around this weekend. It doesnt have the belts or pricing on it as of yet...but will withina couple of weeks.

Shameless plug......www.hbeleatherworks.com.......

Shoot well