What gunbelt would you recommend?

[Telesway]

Currently I'm partial to a Wilderness Instructor's 5 stich belt because a friend had one and it seemed plenty sturdy.

What do you folks recommend? I'm particularly interested what those of you who carry CCW's (especially full-size toters) use.

As for CCW carry, on which side do you wear your holster? On the back (4 o clock) or on the front (1-2 o clock)?

Any particular reason why some prefer nylon belts and others prefer leather besides looks?

Any experiences of the Liger belts?

I've gathered that Wilderness-type nylon belts have slightly more room for adjustment (say, if you gain or lose a few pounds or some days carry IWB and some days don't) than leather belts. Is this true?

Thanks in advance!

[Robert Hairless]

I've got a box full of beautiful custom leather belts but what I wear is what you're wearing: the 5-stitch Wilderness Instructors Belt. It does have more adjustment flexibility than leather belts. It's also much more comfortable.

I still wear leather belts when I wear a suit but most other times I'll wear the Wilderness Instructors Belt.

[ExSoldier]

I got my first gun belt from Safariland and a subsequent one from Dillon when their stuff was in-house but they now use Mitch Rosen products. I have a beauty from Galco that I'm using now as a dress belt. I highly recommend a double thickness, tapered belt style if you're carrying any full size firearm. I carry a Sig P226 usually. The tapered portion will make it look to an observer from the front that you're wearing a slim dressy belt while it flares out the rest of the way to a more supportive width. I use one and a half inch instead of 1.75 because most belt loops more easily handle the slightly smaller width and thickness needed. Whatever you get make sure it's quality! Don't skimp. That means a good leather belt is going to run about $90 give or take. Usually no less than $65 on sale. I like the Wilderness stuff for casual wear with my 5*11 or Woolrich tacticals.

[chupacabrah]

the 5 stitch wilderness belt is great!

I have the one...not the instructor, but the thinner 1.25" wide version.
my next belt will most likely be the instructor.


maybe down the road i'll get a leather one, but I feel these are plenty sturdy, and it's really hard to beat the price

[VHinch]

I recently had to replace my old 5 stitch Wilderness, and I went with the 5.11 Operator belt. Very similar, with a polymer insert for additional support, and I have been very pleased with it's performance.

[Ala Dan]

I carry 1911's everyday, and I'm a fan of Kirkpatrick Leather Products
located in Laredo, Texas. I use both, the 5" Undercover Rig and the Compact
Undercover Rig; when toting my 3" Kimber Stainless Ultra Carry~! ;) :D

[TurboJeff]

I've got 2 leather dress "gun" belts that I bought at a very reputable local gunshop. They let me try then both on with and without gear.
I'm sorry I don't know the brands on both.

The black belt is 1.5". It's a little less rigid than the other belt, but it is comfortable and very sturdy. I believe this belt is made by "Law Pro" or some similar name. It is MUCH better than any regular dress belt I've tried in the past.

I also bought a tannish/brown colored belt that is double thickness, and reinforced on the inner side. Not sure exactly what material is used for the reinforment, but it's sort of a plastic like material, yet I don't even notice it when wearing. I don't know the maker of this belt. I'm wearing it right now. It did cost about twice as much as the black leather belt.

With either belt, I will carry either a Galco IWB royal guard, or a Don Hume OWB H720 O.T.: 2 in 1 Open Top Paddle and Belt Slide. I'm carrying a glock 30 with either.

I like either belt/ and or holster combo, but I think I prefer the tan belt w/ the IWB holster at about 5 o'clock.

With either, I've got a dillon double mag carrier in a brownish leather on left side about 7 o'clock. I will often conceal with an untucked long shirt, or even a tan or black, very unassuming vest that was made for concealment.

[The Bushmaster]

A saddle cinch (1 1/2") adapted to a belt buckle...

[DawgFvr]

The beltman makes excellent belts. One of the better belt makers is High Noon as well.

[RNB65]

http://www.thebeltman.net/
-

[The Lone Haranguer]

In leather belts, I recommend Jim Speidel, the Beltman. I like the Wilderness belt, too. It has an advantage of infinite adjustability. The Velcro strip on the outside (used for anchoring the loose end of the belt, also keeps a holster from shifting) can drag quite tightly through some holster slots. If you find sometimes that a particular buckle hole is too loose and the next one is too tight, Beltman offers the option of seven holes 3/4-inch apart (standard is five holes one inch apart).

[tmpick]

The only name you need to know is Jim Speidel. I'm on my third belt from him, just because I needed them in different colors. All the belt options you could want, and a class act, too.

www.thebeltman.net

[jwxspoon]

+1 for the beltman. The only thing I will say is add a couple of inches to your size if you plan on any kind of IWB holster.

jw

[littlelefty]

5 stitch wilderness for me too. Use it for toting the full size 1911 or the kel tek. Good, sturdy platform on which to build the rest.

Carry at 8 o'clock for iwb and about 8:30 or 9:00 for owb (lefty)

[Mot45acp]

+16 for the beltman



http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=310646

[modifiedbrowning]

I have been very happy with my belt from Rafter S.

[BamaHoosier]

Currently,I wear a 1 1/2"wide gunbelt of unknown manufacture(one of those specials in the gun store years ago:D).It has a smooth exterior and suede interior.My next one,though,will be 1 3/4".

I carry my wheelie @ 3 o'clock and speedloaders @10 o'clock.The few times I carry one of my large autos,I move to 4 o'clock.

[steelyblue]

I just had an attempt to deliver my beltman belt. I was out of town, dang it! Now, I have to wait till Monday. I'l report how it is when I get it.

[steelyblue]

I got it! Now that's a belt!!!! Just what I expected. I expect it to last a long time.

[strat81]

Love my belt from Rafter S Gun Leather. Well made, good price, and I think I can tow a boat with it.

[Feanaro]

I EAT belts. I used to go through them every six months. Until I got one from Beltman.

[thebaldguy]

I love my Rafter S black sharkskin belt. It works well, and the price was right.

[jad0110]

If you find sometimes that a particular buckle hole is too loose and the next one is too tight, Beltman offers the option of seven holes 3/4-inch apart (standard is five holes one inch apart).

I picked up a 1 3/4" belt from thebeltman.com for this very reason (7 holes instead of 5) and I am extremely pleased with my decision. The closer notch spacing really does make a difference in getting a more comfortable fit.

[steelyblue]

I got the seven hole as well. Ain't they great!

[DerbyDale]

blackcash88 wrote: I had a piece of garbage belt from Crossbreed and I replaced it with a fantastic belt from Desantis.

;)

[BikerRN]

The Ranch Cowboy in me, as well as former bullrider, favors leather belts over nylon any day of the week.

When people order a Milt Sparks, Mitch Rosen, or Matt Del Fatti Holster I tell them to spend the money and buy a belt from the same maker. Once they have a few holsters and belts they can "mix and match" as needed.

The people that make my Holsters also make my Belts.

BikerRN

[DerbyDale]

No... I have no problems with Crossbreed.

I was simply highlighting yet one more of your Crossbreed rants. There are so many, its getting hard to take you seriously.

[NG VI]

I just got one from Gunner's Alley, it was 70.00, and it's awesome.

[arflattop]

The Beltman -- 1.5" with 7 holes for IWB carry

[ravencon]

I've been pleased with the several belts I've gotten over the years from Milt Sparks.

I got a belt from Bulman when I ordered a holster from them. NOT recommended. The belt is not very durable, it is very prone to abrasion from ordinary usage.

As an aside, the Bulman's holster is OK. But they substantially misrepresented their fulfillment time for the order. I won't do business with them again.

[DZL HOG]

I wear a Comp-tac belt with my Comptac holsters. 1.5" wide, kydex reinforced black leather with tapered ends. Its a thick strong belt.
I carry my XD9 4" model in a paddle holster 9 Oclock(on hip), or in a MTAC IWB holster at 8 oclock or so(just behind hip).
The belt has a nice smooth look to it. I bought it for carry duty, but it does work as a dress belt also. I dont dress formal very often, but it did come in handy when I had to wear my suit to a wedding.
Ill probly get a more dressy belt(shark skin maybe), when this one gets scratched up too much to wear in formal situations. Buts its working fine for now.

Matt

[ScratchnDent]

Mostly, I wear a 5.11 operator belt. The nylon is quieter with the leather pancake holsters I prefer, it's infinitely adjustable, and doubles as an excellent but short tow strap, lol.

[SCKimberFan]

+++ For the beltman. The quality is top notch. I carry a Kimber 45 or an SA XD9 and don't have any weight issues at all.

[CajunBass]

Count me as another "The Beltman" fan. I just got my second one from him and they are both first class. Not only does he make a good product, he has answered all email I've sent him and personally thanks me for my business.

[Frandy]

Yup, Beltman:

http://www.thebeltman.net/

I have four in bullhide (one each in brown and black; 1 1/2 and 1 3/4) and one in horsehide.

Oh, and Jim makes really nice holsters too. He made this one (and the knife sheath) in elephant hide for me:

http://homepage.mac.com/franman/.Pictures/Handguns/Speidel_elephant_1911_holster_Vail_sheath_1_640.jpg

[DWARREN123]

For a regular casual belt for carry I like 5.11 belts. Picked up one at the U.S. Cav store for $25 and works quite well but is very stiff.

[Telesway]

Okay, since about once a month or so I have to wear a suit I've decided to go with Beltman 7-holes and 1,5". So, what material and thickness is most recommended and why? Bullhide double thickness?

[Deacon Blues]

I'm a big fan of the Wilderness Instructor belt, but I also appreciate good leather. I haven't pulled the trigger on a Beltman piece mainly because it seems really thick. Those who have them, would you say it's significantly thicker than other gun belts? I don't have much use for a belt that won't fit my holsters.

[Tifosi]

Use both Rafter S and Beltman, you can go wrong with either. Rafter S sharkskin is really nice and durable.

[strat81]

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