[guitarman531]

Does anyone have any suggestions or recommendations as to what kind of belt I should be looking to get?

Here's a few "specifics":

1) Leather vs. "non-leather". I've seen both, but don't want a big plastic clip on a belt that I may use for formal-wear as well... Can anyone point me in a direction of a decent-quality, "classy" non-leather belt? Or am I making a mistake even considering something besides leather?

2) I want to spend <$20. I know this may be a lot to ask, but I don't have the biggest budget in the world...I'm gonna hopefully be able to catch a break on a clearance sale or something and would just appreciate input from you guys as to what I should be looking for.

Thanks!
-guitarman531

[bigfatdave]

You could get about a quarter of a BeltMan belt.
You might find an Amish-made leather belt with a nice buckle, I have one that was almost good enough to hold up a polymer single-stack 9mm pistol in a great holster. I think mine was ~$30 when I bought it, it makes a good work-belt now for holding radio, tools, keys, etc.

[Rxster]

If your budget is below 20, then wait and save until your budget more.
Non-leather "classy" belt? I don't think I have seen one.
Solution is time and patience, wait and get a good one or you will be buying twice.
Good luck.

[JAguirre]

Try LA Police Gear, I saw some 5.11 leather belts on sale for 7.99 a few weeks ago.

[ultradoc]

I had a plastic belt that looked like leather. Big mistake. It started to crack after a few months wear. Moved up to a real leather belt from Sears [I think]. Still looks good after a few years but it was more than $20.

[dom1104]

only $20 belt that works with guns for me is a 1 3/4 inch THICK leather belt made by the amish.

But you really should buy a wilderness tactical or somesuch cheaper gun belt.

Comon man, its america. make an extra 30 bucks and buy a $50 dollar belt.

Surely you have some marketable skills.

[Just One Shot]

Save up another $5.00 and get one of these:

http://www.nrastore.com/nra/Product.aspx?productid=CM%20320%20B-B

I've got one and it works well for me.

[jfh]

I found a genuine gunbelt--i.e., reinforced--for about $35.00 a couple of years ago, but darned if I can remember who it was from. I'm satisfied, for occasional holster use. IOW, I'm part of the chorus that says to save your money and spend more....

Jim

[JTQ]

Comp-tac has some belts on clearance, depending what your size is.

http://www.comp-tac.com/product_info.php?products_id=107

The Wilderness Tactical 5-stitch belt is hard to beat in the $40ish range.

I would find it hard to believe you could find even a marginal belt for less than $20.

[MisterMike]

Guitarman--

Whatever you do, stick with leather. The synthetic ones tend to crack and split.

I'm not quite as hard core as others here, in terms of telling you you have to get a reinforced "gun belt." There are plenty of brands out there (Carhartt comes to mind) that are very sturdy and will do the trick. If you're buying on line, http://www.sierratradingpost.com is a good resource. Also, you might want to check out some second-hand stores; places like Goodwill often have good quality items for next to nothing.

[The Lone Haranguer]

I'm not quite as hard core as others here, in terms of telling you you have to get a reinforced "gun belt." There are plenty of brands out there (Carhartt comes to mind) that are very sturdy and will do the trick.
You need not get a specialized gun belt, but it does have to be stiff enough to bear weight. And such a belt will still not be $20.

[Zundfolge]

You need not get a specialized gun belt, but it does have to be stiff enough to bear weight. And such a belt will still not be $20.

I'm currently wearing a Levi's leather belt that is very heavy and works great as a holster belt. It mics out at almost 1/4" thick.

It was $9.99 at Ross (http://www.rossstores.com/) (if you don't have Ross stores in your area, TJ Maxx (http://www.tjmaxx.com/) usually has the same kind of stuff).


EDIT
Found the exact belt I have on eBay for $15. (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=390202610516&rvr_id=&crlp=1_263602_263622&UA=WXF%3F&GUID=b99d1e3d11f0a0aad2b049a0fef3905d&itemid=390202610516&ff4=263602_263622)

[FTSESQ]

Got mine from the Red Wing Shoe Store for $15. Its a heavy leather belt with an unfinished inside so it doesn't slip and has a heavy duty brass buckle. It works well and looks good. Also it doesn't look like a gun belt, which can be a good thing. The best part is that its made in the USA.

[plateshooter]

You might want to check out Bull-Belt.com. Their belts are more than 30 bucks, but there is a pictorial that shows how their belts aremade. I have one of their belts and it was well worth the money. BTW, they are sold at a much better price when purchased from them at the gunshows they attend.

[Friendly, Don't Fire!]

I also have purchased 'cheap' belts, and in very little time, there is cracking around the edges and the thing looks really tacky. The cheap belt, in no time, is one I throw on to mow the lawn, paint the house, etc.

[bigfatdave]

I checked the closet, I have two almost gunbelts hanging in there, plus the Amish-made one I just took off after work. That's three not-quite-gunbelts at ~$30 each, damn, I could have had a BeltMan belt for that, or one of those Bull Belts for the cost of two of the junky belts that look like crap now.

My next belt will be a BeltMan horsehide, but I might check out Bull Belt for my next work belt, this Amish one is showing the wear, finally ... not the fault of the belt, I abuse the crap out of it on the job.

Seriously, A stiff belt will remove the need to crank down on your waist like a trucker's cargo strap, much more comfortable with a pistol in there. Save up once and buy quality, or buy cheap over and over and over, never getting the comfort of a good belt.

[shockwave]

Buying cheap stuff always costs you more in the long run. That said, here's some (http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/ItemListing.aspx?catid=961&pagenumber=2) at Cheaper Than Dirt in your range.

[Zundfolge]

In principal I agree that a quality belt is an important part of one's carry rig.

HOWEVER, I don't believe you need to spend $50+ for a good one.

The last $9.99 belt I bought at Ross (was a Calvin Klein IIRC) last a little over 3 years. Looked good until the last couple months and served me well as a CCW belt the whole time.

There are quality belts out there cheap, but you have to hunt for them and you have to know quality when you see it.

Full disclosure: I've only been carrying 24/7/365 for the last decade, so obviously I'm an inexperienced newb when it comes to this whole carrying a gun thing :p

[guitarman531]

I found a $15 DeSantis composite belt at Jensen Arms in Loveland. Great deal! It's not as thick/padded as I'd really like...but I really liked the price!

[metalman8600]

Buying cheap stuff always costs you more in the long run.

Very true.

[azyogi]

sportsmans guide has carhartt's on sale
EX24A-160238 - Carhartt® Western Belt
$9.97