Gun Belt Width

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Mr_Moore

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Ok, this is probably stupid, but what width of gun belt will fit dress pants.

I have been searching the threads, but could not find an answer about widths.

I saw an excellent cow hide 3/16" thick belt at

http://www.raftersgunleather.com/belts.html

for only $45.00! (seems like an excellent deal)

They only offer it in 1.25" and 1.5". I am leaning towards the 1.5". Is this about the max width for dress slacks, or will 1.75" fit most slacks?

I have to wear dress pants when I work and seldom wear jeans. I do not want to have to throw out all of my pants that can't fit my new gun belt. My wife would kill me.:) Especially after all of my lectures to her about wasting money...
 
What kind of holster? What kind of handgun?

I'd measure the belt loops on the trousers. Very few dress pants will accept 1.5 inch belts, in my experience, which makes carrying with a belt holster a problem.
A possible way around this is a pancake holster.
Or am I misunderstanding your question?
JT
 
The Rafter S 1.5" belt will fit most dress slacks (assuming you mean the Dockers variety). It will be a snug fit on some, but it'll work.

If you're concerned, get the 1.25" one.

FWIW, I have the 1.5" brown sharkskin belt.

Chris
 
I was talking independent of holster/gun

jacobtowne said:
What kind of holster? What kind of handgun?

Or am I misunderstanding your question?
JT
Click to expand...

I was talking independent of holster/gun. I just want to know the widest width belt that will fit most dress slacks.
 
Dockers...

mtnbkr said:
The Rafter S 1.5" belt will fit most dress slacks (assuming you mean the Dockers variety). It will be a snug fit on some, but it'll work.

If you're concerned, get the 1.25" one.

FWIW, I have the 1.5" brown sharkskin belt.

Chris
Click to expand...

Dockers - I HATE PLEATS! :) But I think I get your point. Thanks for the info.
 
Most dress/khaki pants look goofy with anything over 1.25" unless designed for such a belt. They look goofy because the loops are straining to accomodate "Beltzilla," the 1.5", double-thick monster belt from beyond.

Blue jeans can usually accomodate up to 1.75" belts.
 
I just bought a 1.75 belt. It stretches the loops of my jeans to the limit. So much so, that when I try to run the end of the belt, (after it's buckled) into the loop again, it won't fit.
Don't go anymore than 1.5.
 
Get the 1 1/2". It will hold your equipment more securely and offer greater support with the thinner material dress slacks are made from.

If you find a pair it won't fit, a dry cleaner, tailor, or seamstress can alter them for little cost. Don't throw away a pair of slacks just for that reason.

I've got a 1 1/2" tan Rafter S belt, I haven't pulled on a pair of slacks it hasn't fit yet, and I haven't worn a pair of jeans in maybe 3 years. By the way, their sharkskin is the BEST value on the market. And it looks really sharp dressed up.
 
mtnbkr said:
The Rafter S 1.5" belt will fit most dress slacks (assuming you mean the Dockers variety). It will be a snug fit on some, but it'll work.
Click to expand...

I believe many dress pants have smaller belt loops than dockers, which are casual pants from what I've seen.

brad cook
 
Now, I'm no fashionista, but to this day something I've read long ago still clearly sticks out, almost verbatim, in my mind:

Fat guys with thin belts are akin to the string tied around a ham.

Since I read that, I've always sought out the thickest belt I could find. I bought a 1.75" Don Hume (plug) from Gunnersalley.com (plug), to decide I simply measured the loops on my jeans and ran with it.

Conviently, they fit my "dress" pants, as well. They definatly accellerate teh wear at the tops/bottoms of the loops, but hey.. I don't look like the Christmas ham. ;)

gfen, fat guy.
 
After I made this post.

BullfrogKen said:
Get the 1 1/2". It will hold your equipment more securely and offer greater support with the thinner material dress slacks are made from.


I've got a 1 1/2" tan Rafter S belt, I haven't pulled on a pair of slacks it hasn't fit yet, and I haven't worn a pair of jeans in maybe 3 years.
Click to expand...

After I made this post I decided to ask Rafter S themselves. They recommended the 1.25. Probably because they are sure it will fit any pair of pants. I think I am going with the 1.5.

Us fat guys probably should wear wide belts. :p

Oh, with insured shipping the price is only around $50.00.
 
Stick w/ 1.25. I suggest the guys at gunnersalley. They have a great deal on a great belt there, but it's not the Hume, but their own house brand. I have a Hume and this belt is much better. The dye is not as prone to scratching off, and the belt is AT LEAST twice as thick. BTW, most cellphone clips and other belt impedimenta have a problem with the thick belt, but it sure does help with holstering a heavy gun.
 
Hutch said:
Stick w/ 1.25. I suggest the guys at gunnersalley. They have a great deal on a great belt there, but it's not the Hume, but their own house brand. I have a Hume and this belt is much better. The dye is not as prone to scratching off, and the belt is AT LEAST twice as thick. BTW, most cellphone clips and other belt impedimenta have a problem with the thick belt, but it sure does help with holstering a heavy gun.
Click to expand...

I have a Rafter S and a Gunner's Alley belt in 1.25". I wear them both regularly because one is black and one is brown. The GA belt is slightly stiffer. Both do a great job. However, when belt color doesn't matter...like when I'm wearing jeans with a shirt over the belt or I haven't decided what shirt or shoes I'm wearing yet I always pick up the Rafter S first simply because the holes are closer together which makes for a more comfortable, fine-tuned fit. Also the Rafter S is cheaper. Both are great carry belts.

brad cook
 
Mark my words, gentlemen, you will always remember the ham comparision until you lose those extra pounds. ;)

gfen, still hasn't lost 'em.
 
If you buy a high quality gun belt, 1-1/4" will support a heavy gun just fine. I have an Alessi 1-1/4" belt and have no problems at all carrying a full size steel 1911. I asked Lou Alessi about this before I bought mine and he said 1-1/4" is perfectly adequate. It's what he himself uses.
Besides, really wide belts look...well...not very good in my opinion and they tend to announce that you're carrying a weapon, so not a good choice if stealth carry is what you want to accomplish.
 
Besides, really wide belts look...well...not very good in my opinion and they tend to announce that you're carrying a weapon,
Click to expand...
I don't know if 1.5" counts as "really wide", but I was wearing that size belt long before I got into guns and started carrying. The only thing that's changed is that I'm buying a heavier, better quality belt.

Chris
 
mtnbkr said:
I don't know if 1.5" counts as "really wide", but I was wearing that size belt long before I got into guns and started carrying. The only thing that's changed is that I'm buying a heavier, better quality belt.

Chris
Click to expand...
My definition of "really wide" begins at 1-3/4".
1-1/2" belts are as wide as you can go and still look good. Some people can get away with wearing wider belts better than others. Maybe it's body type and size, I don't know.
For those that think a 1-3/4" belt is stylish, all I can say is, to each his own. People might be snickering behind your back though, if you wear it with anything other than Carhardts or something similar.
A 1-1/4" belt is a size that can be worn with just about every type of clothing and not look out of place.
 
I wear a 1.75" Wilderness CSM, but it's always fully concealed with either a pullover or a buttoned up untucked shirt. I agree the 1.5" looks better, but the 1.75" I find to shift around less, and is more comfortable after hours of wear. It doesn't matter in my case as nobody seems my belt anyway.
 
I use 1 1/2 in for everyday carry and 1 3/4 for heavy duty/range use. I don't use 1 1/4 since I don't have to wear suits anymore. And you're right, we fat guys should wear wider belts. I've got a mixture of Milt Sparks and The Wilderness.
 
I have three RafterS belts. Two in sharkskin. They are great. All three are 1.25 inch. Some of my pants will not take a 1.5". The 1.25" do a great job of holding the gun well.
I highly recommend RafterS.

Jerry
 
I carry a pistol, cuffs and spare mag on a 1.25 inch belt. The good ones are plenty stiff for this kind of a load. Currently, I'm using one by thebeltman.net. Top quality and a great price.
 
FRT007 said:
I carry a pistol, cuffs and spare mag on a 1.25 inch belt. The good ones are plenty stiff for this kind of a load. Currently, I'm using one by thebeltman.net. Top quality and a great price.
Click to expand...

These are the same belts as the Gunner's Alley belts. Anyone interested see my comments above vs. the Rafter S belts.

brad cook
 
I have their Brown Shark belt at 1 1/4 inches wide.

It is a beautifully made, nice looking belt. I absolutely love it. I wanted to get the ostrich, but that was too much dough.

Cheers,
ChickenHawk
 
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