Are Gunbelts Really Necessary?

Gun belts are usually stouter belts that do a better job of securing the holster and helping it to be worn more comfortable. They may be both thicker and wider than normal belts (but not always).

Your 1.5" belt should do fine as it will should meet the carry needs.

Now with that in mind, you need to be sure you have a holster that properly fits the belt and the belt should properly fit the belt loops on the pants/shorts you wear. When those three are in harmony, your holster will ride most securely. If the belt is too small for the holster, it can slide and rock. If too small for the belt loops, the belt may slide with the holster, allowing the gun to ride high or low.

SeanMTX said:

What are the thoughts behind gunbelts? What makes them specific for carry?

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Their rigidity; it's a pain (and dangerous) if your holster is flopping all over the place because your belt is too limp to handle the pound or so of steel it's trying to bear (this applies more to external holsters than IWB, genrally-speaking).

A cheap belt can make your $100 holster feel like a $10 holster. Invest some $$ into a good gun belt. The webbed wilderness gun belts only run about $35.

For some real deals, check out:
http://www.gunnersalley.com

www.thebeltman.net.

Before I got mine, I thought I understood; now I know I had no idea. The difference is amazing.

www.thebeltman.net

Before I got mine, I thought I understood; now I know I had no idea. The difference is amazing.

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Really I'm only posting to strongly second this post by highorder. I can't think of how I could any better expand upon that statement.

Yes they are. Get one, you will be amazed at the difference.

I have to second Highorder's comments exactly. Before I bought a proper gunbelt I thought it couldn't make much of a differance. I now own two proper belts (one leather with plastic lineing and one Galco instructors belt). The cost wasn't any more than what I pay for a regular good belt and I wouldn't wear a holster without them.

I'm wearing a 5.11 Tactical Leather gunbelt with polymer stiffener, 1.5" width, with a Comp-Tac Minotaur IWB holster.

It makes a world of difference.

$25 from lapolicegear.com.

Take your belt, pinch the sides of it between your thumb and middle finger and depress the center of it with your index finger. If it bends, it is not stiff enough for gun carry.

I also endorse Beltman's quality and service. If it goes with your clothing, also the Wilderness Instructor five-stitch.

I don't think there's much to be gained from most gun belts, but there is a substantial difference between a regular leather dress belt and a polymer-lined Aker belt. I have two. I bought the first one a few lbs ago and got a larger one earlier this year. http://galls.com/style.html?assort=general_catalog&style=LP224

I have a Galco 1.5" gunbelt for my sidearm, and I really like it. It holds everything in place.

I bought one just to hold up my pants! I am tapered like an ice cream cone and gravity is NOT my friend so I wear suspenders. Those clamp on ones tend to pop loose and smack ya in the back of the head so I switched to Perry Suspenders. These bad boys clip onto your belt and will NOT EVER slip off and are will take a TON of abuse. I wear my pants loose in the waist for comfort and got tired of the sag in them, especially when I carried so I bought a gun belt from the leather guy that is always at the local gun shows. Best money I ever spent! My belt doesn't sag and the weight of my gun is well distributed and the holster stays where it should. Web belts are for sailors and Mall Ninjas!

Yet another satisfied Beltman wearer here.

90.00 for a double layer horsehide belt and worth every penny and more.

I can get away with carrying my Kel Tek P11 IWB w/o my gun belt, which is a Wilderness Tactical 5 stitch, though I prefer going with the gun belt. But the belt is absolutely essential for carrying my 1911 IWB or OWB.
It's basically the foundation of the whole platform.

Yet one more thumbs up for the belt man. I carry my Kimber 4" or my XD 9 without any issues at all.

Can anyone comment on the 1-1/4" gunbelts?

A 1 1/4" is quite adequate for light (aluminum or polymer framed) guns but is marginal for heavy guns like 1911s, IMO. You can also get belts that taper from 1 1/2" to 1 1/4" at the front, e.g., for wear with an open suit or sport coat.

You can also get belts that taper from 1 1/2" to 1 1/4" at the front, e.g., for wear with an open suit or sport coat.

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You just described my next Beltman belt; in brown bullhide with a brass round buckle.

What's the consensus on Comp-tac belts?

http://www.comp-tac.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=25&products_id=43

When I first started carrying, all my friends kept telling me that I just NEEDED a specifically-designed gun belt. I figured I'd give my regular one a try first. Its an inch and a quarter, maybe inch an a half fairly thick leather belt. Works great.

Last week I came back from work and had to run some errands. I didn't feel like changing clothes, so I put on my 1911 still wearing my thin little dress belt. That worked just fine, too. No flopping around, no discomfort. I carry with that frequently now.

Having never tried a real gun belt I can't comment on the difference, only say that my normal ones work just fine. There's a lot of respectable people that swear by them though, maybe its just like guns - you use what fits you best, and its different for every person.

Another thebeltman.net satisfied customer

I have two 1 and 1/4 inch belts in different colors.

One of them has the taper cut in the front. It's worth the $15 difference if your belly hangs over the belt. Much more comfortable.

Hey guys, let him carry it on a normal belt if he wants. If it works for him, great (I doubt it will though), if not, he'll be by to ask about reputable gun belt makers in a little bit. Then we will help him out like we have been helped here before.