Recommend me a belt

Something like this, maybe?

http://www.looperlawenforcement.com/looper-reinforced-holster-belt.html

Do you have a price limit in mind?

Glaco offers some good belts in the "value" department. I've been wearing one for about a year now (sorry, can't remember which model), and it shows no real signs of wear.

But, if I had the money I'd go with one from the Beltman.

I use a Beltster. Carries a 1911 with ease, and holds my pants up. One helluva chunk of leather too. Just another option. Some people like them, some scoff at the idea, and some act like they just stepped in something unsavory. But for ME, it's the perfect solution.

http://www.agcustomgunleather.com/


These are great. You'll,have the "quick ship" model in a week or less.

beltman

I liked mine so much that I bought a second one in horsehide

Mitch Rosen Express Line. I wear one every day and have for 7 years. Still fits just like new.

http://www.hanksclothing.com/amish_belts_black_buy.html

For the price you can't beat it. I have one and it works good. I now have a wilderness tactical belt that works better as it's infinitely adjustable. I still wear the leather belt when I tuck in my shirt.

I have a couple of Bullhide belts that I like very much

Black is $75 and $6 shipping. 1.5", two layers Hermann oak leather. Inside layer is natural, outside is black to prevent black rubbing off on your clothes. The layers are cemented and stitched together. Leather is much higher quality than "Bullhide". Only bull hide I have seen available is cheap Leather from Mexico. Really, would you rather want the skin of a Teenager or an old man? Think about it, the young American cows are a much better source for nice clean, strong leather. Roller or regualr buckle, buckles are brass, some of the tongues may be stainless steel.

I'm interested in a black leather belt (that looks like an ordinary belt) for CCW or just normal clothes when I'm in non-carry locations. Something that will hold up to carrying, but preferably isn't too expensive. Anyone have any advice for me?

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My choice for leather gun belts would be The Belt Man. Not sure what you consider not too expensive, but they have 1.25" double layer, bullhide belts in standard sized for $70.

Why brake the law? And chance loosing your gun CC or even going to jail!!

mdauben said:

My choice for leather gun belts would be The Belt Man. Not sure what you consider not too expensive, but they have 1.25" double layer, bullhide belts in standard sized for $70.

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The belt man has some questionable statements about the quality of leather on his website. Bull hide in the leather industry means Branded, Mexican hides tanned in Mexico. Think about it, we don't kill bulls here in the US since we don't have a sporting purpose for them. I like to think about it like this. The American cow hides have skin akin to a teenagers, nice, supple, firm, consistent. Mexican bullhides has skin like an old person. Wounds that heal slowly, scars, brands, these puss ball things that I cannot describe, soft spots or scar tissue, it is quite nasty leather on the back side and not nearly as strong as quality Hermann Oak Leather.

There are a few things you should be looking for when getting a belt.

1. The leather used, Hermann Oak is best, Wicket and Craig is acceptable (won't last as long as Hermann Oak, then the Amish run factories in Mexico using American hides produce the next quality of leather. Bull hide is not used by respected leather workers, at least in the circles I have been associated with. It is a good marketing term.
2. Construction. There are many choices the maker can make as far as skiving and attaching the buckle to the belt, but you want two layers cemented together then stitched. One without the other is pointless, together they will provide a very strong belt. I don't like to double stitch because it puts a few hundred more unnecessary holes to let water in.
3. Buckle - Should be solid brass, I have sacrificed on a few designs to get a solid brass buckle with stainless tongue in order to have a reasonable sized tongue. Sometimes the brass Tongues are too big to be practical.
4. A good belt keeper. I use to sew my belt keepers thinking that is the way it should be done, then I was introduced to the copper staple. I had a handful of hand stitched keepers come apart, mainly the knot pulled through the leather, the copper staples stay put.
5. Should be attached with chicago screws. Snaps can wear out and stitching doesn't give you the option to change buckles.

I will give the first High Road member $10 off their belt order if they are the willing to post about the belt when they get it. It takes getting in someones hand that you are getting a belts that should sell for over $100 in the $75-$90 range.

Zlogonje.com He has really nice belts starting at $45. Very nice guy, I met him and his wife at a competition earlier this year. Definitely worth taking a look.

I got a belt from thebeltman.com last month and am nothing but pleased.

AABEN said:

Why brake the law? And chance loosing your gun CC or even going to jail!!

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1 - what does this have to do with anything? Are you even posting in the right thread?
2 - "break", not "brake" ... "lose", not "loose" (you'll be taken more seriously if you aren't writing with confused homophones)

Kcinnick - I've yet to see any dis-satisfied reviews on Beltman's product, in fact I see the opposite, a whole bunch of people who got belts that are tough and look good.

Are you making assumptions about the leather source, or do you know for sure?

for CCW or just normal clothes when I'm in non-carry locations.

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This can be misread as CCW in non-carry locations.

The belt man has some questionable statements about the quality of leather on his website.

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I had to read this twice before I got (what I think) is his true meaning. This is a statement from the beltman about other leather quality. Not questioning the quality of the beltmans leather.

I'm very pleased with my own Beltman belt.

I have one from Rafter S that I have been pleased with.

bigfatdave said:

Kcinnick - I've yet to see any dis-satisfied reviews on Beltman's product, in fact I see the opposite, a whole bunch of people who got belts that are tough and look good.

Are you making assumptions about the leather source, or do you know for sure?

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I have never seen Bull hide for sale from an American source. I have experience working with variety of leathers. IMO Hermann Oak is the best. All the bull hide I have seen I wouldn't buy, the grain side may look OK, but flip it over and you can tell the age from defects in the leather. I can't say where the beltman gets his leather from, but bull hide is just a marketing thing. It's cheap leather, I can get it for 1/2 or less than what I buy Hermann Oak for, but I get good deals on Hermann oak leather with the amount I purchase and go through I am on the lowest pricing tier.

I deal with the 3 largest leather suppliers in the US and NONE of them have US bull hide, not that I want it. An American cow hide is taking the hide in the prime and I have no desire for old man skin type leather.

Just an alternate suggestion here - go to etsy.com and search for "leather belt". Etsy is a huge marketplace where folks make and sell handmade goods. You can get some very well made leather goods for sometimes a criminally low price. I found a guy on etsy who is my go-to guy for custom leather holsters. He is a retired guy in Texas who goes the extra mile as far as quality goes, and charges just over cost. Just my 2 cents.