Suspenders as aid to gun belt in CCW?

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Kansan

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When I'm not deployed, I usually conceal carry a XD45C and I have both OWB and IWB holsters. I wear a good leather gun belt (from the beltman) that holds my handgun very well. However, the weight of the gun keep dragging my pants down...

I just read on another thread someone's advice that wearing suspenders in addition to a gun belt helps. Does anyone wear both and does it help make it more comfortable & prevent you from having to keep hitching up your pants or tightening your belt to the point of your belly touching your backbone? If so, any suspender recommendations? (made for gun carry suspenders, for example?)
 
I've never tried suspenders, though I wouldn't be against it. I generally just crank the belt another notch if my pants start to droop. I carry a full size 1911 and I'm a skinny dude - Never really gets to be enough of a problem to make me spend the money on suspenders.
 
You betcha!!

I started wearing them with tool belts a long time ago for the same reason.

Then as I got older, and my butt got smaller, I started wearing them just to hold my pants up while working, squatting, bending over, etc.

They for sure help support a gun belt too.

The ones I recommend are called Dickie's brand Perry Suspenders and are available at Walmart, Pennys, etc.

http://www.jcpenney.com/dotcom/men/...ckies-perry-suspenders/prod.jump?ppId=1db91fe

http://workingperson.com/workwear-1...lack-y-back-suspenders-sn200-r-blk-63428.html

They hook on the belt instead of using typical pinch-on pants clips that always pull free at inopportune moments.
And slap you in the face with the little Jaws-Toothed clips!

They are fully adjustable to offer any degree of additional weight support you need.

It's a relatively cheap way for you to try it anyway.

The nylon hooks may not fit over double thickness gun belts, but even hooked to a pants belt under the gun belt will make a huge difference in your pants falling down all the time.

rc
 
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+1. I have black pair and tan pair both obtained at local Walmart in clothing dept next to belts.
 
This is nothing new. During the 19th century it was a common practice to hook suspenders to a gunbelt that had filled cartridge loops.

There were also suspender holsters that were attached to regular suspenders on the front/left side for a right-handed person that held a small or medium sized revolver that was then concealed by a vest or coat.
 
I like the thicker camo suspenders in walmart's sporting goods section. If I dress up, I use fancier ones.

I reenact in a Western troupe and we all wear them for period costumes. You get used to them, just like long underwear.
 
I hurt my hip when I was in the Army. Later I got a job doing armed security on a military base. Suspenders were the only thing that allowed me to wear all of my equipment without being in unbearable pain after a couple of hours. I had to argue to get permission to wear them, too, since they weren't initially authorized.

These days, I don't have to wear an M9, spare mag, radio, cuffs, OC spray, and an Asp. However, just my Beretta 92FS and a spare mag are too hard on my hip for all day carry, so I choose something lighter. If I had no choice I would definitely wear suspenders again. The only downside is that they reduce ventilation in hot weather.
 
Darned right.
I am a belt and suspenders guy.
The Perry brand that hooks to the belt is convenient.
Note, the Dickies branded version is narrower than what you get from Perry.
I got a set of Dickies when in a hurry, but added some real Perrys asap.

I also have some Buzz Not non-metallic suspenders for use when I am not wearing a belt (pocket pistol days.)
Their plastic clamps hold better than department store metal clips and do not slip off.
They are a bit prone to snag the clasp and become disengaged that way, though.

I want to try some No Buzz synthetics with a less exposed clamp lever.
http://www.suspenders.com/nobuzz.htm

The Holdup suspenders with the fang that actually pierces the pants' waistband and sockets into the back of the clip looks interesting, too.
http://www.suspenders.com/home.htm
 
I always thought that for police, who by nature of patrol work open carry, could be equipped with a bullet proof vest that included a gunbelt as part of its design. This would transfer the weight from the hips and onto the shoulders.
 
I found that the plastic clips on Perrys didn't like the thickness of my belts so I did this mod to a pair, and they work out pretty nicely.
I guess you can crank on that belt til you can't breathe, but suspenders is the better way, IMO.
 

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I dont use them with a belt, but instead of a belt. I like pocket carry, and hate to have my pants hanging down. When I decided to conceal, it was a very short time until I decided I needed to do something. Im a very relaxed guy, and dont like tucked in shirts, so I wear my suspenders under my shirt, next to my skin. I can very easily, and comfortably carry a 380 in one pocket, and an NAA Mini Magnum in the other.
 
Breathe easy w/ Perry's

Get a pair of Perry's traditional Origional style and Outback style. Each will alter the cant of the holster differently. You can adapt to the specific gun and holster being used at the time. I use the Ruf-N-Tuf in addition to a heavy duty gun belt when packin' N-frame iron.
 
I have been wearing Perry clip on the belt heavy duty suspenders for years. I'd be in trouble for sure without them. With their belt clips they are far superior to any clip on suspenders I have ever tried. They are truly a Godsend for me.

They have excellent customer service too.
 
I'd be in trouble for sure without them
Click to expand...
You wouldn't really be in trouble.

You'd just be embarrassed like me without them at times! :D

Most younger people, and usually even the cops, overlook old guys like us mooning people by accident.

On purpose is another matter entirely though, so you need to avoid doing that if you can.

rc
 
Thank heavens, I was wondering if I was one of the only folks who wore both. Now, I wonder what the average of us belt and suspender fellow is. I'm betting were mostly on the other side of half a century.
 
Wow, I kind of expected someone to make fun of me for asking such an unfashionable question, but you guys have really given me some great information, thanks! It sounds like a lot of you like the Perry suspenders, so maybe I'll start with that.

I'm deployed right now, and was just thinking about it for civilian ccw back in the States, but the responses here have made me start thinking that there's actually no reason I couldn't test it out in uniform... the ACU blouse would cover over the suspenders. I carry my M9 on a Wilderness belt most of the time over here in uniform and have some of the same problem. Although, I will say that it's easier to really cinch tight my wilderness belt to a more exact degree than my leather gun belt.

Rayban, those leather clips look really nice and I think the suspenders would wear out long before the clips do. That's a good idea.

I looked on Amazon and JCPenney and it looks like they make them in black or beige. I bet the beige would blend in with my uniform t-shirt. They also have them in 1 1/2" or 2". From what Jim Watson and Saddlebag Preacher said, it sounds like thicker is better.

Jeepnik - yeah, I can imagine there are not a lot of young people out there wearing both but one thing I've learned in life is that you can't argue with something that works. If you are wearing a gun on your belt along with an extra magazine and maybe a multi-tool, gravity is going to have a say. I'm only in my 30's but I've notice a trend over the years - every year, my dad and grandpa seem to be smarter and smarter. Funny how that works :)
 
I've worn suspenders since I was in my thirties and they are a great aid to comfort and security. I'm a belt-and-suspenders guy; the belt doesn't have to be tight, but gun and other goodies are held securely and I don't feel squeezed in the middle.

I wear the 'spenders over my t-shirt and under my overshirt, which is worn tail-out. If you want to look more tidy, a quality tuckable holster will fulfill your needs.

Since I'm retired and can look a bit scruffy, I typically just use an overshirt. The suspenders are not in view, gun is well covered, stomach is comfortable and everyone is happy.

Ron in Texas
 
I have zero experience with suspenders. I wanted to mention that switching to a gun belt that is infinitely adjustable completely solved all issues with my hardware moving around and/or pants sagging, regardless of physical activity. I use a Wilderness Tactical reinforced Instructor Belt. I sometimes hang my cordless drill in the hammer loop on my Carhartt's and stuff the other pockets with heavy tools. Tightening the belt just slightly (maybe 1/2"?) makes everything stay where it belongs. One of my friends wore a gun belt and suspenders as his body shape just didn't work to hold up a 1911 on a belt alone.
 
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