A question about Pants.

[Captain Quack]

I hope I have the right forum here. I've recently started CCW again and after some significant weight loss I have run into the problem that I no longer have a butt to help keep my pants up no matter how tight I do the belt. Even a multitool weighs enough to pull my pants down around my hips. I tend to wear things like Hawaiiain and large t-shirts to cover my carry so suspenders wouldn't work. I have a nice new little Ruger Max-9 that is perfect to CCW but I'm grabbing my belt and pulling up my pants every 5 minutes and that prints and exposes my carry. Any Suggestions?

Captain Quack.

 

[Spats McGee]

What kind of belt do you use?

 

[Kleanbore]

Have you tied a smaller pants size?

 

[Captain Quack]

I've used a couple of different style belts. Traditional buckle. Slide style. And yes. Smaller pant size to the point where I have trouble getting them buttoned up.

Captain Quack.

 

[Spats McGee]

Are they actual gun belts? Gun belts are often quite a bit stiffer than regular belts and provide a much better foundation for carrying than a regular one.

 

[edwardware]

. . . keep my pants up no matter how tight I do the belt.

What kind of belt do you use?

Yup, that was my first thought: cheap belt.

A stiff gun belt makes all the difference. Lenwood Leather Hybrid is the best I've found.

 

[Captain Quack]

Not actually gun belts. I have thought about going into the local leather place and getting 2 made up but they don't do gun belts. Would I need two? One for wider loops and one for more narrow loops?

 

[jr_watkins]

+1 to the gun belt suggestion. Regular belts just aren't stiff enough to support the weight of a gun.

I use Kore, but there are several other good brands.

https://www.koreessentials.com/collections/tactical-gun-belts

 

[Spats McGee]

Now we're getting somewhere. Here are some of the ones that I've used in the past and have liked:

DeSantis Econobelt: https://www.desantisholster.com/1-1-2-everyday-carry-edc-belt/

Beltman: https://www.thebeltman.net/

Aker B21: https://akerleather.com/belts/off-duty-belts/B21/concealed-carry-gun-belt-1-12.html

Wilderness Tactical Frequent Flyer: https://www.thewilderness.com/belts/frequent-flyer-belt/

 

[Spats McGee]

....Would I need two? One for wider loops and one for more narrow loops?

Not necessarily. I would bet that the two sets of loops you have are probably 1.25" and 1.5" loops. You could bet 1.25" belts and use them in the 1.5"

 

[Hangingrock]

Per DI Speak at Parris Island MCRD1964 " Females wear pants, Men wear trousers".

 

[Dunross]

I bought two gun belts (brown and black) from Midway several years ago. Each 1.5" wide, ran about $45-$50 apiece. They made a big difference in the way my trousers ride. I wear a belt tool, minimag flashlight, then added a pistol. Before I bought them I had the same problem with keeping my trousers from riding down from the weight. Now I have no problem carrying everything.

Makes a big difference when I'm carrying other tools as well.

 

[JTQ]

Would I need two? One for wider loops and one for more narrow loops?

The default size for most holsters and gun belts is 1.5" wide. That should fit most pants from chinos, to jeans, to cargo pants. Dress pants may require a narrower belt, but a 1.5" wide belt should work for most pants, and most holsters.

Spats McGee has some good recommendations above. The Wilderness Frequent Flyer belt is a very good entry point into the gun belt world. The 5-stitch version is usually what is recommended. Pay attention to their sizing recommendations. Don't order your jeans size. Their sizing may seem odd, but if you follow their directions the belt should fit.


Edit to add: A gun belt makes a huge difference. A great holster with a poor belt is a bad carry experience. A good belt with an OK holster is a better carry experience.

 

[JTQ]

I tend to wear things like Hawaiiain and large t-shirts to cover my carry so suspenders wouldn't work.

An Hawaiian shirt over a t-shirt would allow you to wear the t-shirt tucked in, with the suspenders over the t-shirt, and the Hawaiian shirt over that. Nobody but you would know you are wearing suspenders.

 

[Spats McGee]

....The Wilderness Frequent Flyer belt is a very good entry point into the gun belt world. The 5-stitch version is usually what is recommended. Pay attention to their sizing recommendations. Don't order your jeans size. Their sizing may seem odd, but if you follow their directions the belt should fit....

To the underlined part: Yes, yes, 1000x yes. If you act like a doofus and make your best guess at the size, .... well, just don't.

And don't ask me how I know.

 

[Captain Quack]

Is it safe to assume the web ones are as good as the leather ones? I am looking at the Wilderness Frequent Flyer and the DeSantis Econobelt. Getting back into all this as well as reloading and a sudden major car repair has money a bit tight at the moment.

Captain Quack.

 

[JTQ]

My experience is with

A dual layer leather gun belt from A&G Custom Leather https://agcustomgunleather.com/product/1-5-black-bull-hide-belt/

And a Wilderness 5-Stitch Instructor Belt https://www.thewilderness.com/belts/original-instructor-belt/

The A&G is a little more stable, but the Instructor belt is more adjustable for those small increments as your weight goes up or down a couple of pounds. The leather belt is heavier and thicker, though that Instructor Belt buckle is pretty heavy. The Frequent Flyer rings would be very light.

Both are 1.5" wide, and fit nearly all of my pants. I've enjoyed wearing both, and would be happy with either, but I like having both.


Edit to add: Like my recommendation about following sizing instructions with the Wilderness Belt, the same holds true for all belt makers. They all have their own measuring instructions and not all are the same. Follow their guidelines and your belt should fit.

 

[JTQ]

Is it safe to assume the web ones are as good as the leather ones? I am looking at the Wilderness Frequent Flyer and the DeSantis Econobelt.

Here are a couple of data points regarding The Wilderness Tactical belts and how they are perceived by knowledgeable gun folks.

They are carried at the Gunsite Pro Shop https://www.gunsitestore.com/product/apparel/belt/5-stitch-wilderness-belt/

Well known holster maker Milt Sparks, who makes their own gun belts offers them https://www.miltsparks.com/store.php#!/Wilderness-Belts/c/28386548

 

[Rubone]

Stick with the oversize Hawaiians and wear a shoulder rig...

 

[Captain Quack]

On the outside or the inside lol

 

[Captain Quack]

Thanks Jto. And everyone else. Wilderness Frequent Flyer ordered and hopefully soon on it's way. Thank you all for the help and for taking this seriously. I do like the tuck in the t-shirt and suspenders under the Hawaiian idea too.

 

[Jim Watson]

That's my system, belt and suspenders with an overshirt of some sort if holster carrying.

 

[Jimster]

My belly band style holster gets used often. Treat yourself to one.

 

[GJeffB]

x2 to https://www.thebeltman.net/
$80-100, on my second in 12 years. Pretty decent ROI I'd say.

Another alternative: enchiladas, tortillas, carne asada, chile rellenos has always cured the diminishing waist line for me, just sayin' ...

-jb, refritos also

 

[tomrkba]

Kore Essentials tactical belt will help. Quarter inch adjustments, thin, stiff. Everything you need for $60.