Belt Widths and Weight

[BerettaNut92]

OK how wide are your belts and how much stuff do you put on them? It seems thicker is better, and 1.75" would be a good bet for 2 guns and 2 extra mags, but 1.5" will fit both my work and play pants, and my suit (so I don't need a whole new belt and set of holster belt loops) but not as thick as 1.75. Would a 1.5" belt be too over the top for a suit (granted I don't wear it much but it's nice to have my stuff fit everything)

Is there a point of diminishing returns with belt size?

 

[.45TCB]

In my opinion, a 1.5" belt is over the limit for a "dress belt". In fact, my 1.25" Sparks will just fit the loops of my dress pants. Most men's dress belts (those not designed for carrying a handgun) are about 1". Personally, I would leave the 1.5" for jeans (and RR 5.11's!).

 

[Standing Wolf]

My Mitch Rosen belts are thick, 1.25" wide most of the length, with 1.0" tongues. They're too bulky for some of my suit and dress trousers.

For what it's worth, they're very well made, well finished belts, and they even come pre-curved so they fit well from day one.

 

[dairycreek]

I have always felt that........................

if you opted to carry concealed that it was also up to you to do whatever it took to carry safely and effectively. For me that has always meant a 1.75" belt. So, long ago when I bought a new suit, a new pair of slacks, etc. I always had larger belt loops installed. It has never been a big deal. Most tailors can do it for you at the time of purchase. Many cleaners have the capacity to alter too. Cost has been minimal. Then I can carry what I want and feel comfortable in carrying it. I'm retired now and wear mostly jeans so no problem there. Only exception is when I wear shorts or sweats and then I pack a 442 with Barami Hip Grips. Good shooting

 

[El Tejon]

1" belt here (see El Tejon's pathetic attempts at digital photography in General).

 

[10-Ring]

1.25" max w/ slacks. Even that might be a little wide...might be on the verge of being a little 'Euro' in the styling dept. If you wear slacks, you might wanna consider an alternative carry mode (like ankle carry).

 

[Beorn]

what, no shoulder holster?

 

[AK103K]

I've always liked the Wilderness instructor type 1.75" belts. I also have one in 1.5" for those few pants I wear with smaller loops. The 1.75 works well with jeans and is very comfortable, especially since its infinitely adjustable instead of trying to hit a specific hole on those days you have long johns on or ate to much the following week. I comfortably carry a Combat Commander in a IWB, a double reload, and a Leatherman on my belt everyday. I also have a bunch of stuff in my pockets and it helps keep my pants up too. The larger, stiffer belt goes a long way at keeping the gun in place, supporting the weight, and not digging in anywhere.

 

[Marko Kloos]

I have a 1.25" UM Mirage for dress pants, and I keep the 1.5" Ted Blocker belt for use with jeans and khakis. The wider belt just looks out of place on dress pants, but it does work better with most of my holsters.

 

[MoNsTeR]

OT

Is there a point of diminishing returns with belt size?

Take it from an economist, EVERYTHING has a point of diminishing returns

 

[JohnBT]

Another vote for Uncle Mike's(or whatever they call themselves these days) Mirage dress belts. I have two.

John

 

[Mute]

1.25 for suits and slacks. 1.75 for everything else. On the range, I'll use a inner and outer belt system. Regardless of what you choose, it all works best when the holster slots are made for the specific belt size.

 

[Chris Rhines]

My Rosen 1.5" belt works very well with my dress slacks. It generally supports a full-size CZ-75, one spare magazine, and a Leatherman tool.

- Chris

 

[Jesse H]

I have a 1.5" Don Hume double lined dress belt. It was nice and solid at first but now it's starting to get worn. I only carry a spare mag besides the gun. It's also too wide to fit in my slacks and suits, so it's only a khaki and jean belt...besides the fact that it's kind of ugly.

 

[Sven]

Get multiple belts.

I went with Tucker Gun Leather through 'tonerguy' here on The High Road, and ordered two widths... one for 'work' (1.5") and the other for 'play' (1.25"):



Both are more than sturdy enough to handle the 1911, but I really like that extra width on the 1.5" belt.

 

[TheFrontRange]

I've been wearing a belt I picked up at none other than Wally World, a black Dickies-brand work belt...not sure of width, but I think it's probably 1.5 inches. For around $20 it's been a good, thick belt for gun-carrying (and jean-cinching!)

I actually do wear it with everything from shorts to jeans to khakis to even dress slacks with no ill effects. It's been helping secure a full-size steel-frame 1911, two extra magazines, and a cell phone for over a year now. I'm scouting for one in brown now.

All that said, I do want to get a belt from a gunleather outfit at some point...the ones I've seen are pre-contoured around the back to allow for better wear.

 

[BerettaNut92]

Shooooooot maybe I'll get an ostrich skin belt 1" for my suit

 

[TheFrontRange]

Shooooooot maybe I'll get an ostrich skin belt 1" for my suit

Just be sure to match shoes to it...or perhaps some Noconas or Tony Lama's...

 

[blades67]

I use my "Instructor" belts, the 1.5" belts get the most use.

 

[Gerald McDonald]

I have a couple of 1 1/4" Galco's and a 1 1/4" ranger from Maverick gunleather that sees a lot of use. I wear a 1 1/2" El Paso Saddlery if I am really going to be carrying heavy or a 1 3/4" El Paso Saddlery for outside carry. 1 1/4" Galco see's more use than anything.
Gerald

 

[harrydog]

I like 1-1/4" belts. If you get a quality one, like an Alessi, it will be thick and stiff enough for carrying any pistol, even a full size steel 1911.
I suppose if I were a cop who had to carry a large gun, flashlight, nightstick, hand-cuffs, extra mags, etc. on my belt I would go for something wider. Or maybe if I lived on a ranch. But for most civilian use, those wide belts just look awful, in my opinion. They seem to say "gun nerd" the same way a pocket protector says computer nerd, and they don't offer that much more support than a good 1-1/4" belt.
Plus, if you're carrying concealed, you normally don't want to draw attention to yourself, and a wide belt just screams, "I'm packing". In most urban and suburban situations, a wide gun belt just looks out of place.
But that's just my opinion.

 

[Soap]

Skunk- Just get a 1.75 belt for your suit, then all you have to do is put a belt buckle that is about 3"x5" with a depiction of the state of Texas on it. That would be soooo you!

Seriously, I would go for the 1.25" dress belt w/ nickle/brushed stainless buckle.

 

[Charles S]

Skunkability,

If you wear slacks much you are pretty much stuck with the 1.25 inch size. That being said a quality 1.25 inch belt is comfortable, not as comfortable as 1.75, but comfortable and will do a good job of holding the gun in place.

For my money I think a custom belt is worth the wait. I have 2 Milt Sparks double thickness belts in the 1.25 inch size and I am very happy with them. They carry the gun in a very stable and comfortable manner.

That stated the 1.25 double thickness belts will barely fit in some of my slacks.

I have a close friend who has a couple of Fist belts and they are also nice.

Charles

 

[Waitone]

Surf on over to www.wildbillsconcealment.com .. The guy's got what looks like a masters thesis on CCW belts.

 

[JohnBT]

Having said that the Mirage belts are good for suits and slacks, I also have 2 of Wild Bill's thick belts. And a bunch of his holsters.

Very friendly guy. I see him at the gun shows here.

John

(edited for really poor gramma)