belts

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Jeremiah10:23

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I carry IWB at about 3:30, I am 6'1 and weigh about 320. I love my holster but I am extremely displeased with my belt. I would like your input as to what to look for in a "good" belt. The main issue I have is that the belt (not a gun belt) likes to roll or slide when I get up.


I do not want to start a big debate as to which brand is best.
 
"...belt likes to roll or slide..." Isn't thick or stiff enough and isn't strong enough to hold the holster in place. Regular dress belts are like that.
There are lots of sites with good gun belts that are also dressy. Cheap they ain't though. Don't ask me who, I've been making my own for eons.
 
Sunray said:
"...belt likes to roll or slide..." Isn't thick or stiff enough and isn't strong enough to hold the holster in place. Regular dress belts are like that.
There are lots of sites with good gun belts that are also dressy. Cheap they ain't though. Don't ask me who, I've been making my own for eons.
Click to expand...
OK. Perfect. When you make yours, what features do you design into them? (reinforced with kydex, double/ triple leather, extra stitching, width?)
 
Belts....

If you are a big bubba like me :D , gear can be a issue.
Id suggest checking www.5.11tactical.com www.thebeltman.net www.duluthtrading.com www.blackhawk.com www.galls.com .

A lined belt can help span out or balance the weight of a gun, magazines, cuffs, OC spray, etc.
Velcro closures or nylon can wear out depending on the quality but a good leather belt should hold up.

Rusty
PS; a good set of suspenders may help keep the weight/pressure off your hips too.
 
The width of the belt is as important as the stiffness of the material. I always look for belts that are as wide as the belt loops on my pants will hold tightly. If it slides through the loops easily, I don't bother with it.

Pants are another issue. If the belt loops are too far apart, it will be far more likely to roll.
 
The 1.5" belt is typically the most versatile width.

The Wilderness Tactical 5-stitch belt is the industry standard for nylon type of belts. http://www.thewilderness.com/tactical-belts/

If you want a leather belt, most of the holster makers produce an excellent belt. If you have one of their holsters already, getting a matching belt is a great idea. Typically a dual layer leather gun belt would be sufficient.

The Beltman has already been mentioned, another well known makers is A&G Custom Leather. http://agcustomgunleather.com/store/
 
Just under two inches will normally fit through a belt loop. As stated, 1 1/2"s is a standard size.
With a custom leather maker you can order a 1 5/8"s or most anything else. And you may be surprised what you pay for a two ply, glued, and sewn belt.
The kydex or whatever is nice but a well made belt will more than suffice.
And, since horse hide is dense they make a stiff belt. And the price goes up also.
 
Length....

Id order a belt about 2" longer too. The extra length helps hold gear, holsters, etc.
If you IWB carry a lot, get slacks or pants a size up too. Author & sworn LE officer, Massad Ayoob suggests that. ;)

As noted horsehide costs more but it's strong & lasts long.
BTW, custom shop; Ken Null is noted for gun belts.
Rusty
 
Id order a belt about 2" longer too. The extra length helps hold gear, holsters, etc.
Click to expand...
I'd make sure you follow the measuring instructions of the maker. Each of them have their own way of determining the proper length for their belts. If you don't follow their directions and get the wrong size it's your fault.

Your belt size will not generally be the same as the waist size of your jeans.
 
Good advise JTQ...also...horsehide is gonna be tough to get in a length required to make a belt for a 320 lb. man....of course, splicing a couple straps could be an option.
 
My wife and I have ordered some "seconds" from Crossbreed before, holsters and belts. They are well made and high quality- I have yet to find whatever it is that made either of our belts "seconds" as they look great.

EDIT to add: The Crossbreed seconds run between $35 and $60. You won't find a quality gun belt for that price anywhere else. Before you spend $80 and up give one of the seconds a try. Both of mine work great and my wife hasn't complained at all about hers.
 
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Comp-Tac makes an excellent belt (reinforced with Kydex and heavy duty) that also looks good as a dress belt.
 
A good belt is a must. It should be at least a good quarter inch thick, usually comprising of two layers of 8-9oz leather or a heavier outer layer and a thinner lining. Most your better holster makers will offer good gun belts. I don't offer a pants belt because nobody wants to pay for me to hand stitch all the way around a belt. ;)

Definitely follow the maker's instructions for measuring.
 
Check out thebeltman.net. I'm pretty good size and not had any problem with his belts stretching or rolling.
 
I wore a Comp-Tac Kydex reinforced gun belt for a few years and it was really nice. Classy looking too. After dropping enough weight that I needed a new belt I took the advice of many here and got a Wilderness Tactical Instructor Belt. Vertical stiffness and resistance to twisting are king with gun belts, especially for those of us that aren't skinny, so I got the polymer reinforced version. I've carried IWB daily for 23 years and the Instructor belt is the most comfortable belt I've ever owned. Even the reinforced version is thinner than most leather dress belts! I never realized that I could feel the Comp-Tac (and all my prior belts) pushing on my back when sitting in a church pew or anywhere else I was leaning against a hard surface. This due to the thickness of the belt. I can't feel the Instructor belt at all, no matter how I sit or what I lean against. While doing vehicle recovery operations off road I've also used it's load rated buckle as a tie off point when climbing or descending steep banks and it's surprisingly comfortable for this purpose. http://www.thewilderness.com/tactical-belts/original-instructor-belt/
 
I got my Wilderness Tactical Frequent Flyer belt today and wore it all day...my first "gun belt" and it's 5 stitch with Delrin buckles and perfectly sized.

ffbelt.jpg

Incredible. 1 1/2" wide and it doesn't flex or roll and is vertically stiff enough that the gun *will* not move. Most comfortable and functional belt I ever had. I'd buy another but I'll never likely need it.

Highly recommended and it looks much more casual than I thought possible.

VooDoo
 
I like a wide belt (1 3/4") that is double thick. It needs to be a little longer than normal, depending on the holster, but you don't want the free end so long that it interferes with the carry of your magazine pouch(es) to the left of the buckle.

I also like good suspenders to hold everything in place. The Hickman suspenders I am wearing now are the best I ever tried. The belt goes through the leather suspender loops so they are completely secure and can't scratch or cut anything. When the belt is held close to level with suspenders, the belt doesn't have as much tendency to roll over.
 
I second the vote for the Wilderness belts. I have two, only because my labrador chewed the first one a little. Nibbled the edge just enough to make getting thing on and off a hassle. Check the belt loops of all your pants before ordering. Many "casual" pants, such as Dockers, will not allow a 1 3/4" belt to be worn.

I also second the idea of wearing suspenders. I discovered Perry Suspenders after someone here on THR mentioned them. Have worn them nearly daily since.
 
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