I am 60 now and I don't have a waist any more. I guess what I have is 'dun laps' disease. My belly dun laps over my belt. Anyway does a gun belt make a difference in holding everything up. When I carry my gun, spare ammo, flashlight and cell phone I have to wear suspenders. If I spend $50.00 on a gun belt would it make a difference? Thanks for your help
does a gun belt help
- Thread starter rhartwell
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Eightball
Member
YES, it does. I was curious about if it REALLY made a difference with a holster attached......and yeah, it does--it's more snug and sturdy when you have to draw.
IMO, it's worth the money to get a decent gunbelt.
IMO, it's worth the money to get a decent gunbelt.
carnaby
Member
Ridgerunner665
Member
Yes.
Owen Sparks
member
- Joined
- May 27, 2007
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Yes. It takes the slack out when you draw.
Long answer: Hell yes!!!
The thicker and wider leather of a gun belt makes all the difference in the world. A dress belt, being what it is, is designed for fashion. A gun belt is designed for a different purpose, e.g., to withstand the weight of not just your trousers but also your tools. Go try on some belts along with your carry piece. You'll feel the difference.
Cajun Glocker
Member
Ditto to the Wilderness belt....
Great craftsmanship!
Great craftsmanship!
Cajun Glocker
Member
Ditto to the Wilderness belt....
Great craftsmanship!
Great craftsmanship!
Glockman17366
Member
My belt is from The Beltman and, after a year, I am still very happy with it.
A gun belt will reduce or eliminate the holster's tendency to pull up (when drawing the gun) as well as the "roll" to the side that an OWB holster does when not properly supported.
I mostly pocket carry a light weight .38. Any belt will support this. The gun belt helps most when I carry OWB (normally a Glock 19 or Ruger SP101).
Figure the price being closer to $75, BTW.
The OP carries quite a few items. I reckon his trousers ride low (below his belly). A belt can help, but if the trousers ride low on the hips, suspenders may still be required.
A gun belt will reduce or eliminate the holster's tendency to pull up (when drawing the gun) as well as the "roll" to the side that an OWB holster does when not properly supported.
I mostly pocket carry a light weight .38. Any belt will support this. The gun belt helps most when I carry OWB (normally a Glock 19 or Ruger SP101).
Figure the price being closer to $75, BTW.
The OP carries quite a few items. I reckon his trousers ride low (below his belly). A belt can help, but if the trousers ride low on the hips, suspenders may still be required.
Black Dime
Member
Depends on if you can keep the belt up or it does not slip to an uncomfortable position. Because of a childhood illness, my left hip will not maintain a belt. Always hitchin' up the pants. Started shooting cowboy and discovered suspenders.
Yes, a rather wide, reasonably thick belt works wonders. Go find a clip that hangs on the suspenders and hooks in behind and under the belt. You can adjust suspenders and belt to a very comfotale carry. No hitching up the pants.
Another super way to carry for us guys are bib overalls. Get them big (one or two sizes) and get a comfortable belt. You wear the belt inside the bibs and over the shirt(s). I wear the ubiquitous vest and leave the two buttons unbuttoned on my strong side. I wear a holster just behind the hip most of the time. I also wear an appendix holster some times. The loose bibs generally covers all printing. Very easy to get to. Some "carefuls" are called for.
Yes, a rather wide, reasonably thick belt works wonders. Go find a clip that hangs on the suspenders and hooks in behind and under the belt. You can adjust suspenders and belt to a very comfotale carry. No hitching up the pants.
Another super way to carry for us guys are bib overalls. Get them big (one or two sizes) and get a comfortable belt. You wear the belt inside the bibs and over the shirt(s). I wear the ubiquitous vest and leave the two buttons unbuttoned on my strong side. I wear a holster just behind the hip most of the time. I also wear an appendix holster some times. The loose bibs generally covers all printing. Very easy to get to. Some "carefuls" are called for.
Taurus 617 CCW
Member
My "gun belt" ran me $130 but it's the best one I've ever seen. It was made by a local leather guy (Tracker Leather out of Sisters, Oregon). He used double stitched saddle leather with an extra layer for around the back. I carry a 5" 1911 every day and have put that belt through hell and back and it's still holding up like it did the first day I put it on. You can't afford to go cheap on a belt because you will pay for it later!
ezypikns
Member
Yes, but.......
you still might need those suspenders. I'm in the same boat (bodywise) and if I don't wear suspenders, I have a terrible time carrying a 5" steel 1911.
I recommend gun belts from "The Beltman". Great looking leather gun belts at a reasonable price.
you still might need those suspenders. I'm in the same boat (bodywise) and if I don't wear suspenders, I have a terrible time carrying a 5" steel 1911.
I recommend gun belts from "The Beltman". Great looking leather gun belts at a reasonable price.
thebaldguy
Member
Try Rafter S Gunleather. I have a sharkskin belt that was a great price and it's working and looking great.
jad0110
Member
Another Beltman fan here. A sturdy gunbelt is probably more important than the holster. A good stiff gunbelt will distribute the weight more evenly, so even with no magazine on my weak side I barely notice the 5" steel 1911 on my strong side. As others have said, a gunbelt won't flex and flop around as much either. My father picked up a Don Hume for his Kahr K9, and said he could immediately feel the difference between it and his $15 Wal-Mart special.
Frog48
Member
Its doesnt necessarily need to be a "gun" belt. But a thick, wide, high quality leather belt is a must, regardless if it is marketed as a "gunbelt" or not.
Yeah I have to agree. I got my tactical 5.11 gun belt, rather cheap as far as some of the prices ive seen. I ordered ther black version, since I read some issues with the brown ones.
The gun belt will help if you break it in. I think any of these heavy gun style belts will take some breaking in. At first I thought I was going to have to return mine. But after wearing it some and slowly breaking it in with my crossbreed iwb holster, I now love it.
The key is finding a belt that will fit snug and there actually be a hole you can buckle it into at the position.
try and find one that has holes closer than the typical 1 inch. The tactical 5.11 ones I believe are spaced at 1 inch, the links above show they have an option for the 7/8" holes, which from my experience may make all the difference in the world.
If the belt fits loose, itll still be nearly useless. You need to be able to get to thet tight fit hole, and in time you will wamr up and slightly stretch that leather till its comfortable and snug.
Once you get to that point.. the belt will become irreplaceable!
The gun belt will help if you break it in. I think any of these heavy gun style belts will take some breaking in. At first I thought I was going to have to return mine. But after wearing it some and slowly breaking it in with my crossbreed iwb holster, I now love it.
The key is finding a belt that will fit snug and there actually be a hole you can buckle it into at the position.
try and find one that has holes closer than the typical 1 inch. The tactical 5.11 ones I believe are spaced at 1 inch, the links above show they have an option for the 7/8" holes, which from my experience may make all the difference in the world.
If the belt fits loose, itll still be nearly useless. You need to be able to get to thet tight fit hole, and in time you will wamr up and slightly stretch that leather till its comfortable and snug.
Once you get to that point.. the belt will become irreplaceable!
Tyrannosaurus
Member
Here's the logic behind the gunbelt. Take a look at any police officer, and you'll notice a HUGE belt that is very rigid. Obviously, they've got to carry a variety of items at all times.
I'm a big fella, and I picked up a nice belt from Eric Larsen (hbeleatherworks.com), along with a holster last year.
After wearing it for a few days, I came to a conclusion really quickly: A big guy needs a big belt, whether he's carrying or not. I'm so happy with this belt, I've worn it every day for the last year. I'll never buy a regular belt again.
Normal store-bought belts just don't work for big guys. Now that I have a sturdy belt, i don't need to hitch up my pants all day long. Make sure that it fits nice and snug, and you'll be really happy with it, pistol or not.
<Edited Eric Larson's URL>
I'm a big fella, and I picked up a nice belt from Eric Larsen (hbeleatherworks.com), along with a holster last year.
After wearing it for a few days, I came to a conclusion really quickly: A big guy needs a big belt, whether he's carrying or not. I'm so happy with this belt, I've worn it every day for the last year. I'll never buy a regular belt again.
Normal store-bought belts just don't work for big guys. Now that I have a sturdy belt, i don't need to hitch up my pants all day long. Make sure that it fits nice and snug, and you'll be really happy with it, pistol or not.
<Edited Eric Larson's URL>
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ShadyScott999
Member
Yes! Even a Galco belt is better than a "normal" belt.
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