Educate me on Gun or Holster Belts.

[EHL]

Hello,
in my time surfing these forums and others, I have heard over and over about the importance of obtaining and wearing a good gun/holster belt for IWB/SOB gun carrying. Sooooo, can you gurus please enlighten me in this area of carrying concealed. What is the difference between my regular belts that are nice quality leather, versus a "gun/holster belt"?? Will they work with regular blue jeans, Dockers slacks, cargo pants, etc....? And if possible, can you post up some picks of some of these belts or websites that sell "gun belts" that are not an eyesore. (i.e. they're nice looking too)
Thanks guys!!!

 

[highorder]

http://thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=374062&highlight=beltman

http://thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=378142&highlight=beltman

http://thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=376482&highlight=beltman

 

[EHL]

Thank you Highorder. I used the search feature, but none of the threads that I found answered my questions. They were all about specific brands of gunbelts and not the general subject. I appreciate these links as they directly answer my question. Thanks!
Mods: please close this thread. Thanks

 

[Henry Bowman]

In general, what you need in a gun belt is one that is "stiff" (meaning resists twisting) and is sufficiently wide for the holster you intend to carry.

Many gun belts are very think (think 0.25"). They can look great, but they do not work well for dress slacks or suit pants. Here is my suggestion if you want "stiff" but not think: http://thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=197403&highlight=rusty+belt

 

[EHL]

Henry, I very much appreciate your post!!! This is exactly the issue I have with gun belts as well. I too am going to be practising law, just like this fellow who started the thread, just as soon as I graduate Law School. So I will be wearing suits and slacks, and I do have upper end belts from the same type of stores this fellow shopped at. (Nordstroms, Tommy Hilfiger, Dillards, etc...) The only problem is, they are not stiff enough for holding my solid steel pistols. (I don't carry plastic guns, nor do I carry aluminum guns)
I need a gun belt that will look good (business professional style) and will also work with the intended job of holding my pistol and mags secure. Heretofore, I have been the victim of sagging pants because of the weight of my pistols. Thank you again!!!

 

[CJ]

I find the stiffer belt to give better support. Even when pocket carrying, I've had the slight extra weight drag down and twist the belt.

I've been known to go through regular belt sections just feeling the stiffness of each belt and ended up with some pretty decent ones that work nicely (J.C. Penney clearance on Arizona belts had me going through about 4 racks of belts and ending up with only 2 that were actually stiff enough for me...not sure how long they'll stay that stiff, but for $9 a piece, they're worth a shot).

For more casual or outdoors wear when I tend to carry something heavier, I've had decent luck with the 'trainer' styles of belts offered by a number of makers.

 

[KingTiger]

Myself & several friends have the 5-stitch Original Instructors Belt. It provides the extra stiffness necessary for holstered carry. It's similar to a riggers belt, I think the tensil strength is around 5K lbs.

http://store.thewilderness.com/prod...=1186&osCsid=6c1fb854ab7e3746fc8dd99e94f2cc18

 

[Sav .250]

My son had a "floppy" holster problem but that was corrected when he
picked up a holster -belt at our last gun show. Got it for $10.
Big difference in belts. This one`s much more"solid."