Gunbelt and holster help

[mtnbkr]

I think I need a new holster or belt or both. I'm not really sure where the problem is occuring.

First, the equipment:
1.5" Don Hume lined leather belt 3/16" thick: 2 years old
Galco "FLETCH" belt holster: 4 years old
Ruger 4" GP100

I only wear the GP100 in the Galco holster on my body a few times a year, mainly while hunting, hiking, or four wheeling. That amounts to a total of two weeks of wear. I've noticed that while I wear that combo now, the holster and belt pull away from my waist. I'm constantly hitching the entire rig back up, adjusting it, etc. I've had similar, but not as severe, problems with that belt, a small belt slide, and a steel J-frame.

Is this a belt problem, holster problem, or both? I know the holster is getting loose an floppy, but the belt is still somewhat stiff. The belt loops on the holster are bigger than my belt. I think a tighter setup would probably shift less.

I was looking at a Rafter shark skin belt and matching holster. Can I expect a significant improvement? How long do gun belts and holsters typically last?

Chris

 

[MrMurphy]

I've seen leather concealment holsters with daily use that are good 10-15 years later, and gunbelts with 5 or 10 years on them. I've got a leather Wild Bill's belt that's 3 years with daily carry and use and doing fine.

You probably need a holster that spreads the belt slots out farther (keeping the gun tighter to your body). Personally I like kydex, but check out El Paso Saddlery (They've been making holsters since the Old West was just the plain West, literally...also made them for Patton among others) their rigs are simple, well made and not overly expensive.

Make sure the holster has slots for the 1.5" belt, not 1 3/4".

 

[azrael]

The belt slot and belt width should match exactly...1.5 slots with a 1.5 belt...

Also check the thickness of the beltslots...It they are overly wide then you need a thicker belt...With a heavier "weapon" a double thickness rig comes into it's own...The belt you have should be thick enough though for most weapons...

Holster and belt missmatch can also cause the holster slots to "wallow" IE. move a bit while you are wearing it...It should be anchored at all times with minimal to no movement...

just my .02 peso's

 

[Josey]

My agency had similar problems with Don Hume products. Their leather is not the best. Another officer and I were fighting with a DUI one night and the DUI ripped the other officers Colt out of his holster. He then was introduced to Manadnock PR-24. After the DUI was cuffed, we looked and saw that the holster was still snapped and the stitching was OK. The leather had ripped like a piece of paper!! I suggest www.sanpedrosaddlery.com El Paso makes good stuff too. I still have Jay-Pee leather that is in great shape. You should consider a fully lined belt. I hate to suggest that you look at your "love handles" as being to blame.

 

[Dienekes]

Check out Milt Sparks' stuff. I have used their 1 3/4" double-lined belt with the "Hank Sloan" #200 AW holster for some 23 years now on a daily basis (12 hrs +). The belt and holster marry up with velcro patches but that is only frosting. When new it takes two men and a boy to thread the holster on, but it's really ON. The belt is, as I recall, cut on a bias when new so it FITS. My first such combo served me daily for about 15 years and will still work for casual use. Carry piece has always been a 4" Security/Service Six.

The GP-100 is a heavy gun, and needs some good, well designed leather to do the job.

Occasionally I think about getting one of Bianchi's UM military style holsters for the revolver (which will fit the GPs). They fit very tightly on a heavy belt, ride high, and aren't going anywhere. They tend to get a bit pricey, around $60 or so. If you are looking for a basic field holster that might even work better than the Sparks which is suitable for CCW. However I have used it in and out of light aircraft, on horseback, and on ATVs without any problems, and it is only an adjustable friction fit.

BTW I am not a Don Hume fan either.

 

[azrael]

Field holsters are great...The Bianchi UM84R(?) is one of the better synthetic flap hoslters...Yea it is pricey (for Godless synthetic) but IMHO worth it...

I think that alot of outdoorsman are starting to rediscover the "FLAPHOLSTER" again...I have recieved several inquiries this year about designing one for hunting revolvers,camping,ETC...

 

[mtnbkr]

Good info folks!

I think the biggest issue is that the holster is for a larger belt. I didn't know how important that was until reading these posts. The slots are too long and too wide.

I hate to suggest that you look at your "love handles" as being to blame.

That certainly isn't helping matters. I'm not overly heavy (5'11" and 210lbs), but what weight I do have is right above my belt.

Chris

 

[tommytrauma]

I think the biggest issue is that the holster is for a larger belt.

Just an affirmation. I had the same problem, resolved with a properly sized belt / holster combo.

 

[Sunray]

I suspect you'll find part of the problem is the weight of your GP. It weighs 2.2 pounds empty and needs a solid belt/holster combination. I think I'd get another belt.

 

[mtnbkr]

I think I'd get another belt.

I'm going to try another holster first. The Galco's belt slots are way oversize compared to the belt. They're almost a quarter inch longer and about twice as wide as my belt (1.5" wide and 3/16" thick, two layers of leather, same as the Rafter S belts). If replacing the holster alone doesn't fix things, then I'll look at a new belt.

Chris

 

[P12]

If you decide to replace the belt and your not hung up on leather, go for a Wilderness 5 stitch instructors belt.

It fixed most of my sagging problems with my P12-45. Also a heavy gun.

 

[7.62FullMetalJacket]

The F.L.E.T.C.H. is a keeper. Rides high, pancake spread. Very good retention.

I carry my Taurus Tracker .357 4" in it and it rides peachy. But, I use a Galco belt with it that is so thick you could use it for loading ATVs. When the belt thickness creates a challenge getting through the slots, a tight fit is a sure thing. Plus, since is Galco/Galco, it all matches