Low profile gun belts/buckles?

[rogerjames]

I have a 1.5" leather gun belt from crossbreed. It's thick, sturdy, everything you want in a gun belt. As I have started to carry more appendix, I don't like the large bulge from the traditional metal buckle and I don't need the heavy, thick leather to support this carry position.

I have seen some non-leather, flat buckle belts from Maxpedition, 5.11, etc, just wondering what else you guys are using and like?

 

[Tirod]

Low profile and gun belt are two diametrically opposite things in some minds. There is justification, too. A one pound gun with holster takes a stout piece of gear to support it and the pants hanging from it.

Load up your EDC gun, holster, belt, what you stuff in your pockets, etc and weigh it. The pants are the least of our problems. To keep them up we have to use a stiffly constructed piece of harness to prevent it from folding over, and it has to keep the belt above the hips so they are wider than the waist.

That last part isn't going to happen for a lot of us. We are too much a tapering funnel - cinching up the belt doesn't make it work better, it just adds a lot of discomfort. The best belt in the world won't fix it.

Since that isn't admitted or even recognized at a certain point in life, it has to be mentioned. It may not be the belt - it's doing what it can against stacked odds. At that point a factual reassessment has to be made. That may happen at any age, too, depending on the health and lifestyle of the carrier. Plenty of younger guys discover this situation exists before they even buy their first firearm.

That's why belt carry simply isn't a choice for a lot of us, and when we do, it's a battle of tug here and pull there to keep from losing our pants. All of which are tells we carry, dead giveaways in public when we aren't trying to be Open Carry at all.

I will say that any belt that is seen hanging from the vendors hook ready to buy that is straight as an arrow is one that is NOT designed for the human body. Those belts are selling to flat abbed young males who's body style only exists for a few short years. The belt curved to fit over the hips ergonomically is the one to look for, and they are few and far between. They still won't fix the issue of trying to hold up a pair of pants on a tapering funnel pointing at our ankles.

Them's the breaks, a lighter or different belt may not be the answer at all. Switching to a different kind of carry may be the necessary answer, and plenty do. We may want to carry the gun, but we don't have to do it like a professional LEO/MIL or 3Gun competitor either. And that's why a lot of people didn't belt carry thirty years ago - it just didn't work for them either. Only recently have we had "experts" insisting it's the only proper way.

 

[ATLDave]

You know what really helps? Wearing your pants at your waist, not your hips. Pants worn at the hips are relying on friction to not fall down. That mean the cinch of the belt is doing all the work, and if you get more weight than the friction can support, down the trousers go.

If you wear your pants a bit higher at your waist, then the belt and waistband would have to first expand to fit over your hipbones before they could fall down. It becomes physically impossible for the pants to fall down unless the fabric fails.

Of course, this rules out most jeans and, AFAIK, all "tactical" pants, all of which tend to run to fairly short rises (the measurement between the crotch of the trousers and the waistband, or difference between inseam and outseam measurements). But this is the most reliable and fool-proof solution to pants that want to fall down. Get a higher rise, put the waistband at your waist, and never tug at your pants again.

 

[Lateck]

Sorry OP no answer for you.
But, the two replies above are VERY informative!

Lateck,

 

[AK103K]

Ive been using one of these of late.....

http://www.thewilderness.com/tactical-belts/frequent-flyer-belt/

I got used to the infinite adjustment of the "instructor" type belts (no "holes" to hit), and this gives the same adjustment, but without as much of the "gun belt" look.

I carry appendix as well, and just slide the buckle to the far side when I insert the holster, and it draws up just right with no interference or buldge, when snug.

 

[Johnny_B_Goode]

Get a belt with a Velcro belt buckle like mechanics wear.
http://www.automotiveworkwear.com/Uniforms/belts.html

 

[bearcreek]

One like this: http://www.originalsoegear.com/coll.../edc-belt-without-velcro-lining-size-26-to-34 or, for even lower profile, this: http://www.originalsoegear.com/coll...file-belt-without-velcro-lining-size-26-to-34 I have one like the first. Mine's homemade as my brother has a commercial sewing machine but this is the idea. US made too, unlike Maxpedtition or 5.11. I don't know the short term belt solution if you've got to much mass through the middle, like Tirod and Dave. Long term perhaps would be at least attempting to lose that extra mass. Stop drinking pop, stop eating anything with sugar or artificial sweeteners, drastically cut carbs unless you're burning them, get out and run or bike. Don't mean to get off topic but it's sort of related and was brought up so I threw in my 2 cents.

 

[tarosean]

I agree with AK103K.. Been using the Wilderness Tactical instructor belt (5 Stitch) for a while now.

 

[rogerjames]

Yeah, that's exactly the type of belt I've been considering, but I was looking at the 5.11, looks essentially the same.
For the record, I'm pretty fit. I work out 3-4 days a week and have about a 33in waste. Not too bad for 43 [emoji6]

 

[AK103K]

Ive had a number of different instructors belts, but the Wilderness belts have always seemed to be the better belts. I believe they were also the originators of them.

The original buckles tend to be big, and tend to bulge when used with a holster in the appendix position (or at least for me they do). They are also well known now as a "gun belt". If you offset it a loop to the side, in the old "trucker" position, it sits on your hip bone, and isnt very comfortable. The "double ring" buckle of the Frequent Flyer, is a little more low profile, and less noticeable, but still the same basic belt as the Instructor.

 

[Vodoun da Vinci]

+1 on the Wilderness Tactical Frequent Flyer belt.....looks like a dress belt to all but the most astute LEO or CCL aficionados (who will spot you no matter what) and is awesome.

http://www.thewilderness.com/tactical-belts/frequent-flyer-belt/



I carry Appendix and wear this belt all the time in jeans or Business Casual and no one has spotted it as a "gun belt" except the Bailiff when I did jury duty...he asked me about the belt privately as he wanted to get one for himself.

VooDoo

 

[tarosean]

but I was looking at the 5.11, looks essentially the same.

except one is imported from Asian manufactures/countries (511) and one is American made..

 

[rogerjames]

Thanks guys. Wilderness it is!

 

[Ohen Cepel]

Another vote for Wilderness, or maybe Eagle Tactical. They were some of the first and US made. Buy the original rather than an imported knock-off (which is often overpriced).

 

[RustyShackelford]

Belts....

I never really had a CCW issue with a belt per se, I recently had a pair of office slacks rip at the belt loop with my SERPA Sportster holster but that was the narrow loops not the belt or holster.
Buckles aren't really a huge deal either unless you wear a para-rescue type belt where you are going to be hooked up to a SAR(search & rescue) harness or a "ranger" type Sam Browne belt I doubt any passers by or by standers will even glance at you.
I've worn a few belts over the last few years(since 2000 or so). I now mostly use a black nylon Unkle Mikes Instructor belt(good thickness, 1.75" wide) & a few OD/FDE shade 5.11 belts. All are still in decent shape.
I might buy a new TheWilderness.net range/casual belt or a new belt from TheBeltman.net but I'm in no rush.
For most armed security posts I use my black Unkle Mikes belt but I also have a nylon 2.25" wide Blackhawk duty belt for magazines, white light, handcuffs, OC spray, etc.

 

[riceboy72]

Wilderness makes awesome belts where adjustability is not confined to the number of holes in the belt. This is an awesome option for different holsters and carry styles, and the belt is of excellent quality. While the 5.11 belt is similiar, it does not compare to the Wilderness brand. Choosing a color other than black also makes the belt seem more low profile to me.

 

[Johnny_B_Goode]

I just get a saddle grade leather belt when I go to the tack shop. I get a sturdy belt for $15. I hate to bust you all's bubble but there is no such thing as gun grade leather.

 

[jcwit]

And I've found out with my old man's stomach a pair of suspenders work wonders.

 

[Tirod]

If we take one aspect of the OP's question, are the ones mentioned "low profile?"

I've got a 5.11, and some from Academy with metal buckles., They are 1 1/2" web belts with large buckles. What we need in sufficient width and thickness, along with the buckle, creates a recipe that makes the belt look more heavy duty than it would for just holding up pants.

Wilderness belt? Nope, it's a high profile outdoors belt, and because it's not leather, it has a military/tech look that sends a signal same as the 5.11. Many of us buy belts because they look like gun belts, not like a Dickies off the Walmart hook.

That's why the buyers and sellers of gun belts aren't going to be cooperative in a search for a low profile gun belt. Nobody buys them, so, nobody makes them.

 

[CraigC]

I hate to bust you all's bubble but there is no such thing as gun grade leather.

No but there are certainly different grades and types of leather. Some are better suited to supporting the weight of concealed carry gear and some are not. Cheap chromed tanned leather, like you find in most off the shelf pants belts, is not. Good vegetable tanned leather is. Most of leather's strength is down to just below the surface on the hair side. So a good gun belt is typically two layers of 6-7oz to 8-9oz leather glued and stitched together and you can't get that for $15.

 

[Johnny_B_Goode]

No but there are certainly different grades and types of leather. Some are better suited to supporting the weight of concealed carry gear and some are not. Cheap chromed tanned leather, like you find in most off the shelf pants belts, is not. Good vegetable tanned leather is. Most of leather's strength is down to just below the surface on the hair side. So a good gun belt is typically two layers of 6-7oz to 8-9oz leather glued and stitched together and you can't get that for $15.

Exactly what grade of leather and finish is best for a gun belt? The state issued belts that are worn by state troopers and game wardens come from the same place. They are the same grade of leather with a better buckle. Belts are made from leather scraps. If you want to pay more than $15 for scrap leather that is your business. But don't knock until you try it. I carry a G19 OWB most of the time. The $15 belt never sags or shows unusual signs of wear. Bridle leather is bridle leather, no matter the price.

This belt is several years old. I was cutting grass when my wife snapped the picture, so the cheap belt was soaked with sweat. Exactly what is not proper about the rig other than my fat gut? The G19 is a common size gun carried by many concealed carry practitioners. In fact, the vast majority of people who carry concealed carry a much lighter gun with less ammo.

 

[JTQ]

I carry a G19 OWB most of the time. The $15 belt never sags or shows unusual signs of wear.

With a compact, lightweight gun, you could probably use any belt. If you are using a larger, heavier gun, a two layer belt makes a big difference.

Edit to add: I see you are in North Carolina. Here is a description from The Beltman, also from NC, about the advantage of dual layers. http://thebeltman.net/faq.htm#16

 

[CraigC]

Exactly what grade of leather and finish is best for a gun belt?

I explained all that in the post you quoted.

Belts are made from leather scraps.

Really? Most leathermakers, myself included, would probably disagree with that. Belts are usually cut from the best part of the hide. It's tough to get a "scrap" that is made from all back and/or shoulder material, no stretchy belly skin or wrinkled neck skin, that will allow a 50-60" straight cut. You obviously don't know anything about making leather belts, or anything else for that matter.


I'm not passing judgement on your belt, other than to say that knowing first hand what materials and buckles cost along with the labor involved, I wouldn't expect much from a $15 belt. Your statement that it's all the same, is patently false.

 

[AK103K]

Exactly what is not proper about the rig other than my fat gut?

It looks like the holster is sagging a good bit. Id be willing to bet, the holster moves upwards on the draw until it runs into the loops, and before the gun starts to move from the holster.

A good belt, of proper width and thickness, regardless of material, doesnt allow that. Nor does it allow the holster to move fore or aft on the belt. The gun and holster are basically locked in place, horizontally and vertically.

 

[JTQ]

AK103K wrote,
It looks like the holster is sagging a good bit. Id be willing to bet, the holster moves upwards on the draw until it runs into the loops, and before the gun starts to move from the holster.

A good belt, of proper width and thickness, regardless of material, doesnt allow that. Nor does it allow the holster to move fore or aft on the belt. The gun and holster are basically locked in place, horizontally and vertically.

I agree that belt looks like it is sagging even with a fairly lightweight gun like a G19. I didn't see that picture when I posted my earlier response.

One line I've heard on forums over the years is…

You don't know what you don't know

If you've never had a gun belt, you don't know what you don't have.