Wilderness or Galco Instructors Belt?

[RatFink]

I was planning on getting a Winderness instructors belt, but at the gun show last weekend I ran into a Galco Instructors belt. There seem to be 3 differences.

1.) The Galco seems to be padded.

2.) The Galco has a metal clip on the end of the belt like on the web belts.

3.) Price, the Galco is more expensive.

Has anybody tried both?


Link to Galco belt

 

[Leadbutt]

I use the Wilderness model in both sizes,not sure of the Galco,,

 

[AK103K]

I've had mostly Wilderness belts and have a couple now and like them a lot. I havent seen the Galco's, but from the pic I really dont see much difference. I dont really see the need for the metal tab on the end, and I dont know if I'd want it padded, stiffer maybe, but not padded, but hey, whatever turns you on. I have had a number of Galco's leather belts and a bunch of their holsters and they do make quality stuff, so I would imagine their Instructors belt would be the same. Probably just a matter of what you like best. I will say that this type belt is very comfortable and is perfect for wearing a gun, especially IWB. It allows for infinite adjustments and not having to try to hit that next hole trying to get it just a little tighter is really nice. With the normal type belt, its always either a little to loose or to tight. Is the Galco really all that much more price wise? I think I paid about $35 or so for my Wilderness belts the last time I bought one. If you shop around on the web, you can usually find Galco stuff a good bit cheaper than what their prices are on their site.

 

[MrMurphy]

I've had my Wilderness for 2 years. Quite happy with it.


I don't buy anything from Galco... and I have my reasons.

 

[Machinist]

Looks to me like Galco is saying ''look me too''.
Imitation is flattery but stick with the original. I like mine.
To me Galco is overpriced for production leather holsters. just a few more $$$ and you can get some top notch custom stuff.

 

[Gordon]

If you want to carry a pistol,mags light ect. on the Wilderness belt: get the optional stiffener. Me and my shooting partner have used them 3 years and they are the TOPS.

 

[Treylis]

I wore a Wilderness 1.5" 5-stitch until I got my Milt Sparks belt, and I was very pleased with it--it was quite stiff and comfortable to carry guns/mags/lights/phone/etc. Hell, I'm still pleased with it.

 

[B36]

Wilderness

Have three..the oldest about 12 or 13 years. All good. See no reason to change.

 

[NMshooter]

Wilderness belt. And the "CSM" option should be standard. (Internal plastic stiffener.)

 

[roo_ster]

Galco Reinforced Belt

I own the Galco 1 3/4" reinforced model.

That ain't padding, it is an insert that makes the belt suitable for beating your opponent into submission if you run out of ammo.

No joke: I had placed it over the top of my closet door & was futzing around in the closet & nudged it enough to send it crashing into my melon. I won't ever do THAT again. I was hit by the belt, not the buckle, BTW.

Oh, it also stiffens the belt up quite a bit. The belt is a hoss. Nobody would ever accuse it of being pretty, though.

You can get it non-reinforced.

 

[DT Guy]

I've found the five stitch (without the insert-just the extra row of stitching) in my Wilderness belt to be plenty stiff for carrying a gun.


Lasts forever, and adjusts to both pre and post-holiday sizes


Larry

 

[RatFink]

Thanks for all the input guys, I guess I'll get the Wilderness, I'm sure the Galco is nice, but not nice enough for the extra cash.

I just need a stiffer belt for my OWB Fist holster, the poop belt I have now sags to much and lets the holster flop away from my body.

 

[C. H. Luke]

As popular as Wilderness belts are with shooters they need to ditch the goofy rappel loop and make it out of a material that doesn't make it as heavy as a boat anchor.

FWIW, use a 5-Stitch {with the velcro ripped off} for the street and their "CSM" for competition. If you're a little chubby the CSM can cut into you pretty good if you like to wear it tight.

$40 & $50 for the Galco? Must be the Roguard finish!

 

[nick89302]

You mean you don't use yours to rappel from the rafters of your local range? Just make sure you clear it with the rangemaster first.

 

[AK103K]

They do make one with a double ring instead of the original buckle.
Its only in 1 1/4" width from their ad.

Wilderness Frequent Flyer Belt

http://thewilderness.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/3/products_id/196