I am just getting into the thought of carry and I keep seeing the reference to "a good gun belt." Can anyone school me on what is a good gun belt and how that might differ from the 1.5" leather job I currently use to hold up my britches.

A "gun belt" is usually double thick or includes some type of additional stiffening agent or stiffening material. I personally wear belts from The Beltman, but there are other great makers as well. I found that my "normal" belts tended to sag when wearing a pistol rig. If you are wearing an inferior belt you will most likely try to remedy the situation by cranking the belt tighter so it holds the pistol in place. This causes discomfort and might hinder your draw some by binding the holster.

A good gun belt is to a pistol/holster what a good bra is to a set of boobs. You can get by with less, but good support really is everything.

A gun belt makes a HUGE difference in security, comfort level, and concealability. A regular belt (even a thick leather model) will allow the butt of the pistol to sag outward which not only makes it print through your clothes more, but then you have the thing flopping around on your hip every time you take a step.

I didn't think a gun belt could make that much difference when I started carrying, but after buying one, my opinion changed completely. IMO a good belt is even more important than a good holster.

Also, I find my gun belt more comfortable than a regular belt and wear it every day regardless whether or not I'm carrying.

http://www.thebeltman.net/

I employ a Mitch Rosen carry rig consisting of a Premier lined Full Detail holster, companion mag carrier and one of his belts. As good as the other elements are, it is the belt that ties it all together and makes it comfortable to carry all day long which was 15 hours yesterday. The belt is exactly 1/4" thick and exactly 1 1/2" wide and made of two layers of high-quality cowhide. He makes his stuff to exacting tolerances and they work together perfectly. While somewhat pricey, his gear is worth every nickel for the comfort and security it provides from when you put it on until you take it off.

A gunbelt is the "base" for your CC set-up. As stated ...it makes all the difference in the world as far as stability, retention and comfort.

I own four gun belts and my favorite (if you can stand the wait time) is a Rafter S Leather belt. This one is sharkskin and is double stitched for added strength and durability. I have worn this one almost everyday for well over a year and it is rock solid.

quote:

Originally posted by Proxima:
I am just getting into the thought of carry and I keep seeing the reference to "a good gun belt." Can anyone school me on what is a good gun belt and how that might differ from the 1.5" leather job I currently use to hold up my britches.

Just listen to them and get "a good gun belt".

quote:

Originally posted by BrainOnSigs:
A gunbelt is the "base" for your CC set-up. As stated ...it makes all the difference in the world as far as stability, retention and comfort.

I own four gun belts and my favorite (if you can stand the wait time) is a Rafter S Leather belt. This one is sharkskin and is double stitched for added strength and durability. I have worn this one almost everyday for well over a year and it is rock solid.

You just had to post that didn't you?!

quote:

Originally posted by Psychobastard:
You just had to post that didn't you?!

I have found that this bastard rig (Del Fatti ISP-SS holster, Milt Sparks double mag carrier and the Rafter S Leather gunbelt) is the perfect set-up.....IMHO. Every piece shines at it's intended purpose.

Some folks bitch about the cost....but to me....it is all disposable.....if it all works when I need it....and possibly saves my life......cheap insurance I say......

quote:

Originally posted by LTPhoon:
I employ a Mitch Rosen carry rig consisting of a Premier lined Full Detail holster, companion mag carrier and one of his belts. As good as the other elements are, it is the belt that ties it all together and makes it comfortable to carry all day long which was 15 hours yesterday. The belt is exactly 1/4" thick and exactly 1 1/2" wide and made of two layers of high-quality cowhide. He makes his stuff to exacting tolerances and they work together perfectly. While somewhat pricey, his gear is worth every nickel for the comfort and security it provides from when you put it on until you take it off.

+1 on Rosen. His Express line is of excellent quality and relatively affordable (belts $70, holsters range $75-$90, mag carriers around $50).

His top-of-the-line stuff is, in my opinion, mainly for those interested in luxury/looks in addition to excellent quality. If price is a factor, or if you simply want something utilitarian, an Express belt/holster is the way to go.

No matter what maker, DO get a true gunbelt. Standard storebought belts fold, warp, and tear fairly quickly when carrying daily, while offering much less comfort and support to the wearer.

I went with the Rafter S in Black Shark like BOS has after seeing his pics I love it and also have a brown one also I wear both every day. Brown to work and Black for all other times and they wear great and have been well worth the money

I thought the same thing when I first started to carry. I used a standard ~1.5" Dickies belt and had to make the belt tighter and tighter to keep my holster from moving around and sagging.

Since breathing is a good thing, I decided to order a horse hide gunbelt from beltman.net and couldn't be happier--stays right where I want it w/o sagging. I'm sure the other belts recommended here are just as good or possibly better.

a good "gunbelt" will make a marginal work, but a marginal belt will make even a premium holster flop around like a limp noodle.

i wear alot of kydex for teaching and usually use a Wilderness Instructors belt for carry. it is double thickness with stitching for stiffness...i use the 5 stitch, but there is also a model with a polymer insert for ultimate stiffness

I bought my first Beltman belt two years ago. It's still in great shape and hasn't stretched or sagged. A gunbelt usually is constructed of two layers of leather to keep it stiff; you can have extra stiffeners added if you want but I haven't found it needed with something the size of a 229.

I'd rather see you buy a great belt and a cheap holster than the other way around.

As others have said, the belt its a vital part of the concealed carry package.

I used to use mall dept store belts and they just dont cut it, they sag and dont hold the holster tight when drawing the weapon. They also dont last, i also used to have to buy belts often as they semmed to wear out fast.

2 years ago I got 2 belts. One from beltman, a horsehide, black, 1.5 inch. which is still in great condition.

I also got a wilderness belt. Its a bit more beat looking, but its still works fine.

The wilderness is a great for anything expect when you are in dress clothes.

quote:

Originally posted by Proxima:
Can anyone school me on what is a good gun belt and how that might differ from the 1.5" leather job I currently use to hold up my britches.

(emphasis mine)

One of the things you'll really notice is that the better belts are stiff across the width. A normal belt of 1.5" width can be folded pretty easily in half, or to .75" wide. My Don Hume and my Aker belts... this is pretty much impossible.

Dunno why that makes a difference, but everyone else is correct: It does.

i makes a difference because you are spreading the weight of the holster and gun across the whole width on the belt

All of the above. Concerning costs, a good gun belt lasts. I bought a Dan Blocker palin black 1.5" belt in 1995. I've used ot for carry alot, and wear it most days. It's still going strong. Most dress belts won't last that long.

beltman.com well made good price

B.R., do you find that the wilderness belt holds up to day to day use as a good leather belt? thinking of one for jeans or shorts. Which one are you using? Thanks for your insight.