What IS a Gun Belt, After All?

[OldLincoln]

We tell everybody how important a good gun belt is to their carry rig and say it needs to provide good support. I thought I knew what that means, but looks like I could be wrong.

I tried carrying on my work belt = fail. I saw a good deal at Costco for a 1.5" belt that was about1/4" thick and very stiff = fail. When I bought my 5.11 covert pants from LA Police Gear I got a free 5.11 Gun Belt with each pair. So now I have 5 gun belts and they are swell, right? Perhaps not. I admit I haven't really looked at the belt in the mirror until today.

When carrying my PM9 I always thought the belt holds up well and I still haven't looked at that. However, I knew I had a problem carrying my Colt Commander. My Perry's bounced when I walked like I needed a huge gun bra. So I bought the Perry's Construction model with non-stretch straps in the front and a stretch in the back. The bounce is solved but it just doesn't feel right, and that's how the mirror glance came about.

As you can see from the pics, we have a problem Huston.






Well, maybe the last one is showing off Dad's gun a bit. But anyway....

What should one expect from a gun belt? I'd love it if it were flexible in the around part (horizontal) but not in the up and down (verticle). Like forcing a 1/4" aluminum strap around my waist. As it is, laying the belt flat, I cannot bend it vertically without it rolling as it is in the first picture.

The belts are very stiff even wrapping them around me and you can't buckle them like soft belts. Should I be able to hang my 64lb 1911 on the belt and hold it out away from me without bending?

Is the problem even in the belt? Am I not wearing it properly? I tried tightening it but almost need stitches where it cuts into me when I sit down. The thing with the Perry's is to wear the belt a bit looser and let them carry the weight. But as Dr. Phil would say, it sucks so far.

Just before I posted it occurred to me that perhaps it's the holster. I am crazy about the Silent Thunder and it is secure with the single clip, but do I need something that spreads the load across 2 clips? I just looked at the Tucker Answer that's similar to crossbreeds with a wider "stance" on the body that would help.

Edited to remove a bad attitude! I'm grateful for practical advice. Looking at other pics of carry rigs I see pants with more belt loops, maybe that's part of it. Enough parts might make it right.

[Tilos]

OldLincoln:
The same deal is going on for me.
I didn't want a big honking $80-$100 leather belt to carry a little dinky gun.
I wanted an 1.5 inch wide belt and found several nylon web belts reinforced for holsters.
Some of them were up there in price but I did find an Uncle Mike's 1.5 wide reinforced web belt for around $25.
It arrives tomorrow, so I'll see how it works out.
Here's a link where I bought it, but most mail order places have it.

REINFORCED INST.BELT LRG. 38-42 - Natchez Shooters Supplies INST.BELT LRG. 38-42

"Polymer reinforcement, sandwiched between two layers of rugged nylon, allows support for even the heaviest pistols •Perfect for the range, squad room or a casual day off"
Called the Inst. Belt.
just sayin'
Tilos

[jlottmc]

I use a riggers belt.

[slowpoke]

Most of the problems you are having are the very reasons I switched to a cw40.
I used to make gun belts and can at least solve one of your problems. The buckle.
If you'll take a look at the buckle at the bottom of this web page you'll see a heavy duty buckle that is easy to buckle. I no longer make belts or sell buckles so I don't feel I'm breaking any forum rules by posting this link.
ROG Holster Heavy Duty Belt
You can purchase the buckle at:
Weaver Leather | Leather Manufacturing | Leather Manufacturers

[mikearc]

Yep, I need a good belt (buckle) as well, will be watching this thread with interest.

[500KV]

I just purchased one of these Amish belts and, without a doubt, it's the best I've seen, and I've tried several others.
Amish Belts - Black
It's 1 1/2 inches wide and 1/4 inches thick with a great buckle.
I don't think you could wear one out in 2 lifetimes.
A great bargain for ~$25-$26.
Excellent service and shipping from this outfit as well.

I would caution one to be careful about ordering the correct size. The length shown is the actual length of the belt, not the waist size. For example: If your waist size is 34" you need to order a 38" belt.
Comes in black or brown.

If, for some reason, you don't like it it will make a great vehicle tow strap.

[Bawanna]

I don't think you have a belt problem myself. I find that most people who wear suspenders do so so they don't have to wear their belt snug to hold up their pants.
The belt needs to be snug around your waist or the holster is just hangin like the ole cowboys low ride rigs. You've mentioned your lack of waist before and this is another thing usually addressed with suspenders.
Take up a couple notches on the belt and see if the up and down don't go away. Probably along with a good mount of comfort unfortunately also.
If your dad's commander (what a sweetheart) gets to heavy for you, put me first in line to pack it for ya.
The riggers belt jlott mentions might be worth a try for you as it's stiff but still flexible. Size is critical with little margin for error, if you get bigger or smaller you need a new belt. Wilderness Tactical makes some nice nylon belts.
Another thing that might help is get the suspenders with two attachment points in the back instead of one in the middle. I know the middle is more comfy but less support on the sides.

[OldLincoln]

You do have a point Bawanna. I tightened my belt to the tightest notch I can muscle together and the gun hangs better. Am I supposed to see spots when I do that? I'm sitting with it now for a few minutes and can tell my upper internals are cut off from my lower. You know how you can tie a string tight around something and it will fall off after a few days? That's what it feels like.... Opps my left foot is starting to tingle. I better let it up a notch. Letting it off that 1 notch brought me full circle.

In my search for a belt like an leather hula hoop I found the "Liger" belt, sold by Maxpedition. It has a lot of great reviews that say it doesn't roll or flex vertically. Example here. The best pics are here. Ever hear of it?

I've been looking at the 4-point suspenders. I even wrote perry's asking them to make that model. They sent a nice (kissoff) reply saying they are going to forward the email to their R&D department. That's the same email I got when I asked them to make a tuckable suspender belt clip.



So how about something like this? If I could make the front look like the back that sucker wouldn't sag.

[wyntrout]

Here's where I posted on the Dickies Perry Suspenders. They clip under the belt and hold up the belt... check them out... pix:

http://kahrtalk.com/holsters-gear/18...html#post18579

Wynn

[Bawanna]

"I'm sitting with it now for a few minutes and can tell my upper internals are cut off from my lower."

Gosh, wonder if that's what happened to me. I suddenly realized I can't feel my feet, I'm not wearing a belt Whats with that?
Now that I think about it my hands are tingly too, maybe my collar is too tight.
I think we need to find a happy medium on that belt. Somewhere between tourniquet tight and where you are now.


PS- my ammo search in your behalf is still a work in progress, I thought this would be easy, but apparently no so. But the chubby lady ain't ready to sing yet either.

[OldLincoln]

Wynn; Thanks, I have a few pair already and they are holding up where they connect but the belt is sagging in between. If you look at the pics, you can see how just off the back clip the belt makes a small twist allowing the belt to sag as Bawanna put it, like an old western gun slinger.

Bawanna, I was only 1 notch short of that blood stopping tight. And hell, I'd say go necked if that's all it took for you to feel your feet again! I sure wish it were so and know you do also.

I have a search set up that looks at 7 ammo provider sites and I hit it everyday. My friend Kyle said he can't even get what he was a few weeks ago so it must not be available.

Rob at Tuckers said he would exchange my ST for an Answer with 2 belt clips to spread the load. That sounds reasonable but he also said he has never had a good belt do what this one is. He carries his 1911 in a Silent Thunder without sag and it gets good reviews on the 1911 forum. Speaking of the 1911 forum, I'll post this over there and see what they have to say.

[wyntrout]

I just read about someone making gun belts with a center third layer of kydex for rigidity...Comp-Tac Kydex Reinforced Belt. Maybe that would help. Gun belts can sure be expensive though.
Wynn

[Bawanna]

Well I can see that Old Lincolns totally unhappy and has lost faith in that 20# Commander of his dads so I'm gonna graciously offer you my address in a PM (few around here might be gunnin for me). I'll take real good care of it and if my belt sags I'll just put a little block of styrofoam between the muzzle and the seat of the chair. I can adjust for drop and height every which way but loose. Don't thank me, I do this only as a public service.
I think I'm gonna build some pretty wood handles for that thing first chance I get. Something make ya cry pretty............

[Ol'coot]

I have finally found a belt that works great with jeans or other casual wear it is Cabela's version of the riggers belt.

Last Chance Belt. I also have a plain black Amish made dress belt that I wear daily with my docker style pants at works that also works well as it is very stiff.

[wyntrout]

How wide is the belt... 2"??

I just checked at Comp-Tac on the Kydex reinforced belts... HOO...BOY!!

Gun Belts & Apparel - products new home - Kydex Reinforced Contour Belts

Too rich for my blood... or budget! I ain't saying it ain't worth that, but not to me!

Wynn