What IS a Gun Belt, After All?

[jlottmc]

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.

Which is another reason I love the riggers belt, get it long and it is infinitely adjustable. No notches just an aluminum slide buck that is surprisingly secure, yet quick to release when it needs to come off.

[OldLincoln]

Cost is my main hangup. I'm looking at it in the overall picture of enabling me to carry that gun. I have about $175 in holster and mags and springs. Should I spend another $100 to be able to carry it? That's tough with the PM9 functioning so well and money tight. I ask myself how often I will carry it over the PM9. Difficult decisions for right now, so I may sit on it for a couple weeks.

I did write "The BeltMan" asking their advice. I spent several hours yesterday in the 1911 forum going over the 741 threads containing gun belt. I only read those where the subject was something about gun belts in particular and of course many asked which belt.

Seems a majority prefer the Beltman over the big holster makers and told a pretty convincing argument why. He uses 2 layers of bull leather that makes it exceptionally stiff. He does offer an additional stiffener but most don't need it. I wrote him I want a hula-hoop of a belt that I can support from suspenders. I laugh because I picture the old hoop skirts that had that.

I'm back to my PM9 in the meantime. For some reason I don't have the problem with it. Oh, and Bawanna, I know you'll take care of Dad's gun real well. Should arrive in the next day or so. Be sure to let me know when it does!

Thanks all for your input. I'll let you know what the Beltman has to say.

[Bawanna]

I'm severly bitten by the gotta have another 45 bug. I've lost 2 cbobs and a Doublestar in the last week. I got another I'm watching, lucky to even find another to watch. Maybe when your dads shows up it will alleviate my addiction for awhile.
I don't need another 45, but I want another 45 so does a want justify a need? I think there's no cure. Each time I'm lucky enough to get another gun I think now I've got em all covered, I'm done. The time period from that revelation till I want another seems to be getting shorter and shorter.

If anyone sees a reasonable spelled 1200 or less Dan Wesson Cbob, let me know. I'm on the prowl.

[OldLincoln]

Back so soon???? Yeah, you know I can't let a puzzle sit - used to stay up all night trying to find just one more inventory item in "Colossal Cavern" on my Kay Pro with the 4" amber screen. Then on the PC, it was Sim City - look at it grow. Today it is discovering if my issues is a belt or what, and how in the world am I going to pay for a good gun belt?

Problem solved and for only 47 cents American. See pics below (Damn, I forgot to suck it in!):

This is my 5.11 belt (a new one!):


This is my 5.11 belt on steroids! Actually 2 of them - a 10.22! Now THAT'S a gun belt! Can YOURS do that??


The following are with the 10.22 belt!






I can loosen the belt and the suspenders take the weight without sag, but I like it on the same notch. Since I have 5 of these belts, if I am of the same mind in a few days I'll take 2 of them to a shoe repair guy who is pretty good and have him stitch them together.

It's 3/8" thick but he can taper the thickness on the ends and leave them un-stitched where the holster, suspenders and phone case go. I'll form and clamp them round just a tad tighter than I am round so the load is better distributed between them.

I have these as a freeby with my 5.11 pants so this costs me the price of the sewing. If the sewing works out I can carry anything and I don't think people will shout out "look at that belt".

While I don't know if this will really work in the long term, but it's worth the shot for now. I have read about belts for several months and people say they gotta be stiff. Compared to my normal pant belt my 5.11 is stiff, so what does it look like? Well, it looks like my 10.22 Belt, not my 5.11.

So, what'a you think guys? Oh, BTW, I caught Dad's gun before it left town so I owe you one Bawanna. Sorry, but just as soon as I win the lotto you can have whatever you want (as long as I approve it).

Supprise.... I just got a reply from a nice guy in the 1911 Forum. He did a great review on the Tucker Answer 7 months ago so I asked him if he still feels the same. He just replied:

"I love the answer. Its sturdy, has a small profile, and the leather lining helps keep my DW bobtail's finish nice looking (still has some wear, but much less than with a kydex holster). I used to have a silent thunder as well, but I had lots of sag issues even with a sturdy gun belt. I had to cinch up my belt really tight to avoid them. The Answer does great as far as not sagging if you have a good gun belt, even with my all steel bobtail commander."

I may be getting The Answer AND my 10.22 belt!

[Bawanna]

Course he just had to have a Bobtail. My all steel bobtail. I hate that guy.

[jlottmc]

I've heard of the Liger gun belts, but haven't seen them, and I think they run high too.

[wyntrout]

Dang! I just had a flash... take a band saw blade... cut as desired and have it sewn between two belts... or use one of those straps they bind wooden crates or big cardboard boxes with for shipping... better... no teeth! Brilliant!
I knew I should have saved some of those straps.
I did buy one of those awl/heavy duty sewing thingies, since I can't afford a heavier sewing machine.
Wynn

[OldLincoln]

""...use one of those straps they bind wooden crates or big cardboard boxes with for shipping..."

Great idea Wynn! As long as the strap is kept from rolling it should do well. Whatever I try has to wait the mandatory 4 weeks to get my new holster. Then I have to find the right position and mark the belt. Same for my PM9 Silent Thunder holster, phone and suspenders. If I do have the belts mated, they have to leave those locations untethered to slip in the clips. I'm actually looking forward to trying this, but I will meet with the sewing guy before locking it in. Last night I was wondering if he might have a rolling press to squeeze them a bit thinner as he sews.

Another thing I discovered on my way to the stadium. If you look at the top pic you can see how the belt rolled at the suspender clip. I found that if you reverse the clip so the body is sandwiched between the belt and pants, it doesn't roll.

I checked this out nearly to the breaking point of the clip and it's true. Since the visible part of the clip will be between the belt layers I intend to reverse them. The sewing guy can stitch the clips back on too. Cool huh?

[Garland]

I ran across what I thought was a pretty decent video on gun belts with a fairly low cost option:

YouTube - sootch00's Channel

[OldLincoln]

I was quite unimpressed with his commercial. If I were doing a video on gun belts I would answer the title of this thread, "What is a gun belt after all?" I would talk about what traits are required and show what they look like. For example, in my pics I held my 5.11 belt straight out and you can see it goes a little bit then breaks and goes down. My putting 2 of them together with ties and holding it out and it goes straight all the way to the end. I'd like to see that guy compare his fancy $125 belt against the $30 one he is pushing.

I've only seen a couple, but I think I like the Tactical Tim videos where he doesn't appear (to me at first look) to be selling something, just showing what's good and bad about it.

[wyntrout]

As for that "ad", the belts were much higher at the site! I didn't see any $39.95 or whatever.
Wynn

[Warhammer]

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

I just ordered the same belt from Amazon.com for $18.65. All the reviews I've read about it are very positive. I should have it on Oct 1.

[Tilos]

Warhammer:

Thanks for reading my post.

Yes, I received that belt soon after posting the info and have been wearing it ever since.
I've worn it both ways, buckle left or right, and cannot find anything negative to say except the buckle is HEAVY steel.
Just the buckle could be considered a concealed weapon

The only down side for many here will be the made in china label.

All that doubling up of 2 belts with a metal band seems a long way to go when this belt is as good as any.
I can't wait to hear about someone's expensive sewing machine hitting that metal band

just sayin'
Tilos

[Bawanna]

Original Instructor Belt: Tactical Gear, Tactical Equipment, Duty Belts, Slings, USA

This place solves the Made in China problem. I've used these and they are great belts. I believe they also make what they call a 5 stitch version which is even more stable.
These do have to be ordered to fit. I've "outgrown" mine but I still have it in hopes that I may physically downsize at some point and be able to put it back into service.
Perhaps wishful thinking.

[OldLincoln]

Some folks responded in another forum thread with their positive experiences with the Comp-Tac Kydex lined gun belt. It sounds like a good belt but is $80. I asked and was told it is .365" thick, the same as my planned 10.22 belt (2 5.11's sewn together).

I was concerned about such a stiff belt being uncomfortable but they say not at all, but do recommend narrowing it down for the buckle. I intend to taper from 2 to 1 thickness at the last loop each side of zipper and may narrow it down there also.

It does come pre-curved (waist) also. Probably should store it (and mine) round instead of hanging it up straight. I'll make a hanger for belt some day to accommodate this.