Holsters for Suspender Wearers?

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Swifty Morgan

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I like wearing suspenders instead of a belt. They're more comfortable, and they pull my pants up for me. Belts are inferior in just about every way. Problem: holsters and sheaths are made to go with belts.

Is there a practical solution for carrying guns and knives without a belt? I recently got a Smith & Wesson SW22 Victory pistol, and I would like to carry it as a sidearm while hunting.

I've worn a shoulder holster for a pistol, but it seems a little impractical over suspenders.

If no one has a solution, can anyone recommend a good sturdy web belt? I can wear one with suspenders to carry my knife and pistol. I would rather put up with a fabric belt than a hard leather belt cutting into me. I would want something substantial, not a thin belt that would twist and generally be a pain.
 
Go to Amazon, type in "web belts" and shop to your heart's content. If you don't find anything that suits you go to "web belts military" and see another large selection.
 
My best friend (now deceased) loved carrying his subcompact pistols in his Farmer johns pockets. I myself have used shoulder holsters and fanny packs to great advantage.another option is chest carry:

Litepath.jpg

https://2aholster.com/product/litepath-chest-holster/

or Belly band:

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https://smile.amazon.com/UnderTech-...pID=51zL-lkk6pL&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch

Maxpedition Jumbo Vsersapack right or left handed:

51MSBRf3LJL._AC_US327_FMwebp_QL65_.jpg
41ekqkT7pDL._AC_US327_FMwebp_QL65_.jpg


https://smile.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8...targid=kwd-12222708330&ref=pd_sl_3jamvrnkos_e

https://smile.amazon.com/Maxpeditio...524098965&sr=8-2&keywords=maxpedition+holster

https://smile.amazon.com/Maxpeditio...524098965&sr=8-4&keywords=maxpedition+holster


Various fanny packs for field use:

41vkzA+xJqL._AC_US327_QL65_.jpg
https://smile.amazon.com/Osage-Rive...79&sr=8-2-spons&keywords=gun+fanny+pack&psc=1

and more concealed:

61ua%2BaqCDAL._SL1000_.jpg
https://smile.amazon.com/Patriot-Pa...qid=1524099179&sr=8-3&keywords=gun+fanny+pack

With all that said, a great solution is a Galco (or custom) shoulder holster. The Galco will do 80% of what you want but a custom generally has extra features like a back strap that make the holster perform well in various positions (e.g. bending over). I use the Galco Jackass rig :

AAA= 51Sc9SMa-UL.jpg

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_2_13?url=search-alias=aps&field-keywords=galco+jackass&sprefix=galco+jackass,aps,164&crid=75248YGWA6GH&rh=i:aps,k:galco+jackass
 
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Ay Chihuahua! For that price, it must be some belt.
Fifty bucks? That's not at all expensive for a quality, durable, American made belt. I wear a leather belt from Duluth trading that was about that much. Sure, you can buy a $10 belt from Mall-Warts, but it's not going to hold up a sidearm, and it's not going to last more than a year.

PS: I wear Duluth Trading suspenders as well, and the belt/'spender combo holds up my 4 lb Redhawk revolver in a kydex holster, in addition to a Maxpedition dump ouch full of speedloaders, quite nicely. But you're right, the 'spenders are a must have, especially with a heavy sidearm.
 
I like wearing suspenders instead of a belt. They're more comfortable, and they pull my pants up for me. Belts are inferior in just about every way. Problem: holsters and sheaths are made to go with belts.

I had/have a similar problem (no belt) when many years ago I took to wearing bib overalls while deer and elk hunting – while I was still in the work force. My solution was to copy what a good many of the Electricians I worked with did. Those guys wore heavy tool pouches on their hips all day, so they bought themselves a pair of heavy duty suspenders meant specifically to support a tool laden work belt.

I got my “hunting suspenders” and work belt at Cal Ranch (farm and ranch supply store) but you can get them at Lowe’s, Home Depot or most any store that carries a good selection of tools. I don’t carry a sidearm while I’m deer or elk hunting, but I do carry everything else I need, or might need for a long day in the hills, away from camp and the truck.

On my tool belt, I carry a knife, spare ammo, a canteen, some para-cord and a small fanny pack containing my lunch, a few survival items (matches, first-aid, space blanket, etc.) and a few “comfort” items such as TP, a couple of wet wipes, and some candy or trail mix. And the whole rig is supported by a pair of non-stretchy work suspenders. Mine are red, but they come in other colors too, including hunter orange if that’s your thing. I can wear my suspenders and tool belt over a light jacket, or under a heavy coat – depending on the weather.

My wife has the same type of rig – tool belt and suspenders. She struggles with asthma though, so she has to keep an inhaler, an epi-stick and a dust mask in an even smaller fanny pack right up front on her tool belt, where she can get at it real quick.

Edited to say - Yes, I could just wear small backpack containing all of the items on my suspenders supported tool belt. But two things: first, just like with your sidearm, I wouldn't be able to get at things like my canteen if they were in a backpack without taking it off, and second, a backpack gets in the way when I try to carry my rifle on my back.
 
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I would recommend contacting Dan the owner of Thor's Hammer Custom leather. He may not be the cheapest option.. but it is the option that will work and last you 5 life times.. I have several holsters he has done and they are all wonderful. He makes the specifically to you and your gun. He is always looking for ways to improve holsters.

http://www.thorshammercustomleather.com/

I know it is more cosmetic, but this is a Purple reptile print holster he made for my glock a few years ago. still looks and works great!! he has also done a purple thigh drop for me and we are discussing a custom shoulder rig now.

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The tool rig idea would not have occurred to me. I'm going to look them over next time I'm in town.

The custom leather option sounds great, but unfortunately, I am cheap.
 
Pocket holsters, like my DeSantis Nemesis ones for my LC9s and SP101. They don't print, and are completely hidden.
 
Suspenders and belts arent an either/or question. Suspenders help hold up your pants so you arent pulling them up all the time, and allow you to wear a belt slightly looser if your pants slid down all the time without suspenders.They also help take some of the pressure off your hips when carrying a heavy belt gun rig. Belts give you real estate to carry a belt knife and concealment holster and spare loads. They also help keep your shirt tucked in. Some people just dont naturally have the body shape to help hold pants up, some others, its a body shape theyve grown into, and could be changed.

I never found clip on suspenders I liked or that seemed reliable that wouldnt chew up the belt or pants. I ended up just getting button on type and sewing buttons on my pants when new. Takes maybe 20 minutes. Ive never looked back. Current suspenders are good grade leather with very heavy elastic section on the back below the Y part. I tend not to wear them unless out in the hills carrying a belt gun much of the day, which isnt very often since a disabling injury.

It doesnt bother me wearing a shoulder holster with suspenders. I also wore surplus Y harness suspenders on my carpentry tool belt when I was working.
 
I guess I'll go for a gun belt and Perry suspenders. Clip ons don't work for me. I know it's a no belt question but just suggesting. The combo I suggested, keeps up a full sized gun and two mags, along with a flashlight, knives and the usual pocket stuff.
 
Paddle holsters have a wide curved piece which slides inside the pants right over a belt - or not. The holster remains outside and they ride on the upper band which spreads the load around the top of the pants. Fairly quick and easy on/off which is useful if the firearm needs to be left in a car or put into a desk drawer. https://duckduckgo.com/?q=Paddle+holster&t=ffab&iax=images&ia=images
 
I ordered a fat web belt from Amazon. We'll see how it works.

I'm planning to make a couple of Kydex sheaths that will let me put hunting knives in the leg pockets of my work jeans. That would leave only my pistol to hang on the belt.
 
I've been going around on this lately.
I have found that an IWB holster just behind the suspender attachment works pretty well. And that the pocket of my preferred trousers will accommodate a larger gun than I thought. My S&W M12 and a friend's Shield are the maximum. Actually easier to deploy than my dinky Keltec .32.
 
> Is there a practical solution for carrying guns and knives without a belt?

A shoulder rig works for me...
 
Welchs makes suspenders with velcro loops that go around the belt. They don't come unhooked. Absolutely flat. I've been wearing a pair for over 10 years and still going strong.

Ergonomic Safety Suspender # 9600

View attachment 789300

 
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