Gun Belt

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IdahoSkies

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What makes for a good gun belt. I have had some minor back problems since I started carrying and I'm wondering if upgrading my belt will help. So what do I look for in a carry belt (business style black), and I'm a resigned to paying $100 for a 'tacticooly' correct belt?
 
Take a look at the thread from just a couple of days ago.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=508788

I don't know about 'tacticooly', but for a leather belt, I would expect to pay in the $80 range.

For about $40 you can feel how much better a good gun belt is by getting a Wilderness 5-stitch Instructor belt. They are not very dressy, but they work well and will usually be at your door within a week of ordering.

http://www.thewilderness.com/

For leather, the sites I listed in the other thread, The Beltman, AG Custom Leather, and High Noon make very well respected products and also have a bunch of great information about gun belts from sizing (something not to mess up at your end when you're dropping $80 on a product), to construction, materials, and colors.
 
I can't address your back problem, but for the most part only a purpose-built gun belt has the necessary stiffness to bear weight. A weak belt will cause the gun and holster to move about on or sag away from your body.
 
Rafter S makes an afforable, good quality leather belt, too.


I have one in sharks skin, and it's quite the nice looking belt. Even in office attire.
 
I have a heavy duty Carhart belt that I bought from some farm supply type store. It may not be an official gun belt but it is much more sturdy than average. I did some testing yesterday & it holds the gun & holster much better than the average flimsy belt. This belt is thicker & wider but still fits the average jean belt loops.
 
I have a heavy duty Carhart belt that I bought from some farm supply type store. It may not be an official gun belt but it is much more sturdy than average.
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As long as the belt is stiff enough, it doesn't matter where it came from. Probably a lot cheaper than my $70 Beltman, too. To test belt stiffness, pinch the sides of the belt between your thumb and second finger and push in the center of the belt with your index finger. If it bends even slightly, it is not stiff enough.

Carhartt makes excellent CCW clothing, too, although it was probably not designed with that in mind. :D The shirts are made of a heavy material which (when untucked) drapes over a gun butt and is less likely to snag or ride up and cause "printing." The pants are similarly made of heavy material, have deep pockets (except for the blue jeans which are a little snug) which make carrying a pocket gun much easier, and have seven belt loops vs. five on cheap pants (larger waists than mine may have even more), which further helps to support weight. And they do not resemble military clothing, as some "tactical pants" tend to do. Provided such clothing fits your social situation, I highly recommend this brand.
 
Used to have a 5.11 dress belt that fell apart after about 3 months, I think the internal stiffener broke. I've had a Beltman Horsehide belt for about 2 months now and I can echo what just about everyone else on the net has to say about them. Well worth the money.
 
"...business style black..." There are 'dress' gun belts available. Most aren't exactly cheap though. Close to $100 isn't unusual for a good belt. The $25 and $30 belts Cabela's sells, well, you get what you pay for. The belt has to be stiff enough to keep the holster from moving.
"...upgrading my belt will help..." It might, if you have it tight enough. Think in terms of not having the 2 pounds or so pulling on one side.
 
Don't go with Rafter S not worth the hassle!

o make a long story short, I was scammed by Della Schafer at Rafter S. I was told 4-6 weeks turnaround and the holster was delivered 16 weeks later. Your calls will go unanswered and you will never get a reply. Oh, and the holster was for the wrong gun after I gave them explicit instructions that is was a Dan Wesson revolver not a S&W. To this day I have yet to receive the correct holster and I filed a complaint with the BBB and MO Attorney General. Today asked Della where the holster was and she said that the holster won't be made until I pay for it and hung up on me. I guess she was mad that I filed a complaint. They will play you along, charge your card the minute you order, and new deliver what is promised. The holster they sent me was nothing special either. Check out their "F" rating http://www.bbb.org/southwestern-mis.../rafter-s-gunleather-in-peace-valley-mo-27690. I have two Beltman belts and they are great. Beltman's service makes Rafter S look like the DMV from hell!
 
for work and for carry i have been using a 5.11 operator belt and it has done very well for me. i got a 5.11 leather belt when i ordered some stuff from la police gear, and so far it is nice and stiff, but i have only worn it a few times. currently i am looking into blade techs leather belts with kydex insert that is probally what i will get next, looks dressier than the tan operator belt. and no velcro.
 
I wear a $7.99 belt from Fleet Farm. It is just a plain black belt--nothing fancy. That way it doesn't attract any notice.

If you are having back problems, are you sure it's due to the belt? It more likely has to due with the position you're forcing your spine into while you are carrying.
 
If the weight of the gun on your belt is the problem then wear suspenders and loosen the belt one notch and see if that helps. If it is because you are wearing the holster IWB then you may need to figure out some other way of carrying.

A good wide belt does help. And it does not need to be fancy. I bought a 50" X 1 1/2" Saddle cinch leather from a saddlery shop. Fashioned it into a belt and it works great. Total cost...$12.50 not counting the buckle which I already had.
 
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