karz10
Member
Ok, so I've heard references to this is a good gun belt, or that is a good gun belt, or advice to someone buying a holster or applying for a CWP to 'get a good gun belt' and sometimes people will throw out a link or suggestion...
What I'm trying to understand is why is a belt a 'good gun belt' and what does it do exactly?
That may sound silly to you, but I'd really like someone to elaborate on this topic some more. For example, do those of you that own these 'good gun belts' feel they offer a more secure platform for the holster/weapon, or is it more of a comfort thing?
If it's a comfort thing, how exactly does it make carrying more comfortable, does anyone know the technical reasoning how it makes it better?
Does it help more with certain types of holsters? Like an OWB vs an IWB, does one type of carry REQUIRE a good gun belt compared to another, while one type of carry seems to be less impacted by the quality of the belt? If IWB, do certain types of clips being used make a difference when worn w/ a good gun belt?
I guess I'm asking because I recently got my CWP, and have been experimenting w/ carry options. Right now I have the basic Glock combat holster to tide me over until I got something better, it's a basic belt slide holster, which is ok w/ an undershirt protecting me and the gun from each other, doesn't poke into me much since it's on the outside, but less retention and less concealable, only used it in my initial IDPA practices, haven't carried with it extensively.
I also have a simple quick and easy (and inexpensive) IWB Split Decision Holster from HIGHNOON Holsters for brief transport and storage, primarily. Have carried w/ it, especially w/ an undershirt on, seems stable, no real issues, but doesn't have a skin guard on it.
So my main carry holster right now is an IWB Crossbreed Supertuck, which has the leather skin protector, and a kydex slide to house a Glock 19 or a 26 (9MM compact/subcompact). I've been practicing IDPA with it (not for time/score, but realistic carry drawing from concealment practice), and for the last week have been carrying everyday w/ it. So far so good, just using a plain soft but sturdy thick leather belt from Wilson Leather, it's a flexible soft belt, but it's fairly wide 1 3/4 inches I'm sure, and it's kind of thick too. The other belt I've used is a more narrow dress belt, but it's leather is a little harder, and it's one of those belts w/ a hidden zipper inside to stash a folded $20 bill or something, so it has some rigidity to it, but again, it's a narrow belt.
I haven't had any problem w/ the weapon moving too much, is fairly comfortable to sit, except in tight bucket seats of a loaner I drove for a minute, but in both my vehicles it's fine, I can lounge on the couch, sit in my office chair, walk around for extended periods of time, no issues. I've worn w/ and w/out an undershirt since it has the guard on it. All in all, it's gone pretty well, but after a long day of carrying, I notice that it does start to weigh on me, and I get those impressions on my skin, not so much from the gun or holster, but mainly from the weak side and front/back from the belt/pants/shorts, so it's more uncomfortable on the weaker sides than the strong side I'm carrying on at 4-5 o'clock.
I'm thinking in some cases, the pants/shorts may be a little on the tight side, which may contribute, but I'm wondering if these 'good gun belts' I keep hearing about will somehow help w/ this. I don't know if they hold/distribute the weight better somehow, or offer similar security while not having to be as tight, or what. I thought someone could elaborate more on whether it would bring more comfort in my situation, and why they think so...
The crossbreed uses J clips, and is tuckable, so the holster does not even really rest on the belt, it loops over the waistline of the pant/shorts, and goes behind the belt, and the J clips keep it in place somewhat, but mainly prevent it from coming out when drawing, so I was wondering if a 'good gun belt' is even relevant in this scenario. I guess I could swap out for different clips, if it would make a difference, to rest more on the belt?
Any thoughts?
Thanks,
Karz
What I'm trying to understand is why is a belt a 'good gun belt' and what does it do exactly?
That may sound silly to you, but I'd really like someone to elaborate on this topic some more. For example, do those of you that own these 'good gun belts' feel they offer a more secure platform for the holster/weapon, or is it more of a comfort thing?
If it's a comfort thing, how exactly does it make carrying more comfortable, does anyone know the technical reasoning how it makes it better?
Does it help more with certain types of holsters? Like an OWB vs an IWB, does one type of carry REQUIRE a good gun belt compared to another, while one type of carry seems to be less impacted by the quality of the belt? If IWB, do certain types of clips being used make a difference when worn w/ a good gun belt?
I guess I'm asking because I recently got my CWP, and have been experimenting w/ carry options. Right now I have the basic Glock combat holster to tide me over until I got something better, it's a basic belt slide holster, which is ok w/ an undershirt protecting me and the gun from each other, doesn't poke into me much since it's on the outside, but less retention and less concealable, only used it in my initial IDPA practices, haven't carried with it extensively.
I also have a simple quick and easy (and inexpensive) IWB Split Decision Holster from HIGHNOON Holsters for brief transport and storage, primarily. Have carried w/ it, especially w/ an undershirt on, seems stable, no real issues, but doesn't have a skin guard on it.
So my main carry holster right now is an IWB Crossbreed Supertuck, which has the leather skin protector, and a kydex slide to house a Glock 19 or a 26 (9MM compact/subcompact). I've been practicing IDPA with it (not for time/score, but realistic carry drawing from concealment practice), and for the last week have been carrying everyday w/ it. So far so good, just using a plain soft but sturdy thick leather belt from Wilson Leather, it's a flexible soft belt, but it's fairly wide 1 3/4 inches I'm sure, and it's kind of thick too. The other belt I've used is a more narrow dress belt, but it's leather is a little harder, and it's one of those belts w/ a hidden zipper inside to stash a folded $20 bill or something, so it has some rigidity to it, but again, it's a narrow belt.
I haven't had any problem w/ the weapon moving too much, is fairly comfortable to sit, except in tight bucket seats of a loaner I drove for a minute, but in both my vehicles it's fine, I can lounge on the couch, sit in my office chair, walk around for extended periods of time, no issues. I've worn w/ and w/out an undershirt since it has the guard on it. All in all, it's gone pretty well, but after a long day of carrying, I notice that it does start to weigh on me, and I get those impressions on my skin, not so much from the gun or holster, but mainly from the weak side and front/back from the belt/pants/shorts, so it's more uncomfortable on the weaker sides than the strong side I'm carrying on at 4-5 o'clock.
I'm thinking in some cases, the pants/shorts may be a little on the tight side, which may contribute, but I'm wondering if these 'good gun belts' I keep hearing about will somehow help w/ this. I don't know if they hold/distribute the weight better somehow, or offer similar security while not having to be as tight, or what. I thought someone could elaborate more on whether it would bring more comfort in my situation, and why they think so...
The crossbreed uses J clips, and is tuckable, so the holster does not even really rest on the belt, it loops over the waistline of the pant/shorts, and goes behind the belt, and the J clips keep it in place somewhat, but mainly prevent it from coming out when drawing, so I was wondering if a 'good gun belt' is even relevant in this scenario. I guess I could swap out for different clips, if it would make a difference, to rest more on the belt?
Any thoughts?
Thanks,
Karz