Tell Me About Comp Belts

[Good Ol' Boy]

Currently I've been using my EDC belt for USPSA/IDPA. It works but not that great.

What I'd like is a belt that I can continue to use my current clip holster on but that would work with a drop set up later down the road if I go that route.

I'm guessing most of these types of belts are worn over the pants versus looped?


Any advice is welcome...

 

[JTQ]

Currently I've been using my EDC belt for USPSA/IDPA. It works but not that great.

What I'd like is a belt that I can continue to use my current clip holster on but that would work with a drop set up later down the road if I go that route.

I'm guessing most of these types of belts are worn over the pants versus looped?


Any advice is welcome...

My understanding is they are a two part system. There is an inner part that runs through your belt loops with velcro patches on the outside of the belt. You put this on threaded through your belt loops. The outer portion of the belt, with velcro on the inside of the belt, carries all the belt gear, holster, mag pouch, etc. and is put on, and velcro'd in place on the outside of the belt loops.

Here's Blade-Tech's version https://blade-tech.com/products/competition-shooter-belt

CR Speed Belt https://dawsonprecision.com/cr-speed-competition-hi-torque-belts/

 

[thomas15]

I use the DAA 2 pc Premium belts, most that compete in USPSA use that or the CR Speed or the other variants.

With this type of belt there is an inner belt with Velcro that you put thru the belt loops on your pants. Then you put the outer belt over the inner belt, again with Velcro. Most use a race holster or something that is always attached to the outer belt (same goes for the mag pouches) and is not movable, this allows you to quickly take the belt off.

I don't see any reason why you cannot use a clip on holster. I have seen where shooters have used just the inner belt for this but you probably could use the outer belt. The outer belts are very stiff just saying. These belts provide a very stable platform. They are not allowed in IDPA so there you would be able to use the inner belt only.

I have also seen where shooters have used the outer belt only and not threaded thru the belt loops. Again not legal in IDPA and I personally would not do it because it defeats the purpose of the belt, that providing a stable platform. I think based on body type it probably puts the gun too high on the body for fast draws so I wouldn't use it that way.

I will add this at the risk of sounding like a jerk. I have more $$ in one of my three competitions belts than some here want to spend on a handgun. For my ICORE open revolver and USPSA revolver I have the already mentioned DAA belt, (8) magnetic DAA moon clip holders and a DAA Race Master holster. When it's all said and done that is almost $600 but is fantastic in use.

The belts are about $50.00 depending on which one you get. For USPSA production I use the DAA production holster this is less than $100 and comes with a hanger. The Red Hill Tactical is becoming popular but once you add the hanger it's a little more expensive but has the advantage of a lower cut at the front for a faster draw. The least expensive "good" mag pouches in my opinion are the Ghost mag pouches.

I'm not trying to sell you on any of this stuff just trying to answer your questions as best I can.

 

[Corpral_Agarn]

I use my EDC belt for 3 gunning. I don't do much USPSA these days but I used it there too.

It is a regular buckle scuba belt from Alonso defense.

I use clip on mag carriers and shotshell caddies but the holster is threaded on the belt.

Works for me:

 

[ATLDave]

Note that "tie down rigs" are prohibited in USPSA. I understand that to mean drop-leg holsters, like the good Corporal runs in his 3gun setup.

I think thomas15's post pretty much nails it. You want a double-belt velcro-based setup. The loop-side belt goes through your belt loops. The very stiff hook-side belt goes on top.

I have a cheap Midway double velcro belt as my backup that I use for alternate gun setups. But my main gamer rig is a DAA belt, with DAA pouches and a DAA racer holster. The cheap belt isn't miserable, but I wouldn't be happy with it as my belt for 6+ stages. It's just slightly too bendy to keep everything EXACTLY in the same spot.

 

[Chuck R.]

I run an AWS LAB in both 3Gun and classes. Regular IDPA matches, where I'm just looking at a holster and 1 double mag holder I simply use my EDC belt.

It has the velcro inner belt and is pretty stout. It will not, like a lot of belts, bust your budget:

https://www.awsin.com/products.asp?id=164

I also use a Bianch inner belt as a "summer" belt and a the larger inner belt that came with the LAB. This belt combined with "tacos" is pretty much my standard rig.

 

[Corpral_Agarn]

Note that "tie down rigs" are prohibited in USPSA. I understand that to mean drop-leg holsters, like the good Corporal runs in his 3gun setup.

And they aren't that great, even.
Whenever you bend your leg, it changes the position of the holster.

Being a cross dominant shooter, I put a shot-shell caddie on there because real-estate on my belt (having the waist size of a toothpick) is limited.

I think thomas15's post pretty much nails it. You want a double-belt velcro-based setup. The loop-side belt goes through your belt loops. The very stiff hook-side belt goes on top.

I have a cheap Midway double velcro belt as my backup that I use for alternate gun setups. But my main gamer rig is a DAA belt, with DAA pouches and a DAA racer holster. The cheap belt isn't miserable, but I wouldn't be happy with it as my belt for 6+ stages. It's just slightly too bendy to keep everything EXACTLY in the same spot.

Agree with this.

Stiffer is better. Stuff staying put is better.

 

[ATLDave]

Being a cross dominant shooter, I put a shot-shell caddie on there because real-estate on my belt (having the waist size of a toothpick) is limited.

I knew my fatness would pay off! I always figured it would be in the context of a famine, but the spare real estate on the belt is a previously-unrecognized advantage!

 

[Corpral_Agarn]

I knew my fatness would pay off! I always figured it would be in the context of a famine, but the spare real estate on the belt is a previously-unrecognized advantage!

LOL

 

[2011ERIC]

My understanding is they are a two part system. There is an inner part that runs through your belt loops with velcro patches on the outside of the belt. You put this on threaded through your belt loops. The outer portion of the belt, with velcro on the inside of the belt, carries all the belt gear, holster, mag pouch, etc. and is put on, and velcro'd in place on the outside of the belt loops.

Here's Blade-Tech's version https://blade-tech.com/products/competition-shooter-belt

CR Speed Belt https://dawsonprecision.com/cr-speed-competition-hi-torque-belts/

I second the CR Speed inner and outer belt system. These are great belts and are very sturdy and durable.
Safariland also makes a nice belt but it 1 3/4” wide so that needs to be taken into consideration for holster compatibility.

 

[entropy]

I have the Midway brand 2-belt system. I actually rarely use the outer belt, and that mostly for hunting in warm weather or riding ATV's at my friends land north of here. I wear the underbelt often, though not when carrying either of my .45's. But it hold the .38 BodyGuard and my son's DB .380 just fine. I grabbed it when it was on sale, which they seem to go on often, for what the regular 'instructor belt' goes for.

 

[thomas15]

One other detail to the question asked by the OP, when setting up one of these belts for auto loaders, some of the mag pouches such as the Ghost pouch I mention, have mounting brackets that block out a lot of the Velcro thus limiting the holding power between the inner to outer belt. If using such a mag pouch consider adding Velcro to the back of the mag pouch bracket to add more surface area. I know that Ben Stoeger sell this Velcro specifically for this purpose but you could make your own.

Being a cross dominant shooter, I put a shot-shell caddie on there because real-estate on my belt (having the waist size of a toothpick) is limited.

No experience with 3 gun myself but know well the real-estate issues you experience. There are very few people that could try out my belt because it will not fit them, not long enough. I haven't finalized the exact position of my mag pouches for production because I haven't settled on a place to locate the overlap of the outer belt that leaves enough room for my mag pouches LOL! Having said that I need to do something about my gut which is starting to make it's presence known.

 

[jmorris]

My every day belt is an “instructors belt”. I have had a few of the Wilderness ones over the years but have gotten the uncle mikes for the last decade or so.

Good for carry and gun games. USPSA non production, I use and inner/outer belt setup completely different that EDC stuff.