Need Belt for holster advice...

Pud · February 19, 2013, 02:51 PM

Looking for some advice about good quality, reasonably priced belts for carry.
Now carrying a 1911, and have a good holster-but my current belts could be better...

Any and all comments appreciated!!
Pud

Shawn Thompson · February 19, 2013, 03:31 PM

Looper Law Enforcement. They make an 1.5" leather holster belt that is reinforced with an inner layer of kydex. Not only do they turn out some top shelf products, Bart and Lisa Looper are guinely good people to do business with. Highly recommended.

kutz · February 19, 2013, 03:52 PM

Check out the NRA Store

**Spats McGee** · February 19, 2013, 04:24 PM

I use an Aker B21: http://www.akerleather.com/off-duty-...me=Dress+Belts

I don't have a belt from The Beltman, but he comes highly recommended, as well.

Kreyzhorse · February 19, 2013, 07:53 PM

You are carrying a heavy gun and need a good belt. Trust me, a cheap belt isn't going to hold up nearly as well as a well made one. You can buy several cheap belts or just buy one good belt and save money in the long run.

The Beltman makes great belts and are well worth the money. If you can afford it and need to save up a bit, I'd suggest you go that route.

www.thebeltman.net

All you need is double layer belt. Mine is horsehide and even after 4 years of use, it is still as stiff as the day it was new.

ClydeFrog · February 19, 2013, 08:25 PM

Many gun writers & tactics instructors advise using a system for a concealed firearm; belt, holster, spare mags, light-OC spray holder etc. the items should fit snug & not slide all around.
Most good belts should run about 1.5" wide. A few clever designs like Mitch Rosen or KL Null narrow the dress belt to 1.25" in front to aid concealment.
Top brands for well made gun leather or synthetic belts include; www.usgalco.com www.thebeltman.net www.blackhawk.cim www.galls.com www.policehq.com www.5.11tactical.com www.miltsparks.com www.mitchrosen.com www.donhume.com www.safariland.com www.kirkpatrickleather.com www.tedblockerholsters.com www.highnoonholsters.com . Leather type materials or lined belts are high quality. Greg Kramer; Kramer Leather sells horsehide & other exotics.

Del Fatti does too.

Cowboy_mo · February 19, 2013, 10:49 PM

Check out Rick Garcia here. www.rgleather.freehomepage.com/contact.html

I got one of his belts about 9 months ago and love it. All are heavy double thickness leather. The feel like a sam brown duty belt for stiffness and holding up a pistol in a holster. Prices are reasonable and his quality is fantastic!!

Captains1911 · February 19, 2013, 11:33 PM

Sounds like you aren't using a gun belt at all, so in that case any gun belt will be a huge improvement. Without one the best holster in the world will not perform properly. I like Wilderness Instructors for nylon and Beltman for leather.

JimDandy · February 20, 2013, 10:43 AM

Wilderness is good. If you're bigger one of their "gift" belts, I forget the name, may save you a few bucks. For leather there are a ton of good options, for a cheap but good choice, Gould and Goodrich can be found on Amazon.

scottycoyote · February 20, 2013, 01:23 PM

i like the instructor style belts, i have an uncle mikes but wilderness and 511 are probably just as good or better

Yung.gunr · February 20, 2013, 01:48 PM

I wanted a better belt than what I had, but didn't want to drop a lot of $$. I went with an Amish belt from Hanks Clothing. Got it 3-4 months ago and I've worn it almost every day, works great and something like half the price of other "Gunbelts".

Captains1911 · February 20, 2013, 02:28 PM

Quote:

I wanted a better belt than what I had, but didn't want to drop a lot of $$. I went with an Amish belt from Hanks Clothing. Got it 3-4 months ago and I've worn it almost every day, works great and something like half the price of other "Gunbelts".

I know nothing about those, but what separates gun belts for non is the stiffness. Gun belts are very stiff, much more than any regular or dress belt I've ever seen. It's not just a marketing scam as you seem to be implying, it really does make a huge difference. Furthermore, there are decent gunbelts out there for $25 to $30.

ETA: I just googled the Amish belt you referenced, and it actually is intended for CCW, so I would call it a "gun belt."

Thumper · February 20, 2013, 07:56 PM

Spats above is right. Aker makes a good belt for the money.

A Milt Sparks 1B will only run you a C-note and will last you several years, though.

February 19, 2013, 02:51 PM	#1
Pud Senior Member Join Date: April 1, 2002 Location: Virginia...!! Posts: 120	Need Belt for holster advice... Looking for some advice about good quality, reasonably priced belts for carry. Now carrying a 1911, and have a good holster-but my current belts could be better... Any and all comments appreciated!! Pud __________________ In the immortal words of Red Green: "Quando Omni Flunkus, Moritati" - "When All Else Fails, Play Dead" Ruger P97 / Ruger SR1911 CMD /Bersa .45 UC Pro/Ruger SR9c/S&M M&P 15 Sport/Ruger Mk 3 22/45.

February 19, 2013, 03:31 PM	#2
Shawn Thompson Senior Member Join Date: June 23, 2009 Location: Oklahoma City Posts: 101	Looper Law Enforcement. They make an 1.5" leather holster belt that is reinforced with an inner layer of kydex. Not only do they turn out some top shelf products, Bart and Lisa Looper are guinely good people to do business with. Highly recommended. __________________ Qui non proficit deficit

February 19, 2013, 04:24 PM	#4
Spats McGee Staff Join Date: July 28, 2010 Location: Arkansas Posts: 3,543	I use an Aker B21: http://www.akerleather.com/off-duty-...me=Dress+Belts I don't have a belt from The Beltman, but he comes highly recommended, as well. __________________ A gunfight is not the time to learn new skills. If you ever have a real need for more than a couple of magazines, your problem is not a shortage of magazines. It's a shortage of people on your side of the argument. -- Art Eatman

February 19, 2013, 07:53 PM	#5
Kreyzhorse Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2006 Location: NKY Posts: 10,856	You are carrying a heavy gun and need a good belt. Trust me, a cheap belt isn't going to hold up nearly as well as a well made one. You can buy several cheap belts or just buy one good belt and save money in the long run. The Beltman makes great belts and are well worth the money. If you can afford it and need to save up a bit, I'd suggest you go that route. www.thebeltman.net All you need is double layer belt. Mine is horsehide and even after 4 years of use, it is still as stiff as the day it was new. __________________ "He who laughs last, laughs dead." Homer Simpson

February 19, 2013, 08:25 PM	#6
ClydeFrog Senior Member Join Date: May 1, 2010 Posts: 4,007	Clothes make the man.... Many gun writers & tactics instructors advise using a system for a concealed firearm; belt, holster, spare mags, light-OC spray holder etc. the items should fit snug & not slide all around. Most good belts should run about 1.5" wide. A few clever designs like Mitch Rosen or KL Null narrow the dress belt to 1.25" in front to aid concealment. Top brands for well made gun leather or synthetic belts include; www.usgalco.com www.thebeltman.net www.blackhawk.cim www.galls.com www.policehq.com www.5.11tactical.com www.miltsparks.com www.mitchrosen.com www.donhume.com www.safariland.com www.kirkpatrickleather.com www.tedblockerholsters.com www.highnoonholsters.com . Leather type materials or lined belts are high quality. Greg Kramer; Kramer Leather sells horsehide & other exotics. Del Fatti does too. __________________ Speed's fine, but accuracy's final.

February 19, 2013, 03:52 PM	#3
kutz Senior Member Join Date: September 24, 2012 Location: New Mexico USA Posts: 158	Check out the NRA Store

February 19, 2013, 10:49 PM	#7
Cowboy_mo Senior Member Join Date: June 23, 2010 Location: Missouri Posts: 727	Check out Rick Garcia here. www.rgleather.freehomepage.com/contact.html I got one of his belts about 9 months ago and love it. All are heavy double thickness leather. The feel like a sam brown duty belt for stiffness and holding up a pistol in a holster. Prices are reasonable and his quality is fantastic!!

February 19, 2013, 11:33 PM	#8
Captains1911 Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 186	Sounds like you aren't using a gun belt at all, so in that case any gun belt will be a huge improvement. Without one the best holster in the world will not perform properly. I like Wilderness Instructors for nylon and Beltman for leather. __________________ Your Mileage Obviously Varies Last edited by Captains1911; February 19, 2013 at 11:42 PM.

February 20, 2013, 10:43 AM	#9
JimDandy Senior Member Join Date: August 8, 2012 Posts: 1,497	Wilderness is good. If you're bigger one of their "gift" belts, I forget the name, may save you a few bucks. For leather there are a ton of good options, for a cheap but good choice, Gould and Goodrich can be found on Amazon.

February 20, 2013, 01:23 PM	#10
scottycoyote Senior Member Join Date: November 19, 2005 Location: southwestern va Posts: 630	i like the instructor style belts, i have an uncle mikes but wilderness and 511 are probably just as good or better __________________ "i got the most powerful gun in the world........an .88 magnum. It shoots thru schools......"

February 20, 2013, 01:48 PM	#11
Yung.gunr Senior Member Join Date: November 12, 2010 Location: Phoenix area Posts: 1,191	I wanted a better belt than what I had, but didn't want to drop a lot of $$. I went with an Amish belt from Hanks Clothing. Got it 3-4 months ago and I've worn it almost every day, works great and something like half the price of other "Gunbelts".

February 20, 2013, 07:56 PM	#13
Thumper Senior Member Join Date: August 16, 2000 Location: Sugar Land, Tx Posts: 1,508	Spats above is right. Aker makes a good belt for the money. A Milt Sparks 1B will only run you a C-note and will last you several years, though. __________________ Ronnie- Proud Veteran, Neocon, Warmongering, Baby-Pincher