What Belt do you use and why? - Page 2

OrangeSkies · June 25, 2004, 01:33 PM

I use the Belster from Bandera Leather.

The "Beltster" from Bandera Gun Leather

W Turner · July 1, 2004, 02:01 PM

Most of the time I go with a Safariland velcro belt. Very stiff and infinitely adjustable.

I also have two Aker leather belts that have been great. They just seem to have shrunk in the past few years (I know I haven't gained weight

). Two layers of leather sandwiched around a polymer stiffener. The best part is the price, $39.99 in the Gall's catalog.

W

don't shoot it's me · July 8, 2004, 12:41 AM

I like a tapered belt since thick gun belts of 1 1/2 inches tend to be a problem doubling up through the front pants loop....

GMAN · July 8, 2004, 02:24 PM

I use a Carhart that I got for $20 and it carries my full sixe Kimber just fine.

harrydog · July 15, 2004, 06:22 AM

I use an Alessi 1-1/4" belt. Not cheap but worth it. If you talk to people who have tried virtually all of the good leather belts, Alessi usually seems to be their favorite. You could spend more on a leather belt, but it won't be any better. Extremely well made, sturdy, long lasting, and looks great.

Valkman · July 16, 2004, 12:23 AM

I use a 1 1/2" black belt from Gary Brommeland. My holsters and mag/flash pouch are from Gary also - great stuff!

JerryM · July 23, 2004, 11:14 PM

About the best bargin in a first class belt are those by El Paso Saddlery.
http://www.epsaddlery.com/modern.html
I have two of their tapered from 1.5 to 1.0. Excellent and lined. Cost was $50 if I remember correctly.

I also have one from Wild Bill that I bought on special for last Christmas. It is an excellent belt also. I bought two during their Christmas special for just under $100 total. They are also lined, and are 1.25 for some of my pants that won't take a 1.5 inch belt.
http://www.wildbillsconcealment.com/00specials.html

I am using the term lined, but I think some refer to it as double thickness. You need double thickness, as a single thickness will not be stiff enough, and especially as it softens somewhat. I have several including a couple of Bianchi single belts. They work, but leave a lot to be desired when carrying a heavy handgun.

The RafterS belts look like excellent buys, but I haven't seen one.

Jerry

GMAN · August 20, 2004, 12:52 PM

I wear jeans most of the time and I found a Carhartt to be plenty strong and they are only $19.99, mine is 11/2" black.

hdm25 · August 20, 2004, 08:37 PM

RafterS Gunleather. Best bang for the buck, bar none.

Not to knock the guys with "non-gun" gun belts, but I, also, never realized the difference in how well a purpose-designed belt supports the weapon (and associated gear) until I actually used one.

Like anything, you get to a point of diminishing returns as you go up in price but the RafterS belts are REALLY good belts for holding up guns and gear. I can no longer stand to try and wear a gun without a "gun belt" since I've found none that are as thick and sturdy.

To each his own, though....

mete · August 21, 2004, 02:52 PM

Wilderness now also makes a nylon 1 1/4" belt made of two layers sewn together. It's a good reliable, durable belt.At the moment they are not producing my favorite holster, the Zip-slide.

gyp_c2 · August 21, 2004, 05:05 PM

...it's a Wilderness 1.5 5X

Erik · September 9, 2004, 02:42 PM

Rafter S cowhide. Great belt, great price.

WESHOOT2 · September 20, 2004, 04:36 AM

But here's another place not to skimp.

I use a Bianchi 1.75", and 1.5" belts from Ernie Hill, Hellweg, and Don Hume (excellent value there, bought from the great-service guys at http://gunnersalley.zoovy.com).
I have touched the belts of most other 'big' names; all good.

Marko Kloos · September 20, 2004, 01:47 PM

For dress use, a Bianchi 1 1/2" brown leather belt.

For everyday use, a 1 3/4" Galco Instructors belt, their copy of the Wilderness belt. Polymer-reinforced, wide, comfortable, easy to adjust.

esheato · September 20, 2004, 02:03 PM

Everyday all the time, Galco SB5 Sport Belt, 1 3/4. Buying pants is always fun as belt loops aren't always that thick.

Ed

HappyGunner · September 22, 2004, 07:44 PM

I picked Gary Brommeland for my carry belt it's a really quality belt there made by Gary one belt at a time so don't expect to get it quick. 8/12 weeks but it's sure worth the wait.
http://www.brommelandgunleather.com/

http://www.brommelandgunleather.com/...ress_belts.htm

CAP1 · September 22, 2004, 08:19 PM

I'll second the Wild Bills belts. I have 3, all double-ply leather, 2 - 1.25", 1 - 1.5".
The next one I will get will be another 1.25", lined with ABS insert for added stability.
Bill's holsters and mag carriers are great too.

CAP

pbass · September 23, 2004, 12:22 PM

Bob Mernickle at http://www.mernickleholsters.com makes one amazingly tough belt for under 50 fish, I'll tell you. I've been wearing mine, a single-thickness plain brown 1.5"-wide one with my jeans every day for over 8 years now. I've beat the heck out of it. It has scrapes and cuts all over it and has been pulled tight at two notches, with and without IWB carry (he makes indestructible IWB holsters, too). Neither of the two abused holes has enlarged, although they have understandably egged ever-so-slightly (gotten half a tick shorter in height and longer in length), and the super-heavy stitching thread is 100% intact. They even come in odd sizes for the true nitpicker (I'm a 37 and I hate making do with a 36 or 38). Reminds me I need to call today for a new one, not that I could ever wear this one out, but I need a black one because J-clips don't come in brown.

webley455 · September 24, 2004, 07:50 PM

The best I have ever had was made by Bruce Nelson 1 /14 black dress belt. It has lasted many years. The only one that is close is an Alessi 1 1/4. It is of equal quality and craftsmanship- I just haven't owned it as long.

Jim4003 · September 25, 2004, 05:20 PM

Right now I use a couple of differnt belts I have gotten from G and G and Galco. I have thought about a Wilderness belt a lot of folks have gotten. I wonder how they hold up over time.

JerryM · September 25, 2004, 06:35 PM

Today I received a 1.5 inch sharkskin belt from Rafter S. It is beautiful, and I do not see how one could do better at any price. The sharkskin was $70 plus S&H.

I am thinking that I wish I had a 1.25 inch just like it.

Jerry

2400 · October 1, 2004, 01:02 AM

My wife has an Aker she likes real well. I've got two Galco leather belts and an instructor belt I've been using for years.

Amegatek · October 1, 2004, 02:57 AM

Another vote for the Aker belt here. When I carry my G19 with this belt, it seems like the gun is not even there!

I know it is though! Nice solid platform for carrying a variety of guns. Mine was $38.98 shipped from Gall's. Excellent belt for a great price!

Archer1440 · October 5, 2004, 12:28 AM

My normal daily wear is an Alessi tapered 1.25 to 1.5 belt which is great for IWB (unfortunately I lost some weight and ran out of holes so i can only use this for IWB these days).

For the range, I have three Wilderness instructor belts which I rotate through regularly. I also tend to fly with these belts, as the buckle has... er... "multiple potential alternate uses"...

lionslayer · October 5, 2004, 11:03 PM

I've got a bunch of different belts, some of which I've outweighed, but can endorse a recent acquisition, a Wilderness Instructor 5 stitch, 1 1/2" version. Not for discreet carry, but holds up my 41 oz. .44mag without complaint. For dressier belts, check the offerings from Ian's Handgun Leather, distributed by Dillon ---

July 16, 2004, 12:23 AM	#31
Valkman Member Join Date: May 21, 2004 Location: Pahrump, NV Posts: 48	I use a 1 1/2" black belt from Gary Brommeland. My holsters and mag/flash pouch are from Gary also - great stuff! __________________ NRA Patron Life Member

July 23, 2004, 11:14 PM	#32
JerryM Senior Member Join Date: April 4, 1999 Location: New Mexico Posts: 1,889	About the best bargin in a first class belt are those by El Paso Saddlery. http://www.epsaddlery.com/modern.html I have two of their tapered from 1.5 to 1.0. Excellent and lined. Cost was $50 if I remember correctly. I also have one from Wild Bill that I bought on special for last Christmas. It is an excellent belt also. I bought two during their Christmas special for just under $100 total. They are also lined, and are 1.25 for some of my pants that won't take a 1.5 inch belt. http://www.wildbillsconcealment.com/00specials.html I am using the term lined, but I think some refer to it as double thickness. You need double thickness, as a single thickness will not be stiff enough, and especially as it softens somewhat. I have several including a couple of Bianchi single belts. They work, but leave a lot to be desired when carrying a heavy handgun. The RafterS belts look like excellent buys, but I haven't seen one. Jerry __________________ Ecclesiastes 12:13 ¶Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. 14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.

August 21, 2004, 05:05 PM	#36
gyp_c2 Senior Member Join Date: December 28, 2000 Location: Colorado...Louisiana Posts: 387	...most of the time ...it's a Wilderness 1.5 5X __________________ >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>g2<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< AVERT

September 9, 2004, 02:42 PM	#37
Erik Senior Member Join Date: December 24, 1999 Location: America Posts: 3,479	Rafter S cowhide. Great belt, great price. __________________ Meriam Webster's: Main Entry: ci·vil·ian Pronunciation: \sə-ˈvil-yən also -ˈvi-yən\, Function: noun, Date: 14th century, 1: a specialist in Roman or modern civil law, 2 a: one not on active duty in the armed services or not on a police or firefighting force b: outsider 1, — civilian adjective

September 20, 2004, 04:36 AM	#38
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	(not a belt snob, either) But here's another place not to skimp. I use a Bianchi 1.75", and 1.5" belts from Ernie Hill, Hellweg, and Don Hume (excellent value there, bought from the great-service guys at http://gunnersalley.zoovy.com). I have touched the belts of most other 'big' names; all good. __________________ . "all my ammo is mostly retired factory ammo"

June 25, 2004, 01:33 PM	#26
OrangeSkies Member Join Date: June 21, 2004 Posts: 66	I use the Belster from Bandera Leather. The "Beltster" from Bandera Gun Leather

July 1, 2004, 02:01 PM	#27
W Turner Senior Member Join Date: January 17, 2002 Location: Alabama Posts: 130	Most of the time I go with a Safariland velcro belt. Very stiff and infinitely adjustable. I also have two Aker leather belts that have been great. They just seem to have shrunk in the past few years (I know I haven't gained weight ). Two layers of leather sandwiched around a polymer stiffener. The best part is the price, $39.99 in the Gall's catalog. W

July 8, 2004, 12:41 AM	#28
don't shoot it's me Senior Member Join Date: March 29, 2001 Location: NY first/LA second Posts: 1,537	I like a tapered belt since thick gun belts of 1 1/2 inches tend to be a problem doubling up through the front pants loop....

July 8, 2004, 02:24 PM	#29
GMAN Member Join Date: April 14, 2001 Location: Michigan Posts: 47	I use a Carhart that I got for $20 and it carries my full sixe Kimber just fine.

July 15, 2004, 06:22 AM	#30
harrydog Senior Member Join Date: July 29, 2000 Posts: 283	I use an Alessi 1-1/4" belt. Not cheap but worth it. If you talk to people who have tried virtually all of the good leather belts, Alessi usually seems to be their favorite. You could spend more on a leather belt, but it won't be any better. Extremely well made, sturdy, long lasting, and looks great.

August 20, 2004, 12:52 PM	#33
GMAN Member Join Date: April 14, 2001 Location: Michigan Posts: 47	I wear jeans most of the time and I found a Carhartt to be plenty strong and they are only $19.99, mine is 11/2" black.

August 20, 2004, 08:37 PM	#34
hdm25 Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2000 Location: Paragould, AR Posts: 263	RafterS Gunleather. Best bang for the buck, bar none. Not to knock the guys with "non-gun" gun belts, but I, also, never realized the difference in how well a purpose-designed belt supports the weapon (and associated gear) until I actually used one. Like anything, you get to a point of diminishing returns as you go up in price but the RafterS belts are REALLY good belts for holding up guns and gear. I can no longer stand to try and wear a gun without a "gun belt" since I've found none that are as thick and sturdy. To each his own, though....

August 21, 2004, 02:52 PM	#35
mete Senior Member Join Date: June 14, 2004 Location: NY State Posts: 6,575	Wilderness now also makes a nylon 1 1/4" belt made of two layers sewn together. It's a good reliable, durable belt.At the moment they are not producing my favorite holster, the Zip-slide.

September 20, 2004, 01:47 PM	#39
Marko Kloos Senior Member Join Date: January 12, 2000 Location: Enfield, NH Posts: 5,521	For dress use, a Bianchi 1 1/2" brown leather belt. For everyday use, a 1 3/4" Galco Instructors belt, their copy of the Wilderness belt. Polymer-reinforced, wide, comfortable, easy to adjust. __________________ "The right to buy weapons is the right to be free." --A.E. Van Vogt, The Weapon Shops of Isher the munchkin wrangler.

September 20, 2004, 02:03 PM	#40
esheato Senior Member Join Date: May 18, 2004 Location: Marysville, CA Posts: 110	Everyday all the time, Galco SB5 Sport Belt, 1 3/4. Buying pants is always fun as belt loops aren't always that thick. Ed

September 22, 2004, 07:44 PM	#41
HappyGunner Senior Member Join Date: September 18, 2004 Posts: 1,302	Brommeland I picked Gary Brommeland for my carry belt it's a really quality belt there made by Gary one belt at a time so don't expect to get it quick. 8/12 weeks but it's sure worth the wait. http://www.brommelandgunleather.com/ http://www.brommelandgunleather.com/...ress_belts.htm

September 22, 2004, 08:19 PM	#42
CAP1 Senior Member Join Date: June 14, 2002 Posts: 205	I'll second the Wild Bills belts. I have 3, all double-ply leather, 2 - 1.25", 1 - 1.5". The next one I will get will be another 1.25", lined with ABS insert for added stability. Bill's holsters and mag carriers are great too. CAP

September 23, 2004, 12:22 PM	#43
pbass Member Join Date: September 23, 2004 Location: Virginia Posts: 65	The amazing Mernickle belt. Bob Mernickle at http://www.mernickleholsters.com makes one amazingly tough belt for under 50 fish, I'll tell you. I've been wearing mine, a single-thickness plain brown 1.5"-wide one with my jeans every day for over 8 years now. I've beat the heck out of it. It has scrapes and cuts all over it and has been pulled tight at two notches, with and without IWB carry (he makes indestructible IWB holsters, too). Neither of the two abused holes has enlarged, although they have understandably egged ever-so-slightly (gotten half a tick shorter in height and longer in length), and the super-heavy stitching thread is 100% intact. They even come in odd sizes for the true nitpicker (I'm a 37 and I hate making do with a 36 or 38). Reminds me I need to call today for a new one, not that I could ever wear this one out, but I need a black one because J-clips don't come in brown.

September 24, 2004, 07:50 PM	#44
webley455 Member Join Date: January 27, 2001 Posts: 63	The best I have ever had was made by Bruce Nelson 1 /14 black dress belt. It has lasted many years. The only one that is close is an Alessi 1 1/4. It is of equal quality and craftsmanship- I just haven't owned it as long.

September 25, 2004, 05:20 PM	#45
Jim4003 Member Join Date: September 18, 2004 Location: Virginia Posts: 76	Right now I use a couple of differnt belts I have gotten from G and G and Galco. I have thought about a Wilderness belt a lot of folks have gotten. I wonder how they hold up over time.

September 25, 2004, 06:35 PM	#46
JerryM Senior Member Join Date: April 4, 1999 Location: New Mexico Posts: 1,889	Today I received a 1.5 inch sharkskin belt from Rafter S. It is beautiful, and I do not see how one could do better at any price. The sharkskin was $70 plus S&H. I am thinking that I wish I had a 1.25 inch just like it. Jerry __________________ Ecclesiastes 12:13 ¶Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. 14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.

October 1, 2004, 01:02 AM	#47
2400 Senior Member Join Date: September 12, 2004 Location: AZ Posts: 389	My wife has an Aker she likes real well. I've got two Galco leather belts and an instructor belt I've been using for years.

October 1, 2004, 02:57 AM	#48
Amegatek Member Join Date: October 5, 2002 Location: Orient, OH. Posts: 76	Another vote for the Aker belt here. When I carry my G19 with this belt, it seems like the gun is not even there! I know it is though! Nice solid platform for carrying a variety of guns. Mine was $38.98 shipped from Gall's. Excellent belt for a great price! __________________ "Gun control is hitting your target." Sig P320C (.45 ACP) Sig P220 Carry (.45 ACP) Springfield Armory XDE (9mm & .45 ACP)

October 5, 2004, 12:28 AM	#49
Archer1440 Senior Member Join Date: March 25, 2001 Location: USA Posts: 519	My normal daily wear is an Alessi tapered 1.25 to 1.5 belt which is great for IWB (unfortunately I lost some weight and ran out of holes so i can only use this for IWB these days). For the range, I have three Wilderness instructor belts which I rotate through regularly. I also tend to fly with these belts, as the buckle has... er... "multiple potential alternate uses"...

October 5, 2004, 11:03 PM	#50
lionslayer Junior Member Join Date: October 4, 2004 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 10	I've got a bunch of different belts, some of which I've outweighed, but can endorse a recent acquisition, a Wilderness Instructor 5 stitch, 1 1/2" version. Not for discreet carry, but holds up my 41 oz. .44mag without complaint. For dressier belts, check the offerings from Ian's Handgun Leather, distributed by Dillon ---

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