Inexpensive Holster and belt for classes?

Mastrogiacomo · March 8, 2005, 01:25 PM

I'm planning on getting firearm instruction at the Sig Academy. I've got a Beretta type M that I plan to use but I need a good belt and holster. It looks like I'll have to pay over two hundred for both which I don't want because the class costs $295. Where can I find a good leather holster for this gun that won't wear the finish or my wallet? The page advises students to "Please wear comfortable pants with pockets and a strong, thick belt (1-1/2" minimum) that will support the weight of a holstered pistol and loaded magazines." So -- where to look? Thank you.

Laura

Jim Watson · March 8, 2005, 02:18 PM

Dillon has his own line of leather, the Master holster for Beretta 92 ought to fit your M, and he has belts.
http://dillonprecision.com/template/...0&min=0&dyn=1&
http://dillonprecision.com/template/...1&min=3&dyn=1&

I have a couple of Safarilands with suede lining that is easy on the blue. The least expensive current model seems to be the 5183, shown in Brownells at
http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/sto...LMENT+HOLSTERS

Do a search on Wilderness Instructor's Belt, sold a lot of places. They are pretty much the standard for pistol carry if you are not concerned with style.

You don't have to spend $200 for a rig.

Mastrogiacomo · March 8, 2005, 04:48 PM

Thanks for the links, looks decent.

Erich · March 8, 2005, 05:43 PM

I've had good luck getting quality holsters at low prices from Gunner's Alley. Their service has always been terrific.

http://gunnersalley.zoovy.com/

Enjoy your class.

w4klr · March 9, 2005, 11:54 PM

Blackhawk CQB holster... about $54 dollars, but is worth it for satisfaction and performance. They also have matching belts and mag holsters... all can be had for under $115. Just my .02, now I have no cents

May not be leather, but then again... it may not leave holster wear on your pistol, I can't confirm that. But no pistol wear on my carry arms.

Jeeper · March 10, 2005, 09:14 AM

I dont know why you would want leather. They are slow and heavy. Get a kydex one. Uncle mikes are cheap.

pointfiveoh · March 10, 2005, 07:05 PM

You might want to try Walmart for a belt, it doesn't necessarily have to be a "gun" belt to be a good gun belt.

Robert Hairless · March 18, 2005, 11:57 AM

Mate a Wilderness Tactical "original instructors belt" ($34.95) with a Blackhawk CQC belt holster with SERPA technology ($44.5) and you'll have one of the best rigs possible at a total cost of $90.00 plus shipping. There are imitations, knockoffs, and lookalikes of both. Stay with the originals: they work, and at these prices it would be stupid to get less than the best. There are other great combinations of belt and holster, of course, but this combination is first rate, no compromise, real professional system at the least possible price.

If I were a betting man and you were a complete innocent I would wager that all or nearly all of your instructors will be wearing a Wilderness original instructors belt, and I would win that bet.

The Blackhawk SERPAs are not so widespread, I think, but I haven't seen anything else like them for retention. Paddle holsters are wonderful things except for carrying guns. Anyone who really wants your gun will walk away with it and half the paddle holster, which will leave you feeling rather silly or seriously dead. These Blackhawks are model-specific (you must match the holster to the specific model of gun), and even so they're rather fussy about some things (the Model 1911 version, for example, doesn't work with an Ed Brown Kobra Carry because its slide release causes a hangup), so check with Blackhawk to make sure before you buy.

Otherwise I suggest a Lou Alessi CQC/S (close quarters covert with snaps): it's one of the best leather belt holsters I've found. It's $90 plus shipping.

don't shoot it's me · March 18, 2005, 12:31 PM

I agree...I have the wilderness belt and it rocks..I also have the Alessi CQC/S and it is is my favorite OWB...I bought an Alessi matching belt and it is beautiful but I find myslef using the widerness belt most of the time since you can cinch it to the perfect spot without worrying about matching up the holes.....also, the widlerness belt is every bit as stiff but thinner so it is more comfortale than a thick leather gun belt....I still wear my Alessi belt when I want the buckle to show, but most times I have a cover garment so the widerness belt is used much more often....

jerryd · March 18, 2005, 12:33 PM

There was an article on another forum about plastic holsters about how easy it is to break them and take the weapon away, vey interesting! I have only bought 1 plastic holster for a pistol !, lasted about 10 minutes before it ended up in garbage! Tried a plastic job for a ppk/s, put pistol in could not get it out! Tried to adjust it didnt work,in garbage, got a leather one works great. Tried one for my glock,couldnt stand it, hard to get in and out, so now all my holsters are leather and love them, maybe i have a fetish?

donkee · March 20, 2005, 06:43 AM

Quote:

I dont know why you would want leather. They are slow and heavy.

Cause leather is wonderful!

JerryM · March 26, 2005, 09:05 PM

If you want an excellent leather belt Rafter S makes great ones, and the last time I looked they started at $45. I have 4 and bought a couple of sharkskin belts for my son and son-in-law for Christmas.

I like Comp tac kydex holsters. If you want leather, and want to get our as light as possible then Hume is good, as are a few others.
If you are willing to spend around $100 bucks there are several such as Sparks and Brommeland. However, you will have to wait months. Lightening Arms has some good holsters in stock. I think they have Sparks. Give them a look. If they have it in stock it can be obtained in short order.

Best,
Jerry

March 8, 2005, 01:25 PM	#1
Mastrogiacomo Senior Member Join Date: October 10, 2002 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 1,297	Inexpensive Holster and belt for classes? I'm planning on getting firearm instruction at the Sig Academy. I've got a Beretta type M that I plan to use but I need a good belt and holster. It looks like I'll have to pay over two hundred for both which I don't want because the class costs $295. Where can I find a good leather holster for this gun that won't wear the finish or my wallet? The page advises students to "Please wear comfortable pants with pockets and a strong, thick belt (1-1/2" minimum) that will support the weight of a holstered pistol and loaded magazines." So -- where to look? Thank you. Laura

March 10, 2005, 09:14 AM	#6
Jeeper Senior Member Join Date: November 1, 2001 Location: Gilbert, AZ Posts: 776	I dont know why you would want leather. They are slow and heavy. Get a kydex one. Uncle mikes are cheap. __________________ Gun control theory - A woman raped and strangled is morally superior to a woman with a smoking gun and a dead rapist at her feet.

March 26, 2005, 09:05 PM	#12
JerryM Senior Member Join Date: April 4, 1999 Location: New Mexico Posts: 1,889	If you want an excellent leather belt Rafter S makes great ones, and the last time I looked they started at $45. I have 4 and bought a couple of sharkskin belts for my son and son-in-law for Christmas. I like Comp tac kydex holsters. If you want leather, and want to get our as light as possible then Hume is good, as are a few others. If you are willing to spend around $100 bucks there are several such as Sparks and Brommeland. However, you will have to wait months. Lightening Arms has some good holsters in stock. I think they have Sparks. Give them a look. If they have it in stock it can be obtained in short order. Best, 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.

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March 8, 2005, 02:18 PM	#2
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,535	Dillon has his own line of leather, the Master holster for Beretta 92 ought to fit your M, and he has belts. http://dillonprecision.com/template/...0&min=0&dyn=1& http://dillonprecision.com/template/...1&min=3&dyn=1& I have a couple of Safarilands with suede lining that is easy on the blue. The least expensive current model seems to be the 5183, shown in Brownells at http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/sto...LMENT+HOLSTERS Do a search on Wilderness Instructor's Belt, sold a lot of places. They are pretty much the standard for pistol carry if you are not concerned with style. You don't have to spend $200 for a rig.

March 8, 2005, 04:48 PM	#3
Mastrogiacomo Senior Member Join Date: October 10, 2002 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 1,297	Thanks for the links, looks decent.

March 8, 2005, 05:43 PM	#4
Erich Senior Member Join Date: January 8, 1999 Location: Albuquerque, NM, USA Posts: 2,543	I've had good luck getting quality holsters at low prices from Gunner's Alley. Their service has always been terrific. http://gunnersalley.zoovy.com/ Enjoy your class.

March 9, 2005, 11:54 PM	#5
w4klr Junior member Join Date: December 22, 2004 Location: Ft. Lauderdale, Fl Posts: 280	Blackhawk CQB holster... about $54 dollars, but is worth it for satisfaction and performance. They also have matching belts and mag holsters... all can be had for under $115. Just my .02, now I have no cents May not be leather, but then again... it may not leave holster wear on your pistol, I can't confirm that. But no pistol wear on my carry arms.

March 10, 2005, 07:05 PM	#7
pointfiveoh Senior Member Join Date: December 18, 2004 Location: South Carolina Posts: 207	You might want to try Walmart for a belt, it doesn't necessarily have to be a "gun" belt to be a good gun belt.

March 18, 2005, 11:57 AM	#8
Robert Hairless Member Join Date: May 21, 2004 Posts: 47	Mate a Wilderness Tactical "original instructors belt" ($34.95) with a Blackhawk CQC belt holster with SERPA technology ($44.5) and you'll have one of the best rigs possible at a total cost of $90.00 plus shipping. There are imitations, knockoffs, and lookalikes of both. Stay with the originals: they work, and at these prices it would be stupid to get less than the best. There are other great combinations of belt and holster, of course, but this combination is first rate, no compromise, real professional system at the least possible price. If I were a betting man and you were a complete innocent I would wager that all or nearly all of your instructors will be wearing a Wilderness original instructors belt, and I would win that bet. The Blackhawk SERPAs are not so widespread, I think, but I haven't seen anything else like them for retention. Paddle holsters are wonderful things except for carrying guns. Anyone who really wants your gun will walk away with it and half the paddle holster, which will leave you feeling rather silly or seriously dead. These Blackhawks are model-specific (you must match the holster to the specific model of gun), and even so they're rather fussy about some things (the Model 1911 version, for example, doesn't work with an Ed Brown Kobra Carry because its slide release causes a hangup), so check with Blackhawk to make sure before you buy. Otherwise I suggest a Lou Alessi CQC/S (close quarters covert with snaps): it's one of the best leather belt holsters I've found. It's $90 plus shipping.

March 18, 2005, 12:31 PM	#9
don't shoot it's me Senior Member Join Date: March 29, 2001 Location: NY first/LA second Posts: 1,537	I agree...I have the wilderness belt and it rocks..I also have the Alessi CQC/S and it is is my favorite OWB...I bought an Alessi matching belt and it is beautiful but I find myslef using the widerness belt most of the time since you can cinch it to the perfect spot without worrying about matching up the holes.....also, the widlerness belt is every bit as stiff but thinner so it is more comfortale than a thick leather gun belt....I still wear my Alessi belt when I want the buckle to show, but most times I have a cover garment so the widerness belt is used much more often....

March 18, 2005, 12:33 PM	#10
jerryd Senior Member Join Date: May 21, 2004 Location: Ct. Posts: 131	There was an article on another forum about plastic holsters about how easy it is to break them and take the weapon away, vey interesting! I have only bought 1 plastic holster for a pistol !, lasted about 10 minutes before it ended up in garbage! Tried a plastic job for a ppk/s, put pistol in could not get it out! Tried to adjust it didnt work,in garbage, got a leather one works great. Tried one for my glock,couldnt stand it, hard to get in and out, so now all my holsters are leather and love them, maybe i have a fetish?