Gun Belt Recommendations?

XD Niner · January 13, 2005, 09:03 PM

I am looking for a good, moderate cost gun belt. I want one that is stiff enough to retain the holster well yet supple enough to feel comfortable. I am looking for a 1 ½” size. The two that I have found to date are the Rafter S Cowhide belt for $45 http://www.raftersgunleather.com/and the Hume Trouser belt for $40 http://www.pistol-gear.com/proddetail.php?prod=02XDL. What are your thoughts on these or any other belts in this approximate price range?

RUT · January 13, 2005, 11:44 PM

I recently learned about Rafter's offerings and was impressed by their quality and price, to say nothing of the testimonials. I'm about to order one of their cowhide versions, so only time will tell.

===RUT===

dairycreek · January 14, 2005, 04:22 AM

I have had my last three gunbelts built by a local shoe repairman. He chooses good, stiff leather and makes them for about $20.00 each. FWIW

krang · January 14, 2005, 06:08 AM

You won't go wrong with the Rafter. Wear mine everyday. Supports my 9mm and .45 with no sag.

WESHOOT2 · January 15, 2005, 08:48 AM

My current 'daily wearer' is a Don Hume second purchased at very fair cost from the great-service guys at Gunners Alley.
Recommend.
(also have great belts from a few 'others', but at higher cost)

http://gunnersalley.zoovy.com

JerryM · January 17, 2005, 12:40 AM

I have a brown sharkskin from Rafter S. I also have two black ones on order, a sharkskin and a cowhide. I gave my son and son in law each a black sharkskin for Christmas.

So it should be obvious that I think they are top notch. I also have gun belts from others, but the Rafter S are the best.

Jerry

mikikanazawa · January 17, 2005, 01:14 AM

FWIW, I once stumbled across contract leather belts there were made for the U.S. Postal Service at a military surplus store. (The were seconds because the stamping on the inside of the belt was way crooked.) Ten bucks for a decent looking and strong belt.

I only bought one and wore it out, but it took a good ten years of hard use.

rnpollard · February 3, 2005, 05:19 PM

They have a work belt in black leather with a silver buckle and brown leather with a brass that is stiff enough to support a holster. $8.96. I wear one every day.

tvdilbert · February 3, 2005, 08:51 PM

Re: Wal Mart -- YMMV, but I have not found a belt there that compares to a purpose-made gunbelt. It may certainly seem like it would, but I would wager once you try one designed to carry the weight of a pistol, you won't go back.

The only recommendation I can make right now is The Wilderness Instructor's Belt from
www.thewilderness.com. I have a 1.5" 5-stitch and a 1.5" CSM and both of them are awesome. Eventually I'd like to get a leather belt, but these two will probably stay on as part of my main carry rigs.

- Jon -

January 13, 2005, 09:03 PM	#1
XD Niner Senior Member Join Date: December 31, 2004 Location: Northcentral Florida Posts: 161	Gun Belt Recommendations? I am looking for a good, moderate cost gun belt. I want one that is stiff enough to retain the holster well yet supple enough to feel comfortable. I am looking for a 1 ½” size. The two that I have found to date are the Rafter S Cowhide belt for $45 http://www.raftersgunleather.com/and the Hume Trouser belt for $40 http://www.pistol-gear.com/proddetail.php?prod=02XDL. What are your thoughts on these or any other belts in this approximate price range? __________________ CONSISTENCY -It's only a virtue if you're not a complete screwup.

January 14, 2005, 04:22 AM	#3
dairycreek Senior Member Join Date: November 30, 1998 Location: North Plains, Oregon, USA Posts: 1,867	Just a thought! I have had my last three gunbelts built by a local shoe repairman. He chooses good, stiff leather and makes them for about $20.00 each. FWIW __________________ ALWAYS PROTECT YOUR HEARING AND VISION GOOD SHOOTING

January 14, 2005, 06:08 AM	#4
krang Senior Member Join Date: September 6, 2004 Location: St. Louis, Missouri Posts: 164	You won't go wrong with the Rafter. Wear mine everyday. Supports my 9mm and .45 with no sag. __________________ Member- NRA Member-IDPA Member-USPSA SA 1911 GI CZ 75B

January 15, 2005, 08:48 AM	#5
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	rewarding superior service My current 'daily wearer' is a Don Hume second purchased at very fair cost from the great-service guys at Gunners Alley. Recommend. (also have great belts from a few 'others', but at higher cost) http://gunnersalley.zoovy.com __________________ . "all my ammo is mostly retired factory ammo"

January 17, 2005, 12:40 AM	#6
JerryM Senior Member Join Date: April 4, 1999 Location: New Mexico Posts: 1,889	I have a brown sharkskin from Rafter S. I also have two black ones on order, a sharkskin and a cowhide. I gave my son and son in law each a black sharkskin for Christmas. So it should be obvious that I think they are top notch. I also have gun belts from others, but the Rafter S are the 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.

January 13, 2005, 11:44 PM	#2
RUT Senior Member Join Date: November 17, 2004 Location: NH, USA Posts: 812	I recently learned about Rafter's offerings and was impressed by their quality and price, to say nothing of the testimonials. I'm about to order one of their cowhide versions, so only time will tell. ===RUT===

January 17, 2005, 01:14 AM	#7
mikikanazawa Senior Member Join Date: September 26, 2004 Posts: 449	FWIW, I once stumbled across contract leather belts there were made for the U.S. Postal Service at a military surplus store. (The were seconds because the stamping on the inside of the belt was way crooked.) Ten bucks for a decent looking and strong belt. I only bought one and wore it out, but it took a good ten years of hard use.

February 3, 2005, 05:19 PM	#8
rnpollard Member Join Date: March 1, 2001 Location: Fort Benning, GA Posts: 26	Believe it or not check out Wal-Mart They have a work belt in black leather with a silver buckle and brown leather with a brass that is stiff enough to support a holster. $8.96. I wear one every day. __________________ Hooah! It's an Army thing! DAV Life Member [email protected]

February 3, 2005, 08:51 PM	#9
tvdilbert Junior Member Join Date: September 19, 2004 Posts: 7	Re: Wal Mart -- YMMV, but I have not found a belt there that compares to a purpose-made gunbelt. It may certainly seem like it would, but I would wager once you try one designed to carry the weight of a pistol, you won't go back. The only recommendation I can make right now is The Wilderness Instructor's Belt from www.thewilderness.com. I have a 1.5" 5-stitch and a 1.5" CSM and both of them are awesome. Eventually I'd like to get a leather belt, but these two will probably stay on as part of my main carry rigs. - Jon -