best "bargain" belt

laktrash · April 19, 2009, 08:07 PM

I've read several threads about needing a good gun belt to make your holster work correctly. I hate spend $80 on a belt for $40 holster. any suggestions on best bang for the buck belts thanks for any info.

Creature · April 19, 2009, 08:17 PM

Just shop for the thickest and stiffest belt you can find at the larger department stores. I found a VERY good belt at Sears...maybe it was Kmart. I cant really remember now where I got it...but it was some place like just that. The belt I have isn't from a top ticket company, it is a "Basic Concepts"-brand belt that cost me a whooping $25. It has worn like iron and looks as good as the day I bought it...over three years ago. And I carry virtually daily.

Trooper Tyree · April 19, 2009, 08:56 PM

If you're just looking for a good heavy duty leather belt to use at the range, in the tool section of most hardware stores by the tool pouches and such, there will be a selection of heavy duty leather belts contractors use with their tool pouches. They average about $10-15. I don't know how fasionable they are though for daily CC.

I was passing through Home Depot the other night and saw a light tan unstained work belt, 3" with narrower extensions riveted on for the buckle and tunge strap. I said, hey, that looks like a gunbelt, and bought one to play with. I'm working on a holster right now, I can tool it to match, change out the belt buckle, and doll it up a bit. Probably would have been just as easy to make one myself but hey, it was cheap and I'm a sucker for a project.

chris in va · April 19, 2009, 09:00 PM

I was very fortunate to receive a used Kydex stiffened belt from a forum member. He bought a replacement belt and decided to pass this one on. It's been great, much better than anything else I've owned.

Shorts · April 19, 2009, 09:11 PM

Quote:

I don't know how fasionable they are though for daily CC.

Ironic isn't it?...fashion...concealed... haha

rickdavis81 · April 20, 2009, 05:44 AM

The wilderness belts can be had for around 30. You can 3 stitch, 5 stitch or an internal stiffner.

I have had the 5 stitch for a couple years now and wear it everyday. Still looks like new. Might be needing a larger one soon though.

B. Lahey · April 20, 2009, 06:36 AM

These work ok:

http://www.officerstore.com/store/pr...ty_belt_black/

WESHOOT2 · April 20, 2009, 11:03 AM

An inexpensive Don Hume gunbelt from the great-service folks at Gunners Alley.
Mitch Rosen belt from Dillon for more.

I also have a few expensive belts and I suggest they are worth it.

2003flht · April 20, 2009, 01:32 PM

I have one of these belts. They are made from thick leather and hold my 1911 fine. I own several jackets from these guys as well as wallets belts, vests, etc... VERY good company to deal with and all made in the USA!

http://www.foxcreekleather.com/309.html

Kreyzhorse · April 20, 2009, 02:50 PM

I bought a Ross gun belt for around $50. It held up pretty well but was well broken down within 12 to 18 months.

ro2 · April 20, 2009, 03:05 PM

Look at Acker gun belts 35-40$ leather with a plastic stiffener in between the leather. I can put my full size 45 on it hold it on each end and it supports it. lots of good gun belts out there.

armedandsafe · April 20, 2009, 04:12 PM

I have used leather money belts for the past 40 years. They work really well. Make sure you get one at least 1 1/2" wide. Preferably, 1 3/4" wide.

Take 10 dollar bills and separate them into 5 stacks of 2 each. Fold each pair lengthwise. Then fold each again lengthwise. Place those in the money belt and you have a nice, stiff and stong belt. I've worn out one and replace two. The replacements are because they started shrinking when I hit 60 years of age.

As time goes on, start replacing the one dollar bills with larger denominations. That will give you an emergency stash which you won't be quite so tempted to get into for an impulse buy.

Google " money belt leather "

http://sockbroker.com/moneybelt.htm?...FRwpawodQD1mFQ
http://www.beltoutlet.com/moneybelts...FRBbagodswmmFA

Pops

sholling · April 20, 2009, 05:07 PM

Blackhawk used to make a light weight dress gunbelt belt stiffened with a strip of kydex. They work pretty well. I've seen them as low as $35.

SMITH910 · April 21, 2009, 10:51 AM

Belts made by Boston Leather are inexpensive - however I do not know of their quality. Anybody ever buy one, how are they?

CortJestir · April 21, 2009, 11:09 AM

Quote:

I hate spend $80 on a belt for $40 holster.

It ain't just the holster you're buying the belt for.

The effectiveness of your carry rig is dependent on your clothing, body type, holster, belt, and firearm all working together harmoniously. So look at it holistically, rather than just thinking that a $40 holster does not "deserve" an $80 belt.

That aside, you don't need to spend $80 on a gun belt. As mentioned, any super stiff double-layer belt or work belt will do. There are some nice belts with kydex inserts to make them stiff as well.

CPTMurdoc30 · April 22, 2009, 07:30 AM

Get the $12.99 5.11 tactical belt. It has a plastic buckle and the tail is stiff. I picked up one from a place close by and I love it. It is a little wide for blue-jeans but if you wear an undershirt you will be ok.

http://www.511tactical.com/browse/Ho...:10107/I/59552

Erik · April 22, 2009, 05:12 PM

Starting at $50, one of the better options at any price:

http://www.raftersgunleather.com/Belts.htm

Kyo · April 22, 2009, 11:45 PM

simplyrugged.com

langloisandy · April 23, 2009, 07:08 AM

Lak,

I make belts! In fact Ihave a sale going on with a few discounted ones. (normally $40, PM me for a Firing Line discount!)

http://andysgunthoughts.wordpress.com/leather-sale/

Andy

April 19, 2009, 08:07 PM	#1
laktrash Senior Member Join Date: March 29, 2008 Location: east tenn Posts: 200	best "bargain" belt I've read several threads about needing a good gun belt to make your holster work correctly. I hate spend $80 on a belt for $40 holster. any suggestions on best bang for the buck belts thanks for any info. Last edited by laktrash; April 19, 2009 at 08:16 PM.

April 20, 2009, 05:44 AM	#6
rickdavis81 Senior Member Join Date: April 3, 2006 Location: Missouri Posts: 398	Wilderness The wilderness belts can be had for around 30. You can 3 stitch, 5 stitch or an internal stiffner. I have had the 5 stitch for a couple years now and wear it everyday. Still looks like new. Might be needing a larger one soon though.

April 20, 2009, 11:03 AM	#8
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	around me An inexpensive Don Hume gunbelt from the great-service folks at Gunners Alley. Mitch Rosen belt from Dillon for more. I also have a few expensive belts and I suggest they are worth it.

April 20, 2009, 02:50 PM	#10
Kreyzhorse Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2006 Location: NKY Posts: 12,464	I bought a Ross gun belt for around $50. It held up pretty well but was well broken down within 12 to 18 months. __________________ "He who laughs last, laughs dead." Homer Simpson

April 23, 2009, 07:08 AM	#19
langloisandy Senior Member Join Date: June 27, 2006 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 104	Belts Lak, I make belts! In fact Ihave a sale going on with a few discounted ones. (normally $40, PM me for a Firing Line discount!) http://andysgunthoughts.wordpress.com/leather-sale/ Andy

April 19, 2009, 08:17 PM	#2
Creature Junior member Join Date: April 8, 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 3,769	Just shop for the thickest and stiffest belt you can find at the larger department stores. I found a VERY good belt at Sears...maybe it was Kmart. I cant really remember now where I got it...but it was some place like just that. The belt I have isn't from a top ticket company, it is a "Basic Concepts"-brand belt that cost me a whooping $25. It has worn like iron and looks as good as the day I bought it...over three years ago. And I carry virtually daily.

April 19, 2009, 08:56 PM	#3
Trooper Tyree Senior Member Join Date: April 5, 2009 Posts: 167	If you're just looking for a good heavy duty leather belt to use at the range, in the tool section of most hardware stores by the tool pouches and such, there will be a selection of heavy duty leather belts contractors use with their tool pouches. They average about $10-15. I don't know how fasionable they are though for daily CC. I was passing through Home Depot the other night and saw a light tan unstained work belt, 3" with narrower extensions riveted on for the buckle and tunge strap. I said, hey, that looks like a gunbelt, and bought one to play with. I'm working on a holster right now, I can tool it to match, change out the belt buckle, and doll it up a bit. Probably would have been just as easy to make one myself but hey, it was cheap and I'm a sucker for a project.

April 19, 2009, 09:00 PM	#4
chris in va Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2004 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 13,806	I was very fortunate to receive a used Kydex stiffened belt from a forum member. He bought a replacement belt and decided to pass this one on. It's been great, much better than anything else I've owned.

April 20, 2009, 06:36 AM	#7
B. Lahey Senior Member Join Date: March 17, 2008 Location: Indiana Posts: 2,857	These work ok: http://www.officerstore.com/store/pr...ty_belt_black/

April 20, 2009, 01:32 PM	#9
2003flht Senior Member Join Date: February 15, 2009 Location: Connecticut Posts: 199	I have one of these belts. They are made from thick leather and hold my 1911 fine. I own several jackets from these guys as well as wallets belts, vests, etc... VERY good company to deal with and all made in the USA! http://www.foxcreekleather.com/309.html

April 20, 2009, 03:05 PM	#11
ro2 Member Join Date: March 10, 2008 Location: S.E. Mi. Posts: 29	Look at Acker gun belts 35-40$ leather with a plastic stiffener in between the leather. I can put my full size 45 on it hold it on each end and it supports it. lots of good gun belts out there.

April 20, 2009, 04:12 PM	#12
armedandsafe Senior Member Join Date: January 9, 2005 Location: Moses Lake WA Posts: 1,001	I have used leather money belts for the past 40 years. They work really well. Make sure you get one at least 1 1/2" wide. Preferably, 1 3/4" wide. Take 10 dollar bills and separate them into 5 stacks of 2 each. Fold each pair lengthwise. Then fold each again lengthwise. Place those in the money belt and you have a nice, stiff and stong belt. I've worn out one and replace two. The replacements are because they started shrinking when I hit 60 years of age. As time goes on, start replacing the one dollar bills with larger denominations. That will give you an emergency stash which you won't be quite so tempted to get into for an impulse buy. Google " money belt leather " http://sockbroker.com/moneybelt.htm?...FRwpawodQD1mFQ http://www.beltoutlet.com/moneybelts...FRBbagodswmmFA Pops

April 20, 2009, 05:07 PM	#13
sholling Senior Member Join Date: May 19, 1999 Location: Hemet (middle of nowhere) California Posts: 4,261	Blackhawk used to make a light weight dress gunbelt belt stiffened with a strip of kydex. They work pretty well. I've seen them as low as $35.

April 21, 2009, 10:51 AM	#14
SMITH910 Senior Member Join Date: November 21, 2005 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 282	Belts made by Boston Leather are inexpensive - however I do not know of their quality. Anybody ever buy one, how are they?

April 22, 2009, 07:30 AM	#16
CPTMurdoc30 Senior Member Join Date: February 27, 2008 Location: Stafford VA Posts: 969	Get the $12.99 5.11 tactical belt. It has a plastic buckle and the tail is stiff. I picked up one from a place close by and I love it. It is a little wide for blue-jeans but if you wear an undershirt you will be ok. http://www.511tactical.com/browse/Ho...:10107/I/59552

April 22, 2009, 05:12 PM	#17
Erik Senior Member Join Date: December 24, 1999 Location: America Posts: 3,479	Starting at $50, one of the better options at any price: http://www.raftersgunleather.com/Belts.htm

April 22, 2009, 11:45 PM	#18
Kyo Senior Member Join Date: April 14, 2009 Posts: 897	simplyrugged.com