The Down Range Forum

Member Section => Down Range Cafe => Topic started by: TAB on March 26, 2022, 10:50:20 AM

Title: lets take gun belts.
Post by: TAB on March 26, 2022, 10:50:20 AM
whats every one using for gun belts these days?   


I am in the market for something new.   Looking for something leather, classic styling.   none of that distress look/tactical.   it will get there on its own.  I like 12-14 oz leather.  color is not that big of a deal, just something casual.   I have been looking locally, but can not find anything smaller than a 38...given that i have a 30 waist thats not going to work very well. 
Title: Re: lets take gun belts.
Post by: MikeBjerum on March 26, 2022, 11:35:34 AM
Mine is a heavy two-ply leather made by my leathersmith.
Title: Re: lets take gun belts.
Post by: Rastus on March 26, 2022, 01:03:28 PM
Just a regular belt for carry.
Title: Re: lets take gun belts.
Post by: Majer on March 26, 2022, 02:08:21 PM
I got mine at a gun show from a local leather smith, Double thickness, but very comfortable. Before that I had a DeSantis that was about 20 years old.
Title: Re: lets take gun belts.
Post by: alfsauve on March 26, 2022, 07:07:08 PM
I don't like layered belts. The ones I've had tend to separate.  I just have to peruse the outdoor, camping, gun stores till i find a solid belt.

Wish I could give you  a brand name.  The last two I bought were from the surplus store in downtown Tucsan.
Title: Re: lets take gun belts.
Post by: crusader rabbit on March 27, 2022, 06:08:26 AM
I have found that Hank's Belts make and sell a very high quality product.  They used to market them as Amish made--maybe still do.  They guarantee them for life and they stand by that guarantee.  I've had three.  One in brown, one black, and another black one I sent back because it was unsatisfactory.  Hank's replaced it immediately without question.  They make a variety of belts, but their carry versions are very heavy duty and extremely well made.  And Tab, they have them in the size you need, but follow their size guide to get what will fit.

https://www.hanksbelts.com/

Crusader Rabbit
Title: Re: lets take gun belts.
Post by: alfsauve on March 27, 2022, 12:20:09 PM
Just checked, mine's a Carhartt.  1-1/4"  Maybe a little light if you're carrying heavy.  It works fine for my P365 in a JM4 magnetic clasp holster.   I like what I see at Hank's and may upgrade come birthday.
Title: Re: lets take gun belts.
Post by: TAB on March 31, 2022, 08:42:26 AM
I placed an order with hank this morning
   We will see if I like it.   I am pretty picky about cloths/shoes/accessories.   Comfort  is huge when you work in construction
Title: Re: lets take gun belts.
Post by: crusader rabbit on April 01, 2022, 05:47:46 AM
I placed an order with hank this morning
   We will see if I like it.   I am pretty picky about cloths/shoes/accessories.   Comfort  is huge when you work in construction

I started with Hank close to six years ago when my EDC was a Glock 27.  It worked well, but the Glock is a fairly small gun.  Then I upgraded to a Sig P226 as my EDC.  That's a full-sized piece.  My Hank worked well in combination with a 1776 holster that I carry on my right hip.  I still use use either my black or brown, eight or nine year old (maybe ten years old by now) Hank for EDC, switching between the two colors to match whatever I happen to be wearing on that particular day. Both belts are holding up well, and although they no longer look "new," they don't look shabby, either.

FWIW,
Crusader Rabbit   
Title: Re: lets take gun belts.
Post by: MikeBjerum on April 01, 2022, 06:47:40 PM
I got torn apart by Pincus here, when he was around.  My belief is that any belt can be a gun belt.  How you dress, what you carry, and how you carry it determines what works and doesn't work.  A lightweight dress belt will not hold an OWB 1911 or any full size, but IWB any belt can hold the gun and holster in place.
Title: Re: lets take gun belts.
Post by: TAB on April 01, 2022, 07:49:15 PM
I started with Hank close to six years ago when my EDC was a Glock 27.  It worked well, but the Glock is a fairly small gun.  Then I upgraded to a Sig P226 as my EDC.  That's a full-sized piece.  My Hank worked well in combination with a 1776 holster that I carry on my right hip.  I still use use either my black or brown, eight or nine year old (maybe ten years old by now) Hank for EDC, switching between the two colors to match whatever I happen to be wearing on that particular day. Both belts are holding up well, and although they no longer look "new," they don't look shabby, either.

FWIW,
Crusader Rabbit


For me its always a 1911.   Its either a 5" delta, gold cup or a combat commander( shoulder holster  being a skiny guy a 5" prints. So I need that 4.25" barrel.)
Title: Re: lets take gun belts.
Post by: Rastus on July 09, 2022, 03:35:39 PM
I got torn apart by Pincus here, when he was around.  My belief is that any belt can be a gun belt.  How you dress, what you carry, and how you carry it determines what works and doesn't work.  A lightweight dress belt will not hold an OWB 1911 or any full size, but IWB any belt can hold the gun and holster in place.

Swinging back...I agree with the IWB and any belt can hold it.  You said what I should have.
Title: Re: lets take gun belts.
Post by: les snyder on July 22, 2022, 12:33:09 PM
leather belts for competition lost favor to the synthetics due to changing Florida weather, but I shot one of these fancy stitched Milt Spark belts, and a brown basket weave 1AT holster for about 3 years in the early 80s, and continued to wear it for daily wear for the next 30+ years as a classroom teacher... regards Les


https://www.miltsparks.com/belts/

Title: Re: lets take gun belts.
Post by: Rastus on July 22, 2022, 09:26:18 PM
Les, good to see you are still around. 
Title: Re: lets take gun belts.
Post by: PegLeg45 on August 03, 2022, 08:06:07 AM
After fifteen years my trusty gun belt failed....broke at the fold where the buckle attaches. It was the Galco-style with the lazy stitch.
This time I wanted a wider belt (the old one was 1 1/2") so I did some shopping and I ordered a harness leather belt from a guy on ebay. The guy has 100% positive rating and makes them on an as-ordered basis.
After a month of use, I can say it is a quality belt. I ordered the 1 3/4" width and it is at, or near, 1/4" thick.
This belt is as rigid as a barrel hoop (what I was looking for) and there is no sag, even with a top-heavy OWB holster. You can buckle it and roll it across the floor like a hula hoop. Longevity remains to be seen as I've only been wearing it for a month, but I expect it to last a good while. I may order several colors since it was only $40 shipped.


https://www.ebay.com/str/beltshandmadeleatherbymark?_trksid=p2047675.m145687.l149086

                                                                     
Title: Re: lets take gun belts.
Post by: les snyder on August 09, 2022, 01:40:30 PM
Rastus... thank you...been shooting a lot of Steel Challenge format... 4 practice sessions, 3 Steel Challenge match, + 1 Rimfire Challenge match (pistol and rifle) a month.... broke a hammer last month, and heavy duty firing pin... .22lr is hard on parts... and wallet... about 1200 rounds a month... Les
Title: Re: lets take gun belts.
Post by: Rastus on August 12, 2022, 05:49:13 PM
Broke a hammer?  What gun?
Title: Re: lets take gun belts.
Post by: les snyder on September 02, 2022, 04:27:08 PM
Rastus ... sorry for the late reply... I shoot a SBR'd AR lower for Steel Challenge and the long serving trigger group was used with the .22 conversion...the hammer was a RRA NM, and the dis connector arm broke off... I replaced it with a LaRue MBT... I really like the flat front surface of the MBT... it gives me a precise shot break
Title: Re: lets take gun belts.
Post by: Wladas on September 15, 2022, 09:48:55 AM
When choosing a leather belt, the main thing is not to make a mistake with the manufacturer and choose a quality one. It is better if the skin's surface (single or both) is not processed.
According to my observations, if the surface of the skin is not processed, then the leather belt is worn longer.
Title: Re: lets take gun belts.
Post by: garand4life on October 24, 2022, 05:00:46 PM
I have a leather belt made by 5.11 designed to support carrying IWB or OWB and it's been great. It looks very traditional but is reinforced in the right places to provide additional stability. Unfortunately, over time it's started to give at the eyelets and just can't take the day-today work any more. I ordered another one but also ordered a belt from WeThePeople hoslters that is a more "tacti-cool" black with the Talon buckle. It's become my everyday belt for work since it's under my shirt and out of sight. But my new 5.11 leather belt will be more for those occasions where it might be more noticeable.