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The Frequent Flyer is a very comfortable belt (I have one too), and it can be used to support a gun, but that's not its intended purpose. It was designed to hold up your pants and get you through airline checkpoints without being stopped for metal in the buckle (it doesn't have any). It's not quite heavy enough for a good gun belt.

The Wilderness Instructor belt is much more substantial and does a much better job of supporting a gun.

Hey Excaliber I am not sure that this jives with what WT says on their web site. I think the FF belt is constructed just like the Instructor belt, excepting the buckle. There are of course options with either belt for reinforcement etc, so maybe you are comparing a non-reinforced FF belt with a reinforced Instructor belt?

From the Wilderness Tactical web site:

"The design and construction made famous by our Original Instructor Belts is used in the Frequent Flyer™-series as well. As with all of our belts, two layers of webbing are used resulting in a durable belt that holds its shape and carries weight well."

Also, the claim that it is not designed to support a gun also seems to be at odds with the web site promo:

"The FF Belts are stylish for casual wear, come in a variety of widths to fit most pants, and are tough enough to hold up not just your pants and cell phone on a trip, but your full-size pistol, spare ammunition and a tactical flashlight back at home."

Anyway, being that I am sort of in the market for one of these and that I have not seen either of them first hand, I am interested in knowing which is reality. If the FF belt is just like the Instructor belt save for the buckle, then I may as well buy a FF belt.

mr.72 wrote:"The FF Belts are stylish for casual wear, come in a variety of widths to fit most pants, and are tough enough to hold up not just your pants and cell phone on a trip, but your full-size pistol, spare ammunition and a tactical flashlight back at home."

Anyway, being that I am sort of in the market for one of these and that I have not seen either of them first hand, I am interested in knowing which is reality. If the FF belt is just like the Instructor belt save for the buckle, then I may as well buy a FF belt.

From what I have heard the problem with the FF is that the buckle is made of plastic so it flexes and doesn't keep the belt tight like the Instructor belt.

mr.72 wrote: Anyway, being that I am sort of in the market for one of these and that I have not seen either of them first hand, I am interested in knowing which is reality. If the FF belt is just like the Instructor belt save for the buckle, then I may as well buy a FF belt.

Your interpretation is correct. I have both, and the only difference between them is the buckle. That said, I hardly ever wear the FF. I like the buckle on the instructor belt much better. As to not setting off metal detectors in airports, I don't know that the buckle of the instructor belt would be a problem. I know that the metal buckles on my beltman belts haven't ever set them off.

Well that sounds good then, I still may prefer the Instructor belt but the FF may be ok too. Hard to say without trying.

WildBill wrote:From what I have heard the problem with the FF is that the buckle is made of plastic so it flexes and doesn't keep the belt tight like the Instructor belt.

I haven't had that problem, yet. Once I cinch it up properly, it stays put. Plus, I have the Combat Shooter's model, so it keeps its shape very well.

But, like everything else, YMMV.