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I don't normally wear belts, but now that I will be carrying concealed, I need to get a good sturdy belt on which to clip my Crossbreed minituck holster. Is this something I should get at a gun show or order online? Or should I be able to find a high enough quality/sturdy belt at a department store to carry my gun? I only have a Sig P238 right now, so it isn't very heavy, but I may want to carry one of my husband's larger guns on certain occasions.

Any thoughts?

if you want top-quality leather .... http://www.thebeltman.net" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

if you want nylon web belt ... http://www.thewilderness.com/storepinna ... t=142&pg=1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

decent quality on leather and nylon, but neither as good as above, IMHO .... http://www.511tactical.com/All-Products ... Belts.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

there are plenty of other good ones ... see this thread for other ideas viewtopic.php?f=23&t=45576&hilit=+gun+belt+poll" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

...Wilderness belt's the most comfortable I've ever worn...been wearin' it every day for about 3 years with no wear or sign of breakdown...

I don't have experience with any other gun belts, so I can't give you a comparative view. But price was an issue for me. So after researching here and other sites, I ended up purchasing a Blackhawk concealment belt. It is very stiff and was only about $30.

http://www.blackhawk.com/product/CQC-Pi ... 794,61.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The only one I'll get, and I own two now, is CompTac contoured double layered, kydex reinforced with Velcro sewn in ... (I used to make belts, my dad made boots and saddles back in the 1940s, and taught a famous Bootmaker in Lubbock back in those days) and CompTac makes that belt better than I make one for myself. .... I'm spoiled.
http://www.comp-tac.com/product_info.php?products_id=43" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Pay attention to how to order the correct size on gun belts, each company has you measure differently and none go by the standard belt size you'd expect.

(Honestly, I made my first gun belt, bought one from CompTac, and don't see me attempting to make one again, theirs are the best I've seen.

Made in Texas

(You only need the Velcro option if you wear Velcro-V-clips so no clip shows above the belt .... like I wear in Church or when wearing a shirt tucked in and not wanting a couple clips showing up on a belt telling people there's a mystery bulge nearby.. One could add some sticky-back velcro on a J-clip too and use that Velcro option on the belt ... I do that too with a Desantis Tuck This 2 holster and another holster on which I modified C-Clips into J-Clips )

I have an Uncle Mike's reinforced instructor belt that is surprisingly good considering the price. Not quite as good as a Wilderness belt (I have 2 frequent fliers and 1 instructor) it's about half the price. As long as black is your color of choice and you aren't using it for life saving purposes, other than packing heat of course, I give it 7.5 stars out of 10.

MoJo wrote:I have an Uncle Mike's reinforced instructor belt that is surprisingly good considering the price. Not quite as good as a Wilderness belt (I have 2 frequent fliers and 1 instructor) it's about half the price.

Not anymore. The Uncle Mikes website says their belt is $35.95 (back order) but the original Wilderness instructor Belt is $39.95 and the Frequent Flyer is $33.95 so I would buy from The Wilderness.

I really like the Frequent Flyer belt and I think the coyote (tan) looks good with jeans or khakis. It doesn't scream tactical if that's a concern for the OP.

Bart wrote:

MoJo wrote:I have an Uncle Mike's reinforced instructor belt that is surprisingly good considering the price. Not quite as good as a Wilderness belt (I have 2 frequent fliers and 1 instructor) it's about half the price.

Not anymore. The Uncle Mikes website says their belt is $35.95 (back order) but the original Wilderness instructor Belt is $39.95 and the Frequent Flyer is $33.95 so I would buy from The Wilderness.

I really like the Frequent Flyer belt and I think the coyote (tan) looks good with jeans or khakis. It doesn't scream tactical if that's a concern for the OP.

Midway has the UM belt in stock for $24.95 When I bought mine a couple of years ago they were about $21.

I have 2 "gun belts" and a couple other stiff men's belts, but will likely be ordering another "gun belt".

I have a nylon web belt - 5.11 for "class", I have a 1" double thick cowhide from AG Gunleather and it was very reasonable and I like it a lot. Makes a big difference in my dress slacks that don't have wide enough loops for one of my "guy belts" that is 1 1/2 for jeans etc. I never thought the belt mattered that much, until I tried a Tucker belt on at a local tactical store. They have a sizing belt and then allowed me to go to the restroom and try the belt with my carry rig. I was shocked to see what a difference it made. An 1 1/2" belt is next on my list.

JMPHO.

If you are carrying IWB, you don't need a kydex reinforced duty belt. These belts are made for carrying OWB. The nylon Wilderness belts, or a double layer leather belt is stiff enough for IWB carry since the holster is held by tension between the belt and your body. The Wildnersess belts are not very lady-like, so maybe a leather belt with a buckle of your choosing.

Divided Attention wrote:An 1 1/2" belt is next on my list.

This extra 1/2" of thickness made a world of difference for me. It provided better support for the rig and also prevent the top of my pants (jeans primarily) from slightly rolling from the weight the rig when the clips were on a thinner belt. I personally have two 5.11 belts, a reversible nylon one (great for more casual attire) and a dressier looking leather reinforced one.

I also agree with the prior comment that, when carrying IWB, the tension the belt provides is more important that its rigidity.

TX0303 wrote:If you are carrying IWB, you don't need a kydex reinforced duty belt. These belts are made for carrying OWB. The nylon Wilderness belts, or a double layer leather belt is stiff enough for IWB carry since the holster is held by tension between the belt and your body. The Wildnersess belts are not very lady-like, so maybe a leather belt with a buckle of your choosing.

A lot of ladies wear pants these days and the wilderness belt would be fine for them but definitely not with a dress.

TX0303 wrote:If you are carrying IWB, you don't need a kydex reinforced duty belt. These belts are made for carrying OWB. The nylon Wilderness belts, or a double layer leather belt is stiff enough for IWB carry since the holster is held by tension between the belt and your body. The Wildnersess belts are not very lady-like, so maybe a leather belt with a buckle of your choosing.

I respectfully disagree. As a "lady" I have found that a heavier double thickness belt makes for a much more natural waistline. Many women's belts are very flimsy, and a 30+ oz. weapon and another few ounces of holster IWB, make for pockets out of line, and pants sliding down on one side. I do not notice this with my thicker belts. I do not carry OWB except at class, and then definitely like a heavy belt. I have yet to find a belt marketed as a "ladies belt" that was near thick enough to make the same difference or add the same comfort and support as my "gun belts".

JMPHO

Divided Attention wrote:

TX0303 wrote:If you are carrying IWB, you don't need a kydex reinforced duty belt. These belts are made for carrying OWB. The nylon Wilderness belts, or a double layer leather belt is stiff enough for IWB carry since the holster is held by tension between the belt and your body. The Wildnersess belts are not very lady-like, so maybe a leather belt with a buckle of your choosing.

I respectfully disagree. As a "lady" I have found that a heavier double thickness belt makes for a much more natural waistline. Many women's belts are very flimsy, and a 30+ oz. weapon and another few ounces of holster IWB, make for pockets out of line, and pants sliding down on one side. I do not notice this with my thicker belts. I do not carry OWB except at class, and then definitely like a heavy belt. I have yet to find a belt marketed as a "ladies belt" that was near thick enough to make the same difference or add the same comfort and support as my "gun belts".

JMPHO

Did I not say double-layer leather?

For synthetic, the wilderness belts are excellent. If dead cow is more to your liking, the crossbreed belt is incredible. (but expensive)