Another belt question??

[realitycheck390]

Alright guys so far i've been using just a regular leather belt from wal-mart. Carrying a g27, with a m.t.a.c. holster. I'm thinking about ordering a wilderness instructor 5 stitch belt. How much difference will this make in my comfort level of carrying my weapon?
Thanks for the help guys

[TylerDurden]

Get a leather belt, check out the Beltman.

[Patronus]

How much difference will this make in my comfort level

From what I've heard, it'll make a big difference -- not only in comfort but concealability as well. I have no experience with M-TAC-style holsters and don't know how easily they ride on flimsy belts, but I'm certain you'll find it's like night and day going from Wal-Mart to Wilderness.

I currently carry a Kel-Tec P-11 in a DeSantis Insider IWB clip holster. It's not a very good rig, but it's all I've had for 4 years. In mere days, I'm getting a G19 and a C-TAC. Oh, and a gun belt!

I'm ordering a Looper kydex-lined belt myself. I thought about a Wilderness, but I prefer leather. FWIW, the Looper I'm getting can be had for $30 plus shipping at http://www.looperlawenforcement.com/looper-reinforced-holster-belt.html.

But don't take my inexperienced word for it; you'll get lots of other, more knowledgeable people saying the same thing -- YES, YES, YES, it will make a difference.

[kelsitone]

I have two Wilderness Instructor belts, a 5-stitch and a CSM.

The 5-stitch works very well with my MTAC. But when I carry OWB I prefer the CSM with the polymer insert. It helps keep things in tight.

Going from a Wal*Mart belt to a quality belt like Beltman, Aker, Looper, Galco, or Wilderness should make a difference in comfort and concealment.

The 5-stitch Wilderness is as flimsy a belt as I'd use to carry. A horsehide belt from The Beltman is, IMO, about as good as you can get.

[TylerDurden]

The 5 stitch instructor belt barely cuts it as a gun belt.

[kelsitone]

The 5 stitch instructor belt barely cuts it as a gun belt.
For the most part, I agree. I use it as a casual belt and for IWB carry only. I think it's too flimsy for OWB carry.

[Rabbit Creek]

From what I've heard, it'll make a big difference -- not only in comfort but concealability as well. I have no experience with M-TAC-style holsters and don't know how easily they ride on flimsy belts, but I'm certain you'll find it's like night and day going from Wal-Mart to Wilderness.

I currently carry a Kel-Tec P-11 in a DeSantis Insider IWB clip holster. It's not a very good rig, but it's all I've had for 4 years. In mere days, I'm getting a G19 and a C-TAC. Oh, and a gun belt!

I'm ordering a Looper kydex-lined belt myself. I thought about a Wilderness, but I prefer leather. FWIW, the Looper I'm getting can be had for $30 plus shipping at http://www.looperlawenforcement.com/looper-reinforced-holster-belt.html.

But don't take my inexperienced word for it; you'll get lots of other, more knowledgeable people saying the same thing -- YES, YES, YES, it will make a difference.

The website does not mention belt width!

[realitycheck390]

So far I dont carry OWB. I have a blackhawk but I prefer IWB so I can just throw a t-shirt over it, or a polo something like that. So should I just go ahead and get the CSM with the polymer insert in it?
I know most of you guys suggest beltman. But I just cant afford that for a belt. So i have to go the cheaper route.

[bluelineman]

I have a Wilderness Instructors belt. As mentioned above, it works well for IWB. But for OWB, there's no comparison to the Belt Man belts. I got a horsehide belt, 1 1/2" recently & it's great! I wore the Wilderness exclusively for a few years, now it's getting dusty since the arrival of the Belt Man.

My recommendation: if you are short of funds & want a decent belt, get the Wilderness Instructors 5 stitch in 1 1/2" width or a Looper (been known to wear out quickly). If you don't want to replace your belt anytime soon, go for the Belt Man. The non-reinforced horsehide is only $10 more than the reinforced bullhide, is also thinner & stronger.

[cjlandry]

I carried on a thick, wide, American made, western-store belt for quite some time, and thought it was doing the job.

I read a lot about The Wilderness belts, so I got myself a CSM, and it was 100 times better than the cowboy belt that I had before (no, I didn't wear one of those big rodeo buckles).

I just didn't care for the look of the belt, whether others saw it, or not, so I went for a Tucker belt and a Belt Man belt. Each was infinitely better than the CSM, in looks, comfort, and support.

And it took me about 10 minutes to sell the CSM in the GT classifieds for slightly less than I paid for it new.

The point of all this is that you should get yourself a CSM, then start saving for a quality leather belt (if you desire one). Once you get your leather, if you like it better, you'll be able to sell the CSM for a good price. If you don't like the leather, you'll be able to sell it just as quickly at little or no loss. People will pay for a good leather belt that they don't have to wait for. The good belts are made to order.

[rvrctyrngr]

If you're sold on getting a Wilderness, sped the $$ for the CSM.

If you want a quality leather that isn't as expensive as Beltman, check out DonHume and Aker. They are quality belts for around $40, and will be head and shoulders above anything from WallyWorld.

I don't have any experience with Looper, but some folks on here whose opinions I've come to trust like them just fine.

[MEM10G23]

Just get youself a Glaco gun belt, you'll be happy with it

[EAJuggalo]

Watch out for the Galco belts, they have different levels of quality in their lines. I use a Looper everyday and it's been quite an improvement over the Galco COP I had before that.

Rabbit Creek, here is the non-LEO website for Looper that answers all you're belt width questions.
http://www.looperleather.com/KydexBelt.html

[C/O-RC]

+1 beltman horsehide , i use it for more than just holding up my pants too.

[passive101]

I've ordered a Looper leather, but am still waiting on it to get here. It has been several weeks so I'm calling to find out when it's coming.

[Patronus]

Watch out for the Galco belts, they have different levels of quality in their lines. I use a Looper everyday and it's been quite an improvement over the Galco COP I had before that.

Rabbit Creek, here is the non-LEO website for Looper that answers all you're belt width questions.
http://www.looperleather.com/KydexBelt.html

The above URL is for Wholesalers only. I'm ordering from Looper later this week from LooperLawEnforcement.com -- that is, if they sell to non-LE people.

Can anyone confirm that LooperLawEnforcement.com sells to civilians?

[Solid]

Get a comp-tac kydex re-enforced leather belt and be done.

[Newfman]

What width seems to be the norm for a belt? Mostly gonna be wearing jeans...


_____________________

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for it is better to be alone than in bad company.”

George Washington

[C/O-RC]

1.25" i think

[Ryobi]

The Wilderness 5 stitch is more than adequate as a gun belt. So much so that I frequently use one on and off duty. Guess what my holster and mag carrier will be riding on during 3-gun quals tomorrow? :) :cop:The 5 stitch instructor belt barely cuts it as a gun belt.

[TylerDurden]

The Wilderness 5 stitch is more than adequate as a gun belt. So much so that I frequently use one on and off duty. Guess what my holster and mag carrier will be riding on during 3-gun quals tomorrow? :) :cop:

You must have gotten a super special one, because mine barely held a full size pistol.

[Bill Lumberg]

My 1.5" 5 stitch holds damn near a full duty rig. I rarely put more than a glock 22, double mag carrier, and cuff case on it though. It's one of two that I own, and they're both great.

[EAJuggalo]

Patronus, you must be a wholesaler to order online from them with the above link but anyone may order from them by calling the number listed on the webpage.

Newfman, I use a 1 1/2" belt which fits through the loops on anything but some dress pants but check the loops on your holsters some companies like Galco use 1 1/4" clips.

[Solid]

What width seems to be the norm for a belt? Mostly gonna be wearing jeans...

1.5" would be best

-Thick belts are in style, so it wouldn't look awkward
-It gives you the ability to carry heavy guns and mag carriers
-It will be more comfortable from the extra support