[emt1581]

First off I'm in no way suggesting anyone impersonate a cop. But you have to admit, a cop's duty belt is a pretty efficient way to carry a good amount of weapons/tools from gun, mags, light, batteries, knife/multi-tool, phone, first aid/meds, etc. Plus you can wear them over top of another belt/shirt/etc.

Anyone have a duty belt packed as part of your preps? Is it a bad/inefficient idea for any reason?

Please share your thoughts.

Thanks!

-Emt1581

[ChuteTheMall]

That's just downright silly, and even worse than a fanny pack.

At least a fanny pack is an efficient load carrying device, but it too falls way short of anything with a shoulder strap, whether it's your mom's purse or a daypack.

It would only look cool with a CCW badge on it.

[emt1581]

Originally Posted by ChuteTheMall

That's just downright silly, and even worse than a fanny pack.

At least a fanny pack is an efficient load carrying device, but it too falls way short of anything with a shoulder strap, whether it's your mom's purse or a daypack.

It would only look cool with a CCW badge on it.

I wasn't talking about it for carrying supplies around, just weapons/tools. It provides quick access and seems efficient enough for LE to use it.

-Emt1581

[Nest]

I think a load bearing vest, or even the old belt and suspenders the military used to use. Not sure if they still do with the vest these days. But you can load up a war belt with enough ammo and weapons to carry far more than a police duty belt. All of the pouches they make can be used for everything. They make ammo pouches, first aid kits, and the butt packs can hold a lot of gear. You can carry 2-3 days worth of supplies and more ammo than you can shoot before getting shot yourself on one of these belts.

[Goldendog Redux]

Originally Posted by emt1581

First off I'm in no way suggesting anyone impersonate a cop. But you have to admit, a cop's duty belt is a pretty efficient way to carry a good amount of weapons/tools from gun, mags, light, batteries, knife/multi-tool, phone, first aid/meds, etc. Plus you can wear them over top of another belt/shirt/etc.

Anyone have a duty belt packed as part of your preps? Is it a bad/inefficient idea for any reason?

Please share your thoughts.

Thanks!

-Emt1581

Wear that sucker around for a while and you will have your answer. Don't forget to wear your keepers.

[emt1581]

Originally Posted by Goldendog Redux

Wear that sucker around for a while and you will have your answer. Don't forget to wear your keepers.

I've seen several used in conjunction with suspenders if that's what you're talking about.

If not, please elaborate more.

Thanks!

-Emt1581

[FireForged]

Its just a belt... I dont really get the question. Carry stuff on a belt? sure... Carry lots of stuff on a belt? probably not. Loading your waist up with 25lbs gear is not the best idea in the world if there are other options.

[Goldendog Redux]

Originally Posted by emt1581

I've seen several used in conjunction with suspenders if that's what you're talking about.

If not, please elaborate more.

Thanks!

-Emt1581

Loaded duty belts are not particularly fun to wear. I can run around and jump over stuff with relative ease. I feel like complete tard trying to do that wearing a duty belt. A load bearing vest is better for your application. I would run a pistol on the vest instead of a belt/thigh rig.

MF

[South Fla]

Originally Posted by emt1581

First off I'm in no way suggesting anyone impersonate a cop. But you have to admit, a cop's duty belt is a pretty efficient way to carry a good amount of weapons/tools from gun, mags, light, batteries, knife/multi-tool, phone, first aid/meds, etc. Plus you can wear them over top of another belt/shirt/etc.

Anyone have a duty belt packed as part of your preps? Is it a bad/inefficient idea for any reason?

Please share your thoughts.

Thanks!

-Emt1581

This reeks of Mall Ninja.

[lawman800]

Originally Posted by FireForged

Its just a belt... I dont really get the question. Carry stuff on a belt? sure... Carry lots of stuff on a belt? probably not. Loading your waist up with 25lbs gear is not the best idea in the world if there are other options.

My nylon duty belt weighs about 12 pounds fully loaded with a sidearm, 2 mags, flashlight, baton, and other miscellaneous items. Would I wear it when SHTF? Probably.

But then again, I am used to it and I know where everything is and it's second nature to me. I personally prefer a LBE type vest for a setup. Try sitting for an extended period of time or manuevering in tight quarters and the shortcomings of a full duty belt will become quite apparent.

[kirgi08]

Diversify your load,as stated, a duty belt is a pita if you havta move around a lot.'08.

[kirgi08]

Originally Posted by lawman800

My nylon duty belt weighs about 12 pounds fully loaded with a sidearm, 2 mags, flashlight, baton, and other miscellaneous items. Would I wear it when SHTF? Probably.

But then again, I am used to it and I know where everything is and it's second nature to me. I personally prefer a LBE type vest for a setup. Try sitting for an extended period of time or manuevering in tight quarters and the shortcomings of a full duty belt will become quite apparent.

When I'm at work my belt/eagle/ carries a G23/loaded 13+1
w-2 15rndmags a Asp/surefire/multi tool.I'm usta the weight and have learned how ta "move" wearing this set-up.Until I learned "how" ta move wearing it,I beat the heck outta my gear.'08.

[Stevekozak]

Originally Posted by emt1581

First off I'm in no way suggesting anyone impersonate a cop. But you have to admit, a cop's duty belt is a pretty efficient way to carry a good amount of weapons/tools from gun, mags, light, batteries, knife/multi-tool, phone, first aid/meds, etc. Plus you can wear them over top of another belt/shirt/etc.

Anyone have a duty belt packed as part of your preps? Is it a bad/inefficient idea for any reason?

Please share your thoughts.

Thanks!

-Emt1581

I think a load bearing vest would be a much more efficent tool for this application. All that weight just on a belt would not be a good thing for long. Ask any cop that has to wear one with just what they have. LBV not a bad idea for a prep though.

[Stevekozak]

Originally Posted by South Fla

This reeks of Mall Ninja.

EMT is not a mall ninja, he just has a lot of ideas running around in his head all the time. Sparks a lot of good discussion here. I don't think he is talking about actually wearing the belt around all the time, but rather having something like it packed and ready for a SHTF situation (whatever that might be).

[bdcochran]

I am going to give EMT the benefit of the doubt.

The newspaper reporter writes saying: who, what, when where, why and how.

Concepts: 1. carrying gear;
2. where to carry gear;
3. when to carry gear.

One size does not fit all.

You have to have an objective and situation. Police belt carry suggests that you want to have items available and not in your hand. Ok. Go back to the questions. Then you find out what everyone concludes. There isn't one answer.

If the next question is "why shouldn't I buy South African surplus 3 day pack", my response is the same.

If the third question is "why shouldn't I modernize and wear a hydration bladder rather than carry a WWII canteen on a pistol belt", my response is the same..

EMT- Suppose you asked the question about the police pistol belt when you were in school. Ask the same question when you are 65. Ask whether your wife should wear a police pistol belt too. How about any kids that may come along? Do they wear pistol belts? My kid had his own gear when he was 11 years old and this included a government .45 acp pistol. Conversely, there are a number of adults that I would never trust around me with a knife and spoon.

How about boots. Yeah, everyone wants to own the meanest, baddest army boots available. Yet, when I did the Golden Triangle in the 1970s, I deliberately wore sneakers because I estimated that I would be lifting each foot thousands of times a day in mud.

Ok. So you go out and buy the police pistol belt, police holster and surplus police gear on line. Next, go roll on the ground while wearing it. Then walk around all day with it on. Run a mile wearing it. Take out the trash. Bend over in the garden and pick the vegetables.

I am not making fun. I am asking you to think about your answer, not someone else's answer.

I have a dear friend and full time shooting instructor. He doesn't believe in upper thigh carry holsters. I am the opposite.. I carried the military pistol belt set up and don't want to do so when shtf, based solely on my experience. When I look at surplus police gear, it is generally too heavy, too bulky, and not responsive to what I want to do.

[why]

bdc nails it again. whatever flavor you like, TRY IT now and see how well it actually works.

[quake]

+1 a lot of the responses here, including bdcochran's. My duty belt would work, but wouldn't be my first choice; and that's with it already here, configured, and broken in. Besides the other comfort & convenience issues mentioned above, I can't see how one could possibly wear a pack with it.

[Nine Shooter]

My belt is the last thing I'd be wearing unless I was already on duty. Vest with thigh rig would be my ideal setup and probably a small backpack.

[Usingmyrights]

Having worn duty belts for a living before, I can say its not what you think. They're not that comfortable, and will slow you down if you have to run, or move through tight spaces. I 2nd the vest as a better option

[RichJ]

Why do they force LEO's to wear them if they are so inefficient?

I think having a flashlight, extra mag, knife, sidearm and maybe even a multitool on your belt would be a good thing to have handy.

[volsbear]

Originally Posted by RichJ

Why do they force LEO's to wear them if they are so inefficient?

I think having a flashlight, extra mag, knife, sidearm and maybe even a multitool on your belt would be a good thing to have handy.

Because the "professional" appearance of most police departments would prohibit the use of a load bearing vest. Conversely, the traditional duty belt keeps everything nice, tidy and shiney. Also, the vests can be unsightly and enhance critiques about the "militarization" of the police. Finally, police departments are both blessed and cursed with traditions. Some good, some bad. The traditional duty belt is one of them.

I'm a big guy to begin with and a full duty belt makes me bigger, less stealthy, and far less agile. The vest allows you to carry more weight while staying far more agile. Additionally, the vest also places the weight more appropriately on your shoulders rather than on your lower lumbar which is terrible for your back.

There's a reason that most tactical units are using some version of a load bearing vest - because when you need to run, and jump, and wiggle around the vest is just BETTER. Moreover, duty belts by proxy result in a lot of your equipment on your sides or even on your back, so now your hands are no longer in front of you while you're retrieving equipment which can slow your response to a stimulus. The vests keep the most frequently used equipment up front. Consequently, your hands are always in front of you where they're useful. Or watch that Border Patrol TV show and you'll see the guys who are hiking around for hours in the dessert or woods are wearing vests. The stuff just works better. I have a 5.11 loaded up for SHTF.

[Usingmyrights]

Originally Posted by RichJ

Why do they force LEO's to wear them if they are so inefficient?

I think having a flashlight, extra mag, knife, sidearm and maybe even a multitool on your belt would be a good thing to have handy.

Because it looks better, and most aren't going to have to be very active in them for long periods of time like someone in a SHTF situation. Why do you think alot of the more elite LE groups use vests?

[NIB]

Out of sight, out of mind!

A duty belt with gear can bring unwanted attention from the good guys and the bad guys. Not to mention the added bulk and weight.

[Bilbo Bagins]

I think LBV and carrying a vest mounted pistol like a Nutnfancy is just plain silly for anything other than a full blown collapse of society or ETOW event. If you are going to war, fine go gettum, but if the SHTF I think most of us will just be packing pistols and a few mags and being low keyed or concealed. I was in LE most of the stuff I carried on my duty belt I would not need as a civilian when the SHTF. I don't need to carry a radio, handcuffs, a baton, etc. I probably will only carry a Glock, two to four extra mags, a small flashlight (fenix LD20), a knife, maybe some zip ties, and a blowout kit. I think most of us can pull that off with just use a good belt and cargo pants, with maybe suspenders if you need them.

I think EMT's idea has merit, but I would not consider a full blown police duty belt. Think more like EDC, either open or concealed, with just a little more oomph.

[volsbear]

I definitely agree that the major advantage to some variation of the duty belt is the ability to conceal it.