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Gun Belt Recommendations


Ainge64

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I'm looking to purchase a couple of gun belts, and am looking for tips and recommendations. I have no qualms about purchasing online, but was hoping to maybe find a place in western Chicagoland that has some in stock so that I could actually try one on.

Most of the online sites recommend going 4" above waist size. That seems excessive, but this seems to be the norm. BigFoot and Relentless Tactical seem to be popular online sellers, but are there any others anyone can comment on?

So, if there are any recommendations for brand, any locations in the area, or any other tips anyone might have, please feel free to advise.

Thanks in advance!

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I have a beltman belt. Great belt at a good price. I have had it for close to 10 years now and it is still in good condition.

www.beltman.net

Negative on the link ;-)

Try this instead https://www.thebeltman.net

 

Frank also recently posted about this with steel core

https://www.bullhidebelts.com/collections/steel-core-gun-belts/products/black-stitched-steel-core-bullhide-belt

 

Have also heard positives on Hanks Amish belts.

https://www.hanksbelts.com

 

4 inches does seem like a lot especially if you lose some pounds later.

 

I dont recall seeing any local retailer with much of a selection. First thought would be a place with large holster selection. Its been a while but maybe GATs or MegaSports.

 

Or Ray Oherrons in Downers Grove but they might be more duty belt focused.https://www.oherron.com

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I've owned 3 so far: Akers B21, Kore Essentials X3, and a Daltech Force SuperBio. The Akers looks the nicest of the three and has held up fine for the most part. The area with the holes did start to "curve" up likely to to pressure from my gut. I ended up gaining weight so my Akers became too small for IWB carry and it became my work belt. Next I bought the Kore Essentials belt. It gets high marks for adjustability and convenience. Unfortunately, mine started to pull through the leather on the bottom half where the buckle's teeth dig in, making it sit at a slight angle, which nobody noticed but it annoyed me. I think the cause is, again, my gut.

 

That brings me to my Daltech Force SuperBio. It isn't actually leather, it's a synthetic designed to look like leather. It's held up the best out of all of them and was the cheapest actually.

 

If you'd be interested, I could sell you my Kore Essentials belt for around half price. As long as you're smaller than me (which is most of the population) you could cut it to fit your size. It has some scratches and marks from use but nothing too crazy, I just never use it.

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I have a couple Alien Gear belts and a new one from Crossbreed. I like them all but may prefer the Crossbreed.

 

I've been shrinking a bit... My most recent belt is the same size as my pants but there is not quite a long enough tongue to use the first two holes. Fortunately I can use hole #3.

 

A belt 2 inches larger than my pants size is too big and I'm on the last of 7 holes.

 

The recommended sizing may not be the same for all. If I chose a belt 4" larger than my pants, It would not hold my gun up!

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+1 for bullhide belts. I have 3, two that are their "gunfighter" belts, extra thick and single layer and are nice enough for normal dress wear. Also 1 more that has metal liner and that is my favorite, very nice finish and doesn't mar from wear after 2 years. I get them when they have clearances. Be sure to follow THEIR sizing instructions exactly -- and they recently changed. I'm a 34-36" waist and these were all 38 I believe.

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  • 3 weeks later...

Well to add to your confusion... I've got a Crossbreed, A Better Belt, and a Vedder (instructor style). The one that I wear EVERY SINGLE DAY is the Ultimate Gun Belt by A Better Belt.

 

1. It does not look like a 'tactical' belt. I purposely have gone out of my way to ensure my clothes look the way they did prior to getting my CCL

2. It is VERY comfortable. This thing has held it's shape for several years now. It's twice as thick as any of my other belts. In addition to carrying everyday; I've attended a number of courses where we draw from concealment the whole day (100+ times per day)... never has it given me any discomfort or loss of holster retention.

3. On any given day, I have a load of things hanging on my belt (spare magazine in a case), key loop, work ID, small flashlight in holder... too much crap. No sagging, no fraying, no folding.

3. The owners were an absolute pleasure to deal with. I called with questions, details regarding what I wanted, what I could expect and it was as if I was having a face to face with someone in charge. (not an operator standing by)

 

This is not to disparage any of the other belts... they're actually quite good. I my opinion there is a "step change" in improvement over the others.

 

Best of luck in your search.

 

Respectfully,

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If you're just using the belt to carry a small everyday carry gun, like a Shield or Glock 43, you don't really need those traditional thick belts.

 

Check out the belts made by Kore. They are much thinner than a traditional gun belt, but still very rigid. I've used it to carry my full size M&P before and it's perfectly fine and much easier to live with than a big thick belt.

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  • 1 month later...

So far I like the look and functionality of the Kore belts, but I'm looking for something in a 1.25" width. I have a Hank's belt now in that width, but I am looking for something that doesn't use the traditional buckle-and-holes design, and that won't have a long end that I have to stick though a belt loop.

Kore makes a dress belt 1 3/8" wide which should work fine that I'm inclined to buy next. Are there any other gun belts of a similar design in a 1.25" width?

Edit: Kore says in the description of its Intrepid belt that "This is a fashion belt, NOT designed to support firearms" but as Bitter Clinger suggested, I'm not carrying a heavy gun so hopefully it would be OK. I would still rather have a belt designed to carry a gun though.

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