Wanna see what a good gun belt should do? (pics)

[PutTogether]

I've noticed a few threads lately about belts for CCW. I've seen lots of good recommendations, but figured someone might want to see an actual image of a belt working to give an idea of what you should be looking for.

The belt pictured below is from a company called Concealment Solutions out of Utah. The model is called the python. When you order from them, you specify width of the belt, and whether or not you want a plastic insert between the two layers of leather. I opted to go with the plastic insert. As you can see, the belt is stiff enough to hold up a fully loaded steel 1911 without sagging and drooping. THIS IS KEY to the gun not dragging you down and causing hassle/fatigue during the day. The belt keeping the gun still makes all the difference in the world.

I personally didn't want a belt that screamed 'gun' like some of the instructor type belts do - but that was purely subjective on my part. I also just like leather.

The most important part is that the belt not sag under the weight of the gun.

I'm not saying you have to get the same belt I did, just showing what a good gun belt should do.

[jerhyn]

That is actually very helpful thank you. I've been in the market for a belt myself.

[DaveFJ80]

Agreed with the OP. Not to thread jack, but just contributing with some pics of my own as to what a good belt should be able to do. This is with my $19 DeSantis E25 1.5" belt.

I didn't have a 1911 holster to use with my belt, so I took a heavy 24rd mag and put it into my G19 and weighed it... about the weight of an unloaded LW Operator or some lighter 1911's out there. I buckled the belt where how I would wear it around my waist.

My holster has only 1 point of contact on the holster, so the weight is not distributed at all like it would be with a wider holster that has 2 clips spread out on the belt to disperse the gun's weight evenly. I used 2 fingers to hold up the belt (using a crappy camera on a timer) to show that the belt isn't sagging.

Works even better when I carry a much lighter Shield or G42 in an IWB holster, as you don't even feel that they're there

[nothinghere2c]

thanks for the photo illustration. i may check it out...

[babe]

Awesome pics in this thread. I appreciate the owners making that contribution. My husband wears regular dress belts. His gun. Moves up and down thru the day, causing him to complain about his undershirts coming untucked and his underwear riding down. Think those belts would stop that?

[PutTogether]

Belts pictured should stop or at least drastically mitigate your husband's issue.

If he's wearing a dress belt with slacks you might wanna go 1.25" instead of 1.5"

[wentbig]

Don't you get tired walking around all day holding your belt like that?

[defcon]

more pics of full size 1911's please!

[Trout_fear_me]

Thanks OP. I thought I had a good belt until I saw what one should actually do. I've got a Desantis on the way now.

[44fred]

DaveFJ80 nailed it.
With the hybrid IWB holsters you really don't need that stiffness. My hybrid clips are 8" apart, which as already described disperses the weight much better. I don't need a real stiff belt that feels like you have a 2X4 wrapped around your waist.
OWB with a small contact point plus a heavy gun=a stiff belt is a must.
Also remember your belt loops help support your belt which helps prevent droop.

[PutTogether]

DaveFJ80 nailed it.
With the hybrid IWB holsters you really don't need that stiffness. My hybrid clips are 8" apart, which as already described disperses the weight much better. I don't need a real stiff belt that feels like you have a 2X4 wrapped around your waist.
OWB with a small contact point plus a heavy gun=a stiff belt is a must.
Also remember your belt loops help support your belt which helps prevent droop.

I have not noticed much difference in support between my milt sparks summer special (pictured, two very close loops) or other holsters with widely spread loops. Not saying there isn't a difference, just not a noticebale one to me, with that belt, and that gun.

A good gun belt won't/shouldn't feel like a 2x4 (after the first day or two of break anyway)

[thorium]

I have two Milt Sparks belts, and a wilderness instructor belt for when I don't want leather. If you don't have an appropriate gun belt (i.e., thick/rigid) you need to do some shopping. You don't need a $100 handmade belt like a Milt Sparks, there are plenty of good $20 options too.

I have a Milt Sparks Versa Max 2 (VM2) and I have also used a Summer Special II.

The VM2 has the spread loops. The main benefit of the spread out loops is "total thinness" and it does lend SOME extra stability.

When the loops are not "on top of" the gun itself, that means the thickest part of your whole rig is less thick. With the Summer Special II your belt loops are on top of the gun itself, adding to overall thickness.

Perhaps not a big deal but that's my observation.