? about Sam Browne/Duty belt

[snovvman]

Greetings--

I'm switching from leather to nylon because I'm told that nylon is lighter and easier on the back.

In shopping for a nylon duty belt, brands aside, I find that some are stiffer (similar/closer to leather) while others are less stiff or much more flexible than leather.

I also learned that with a nylon duty belt, one can use a hook-look inner belt. This appears to add support and some rigidity to the overall system.

Question--how important is the stiffness in the duty belt? Does a softer/more flexible belt work just as well, especially when coupled with a hook-loop inner belt? Or, is a Bianchi 7200 nylon duty belt's stiffness necessary to maintain proper function of a duty belt?

Also, is a more flexible belt easier on the back? I don't have a lot of padding around my mid-section, so the leather tends to hurt.

Thanks for any guidance.

[Code3TacticalGear.com]

I would recommend the Bianchi AccuMold Elite Sam Browne. It's supposed to be 50% lighter than other belts. I have been using the Bianchi Sam browne for about 1 year and it's way better than our dept issued Aker.

[SoCalDep]

I'd say the hook/loop liner probably doesn't add any real rigidity compared to a regular leather belt. It does, however, work well to keep the main duty belt where you want it (ie: no spinning). It takes some practice to get the duty belt on without having to fight with yourself to get it into position but I like it.

The inner belt will tear apart your belt loops. Be aware and have a set of uniform pants set aside for when you aren't wearing a sam browne.

I like my Bianchi Accumold nylon belt. I think the rigidity is important to keep the gear in the proper place and orientation. Of course, I've only used leather and accumold, so I can't speak to the different nylon belts.

In an effort to reduce problems with my back I moved my handcuffs to the front (strong side near mid-line--double cuff case) and kept my back clear. It has worked well for me.

I do like the Accumold Elite if you still want the leather "look". They have the ergo-tek or whatever they call the pillow-belt and that might help also, but it's more expensive and I haven't tried it out.

[snovvman]

Thank you for your input. Part of my problem is that I have a 32" waist and I already have to ditch the silent key holder. On the weak side, I have the magazine holder, PR24 ring, ASP, radio holder, and one cuff holder. That makes my weak side completely full. On the strong side, I have OC, flashlight, holster, and one cuff holder.

In reality, the hook and loop doesn't get much action because most of the belt is covered. Surprisingly, it does help to keep things in place with the little bit of bite it provides. I still have to use keepers in several places.

I wish I can remove the cuff holders from my back, but I can't imagine where (even with a double). Some have also suggested two more magazines, but I will need quite a few more inches on my waist to do that...

Thanks for the tip about tearing up the belt loops--is it because of the small shifting while being worn?

[SoCalDep]

I think it tears the fabric on the loops more from putting on/taking off than anything else.
I know what you mean about space. I got rid of my silent key holder and just used a metal key ring clip. I rubber-band my keys together and they're quiet yet take less room. My gear from buckle clockwise is as follows, though it may not help you as everyone's different.

Buckle
Streamlight PT1L in factory nylon pouch
Double handcuff case
Key ring holder
Safariland 6360 holster
OC spray
Back is empty...going around to other side...
Radio holder (slightly behind hip)
Baton
I used to have an AR mag pouch but it got in the way when I switched to a m&p9c as a backup so I took it off.
Carabeaner to attach drop leg rigs
Double mag pouch.

I could add a third mag if I really wanted but I figure 52 rds is a good start.

I actually have my gear right up to the buckle and fold the extra belt length behind my mag holder, light, and cuff case. That gives me more room.

[TheExpertish]

I used the Bianchi AccuMold Elite. It is much lighter. Space is a premium with me as well since I have a Winchester baton. What I do with my silent key holder is simply put it on the overlap side on the left of my buckle. I haven't really had a problem with it coming off with the baton in the way.

[9mmepiphany]

Bianchi AccuMold is the only way to go...unless you need to leather look of the Elite.

You'll also need the stiffness...it keeps everything from leaning out from your body without turning your belt into a corset. I tried the inner belt, but got tied of trying to get it just right on the first application...I did wear a buckeless belt as a trouser belt to help the duty belt lay flatter. The keepers don't take up that much room and really help spread the support around

[Tallship]

Thank you for your input. Part of my problem is that I have a 32" waist

Ahhh, I see your problem. You're 40 pounds underweight. Give it a few years, won't be a problem.

[415dog!]

Go for the blackhawk under belt with the bianchi duty belt. Reason being it's easier to put on

[snovvman]

Thanks for all the input. I think this is one of the best LE forums because I always get great advice and people actually reply.

I bought a Hero's Pride belt setup because it was SOOO light compared to anything else. I was also dazzled by the softness because my new leather gear had been uncomfortable and digging into my side. I asked the guy at Galls whether it is _too_ soft, he said "no". I should have known that was not reliable advice because he was not LE.

I then talked to a Reserve LEO who worked at another uniform shop and he said Hero's Pride is lightweight, security guard stuff. My own experimentation did seem to indicate that a [too] soft belt may cause draw problems. Hence, my research began...

Ahhh, I see your problem. You're 40 pounds underweight. Give it a few years, won't be a problem.

LOL--I keep telling friends that LEOs eat "power circles" not because we want to, but it is necessary to build room around the mid-section so we can carry more stuff!!

[verapakill]

I am just jealous that you can choose. We have to wear leather.

[Andy Taylor]

[QUOTE=snovvman;7277342]... Some have also suggested two more magazines, but I will need quite a few more inches on my waist to do that...
QUOTE]

Tex Shoemaker makes a quad mag pouch that takes no more room on the belt than the double mag pouch. It stacks the mags, a lot like the double cuff case does, one behind the other. I have seen several officers use it for single stack mags, like a P220 or 1911. I have seen one CHP officer use one for the double stack 4006 mags. With single stack mags, it is a little thicker than a double stack mag pouch. For the double stack mags, it is quite thick.

http://www.texshoemaker.com/DPC-Quad-Magazine-Clip-Case-Holder-DPC.htm

[HisOwnHero]

Bianchi nylon gear is the only way to go. If you get the Bianchi duty belt with the Bianchi velcro under belt, your belt will stay firmly in place and it will provide added retention that eliminates the need for belt keepers (I still wear them for safety and spacing reasons however). It is also easy to clean using a tooth brush to get the dirt out of the cracks and crevices.

[9mmepiphany]

I am just jealous that you can choose. We have to wear leather.

What finally convinced our department to allow nylon gear was the growing number of workman comp claims and Back Docs writing scripts for it. When it falls under WC, the department has to buy, and continue to replace, the gear as long as you are employed

[IlDuche]

Snovvman- I have the same "problem" you have. Have you thought about ditching the flashlight off the belt? I wound up getting one with a clip attached and stashing it in my weak hand sap pocket. Also keeps my gun hand free for, well, a gun.

As for the cuffs, I keep one cuff holder in my front strong side, right next to the buckle. The other cuff I hang from my back left hip belt keeper. Seems to be a Dept-wide thing to hang a cuff, dunno why.

Let me know how the nylon belt goes. After an incident with a vehicle and a guy who really didn't want to go on a warrant, my back has been angry with me. Been looking at a nylon belt too. Best of luck to ya