Proper Sam Browne placement?

[snovvman]

What is the proper placement of Sam Browne? Waist or hips? I get less pain when I push the belt down onto my hips, but it makes my pants ride lower than normal (and doesn't feel quite right).

I'm using the Bianchi nylon gear and thinking about the Ergotek belt. I'm a skinny guy with no padding...

Thanks.

[SoCalDep]

Hips. Waist is horribly uncomfortable for me. Yes, it's harder to make pants fit (but BDU's are fine) but I'll deal to keep it bearable.

[The Last American Hero]

From Wiki:

"The Sam Browne belt is largely obsolete in police and security use due to risk of strangulation by potential opponents. It has sometimes been referred to as a Suicide Belt by personnel."



Says it was to kept the saber 'frog' in place and worn on right shoulder to support saber carried on left.

IMO that should be reversed for a pistol packing wearer, unless your weak side duty belt is overloaded with other gear.

I think the best answer is same as "how to wear a fanny pack?" Don't, just don't. (unless you want to get fear and 'respect' from newly arrived illegal aliens from Central America)

[1911ShooterPhil]

Hips. Attached to your inner belt with lots of keepers to keep it from going anywhere, and so you know exactly where your various duty pouches are. If your back hurts and your pants are weighed down -- and if your department will let you -- then, possibly consider duty belt suspenders. Best of luck. --1911ShooterPhil

[Vaps]

Is there any agency in California that still uses a Sam Browne Belt? If there is WOW! Incredible officer safety issue!

[snovvman]

"The Sam Browne belt is largely obsolete <snip> I think the best answer is same as "how to wear a fanny pack?" Don't, just don't. (unless you want to get fear and 'respect' from newly arrived illegal aliens from Central America)

Is there any agency in California that still uses a Sam Browne Belt? If there is WOW! Incredible officer safety issue!

Thanks for all who replied.

For the two quoted posts above--perhaps we are not connecting on the nomenclature? To me, a nylon "duty belt" is still called a Sam Browne. This is also how my agency describes it.

Two of the largest So. Cal. agencies, LAPD and LASD, along with every other local agency that I have seen, all use Sam Brownes. So I am puzzled at your comments.

[ASD1]

This is a pic of the belt the others are talking about

http://americanspecialtybadge.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=238

[Anti-Hero]

Is there any agency in California that still uses a Sam Browne Belt? If there is WOW! Incredible officer safety issue!

I've seen plenty on class A gear. Never on patrol uniforms.

[Samuelx]

This is a pic of the belt the others are talking about

http://americanspecialtybadge.com/in...roducts_id=238

That link specifies a Shoulder Strap for a sam browne belt.

From the same website - a Sam Browne belt without the shoulder strap:

http://americanspecialtybadge.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=12_34&products_id=147

Everyone responding is a SWORN LEO, right? RIGHT?!

Your OP was fine Snovvman... At least SCD and I knew what you meant... As far as your original question, if there's no difference in smooth operation (accessing, deploying, replacing gear), wear it however is most comfortable for you...

[1911su16b870]

IMO a lot of back pain can be alleviated and/or eliminated for officers if we could transition over to a suspender/padded belt type "sam brown" and run a external vest carrier on top of the suspenders.

Kind of this (add suspenders to the belt and one of the more tailored external carriers that look like a shirt, and with other stuff on the belt as dept. allows):