belt cost vs function - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

evisr8 · 07-01-2008, 09:25 PM

the post on IWB holster cost vs function was very informative and brought out the issue of a good belt. currently, my 1.25" belt is starting to sag when using my xd paddle holster (my spartan should be here tomorrow

). anyway, i found copsplus.com sells several brands of belts. my question: has anyone tried the

boston leather for $14.51

safariland for $39.12

bianchi b27 for $30.64?

the galco alligator at $492 is definately out of the question.

propellerhead · 07-02-2008, 06:42 AM

If you subscribe to the thinking that more expensive means better, then go for the Galco. Why support a $500 gun with a $10 belt? Hahahaa!

Seriously, I have a $10 belt that was on clearance at American Eagle. It's not a gun belt but it's 1.75 inches wide. With that width, it provides plenty of support. It's like the difference between holding something with your thumb and two fingers and using all your fingers. A wider surface provides more support. Plain and simple. All my store bought jeans and shorts accommodate the 1.75" belt without a problem.

happygunner · 07-02-2008, 07:29 AM

Belts

Save up your money and get a real quality gunbelt get the best a Rafters "S"

rgeliske · 07-02-2008, 08:00 AM

You seem to be partial to 1.25" belt, my experience has been that holsters do no work well on belts less than 1.5". Primarily most holsters are made to fit 1.5" width belts and when worn on belts less than that the holster tends to slide when drawing the gun. A good gun belt needs to be stiff so the holster is stable when drawing the gun. A good test is to buckle the belt forming a big circle, grasp the belt a the approximate place you would wear your holster. Hold the belt out parallel to the floor and you should notice almost no sag or twist in the belt. Doing this test you will find that many belts found at bargain prices look thick and heavy but are not very stiff. Generally belt made by holster manufacturers are better for conceal carry. As to the ones you listed I wouldn't pick any of them because of the width.

Sorry

Chapie+ · 07-02-2008, 08:13 AM

For what it matters, I am partial to the Wilderness "Frequent Flyer" belt with the "Heavy Duty Polymer Lined CSM (stands for Custom Shooter Model)" in the 1.75 or 1.5" width. I use it under my duty belt or off duty wear. However, the whole measuring your waist size in conjunction with an IWB and such is a pain to get it exactly right. So if you want to get one, follow the directions regarding measuring.

Here is a link:

Wilderness Tactical Products, LLC

Chapie+

Quote:

Originally Posted by evisr8

the post on IWB holster cost vs function was very informative and brought out the issue of a good belt. currently, my 1.25" belt is starting to sag when using my xd paddle holster (my spartan should be here tomorrow

). anyway, i found copsplus.com sells several brands of belts. my question: has anyone tried the

boston leather for $14.51

safariland for $39.12

bianchi b27 for $30.64?

the galco alligator at $492 is definately out of the question.

Frisco Pete · 07-02-2008, 08:19 AM

Good gun belts tend to be very stiff. This will be an aid if you choose a 1.25" belt. Having said that, the standard is 1.5", but this may not work for dressy use. Most of the good holster makers offer belts. I use a non-leather The Wilderness Tactical Instructor belt (5-stitch) myself, but it is not a dress belt.
See: - Wilderness Tactical Products, LLC

evisr8 · 07-02-2008, 05:06 PM

i will be using the belt with an iwb mtac spartan. since part of the weight of the holter will be statically held by the compression against my body, the 1.25" belt should suffice. i make slings from 1 1/4" webbing, maybe i'll sew up a belt using 1 1/4" webbing.

eightmillimeter · 07-02-2008, 05:09 PM

Take a look at the 5.11 Tactical dress belts. I got one at a local police supply store for like 30 bucks and its the best carry belt I have ever used, seems to be holding up (5 months so far), and it looks sharp too.

IMR · 07-02-2008, 05:19 PM

+1 on the Wilderness Tactical 5 stitch instructors belt.

KenW. · 07-02-2008, 05:22 PM

on the days I wear brown shoes I go with the brown 5.11 leather belt with stiffness inserts.

On black shoe days, its the Blackhawk dress belt with the inserts.

07-01-2008, 09:25 PM	#1
evisr8 XDTalk Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 36	belt cost vs function the post on IWB holster cost vs function was very informative and brought out the issue of a good belt. currently, my 1.25" belt is starting to sag when using my xd paddle holster (my spartan should be here tomorrow ). anyway, i found copsplus.com sells several brands of belts. my question: has anyone tried the boston leather for $14.51 safariland for $39.12 bianchi b27 for $30.64? the galco alligator at $492 is definately out of the question. Last edited by evisr8; 07-01-2008 at 09:33 PM.

07-02-2008, 06:42 AM	#2
propellerhead XDTalk 3K Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Foat Wurth, TX Posts: 3,512	If you subscribe to the thinking that more expensive means better, then go for the Galco. Why support a $500 gun with a $10 belt? Hahahaa! Seriously, I have a $10 belt that was on clearance at American Eagle. It's not a gun belt but it's 1.75 inches wide. With that width, it provides plenty of support. It's like the difference between holding something with your thumb and two fingers and using all your fingers. A wider surface provides more support. Plain and simple. All my store bought jeans and shorts accommodate the 1.75" belt without a problem. __________________ XD-9 Tactical for IDPA, XD-40 Subcompact for concealed carry, XD-45 Service for home defense. Three calibers, three models, three purposes. No compromises.

07-02-2008, 07:29 AM	#3
happygunner XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Houston Tx Posts: 1,139	Quality really matters Belts Save up your money and get a real quality gunbelt get the best a Rafters "S"

07-02-2008, 08:00 AM	#4
rgeliske XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Central Florida Posts: 1,780	You seem to be partial to 1.25" belt, my experience has been that holsters do no work well on belts less than 1.5". Primarily most holsters are made to fit 1.5" width belts and when worn on belts less than that the holster tends to slide when drawing the gun. A good gun belt needs to be stiff so the holster is stable when drawing the gun. A good test is to buckle the belt forming a big circle, grasp the belt a the approximate place you would wear your holster. Hold the belt out parallel to the floor and you should notice almost no sag or twist in the belt. Doing this test you will find that many belts found at bargain prices look thick and heavy but are not very stiff. Generally belt made by holster manufacturers are better for conceal carry. As to the ones you listed I wouldn't pick any of them because of the width. Sorry __________________ Sig P220, Taurus PT1911, Browning HiPower 9mm, CZ75, CZ75 P01, Kahr CW9, Savage 9317 BTVS .17, Browning Buckmark, Taurus Gaucho 357 (pair), Taurus Gaucho 45LC (pair), Uberti 1873 Saddle Rifle 357, Uberti 1873 45 LC Carbine, TTN 12 Gauge Double, Ruger Bisley Vaquero 357 (pair), Springfield XD9SC, XD45 Service, XD45 Compact Tactical, XD(M) 40S&W BiTone, Glock G35, Taurus 617 357

07-02-2008, 08:19 AM	#6
Frisco Pete XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Utah Posts: 132	Good gun belts tend to be very stiff. This will be an aid if you choose a 1.25" belt. Having said that, the standard is 1.5", but this may not work for dressy use. Most of the good holster makers offer belts. I use a non-leather The Wilderness Tactical Instructor belt (5-stitch) myself, but it is not a dress belt. See: - Wilderness Tactical Products, LLC __________________ "We deal in lead - friend" The Magnificent Seven

07-02-2008, 05:06 PM	#7
evisr8 XDTalk Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 36	i will be using the belt with an iwb mtac spartan. since part of the weight of the holter will be statically held by the compression against my body, the 1.25" belt should suffice. i make slings from 1 1/4" webbing, maybe i'll sew up a belt using 1 1/4" webbing.

07-02-2008, 05:09 PM	#8
eightmillimeter XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 115	Take a look at the 5.11 Tactical dress belts. I got one at a local police supply store for like 30 bucks and its the best carry belt I have ever used, seems to be holding up (5 months so far), and it looks sharp too. __________________ Courage is control under adversity or fear and the ability to do what's right.

07-02-2008, 05:19 PM	#9
IMR XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 115	+1 on the Wilderness Tactical 5 stitch instructors belt.

07-02-2008, 05:22 PM	#10
KenW. XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 105	on the days I wear brown shoes I go with the brown 5.11 leather belt with stiffness inserts. On black shoe days, its the Blackhawk dress belt with the inserts.

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