Posted: 7/1/2010 3:05:51 PM EDT
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I thought i would write a quick review about a few gun belts that i have been wearing for a little while now. As a preface, im sure most of you who CCW understand that a good gun belt is important, that is, one thats designed to hold the weight of a firearm for long periods of time. A typical leather belt from your local clothing store just wont get it done. Several years ago i purchased two different leather gun belts and have been wearing both pretty extensively. One was from Galco and the other from The Belt Man.
Both the belts are 1 and 1/2" and 36" in length. Just as a side note, if you do order a belt online get one thats 2-4" bigger than your waist to make room for your gun. Both belts have held up very well to constant use. I am a narcotics investigator and i carry concealed every day i leave the house, working or not. Ive used a variety of holsters with both belts but the ones that see the most time are a Milt Sparks VM2 that carries my smith revolver, and a Comp-Tac kydex that carries my glocks. I will occasionally carry an OWB holster as well depending on the day and duty. Now, after about three years of use i am pretty confident in saying that both belts are very well made and would highly recommend either one of them. I bought basic leather in both belts (nothing fancy like the sharkskin etc.) with a basic buckle. I have since ordered a different buckle from both companies (brass or silver, whichever one i didn't initially order) and i like that option from both companies. All that being said, if i had to buy just one it would be the Galco. The leather just seems to have broken in a little bit smoother over the years and looks like it could go another 3 or 4. It has become more comfortable as time passes and if the color doesn't matter with the clothes i am wearing (galco is brown, beltman is black) then i usually grab the Galco. Im no expert on leather, but the Galco just feels like its higher quality and appears to get better and more comfortable with age. I also am a member of our county swat team and have had quite a few "tactical" belts. Most are similar in design with a single belt buckle and nylon belt, but the quality is not always the same. Ive had the 5.11, blackhawk, and wilderness tactical, and by far the wilderness tactical has been the best. Its rigid enough to carry my thigh holster but not so stiff that it cuts into your side all day. I splurged for the titanium belt buckle but if i had to do it again i wouldve just bought the regular one. Not worth the extra cash imo. Its held up to years of abuse, long training and callout days, extreme heat and sweat, and has kept its rigidity over time and barely shows any sign of wear. I can't speak highly enough about the wilderness tactical brand belts. They claim to be "the original" and i dont know if thats true or not, but i think its the best that ive seen. Anyone else have any experience with belt manufacturers they would mind sharing? |
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I've worn a Wilderness belt everyday for many, many years. Love the belts. I own four or five of them. I carry a lot in a Safariland OWB working from home because it is more comfortable. I've started wearing an IWB Kirkpatrick that kicks ass and the Wilderness belts are great with the setup. I carry a 1911 majority of the time but also carry G19 and S&W 642 setups. I've tried a lot of belts and like nothing even close to a Wilderness. |
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Quoted:
2nd for Wilderness. I have a 1.5" 5-stitch, a 1.75" 3-stitch and a 1.75 3-stitch with the plastic "buckle" for plane trips. The best belt is the 1.5" 5-stitch. I've tried the 5.11 leather belts and they are uncomfortable. +3 for Wilderness! 1.5inch 5-stitch. |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
2nd for Wilderness. I have a 1.5" 5-stitch, a 1.75" 3-stitch and a 1.75 3-stitch with the plastic "buckle" for plane trips. The best belt is the 1.5" 5-stitch. +3 for Wilderness! 1.5inch 5-stitch. I have the 5-stitch 1.5" Frequent Flyer with the plastic buckle. Very stiff yet comfortable. I just wish the coyote brown was more brown than tan; it would go with jeans a little better. I also have a Filson 1.5" wide double bridle leather belt. A beautifully crafted and durable belt that I wear every day in the office. Does a good job supporting my XD45 Compact in Don Hume leather. |
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Quoted: Quoted: 2nd for Wilderness. I have a 1.5" 5-stitch, a 1.75" 3-stitch and a 1.75 3-stitch with the plastic "buckle" for plane trips. The best belt is the 1.5" 5-stitch. I've tried the 5.11 leather belts and they are uncomfortable. +3 for Wilderness! 1.5inch 5-stitch. Another user here. Has held up for years, so far. I haven't tried the belts with the plastic insert, though |
| Another Wilderness Tactical. I am using the 1.5 with the plastic liner and the plastic ring buckle for IWB carry with a CTAC. I actually like the plastic lined belt better than "just" the 5 stitch. I wear the 1.75 five stitch with original,metal buckle every day in uniform. |
| I'll see your wilderness belts and raise you an original SOE rigger's belt. I've worn this belt every day at work and at home for the past four or five years. I'm convinced that it's indestructible. It works as a gun belt, I've rappelled (very painfully) with it, and it supports a drop leg rig well. These belts have been used to tow a hummer up a hill. |
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I've been wearing a wilderness for close the 3 yrs now. It's the only casual belt I wear and I always carry.
For a nicer business casual belt, I've been using the stiffest leather belt I could find at Kohls for the past year or so. It was pretty stiff too. I couldn't ever find a leather gun belt without a polished buckle and that's not my style. I must have overlooked the part where you could choose the buckle finish  .
I finally came across one of the 5.11 leather belts at the Forest park store just a month ago. I like it as it's really sturdy. It has started to flake some of the finish off the leather where the buckle is drawn tight though. For $35 it's working just fine. |
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Jones Tactical is located in Atlanta and was also a vendor at the HTF shoot. I do not know his screen name, but I know he reads on here a lot.
He has a wide variety of quality made belts and gear. ***Removed hotlink so not to be in any violation***. He makes all the belts, uses the best stuff. I plan on getting one soon as funds allow. |
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http://www.copquest.com/24-0500.htm
I wear one of these. Very stiff and decent looking. I can't justify $100 for a belt quite yet, but maybe someday. |