how tight do you wear your gun belt?

Chris17404 · February 5th, 2007, 03:37 PM

Hi all,

I am new to carrying. When you're carrying your concealed handgun, how tightly do you wear your gun belt? I mean, do you wear it just tight enough that the gun/pants doesn't sag, or do you pull it that extra notch so that the gun is nice and tight against your body, and your gut and/or love handles start getting squished out the top of your pants? (Sorry to be so graphic.

) I'm not real overweight (6'2", 210lbs), but I could definitely stand to lose about 15 pounds, especially around the middle.

Also, do you tend to wear your pants a bit higher on your waist when carrying on your belt? I tried this, and it does tend to conceal the gun better.

Thanks for the help.

Chris

Chris17404 · February 5th, 2007, 03:43 PM

Let me further clarify that I currently use an IWB holster.

Chris

torrejon224 · February 5th, 2007, 03:51 PM

I cinch mine to the third hole which is the measurement that the majority of the makers recommend. You don't want it too tight on an IWB as it could inhibit your draw. Go with what you feel comfortable with, you'll figure it out, theres no magic formula!

purple88yj · February 5th, 2007, 03:58 PM

I'll put my pants on, then my holster (no gun) and belt. Apply the necessary tension to keep my britches up then holster the gun. That tends to take care of everything. I wear my pants and jeans exactly the way that I would if I were not carrying. Two reasons: first, it is simply more comfortable the way I wear them. Second, even if I am not carrying (which isn't that often), there is no difference in my dress. I know it is a subtle thing that most would not notice, but for those that are paying attention, they see nothing different.

Redneck Repairs · February 5th, 2007, 03:58 PM

I am 6-0 and 200 and i wear mine between sag and squish , but then i have been carrying since tight pants were the style , and a tighter waistband does not bother me . If you find your britches arround your ankles its too loose , if your collapsing the steel band on your garonteed one hand reholster ninja rig then its too tight , anything in between pretty much works lol .

Blackeagle · February 5th, 2007, 04:27 PM

Well, the Wilderness belt I use doesn't have holes, but I carry pretty tight. I want it tight enough to keep my IWB holster in place, particularly when I draw. If the belt is loose and you've got a tight holster, trying to draw can pull your pants up, rather than pulling the weapon out.

Tubby45 · February 5th, 2007, 04:39 PM

Tight enough so when I draw as fast as possible, the holster doesn't move.

P95Carry · February 5th, 2007, 07:06 PM

Seems like at 200 (and a bit!) and 6.00 I am in the RR category - and same too with my belt.!

I have posted pics of my Eagle Defender a few times, with admittedly an old belt then but - there is an obvious slight sag. However, this still permits the rig to stay tight in and does not give any problems at all. If I cinch that one extra hole then I am potentially reaching slight discomfort and really, little to be gained.

I don't see a need if body type allows, for going too tight - as long as everything is comfortable secure and the rig does not try to follow the gun on a draw!

bones · February 5th, 2007, 08:30 PM

I generally wear a belt "and" suspenders.
I fit the belt just tight. Then fit the suspenders to carry the weight of pants, gun, ammo, knife, wallet, cell phone, etc, etc if the belt slips. The suspenders also hold my pants up if I have to unbuckle the belt for any reason.

sksmatt · February 5th, 2007, 08:44 PM

Suspenders is a good idea; maybe I'll try that. After trying several different belts and carry positions I decided that pocket carry is the best for me.

February 5th, 2007, 03:37 PM	#1
Chris17404 Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: York, PA Posts: 99	how tight do you wear your gun belt? Hi all, I am new to carrying. When you're carrying your concealed handgun, how tightly do you wear your gun belt? I mean, do you wear it just tight enough that the gun/pants doesn't sag, or do you pull it that extra notch so that the gun is nice and tight against your body, and your gut and/or love handles start getting squished out the top of your pants? (Sorry to be so graphic. ) I'm not real overweight (6'2", 210lbs), but I could definitely stand to lose about 15 pounds, especially around the middle. Also, do you tend to wear your pants a bit higher on your waist when carrying on your belt? I tried this, and it does tend to conceal the gun better. Thanks for the help. Chris

February 5th, 2007, 04:39 PM	#7
Tubby45 Distinguished Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: In the reloading room Posts: 1,988	Tight enough so when I draw as fast as possible, the holster doesn't move. __________________ Freakshow Manufacturing LLC "You can kill it. We can help." 07 FFL/ 02 SOT

February 5th, 2007, 07:06 PM	#8
P95Carry Assistant Administrator Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: South West PA Posts: 25,366	Seems like at 200 (and a bit!) and 6.00 I am in the RR category - and same too with my belt.! I have posted pics of my Eagle Defender a few times, with admittedly an old belt then but - there is an obvious slight sag. However, this still permits the rig to stay tight in and does not give any problems at all. If I cinch that one extra hole then I am potentially reaching slight discomfort and really, little to be gained. I don't see a need if body type allows, for going too tight - as long as everything is comfortable secure and the rig does not try to follow the gun on a draw! __________________ Chris - P95 NRA Certified Instructor & NRA Life Member. "To own a gun and assume that you are armed is like owning a piano and assuming that you are a musician!." If a BG dies as the result of pointing a gun at me, then he has merely succumbed to an occupational hazard of being a thug

February 5th, 2007, 08:30 PM	#9
bones Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 360	I generally wear a belt "and" suspenders. I fit the belt just tight. Then fit the suspenders to carry the weight of pants, gun, ammo, knife, wallet, cell phone, etc, etc if the belt slips. The suspenders also hold my pants up if I have to unbuckle the belt for any reason. __________________ "There is no such thing as too much ammo. Unless you're swimming!"

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February 5th, 2007, 03:43 PM	#2
Chris17404 Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: York, PA Posts: 99	Let me further clarify that I currently use an IWB holster. Chris

February 5th, 2007, 03:51 PM	#3
torrejon224 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Oregon Posts: 500	I cinch mine to the third hole which is the measurement that the majority of the makers recommend. You don't want it too tight on an IWB as it could inhibit your draw. Go with what you feel comfortable with, you'll figure it out, theres no magic formula!

February 5th, 2007, 03:58 PM	#4
purple88yj Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Piedmont Triad, NC Posts: 1,099	I'll put my pants on, then my holster (no gun) and belt. Apply the necessary tension to keep my britches up then holster the gun. That tends to take care of everything. I wear my pants and jeans exactly the way that I would if I were not carrying. Two reasons: first, it is simply more comfortable the way I wear them. Second, even if I am not carrying (which isn't that often), there is no difference in my dress. I know it is a subtle thing that most would not notice, but for those that are paying attention, they see nothing different.

February 5th, 2007, 03:58 PM	#5
Redneck Repairs VIP Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 5,141	I am 6-0 and 200 and i wear mine between sag and squish , but then i have been carrying since tight pants were the style , and a tighter waistband does not bother me . If you find your britches arround your ankles its too loose , if your collapsing the steel band on your garonteed one hand reholster ninja rig then its too tight , anything in between pretty much works lol .

February 5th, 2007, 04:27 PM	#6
Blackeagle Distinguished Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Columbia, SC Posts: 1,245	Well, the Wilderness belt I use doesn't have holes, but I carry pretty tight. I want it tight enough to keep my IWB holster in place, particularly when I draw. If the belt is loose and you've got a tight holster, trying to draw can pull your pants up, rather than pulling the weapon out.

February 5th, 2007, 08:44 PM	#10
sksmatt Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: VA Posts: 17	Suspenders is a good idea; maybe I'll try that. After trying several different belts and carry positions I decided that pocket carry is the best for me.