Belt tightening

jtmo3 · July 14th, 2007, 03:02 PM

I know this has probably been covered but I'm not seeing much on a search. How tight do you cinch down your belt for carrying say an all steel Commander? For instance, if I carry without the belt being real tight, the pistol sags from the weight and feels strange. If I tighten to much, then it digs into my side and stays put but can cause discomfort. So, how tight do you make them? Thanks.

John

firefighter_56 · July 14th, 2007, 03:07 PM

Whats your holster?

sass20485 · July 14th, 2007, 03:07 PM

Not so tight that I can't breathe, but not so loose that my gun sags.
Basically a bit more snug than if I was not carrying.

raysheen · July 14th, 2007, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by firefighter_56

Whats your holster?

yep...and what kind of belt are you using?

jtmo3 · July 14th, 2007, 03:23 PM

Using a couple holsters. One Tucker Heritage and a Max Con V. Both great holsters. It seems I can loosen the Tucker more because its got rough side out on the back and stays in place a little better. Only problem is, after a few hours, the rough side begins to "grate/rub" on me and causes some discomfort on its own. The Max Con has smooth side out and I don't have any discomfort from wearing it like the rough side out, but it seems I need the belt tighter to hold it in place better (not sagging). Then there is a slight discomfort from the belt pulling the gun/holster in to tightly to my body. Not real bad, just discomfort on both holsters after a while. The Max Con is fairly new and I've only worn it a few times so maybe it'll break in and conform better after I wear it and the belt won't need to be so tight?

The belts I use are a Wilderness belt and a Sparks belt. Both are great belts but I use the Wilderness more because it offers better adjustments. I'd rather use a leather belt but I just have a hard time finding the right hole and it always seems I need a spot right in between the holes that are there. Thanks.

John

firefighter_56 · July 14th, 2007, 04:38 PM

I carry a Para P1345 with a double stack mag its size and wieght is close to your Colt. The holster used is a Kramer, OWB style with a
1 1/2" wide leather duty belt, also carried on the belt: Surefire flashlight, extra mag, Leatherman Wave, glove pouch, and 2 pagers. If I ever fall in deep water I'm done!

It took awhile to get used to it all but now its 2nd nature, and works well for me.

You may need to try other carry options, but give these different options time. The last resort would be a different weapon, there are many lighter and smaller handguns out there. The folks here will give you lots of ideas.

One thing if a carry set up is uncomfortable it becomes easy to just leave it at home and that will be the time you need. It may take time but be patient, try options and you will find one that works.

DirtDawg · July 14th, 2007, 05:05 PM

When I use a Wilderness 5-stitch w/MS VMII carrying P229R I find that no matter how much I cinch-up on the belt, the rig sags or tilts.

I recommended the poly insert on another thread and others said it was not necessary. Maybe to THEM, but to me I will order the poly insert for my next Wilderness purchase.

With the Rafter belt, no problem. But the Rafter is much thicker and the MS VMII loops don't always fit easily

.

Your choice.

LoveLeather · July 14th, 2007, 05:34 PM

I'm surprised an IWB would sag or tilt....even with a non-gun belt mine don't do that since they are inside the pants and the belt is just pulling it into my body...outside of course is a different story...

Thumper · July 14th, 2007, 10:44 PM

Because I have "Dunlop’s disease" my britches tend to want to creep down anyway but with my Springfield SS Champion I too have to tighten my belt a little tighter than I would normally want.
That's one big plus with the Wilderness 5 Stitch Instructor's Belt... infinite adjustability!

GotSig? · July 14th, 2007, 10:47 PM

Im currently having that issue with my 5 hole Beltman belt. With the sig im inbetween sizes, 1 hurts and the ohter lets the gun drop just enough to print with my normal tshirt/shorts. Im thinking about picking up a wilderness belt just for the adjustability.

July 14th, 2007, 03:02 PM	#1
jtmo3 Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Blue Springs, MO Posts: 26	Belt tightening I know this has probably been covered but I'm not seeing much on a search. How tight do you cinch down your belt for carrying say an all steel Commander? For instance, if I carry without the belt being real tight, the pistol sags from the weight and feels strange. If I tighten to much, then it digs into my side and stays put but can cause discomfort. So, how tight do you make them? Thanks. John

July 14th, 2007, 05:05 PM	#7
DirtDawg Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Sunnyville Posts: 598	When I use a Wilderness 5-stitch w/MS VMII carrying P229R I find that no matter how much I cinch-up on the belt, the rig sags or tilts. I recommended the poly insert on another thread and others said it was not necessary. Maybe to THEM, but to me I will order the poly insert for my next Wilderness purchase. With the Rafter belt, no problem. But the Rafter is much thicker and the MS VMII loops don't always fit easily. Your choice. __________________ Why is it that you always find things at the last place you looked? Because when you find something-you stop looking-Mooch

July 14th, 2007, 10:44 PM	#9
Thumper VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Nevada Posts: 5,586	Because I have "Dunlop’s disease" my britches tend to want to creep down anyway but with my Springfield SS Champion I too have to tighten my belt a little tighter than I would normally want. That's one big plus with the Wilderness 5 Stitch Instructor's Belt... infinite adjustability! __________________ USMC 1968-1971 ALWAYS carry! - NEVER tell! *"Don't go to stupid places, with stupid people, and do stupid things!"*

July 14th, 2007, 10:47 PM	#10
GotSig? Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Pinellas Park, FL Posts: 455	Im currently having that issue with my 5 hole Beltman belt. With the sig im inbetween sizes, 1 hurts and the ohter lets the gun drop just enough to print with my normal tshirt/shorts. Im thinking about picking up a wilderness belt just for the adjustability. __________________ كافر(Infidel) He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you. Friedrich Nietzsche, Beyond Good and Evil, Aphorism 146 German philosopher (1844 - 1900)

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July 14th, 2007, 03:07 PM	#2
firefighter_56 Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Walton, OR Posts: 117	Whats your holster?

July 14th, 2007, 03:07 PM	#3
sass20485 Distinguished Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Central FL Posts: 1,937	Not so tight that I can't breathe, but not so loose that my gun sags. Basically a bit more snug than if I was not carrying.

July 14th, 2007, 03:23 PM	#5
jtmo3 Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Blue Springs, MO Posts: 26	Using a couple holsters. One Tucker Heritage and a Max Con V. Both great holsters. It seems I can loosen the Tucker more because its got rough side out on the back and stays in place a little better. Only problem is, after a few hours, the rough side begins to "grate/rub" on me and causes some discomfort on its own. The Max Con has smooth side out and I don't have any discomfort from wearing it like the rough side out, but it seems I need the belt tighter to hold it in place better (not sagging). Then there is a slight discomfort from the belt pulling the gun/holster in to tightly to my body. Not real bad, just discomfort on both holsters after a while. The Max Con is fairly new and I've only worn it a few times so maybe it'll break in and conform better after I wear it and the belt won't need to be so tight? The belts I use are a Wilderness belt and a Sparks belt. Both are great belts but I use the Wilderness more because it offers better adjustments. I'd rather use a leather belt but I just have a hard time finding the right hole and it always seems I need a spot right in between the holes that are there. Thanks. John

July 14th, 2007, 04:38 PM	#6
firefighter_56 Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Walton, OR Posts: 117	I carry a Para P1345 with a double stack mag its size and wieght is close to your Colt. The holster used is a Kramer, OWB style with a 1 1/2" wide leather duty belt, also carried on the belt: Surefire flashlight, extra mag, Leatherman Wave, glove pouch, and 2 pagers. If I ever fall in deep water I'm done! It took awhile to get used to it all but now its 2nd nature, and works well for me. You may need to try other carry options, but give these different options time. The last resort would be a different weapon, there are many lighter and smaller handguns out there. The folks here will give you lots of ideas. One thing if a carry set up is uncomfortable it becomes easy to just leave it at home and that will be the time you need. It may take time but be patient, try options and you will find one that works.

July 14th, 2007, 05:34 PM	#8
LoveLeather Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: SoCal Posts: 464	I'm surprised an IWB would sag or tilt....even with a non-gun belt mine don't do that since they are inside the pants and the belt is just pulling it into my body...outside of course is a different story...