chains1240

I have been reading a lot about "gun belts" and I see that they look quite expensive at around $70 for the Beltman. It looks to be a quality product and a very stylish one at that. I was wondering if it is really that good to justify the price? I used to wear elcheapo belts at work, you know the $12 belts, not for carrying but just something to put a 2 way radio on. The humidity and environment would destroy these belts in 2-3 months tops. While on my honeymoon out west I bought a solid leather belt for $30. It is 1 1/2 wide, one piece, no defects and it is one heckofa sturdy piece of leather. Do people buy the $70 belts instead of the $30 one piece leather belts also because of the look so they can have a dress belt that is a gun belt also? Sorry about the long post.

RoadRunner71

Gunbelts help distribute the weight of the weapon. This prevents sagging and greatly helps in concealing. Good quality belts will be double thickness and some even have internal stiffeners. Also, most of these quality belts are made of bull hide or horse hide which is tougher and more durable.

Google "gunbelts" and you will see a plethora of makers.

Good luck.

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NYcarry

I believe they are worth it, will prob last a lifetime, so figure in a replacement cheap belt over time. I think the value is there.

I have three Beltman belts and they do not sag and are very well made, lots of support.

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QKShooter

A good leather gun belt needs to have a tight enough and compact enough grain structure so that it stays stiff and does not go limp on you.

If you have a good stiff belt and its 1.5" wide then you should be "good to go" no matter if you spend $30 or $70.

chains1240

Thank you for the replies. I checked my belt for felt stiffness across the 1.5 section and it feels very stiff, I can barely move it. But if I am in the need for a dressier belt in the future I will have to look into a Gunbelt.

johnsonabq

If your belt is an "off the rack" belt and not double layered, I think you should consider a gun belt. A new standard belt may seem stiff, but it won't be for long. If you spend the money on a quality gun, and a quality holster, then a quality gun belt should be in order too. JMHO

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Jeff
NRA Member
Kimber Ultra Carry II, Glock G23 & G36, Kahr PM9, Winchester 1300 Defender 12gauge pump (my favorite but hard to hide)

Jaystekan

When I first started carrying, my original setup was an m&p compact in a high-noon bare asset, on a Dickies belt purchased at walmart. I had absolutely no troubles carrying on the little dickies belt. It cost me 7 dollars or so and held that m&p quite comfortably. I now have a beltman with a k&d holster carrying a colt defender. Comparing the 2, I see the huge difference in quality of the dickies and the beltman. However, that little dickies is now a few years old, is still in my closet, still gets worn sometimes and still holds me edc up quite nicely. There are belts out there that will withstand a few years of daily carry without breaking the bank, but you can see and feel the difference. It may take you 6 or 7 different cheapo belts to find one that will work for you, but it will only take one beltman or other quality gunbelt.

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chains1240

The belt I am currently wearing was bought in a leather shop. It is only one layer but it is about 1/8" thick steer hide. The leather shop was in Wyoming I believe and employed a leather worker who also sold hand tooled boots, jackets, saddles, belts, etc.

muddy

Good belts can be found at cowboy type stores or farm and ranch stores. Cal Ranch, Inter Mountain farmers etc. Make sure they are double layered and stitched all the way around the perimeter of the belt. Most will be in the $30 dollar range. There is some difference in leather but not much, what makes a good belt over a bad belt is mostly leather thickness and # of layers. The belt I have on now came from Inter Mountain Farmers and I think made in China or some such. Its a good belt that has held up great.

I know a guy has got to make a living off what he sells but $70.00 for a belt is steep. There is probably $5 maybe $10 worth of leather in a good belt and $5.00 worth of thread, glue, die, and buckle. Not trying to discredit anyone here but I always see these expensive belts being pushed and the claim is they are way better then a Wal-Mart belt. Well ya a Wal-Mart belt is the bottom of the barrel belt but one dose not have to spend close to $100.00 on a good belt. If you have it go for it but rest assured there are belts out there that will work just fine and keep you out of the poor house.

smousefam5

Try SimplyRugged...they have very good quality gun belts that are a bit less expensive than Beltman.