An Introduction to Gun Belts

If you spend some time reading most any popular shooting or handgun bulletin, you’ll probably come across a post or question asking about gun belts. Having carried concealed for over 15 years, and owned a gun store that specialized in concealed carry for a number of years, I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve heard questions about gun belts.

Typically, the questions will center around the following issues:

#1 – Is a gunbelt really needed, and why?

#2 – What’s wrong with my belt from _________? where the blank is usually filled in with Wal-Mart, Sears, or some other similar store.

Both questions are valid, and the answers may alter the way you think about gun belts.

Let’s look at each question individually.

“Do I really need a gun belt?” – If you carry a pistol or shoot a handgun on a regular basis, then the short answer is yes.. We’ll get into why you need one later in this article.

“Well what’s wrong with my belt from _________?” – Nothing at all. I’m sure it does a fine job of holding up your pants, carrying your cell phone, etc. The problem here is that it’s not designed to be a gun belt. Most belts from a department store are designed as a standard belt for your pants. This means that they are usually a single ply piece of leather Unfortunately, no matter how it’s produced, single ply leather will stretch out over time. The stretching is even more noticeable under the burden of a loaded handgun and/or other related gear (mag carrier, light carrier, etc.).

A true gun belt will be specifically designed to support the added weight of all that gear. Most all true gun belts will be made from two strips of leather so that they are noticeably thicker and stronger than a typical belt.

As such, a true gun belt has the following features:

* It won’t stretch like a standard belt will over time. The two strips of leather will resist stretching far better than just one strip.

* The added thickness and additional strength will bear the weight of the gear without sagging or rolling over under the weight. Rolling over occurs when the belt lacks rigidity, and the belt actually turns over or splays away from the body due to the weight of gear.

* Provides a solid foundation so the holster and other related gear will perform to its fullest potential.

While all the points listed above are significant, pay especially close attention to the point about supplying a firm foundation for the holster and gear. This is a fundamental point that is often overlooked. overlook. Many shooters spend a significant amount of money on a nice holster, and then turn around and support the holster on an cheap standard belt. It’s kind of like buying a Porsche sports car and then putting tires for a Yugo on it; it will work, but not like it’s suppose to.

A gun belt can really improve the performance and comfort of your gear, so it can be a worthwhile investment.