Carry Belt - crossbreed vs. comp-tac vs. beltman

[03Lightningrocks]

I use a Walmart belt. i think it was about 25 bucks and it works just fine. i carry inside the waist band anyway, so I am not convinced a 100 dollar belt is needed. Is there something I am not considering here?

A good gun belt will hold the gun annd holster right wear you want it. and not move.

My walmart belt holds my gun amd holster right where I want it. That is why I am wondering how spending more money will hold it better. Some of the deals with gun nut mania seem to be like buying starbucks coffee. Pay extra for the name is how it seems at times. I can see where spending more on a gun or holster will make a difference, sometimes, but the law of diminishing returns will kick in real quick with a belt.

[Hos]

Lightening, if it works for you, that'll work. I too wonder if it's really worth it sometimes but I do rely on everyone on this board's experience and if a quality gun belt keeps the sag out and keeps it in one place, maybe it's worth it. Maybe an inch of sag would be the difference between a print or not.

The beltman's are a bit pricey though but oh well, Merry Christmas to me...

[pedalman]

I use a Walmart belt. i think it was about 25 bucks and it works just fine. i carry inside the waist band anyway, so I am not convinced a 100 dollar belt is needed. Is there something I am not considering here?

Here's a good reason:
http://www.texasshooting.com/TexasCHL_F ... 23&t=19394" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[aardwolf]

Use what works.

[03Lightningrocks]

I use a Walmart belt. i think it was about 25 bucks and it works just fine. i carry inside the waist band anyway, so I am not convinced a 100 dollar belt is needed. Is there something I am not considering here?

Here's a good reason:
http://www.texasshooting.com/TexasCHL_F ... 23&t=19394" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Not that I am trying to get anyone upset here, but the holster is what holds the gun. The belt is what holds the holster. Maybe I should clear one issue up. The belt I am talking about is made from cowhide and they are fairly firm belts. they are just as thick as the high dollar belts. I agree about not using a flimsy belt. The belt simply puts pressure on the outside of the pants, thus pushing against the holster. You are only going to tighten the belt so much before it starts cutting into your waist and getting uncomfortable. I am wondering how any belt can be tightened so much as to break under the pressure before it starts cutting your waist in half. I can tighten a no name belt just as tight as i can a fashion designer belt.

To each his own...I'll admit to buying items as fashion statements. But I have to say that I have run, moved furniture, built fences and fell down my stairs a few months back. My pistol never came out of the holster and the holster never fell out of my pants or dislodged from the belt.

Maybe it would be a different story if I used an outside the waist band holster, but I can't say much on that since I only carry inside the waist band or ankle holster.

Like I said....I'm not knocking you guys for buying expensive belts, I am honestly trying to find out if there is any legitimate reason for it. I have no doubt they are purtier.... .

[fisher_of_man]

Not that I am trying to get anyone upset here, but the holster is what holds the gun. The belt is what holds the holster. Maybe I should clear one issue up. The belt I am talking about is made from cowhide and they are fairly firm belts. they are just as thick as the high dollar belts. I agree about not using a flimsy belt. The belt simply puts pressure on the outside of the pants, thus pushing against the holster. You are only going to tighten the belt so much before it starts cutting into your waist and getting uncomfortable. I am wondering how any belt can be tightened so much as to break under the pressure before it starts cutting your waist in half. I can tighten a no name belt just as tight as i can a fashion designer belt.

To each his own...I'll admit to buying items as fashion statements. But I have to say that I have run, moved furniture, built fences and fell down my stairs a few months back. My pistol never came out of the holster and the holster never fell out of my pants or dislodged from the belt.

Maybe it would be a different story if I used an outside the waist band holster, but I can't say much on that since I only carry inside the waist band or ankle holster.

Like I said....I'm not knocking you guys for buying expensive belts, I am honestly trying to find out if there is any legitimate reason for it. I have no doubt they are purtier.... .

Lightning...
I've never carried before...still in the process of getting my CHL, but here are my reasons for wanting a good belt:

1) good construction - you can by a thick belt just about anywhere. However, the gun belts (as I understand it) are two pieces of leather that are sewn together with the grain of the hide going in oppposite directions. As I understand it, the two pieces with opp direction provide a more sturdy (and durable) belt. this gives it somewhat of a "plywood" effect. Eventually any single layer leather belt will sag, but the dual leather gun belts because of the "plywood effect" won't...or you'll get many more years out of them than you would a normal belt. also, because of the way they are made, they don't have the vertical floppiness some belts have - keeping your gun and holster in close and tight where it belongs.

2) from what I understand because of the dual leather and the stiffness, you don't have to "cinch" up the belt at much as you would a single layer belt. because the construction of the belt holds up the gun...not the constriction of the belt around your waist.

3) as with any tool....one more suited to the job usually works better, has better results, and eliminates much of the headache along the way. I think that will be the case with a good gun belt too. when you start loading up stuff on your belt, a good belt that distributes the weight, can take the abuse, and was designed to carry it will make your whole experience much more enjoyable.

I've heard a bunch of people say...."you don't want to buy a $500 - $1500 gun, a $100 holster and give all that a foundation of a $10 belt". I don't know that spending more money is always the answer...but I do think that the foundation for the whole rig is something you want to get right.l I'm sure it makes more of a difference OWB than IWB because with IWB, your pants, belt, body, etc help hold the holster/gun in place. if your wal-mart belt works, then by all means, don't change. I just don't want to create a belt drawer trying to "get it right". anything I have ever gotten that is specifically customized to the purpose it was intended for "usually" works better and last longer...I'm hoping thats the case with a good gun belt....
just my thoughts...and not any actually carry experience to back it up...but after all my reading thru many forums...I've decided it would be best for me to get a good belt from the start.
FOM

[03Lightningrocks]

Not that I am trying to get anyone upset here, but the holster is what holds the gun. The belt is what holds the holster. Maybe I should clear one issue up. The belt I am talking about is made from cowhide and they are fairly firm belts. they are just as thick as the high dollar belts. I agree about not using a flimsy belt. The belt simply puts pressure on the outside of the pants, thus pushing against the holster. You are only going to tighten the belt so much before it starts cutting into your waist and getting uncomfortable. I am wondering how any belt can be tightened so much as to break under the pressure before it starts cutting your waist in half. I can tighten a no name belt just as tight as i can a fashion designer belt.

To each his own...I'll admit to buying items as fashion statements. But I have to say that I have run, moved furniture, built fences and fell down my stairs a few months back. My pistol never came out of the holster and the holster never fell out of my pants or dislodged from the belt.

Maybe it would be a different story if I used an outside the waist band holster, but I can't say much on that since I only carry inside the waist band or ankle holster.

Like I said....I'm not knocking you guys for buying expensive belts, I am honestly trying to find out if there is any legitimate reason for it. I have no doubt they are purtier.... .

Lightning...
I've never carried before...still in the process of getting my CHL, but here are my reasons for wanting a good belt:

1) good construction - you can by a thick belt just about anywhere. However, the gun belts (as I understand it) are two pieces of leather that are sewn together with the grain of the hide going in oppposite directions. As I understand it, the two pieces with opp direction provide a more sturdy (and durable) belt. this gives it somewhat of a "plywood" effect. Eventually any single layer leather belt will sag, but the dual leather gun belts because of the "plywood effect" won't...or you'll get many more years out of them than you would a normal belt. also, because of the way they are made, they don't have the vertical floppiness some belts have - keeping your gun and holster in close and tight where it belongs.

2) from what I understand because of the dual leather and the stiffness, you don't have to "cinch" up the belt at much as you would a single layer belt. because the construction of the belt holds up the gun...not the constriction of the belt around your waist.

3) as with any tool....one more suited to the job usually works better, has better results, and eliminates much of the headache along the way. I think that will be the case with a good gun belt too. when you start loading up stuff on your belt, a good belt that distributes the weight, can take the abuse, and was designed to carry it will make your whole experience much more enjoyable.

I've heard a bunch of people say...."you don't want to buy a $500 - $1500 gun, a $100 holster and give all that a foundation of a $10 belt". I don't know that spending more money is always the answer...but I do think that the foundation for the whole rig is something you want to get right.l I'm sure it makes more of a difference OWB than IWB because with IWB, your pants, belt, body, etc help hold the holster/gun in place. if your wal-mart belt works, then by all means, don't change. I just don't want to create a belt drawer trying to "get it right". anything I have ever gotten that is specifically customized to the purpose it was intended for "usually" works better and last longer...I'm hoping thats the case with a good gun belt....
just my thoughts...and not any actually carry experience to back it up...but after all my reading thru many forums...I've decided it would be best for me to get a good belt from the start.
FOM

Thanks for the explanation. I can definitely relate to the part about the belt lasting longer. Excellent reasoning. heck....maybe you should look into a job selling those belts. You make a good case for them.

[fisher_of_man]

Thanks for the explanation. I can definitely relate to the part about the belt lasting longer. Excellent reasoning. heck....maybe you should look into a job selling those belts. You make a good case for them.

thanks...but like you, I didn't want to just go blow money for the sake of blowing it...if there was a cheaper alternative that seemed to have worked for the masses, then I'd give it a try...but from all my research (been a bit anal about it too ) I've decide that that many people can't be wrong....I've read a bunch of the "never knew what I was missing til I tried a "real" belt posts....just thought if it made that much of a difference I wanted to start off with the right one. I'm going to be carrying a full size too...so all the help I can get in making it work, I thougth I should take...I'm sure if you carry a small weapon IWB...then it's not near as big of deal as a full size...or OWB...or several other options....

not sure I'd be able to make a living as the belt marketing person...I just hope they live up to all the hype!

once I finally decide which one...I'll be sure to post what I got and include a review of it. I'm pretty much stuck between the Comp-tac and the Beltman. just can't make up my mind between the two. I hope to have a decision by the end of the week though!

[03Lightningrocks]

I'm going to be carrying a full size too...so all the help I can get in making it work, I thougth I should take...I'm sure if you carry a small weapon IWB...then it's not near as big of deal as a full size...or OWB...or several other options....

You make a good point worth mentioning again. Part of the reason I am not having problems may very well be my carry choice. My usual companion is a Kahr PM9 in a don hume IWB. Very small weapon and easy to conceal. My second carry weapon is a glock 27 in a supertuck IWB. Not as small as the Kahr, but still not full sized. Both stay well secured between my waist band and body. Thanks again. Good luck in your choice of belt/holster/weapon. I have a pile of holsters I tried and didn't like before settling with the three I liked. I don't want to think about total money spent before finding what I liked.

[Bisley]

I use a Crossbreed Super-Tuck holster with the Crossbreed belt, and I highly recommend both.

[CompVest]

I'm going to be carrying a full size too...so all the help I can get in making it work, I thougth I should take...I'm sure if you carry a small weapon IWB...then it's not near as big of deal as a full size...or OWB...or several other options....

You make a good point worth mentioning again. Part of the reason I am not having problems may very well be my carry choice. My usual companion is a Kahr PM9 in a don hume IWB. Very small weapon and easy to conceal. My second carry weapon is a glock 27 in a supertuck IWB. Not as small as the Kahr, but still not full sized. Both stay well secured between my waist band and body. Thanks again. Good luck in your choice of belt/holster/weapon. I have a pile of holsters I tried and didn't like before settling with the three I liked. I don't want to think about total money spent before finding what I liked.

If some of those holsters need a home, I am always looking for donations to my holster bag. I collect all the holsters I can get for my women's classes. I like to outfit each lady with a holster for the class for safety reasons. That means I need a wide variety of holsters. The generic type are the best but all are welcome additions to the collection.

If you or anyone else would like to send me their unsed holsters drop me a PM for contact info.

Thank you all for allowing me to hijack the thread for this post. Now back to belts!

[fisher_of_man]

well...thank you all for your input and advice.....

Comp-Tac. I have had the priviledge of going to their shop and have seen them work on holsters and belts. They are impressive.

compvest....looks like Comp-Tac was the winner. I sent an email to them asking a couple of questions about 7:45 this morning and had a response back by 9. the answers gave me the info I needed...so I placed the order. I've got one brown 1.5" tapered to 1.25" kydex reinforced bullhide gunbelt on the way....with the velcro stiched in of course. and they are even kind enough to "customize" my belt by removing the brass buckle that normally comes and replacing it with a silver one. said they normally keep belts in stock and if mine was I'd have it in a day or two. so...maybe by the weekend...glad to have this decision done. I did go ahead and pick up a color matched set of standard clips and the some of the V clips too.

so I now have a belt on the way....a crossbreed supertuck on the way....and sometime around feb, a K&D thunderbird on the way...I'm hoping my spending spree (other than the CHL required payments) is over....pretty sure my wife feels the same way....in fact... she might be if it continues! man....who knew protecting the family could get so expensive?!?!

of course I'll give a review with some pics once it all gets here. thanks again for the help!
FOM

[CompVest]

Great choice! Be sure to give us your thoughts when you get them.

[NcongruNt]

Not that I am trying to get anyone upset here, but the holster is what holds the gun. The belt is what holds the holster. Maybe I should clear one issue up. The belt I am talking about is made from cowhide and they are fairly firm belts. they are just as thick as the high dollar belts. I agree about not using a flimsy belt. The belt simply puts pressure on the outside of the pants, thus pushing against the holster. You are only going to tighten the belt so much before it starts cutting into your waist and getting uncomfortable. I am wondering how any belt can be tightened so much as to break under the pressure before it starts cutting your waist in half. I can tighten a no name belt just as tight as i can a fashion designer belt.

To each his own...I'll admit to buying items as fashion statements. But I have to say that I have run, moved furniture, built fences and fell down my stairs a few months back. My pistol never came out of the holster and the holster never fell out of my pants or dislodged from the belt.

Maybe it would be a different story if I used an outside the waist band holster, but I can't say much on that since I only carry inside the waist band or ankle holster.

Like I said....I'm not knocking you guys for buying expensive belts, I am honestly trying to find out if there is any legitimate reason for it. I have no doubt they are purtier.... .

Lightning...
I've never carried before...still in the process of getting my CHL, but here are my reasons for wanting a good belt:

1) good construction - you can by a thick belt just about anywhere. However, the gun belts (as I understand it) are two pieces of leather that are sewn together with the grain of the hide going in oppposite directions. As I understand it, the two pieces with opp direction provide a more sturdy (and durable) belt. this gives it somewhat of a "plywood" effect. Eventually any single layer leather belt will sag, but the dual leather gun belts because of the "plywood effect" won't...or you'll get many more years out of them than you would a normal belt. also, because of the way they are made, they don't have the vertical floppiness some belts have - keeping your gun and holster in close and tight where it belongs.

2) from what I understand because of the dual leather and the stiffness, you don't have to "cinch" up the belt at much as you would a single layer belt. because the construction of the belt holds up the gun...not the constriction of the belt around your waist.

3) as with any tool....one more suited to the job usually works better, has better results, and eliminates much of the headache along the way. I think that will be the case with a good gun belt too. when you start loading up stuff on your belt, a good belt that distributes the weight, can take the abuse, and was designed to carry it will make your whole experience much more enjoyable.

I've heard a bunch of people say...."you don't want to buy a $500 - $1500 gun, a $100 holster and give all that a foundation of a $10 belt". I don't know that spending more money is always the answer...but I do think that the foundation for the whole rig is something you want to get right.l I'm sure it makes more of a difference OWB than IWB because with IWB, your pants, belt, body, etc help hold the holster/gun in place. if your wal-mart belt works, then by all means, don't change. I just don't want to create a belt drawer trying to "get it right". anything I have ever gotten that is specifically customized to the purpose it was intended for "usually" works better and last longer...I'm hoping thats the case with a good gun belt....
just my thoughts...and not any actually carry experience to back it up...but after all my reading thru many forums...I've decided it would be best for me to get a good belt from the start.
FOM

I was of the same opinion when I first started carrying. I had a cheap wal-mart belt (cowhide, like yours), and didn't see any problem. I started off carrying a PA-63 IWB, which is a pretty light gun. I then moved to the Hi-Power, and didn't see why I needed a better belt. After a while, I realized that I really had to cinch down the belt to keep my weapon oriented, and even then I sometimes had to adjust it.

On longtooth's recommendation, I ordered a belt from The Beltman, and it made a HUGE difference, though I didn't realize how much my previous belt was lacking until I got the gun belt. I didn't have to tighten the belt much, and what was even better, it just sort of rode there on its own. The belts keep the shape, and I realized that when I went to the restroom and dropped my pants, the gun and holster didn't flop over, as it did with my regular belt, Rather than belt tension on the holster keeping it upright, it was the inherent stiffness of the belt itself that kept it upright, meaning there was much less pull outwards from the gun and holster, and the weight of the gun is spread out over your entire belt line, rather than just the area where the gun rides. Need for adjustment of the holster is now minimal, and if I happen to carry the PA-63, it stays put and plumb much better then the old belt ever did. Seriously, it's a great investment, and the belts look really nice. I've had it for almost a year and a half, and it's still going strong.

For the record, mine is a 1 1/2" black bullhide belt, with the stiffener. I got the stiffener because my gun is full-sized and heavy. It may or may not make a difference (I only have the one belt), but I figured I'd rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it. It's a relatively inexpensive option, so I went ahead and got it. Some day I'm going to get one of the fancy ones for more dressy occasions.

[Plato]

I have a Horsehide Beltman and its a good belt for sure. However I have also "gotten by" with a Walmart belt from time to time. It works fine for me when carrying my G27 IWB. Whereas the extra stiffness and quality of my Beltman is most noticed when carrying a heavy pistol with a standard Outside the Waistband holster.

Basically, I think IWB carry doesn't really need a $100 belt. You can find a relatively cheap leather belt to handle that job, give the pinch test to make sure it starts out stiff and is of quality leather -just know it will probably need replacing every year or two while that $100 rig can last a lifetime.