Beltman Belts + or -stiffener?

[Teamless]

I am in need of a new gun belt, and Blackhawk,who I have now, no longer stock (or apparently make) any more like I have now.

So I am looking at others
I am thinking about http://thebeltman.net/bh112.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; but I need to know if you have a Beltman Belt (1.5" like this one), AND carry OWB, do you need the stiffener?
I am thinking yes, but nothing like real world experience from all you good people.

Or if you use a different make/model of a belt, my biggest concern is sag, so if you can give your make/model of belt, a advise if it is good a stiff (no sag!) for OWB carry, that would be appreciated as well.


Thanks for any opinions

[rtschl]

I bought a beltman about two and a half years ago with the siffner and love it. I wear it for both casual and dress and have not been disappointed. Just make sure to regularly check the screws or use thread locker. I lost one screw after a year of use/abuse. I use an owb blackhawk serpa holster for my Sig P220. Plus when doing the security gig at church, I carry a radio, cuffs, and miscellaneous other gear besides my mags and weapon on this belt. It has held up very well. It is a thicker belt with the stiffner, but I recommend it.

Ron

[tomtexan]

This is what I use. It is very thick and extremely sturdy. It's not the dressiest belt out there but very durable. A single piece of leather with no stitching. It supports my M&P 40c OWB very well. No sag. I have the black one and thinking about ordering a brown one as well.

[A-R]

I don't currently have a Beltman (I "shrunk" - diet & exercise - and my Beltmans are now too big - yes I know he'll cut them to new size, but I have other belts in my current size). But I've had Beltmans with stiffener and without stiffener (but with Velcro) and I definitely think the stiffener helps with OWB, but wouldn't say it's mandatory. The regular belt is very stiff. The stiffener just makes it rock solid.

I did not find the belt with stiffener any less comfortable.

[flechero]

I used beltman (horse and bull hides) for about 8 years... his belts are good but I can wholeheartedly recommend A & G gunleather over beltman. Prices are same but A&G is much more refined and a true cut above in quality and finish. (also a sturdier belt) In A &G (1.5") you probably won't need a stiffener.. I have one of his with it and i could hang my boat's anchor without sag. Of course, i don't know what you carry and what you preference is for comfort. You might email Al with a question or for a recommendation based on your carry weapon and see what he recommends. Money well spent and pretty quick turnaround times.

http://agcustomgunleather.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Jumping Frog]

My Beltman without a stiffener is more stout than some other belts I have that have a stiffener.

However, you are concerned enough about stiffness to ask the question here, so why don't you just put your mind at ease and order it with it?

[Excaliber]

I've got a couple of Beltman belts without stiffeners and they're more than up to the task of supporting full size 1911's without sag.

I often use non stiffened belts from The Wilderness for casual wear.

Keep in mind that stiffened belts are, well, stiff - they can be hard to thread through pancake style holster slots in a way that won't be uncomfortable. They work best will belt loops.

[Jumping Frog]

... I can wholeheartedly recommend A & G gunleather over beltman. Prices are same but A&G is much more refined and a true cut above in quality and finish.

http://agcustomgunleather.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Interesting. I've bookmarked his site.

From the pictures on the website, his belts would not appear to be any better than the pictures on Beltman's site, but low resolution website pictures can't always tell the story.

One of my Beltman belts has the "Celtic Weave" pattern(3rd down). I really like the end result:

[flechero]

From the pictures on the website, his belts would not appear to be any better than the pictures on Beltman's site, but low resolution website pictures can't always tell the story.
[ Image ]

I agree 100% on the pics and I think Al needs better picture. I will say that I was pleasantly surprised when my A & G belts arrived. Picture the difference between something like a Milt Sparks holster and a Galco (probably a bad example as I don't have any Galcos) but the edges are crisp, even and polished to perfection and the color is deep and full. The look and feel remind me of the difference when you wash your car and when you do the whole detail, buff and wax job. Both look great but the detail job looks and feels even better and brings out better look. Like I said, the Beltman does very good work- used him many years... just not quite as refined on the finish details.

Also, I have no experience with either maker's tooled versions.

[Abraham]

I have 2 A&G belts - one for me / one for her.

They're very well made belts and do a fine job of holding up my G19 and spare mag, all while looking great.

[Andrew]

I've worn one of four Galco OWB holsters, magazine carriers, and 1.5" contour belts I own for edc for many years. With moderate maintanence they still retain positively and look as good now as when I purchased them. The Phoenix holster is my favorite, it is dual position, allowing a 10 o'clock position for long distance driving carry and easy switch to 3 o'clock for every day strong side carry. The belts are quite stiff and handle 5" 1911s without sag and the contouring means they will fit without the duty belt/girdle feeling I have with other belts I've tried.

[Mx217]

I just ordered a belt from http://www.bullhidebelts.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; a few days ago after hearing good things about them. Before this I was going to order a beltman belt because I have heard they were outstanding. But bullhide belts offers more customization with a very fast shipping time(around a week) and that is what drew me to them. Not to mention they are a tad bit cheaper.

[Teamless]

I just ordered a belt from http://www.bullhidebelts.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; a few days ago after hearing good things about them. Before this I was going to order a beltman belt because I have heard they were outstanding. But bullhide belts offers more customization with a very fast shipping time(around a week) and that is what drew me to them. Not to mention they are a tad bit cheaper

My big concern with them (and any belt) is the stiffness.
When you get yours, would you post how it is, especially under the load of a holster and loaded weapon?
OWB if you have one would be great.

thanks

[CowboyEngineer]

Checkout jbgunbelts.com. Handmade to your spec's for $58.

[Big Ben]

I have been using the Beltman bullhide 1.5" with stiffener for around a year and I love it. Definitely worth the money and the wait. I carry IWB and OWB and I like having the stiffener.