Gun belts: What makes a good one and....

P

Pond James Pond

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....thereby who makes a good one?

I have a heavy belt but have non found to achieve what others describe: if I wear my RH on my hip in the forest, after 2 hours, I can definitely feel it and it is bordering on sore.

So mainly I'd like to know what qualities a good gun belt should have.

Good manufacturers are good to know but seeing as they are not likely to be sold here, I may have to ask a shoe-smith to make one.
 
The one I've been using for decades was made by a harness maker at a re-enactment event.
It's thick and wide, but soft enough not to gouge a horse or me.
Maybe check with a saddle-harness maker or seller, in person or online.
Also check with the specialty competition belt makers for use in IDPA, USPSA, and the like.
They're meant to be worn all day.
 
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Check with Rick Garcia on this forum. I bought one of his belts a couple of years ago. I'm wearing it right now and have worn it nearly every day for the past two years. Simply excellent. They are thick, stiff, comfortable, and strong. Best of all, they are great quality at an amazing price. I will be ordering another one from him soon (aiming he is still around, hope so).
 
I have a Simply Rugged "sourdough" holster for my Ruger Redhawk 4".

It is a heavy gun, I realise, but after a couple of hours traipsing through the forest with the dogs, often doubled over trying to reach this mushroom or that.

I feel the weight of the gun more than anything. I just feel as though my hip is a bit raw from rubbing and I put it down to the holster bouncing about. The belt I use is a thick leather belt I bought from a local shoe-smith who works leather. Thick, but quite soft.

Nice leather, but I think it is a little elastic and so the holster sort of pogoes up and down as I walk and I can hear it creaking on the belt. I'd like the holster to be kept nice and snug against me without feeling like a corset.
 
I am not an expert, just a guy with 2 "value priced" leather gun belts.

I have a 1.5" 5.11 tactical casual and a black Goodrich and Gould.

Both are still in service, though the finish on the 5.11 is worn from repeatedly clipping and in clipping my aiwb holsters.

Both were around $40 USD plus tax. These are mass produced and I bought off the shelf.

It seems that leather belts from a craftsman start around $100 USD and go up from there. You get a high quality, long lasting piece of leather work for the extra $$.

Looking at both of my belts what makes different is stiffness. Two pieces of leather stitched together and my *GUESS* is something between the layers (earlier poster mention a strip of kydex). The end result is the belt remains in a "straight" line when circled around your waist. The belt can't sag or stretch at the holster contact point and better distributes the weight on your hips.

I'd try to work with your local leather guy; to buy one ready made you're looking at 50 - 150 USD plus shipping or spend an equivalent with your guy and get a true custom belt.
 
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