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Gun Belts - The Most Overlooked Piece of Gear in Shooting
Typically, the questions will center around the following issues:
#1 - Is a gunbelt really needed, and why?
#2 - What's wrong with the belt I have now?
Both questions are valid, and the answers may alter the way you think about gun belts.
Let me answer both questions 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.. I'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 excellent job of keeping your pants up, supporting your cell phone, etc. The problem with this scenario is that this belt is not designed to function as a gun belt. Most belts from a clothing store are designed as a basic belt for your trousers. This means that they are usually a single ply piece of leather Unfortunately, no matter how it's produced, single ply leather will stretch over time. The stretching is even more pronounced under the burden of a loaded handgun and/or other related gear (mag carrier, light carrier, etc.).
A genuine gun belt will be specifically designed to bear the added weight of all that gear. Most all true gun belts will be made from two strips of leather so that they are significantly thicker and stronger than a standard belt.
As such, a genuine gun belt has the following features:
* A dual layer gun belt will resist stretching, unlike a single ply standard belt.
* 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 facts listed above are important, focus on the point about creating a firm foundation for the holster and gear. This is a key point that is often overlooked. overlook. Many shooters spend substantial money on a good quality holster, and then turn around and support the holster on an inexpensive basic belt. It's kind of like putting go kart tires on an off road vehicle; it will work, but not like it's suppose to.
So, when people ask if they really need a gun belt for their holster, my answer is: Try a gun belt yourself and then make your own decision. I honestly don't think you'll be disappointed.
