Having worked in a gun store and carried concealed for a number of years, I'm still surprised by the number of customer questions that center around gun belts.
The most commonly asked questions regarding gun belts seem to be:
#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.
Each is an excellent question that needs to be answered to fully understand the importance of a gun belt.
Let me answer both questions individually.
"Do I really need a gun belt?" - If you carry a handgun or shoot a pistol on a regular basis, then the answer is a very strong YES. We'll get into why you need one below.
"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 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 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 over time. The stretching is even more noticeable under the weight of a loaded handgun and/or other related gear (mag carrier, light carrier, etc.).
A genuine gun belt will be specifically manufactured 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 noticeably thicker and stronger than a typical belt.
As such, a genuine gun belt has the following characteristics:
* 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 facts listed above are significant, pay especially close attention to the point about providing a firm base for the holster and gear. This is a key point that many people overlook. Many shooters spend substantial money on a good quality holster, and then turn around and mount 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.
A proper gun belt can make a noticeable difference in the performance of your shooting gear, so visit
Gun Belts to learn more.
