I need a good gun belt (and holster)

[plblark]

Streichers has some nice belts in the $30-$50 range as well.

[JoeH]

Beltman has a great reputation on the Internet but I have no personal experience. I am a fan of the Wilderness belts. I have the Original Instructor Belt with the 5-stitch upgrade (extra stiffness). It's a great belt that holds up to years of regular use. If you are OK with nylon, I'd get this belt.

I don't open carry, but if I did, I'd want extra retention. A Blackhawk SERPA is good for kydex/plastic holsters. A thumb break works for a leather holster. If SGH doesn't make a thumb break model, Galco makes a good, leather holster in the USA.

[Scratch]

I like my Jones tactical belt with the quick release buckle. It's sometimes a pain to thread through certain pants, but I still would rather have it than a regular belt. I like the buckle too much and the look of it. And it's as still as heck.

I like the hybrid IWB holsters a lot. I have a Cleveland's holster, from Wisconsin. 69.00 http://www.clevelandsholsters.com
But I like my Heimdhal holster a little better, from Florida. 55.00 http://www.hhholsters.com
I like the fit better, plus he does custom lettering and dye for free. He also does OWB holsters but I have no experience with them.

[tman]

Frankly, if it weren't a "short" frame, I'd say that's a perfectly reasonable option! Kind of a shame ... they make the two different length frames fer 9mm 'n .40 ... but not .45?! ... I'd've seriously considered that fer my "bear" gun! I know, I know ... they got the "extended" mag! ... but if it's me shootin' it, rather than focusing on the sights, I'm thinkin' 'bout how much I don't like the half-grip/half-mag, grip!

Put 'nother way, if one weren't hung up on .45, a non-"compact" .40 'er 9mm 3.8 would be a very nice "one-gun" home/carry solution! ... giving up almost nothing, fer either task!

The 3.8 in .45 comes with two different sized magazines, allowing for a full grip on the pistol at as home defense and a more concealable grip in public. The 3.8 is practically long enough to be a service weapon. I think it's a pretty cool design.

[EJSG19]

I got a Bladetech Looper belt from Ron Westberg's Unholstered.com (member here) that has done well for a couple years now.

Sidegaurd Holster I have had for about 6 years now and it is holding up and functioning wonderfully.

Both MN guys, and great to work with. Local money is money well spent.

[XDM45]

Frankly, if it weren't a "short" frame, I'd say that's a perfectly reasonable option! Kind of a shame ... they make the two different length frames fer 9mm 'n .40 ... but not .45?! ... I'd've seriously considered that fer my "bear" gun! I know, I know ... they got the "extended" mag! ... but if it's me shootin' it, rather than focusing on the sights, I'm thinkin' 'bout how much I don't like the half-grip/half-mag, grip!

Put 'nother way, if one weren't hung up on .45, a non-"compact" .40 'er 9mm 3.8 would be a very nice "one-gun" home/carry solution! ... giving up almost nothing, fer either task!

The 3.8 in .45 comes with two different sized magazines, allowing for a full grip on the pistol at as home defense and a more concealable grip in public. The 3.8 is practically long enough to be a service weapon. I think it's a pretty cool design.

If the mag extends outside of the grip, I think that'd bother me, but to each their own. It sounds like a good configuration. I'm not so much hung of on .45ACP specifically, but I know what works for me having spent time researching it pretty extensively before purchasing it. For example, I don't reload, but the cost savings on reloading .45ACP is greater than 9mm. I know you shoot more for less when you reload, and not to diverge the thread, just saying that I even put that into consideration is all. That, and many other things. As already noted, I'm not a collector of different calibers, guns, etc. Just a different mindset is all. For me, and my INTJ brain, it's more about "is in functional? Does it work? Is it the Best Practices? Is it the shortest route possible?" If I were a programmer, I'd look at code and see how I could do the same thing or more with less coding. How to optimize it, etc. I'm like that with my guns too. By owning fewer calibers, less money spent on ammo and storage of it. There IS a method to my madness.

Anyway, this is going into a whole other area on which I could expound further, but won't.....back on track.... belts and holsters......

I'll check out the links and such when I get home later. Thanks for the tips, advice, links, and if anyone has more, I'm all eyes and ears.

[AFTERMATH]

I don't recall the brand, but I've been using a rigger's belt like this one: http://www.uscav.com/productinfo.aspx?p ... 11&tabid=1
For several years now. Held up good for a couple years with a Llama IX-D, the .45acp 'commander' length dbl stack 1911 style.
That and the Serpa sportster seemed to work ok, though, I've gotta say the paddle-type attachment grew to be a real pain, and lost some of it's spring.
Finally upgraded to the XD .45 service a month or so ago, and well, with actual belt loops it almost seems as though nothing is there - until nothing is there then I just feel naked.... Anyway.

The biggest downside of the belt is it is pretty wide. 1.75-2 inches, I don't recall... But it does fit the loops of all my pants except the slacks, though some are tight. Most my pants are tight too, hence the preferred OWB carry. That is until I win the 'Lose-it' competition... Yeah, right....

[Doc Harvey]

I have not actually used this belt yet, but it's the one I'm going to buy:

http://originalsoegear.com/15rigidcobrabelt.html

Good reviews, so far. YouTube review at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=orx22OG2 ... ature=plcp

[Exjay]

When i lost my last belt i didn't wanna wait to have one shipped so i got a double layer leather belt from bills gunshop. Galco cop series i believe. It goes with everythibg from a suit to tshirt and jeans

[Rip Van Winkle]

When I got tired of wearing out cheap belts I bought one here.

http://www.bullhidebelts.com/

Check out their clearance page for some good deals.

[45Badger]

I have at also dress belt that comfortably carries/supports a glock 26 or a1911. For leather own holsters, I've become addicted to alessi CQC-s. Fast on and off, all day comfort, perfect fit, great looks.

[AFTERMATH]

I have at also dress belt that comfortably carries/supports a glock 26 or a1911. For leather own holsters, I've become addicted to alessi CQC-s. Fast on and off, all day comfort, perfect fit, great looks.

That last line sounds kinda like a women's undergarment commercial.
Sounds like they ought to call it the 18 hour holster...

[river_boater]

What size do you need?

[Rem700]

For leather own holsters, I've become addicted to alessi CQC-s. Fast on and off, all day comfort, perfect fit, great looks.

+1

[XDM45]

For leather own holsters, I've become addicted to alessi CQC-s. Fast on and off, all day comfort, perfect fit, great looks.

+1

http://shop.alessigunholsters.com/Items/cqc-s%20springfield%20armory?&caSKU=cqc-s%20springfield%20armory&caTitle=Alessi%20Holsters%20CQC-S%20Holster%20for%20Springfield%20Armory%20Guns

Looks like they support the XD, but not the XDm.... ah well. moving on.........