View Full Version : Lets talk belts and holsters
So I have about 60 days left before my ccw permit comes through and I want to get a good carry belt and holster figured out before then. I have been looking at either the wilderness tactical or don hume belts so far. In the holster department I have been looking at getting a crossbreed super tuck, but they are pretty expensive. I'm assuming the crossbreed is worth the price since everyone and their mother uses them? The pistol I will be carrying is a XD-9 service model with a 4" barrel. I have smaller pistols that I could carry, but I am the most accurate and comfortable with the xd and I feel that is what is most important. My question is do you guys think the crossbreed will do a good enough job of hiding the pistol? I'm about 6'0" 180 if that helps. I know I need to dress around the gun, so what type of clothing does everyone typically wear when your out? I'm not talking Hawaiian shirts or fanny packs either. I am defiantly open to opinions and options too, so if you know of a better holster or belt please let me know. I am on a semi tight budget, so I would like to use everyone's experience so I only buy once.
Glock Shooter
05-03-2010, 08:34
I went with the Galco Instructors Belt Reinforced 1 1/2'' - Black. Very sturdy, works well with a normal Glock Holster, Fobus paddle, and doesn't get in the way when I use my Galco Fanny-Pack Holster.
I ordered a Desantis Nemesis for my LCP as I'm not comfortable just carrying it in my pocket without something covering the trigger guard. Should be here any day I'll let you know what I think. My LCP will become my primary carry pistol during the summer as I just don't really wear anything I could comfortably conceal my Glock 26. I tried a few versions from Galco carrying inside the pant but they just weren't for me. Guess I might just have to get into the wardrobe habit of wearing baggy button down shirts this summer....
Thanks for the insight GlockShooter. Your post reminded me of another question, IWB or OWB. Which does everyone prefer? And when you are wearing an OWB holster what kind of cover garmet are you using?
Glock 26 with a Galco M4X holster. Button up shirts and jeans/shorts.
Works fine for me.
When I need to wear IWB, I use the MTAC.
My belt of choice has been a Wilderness 1 3/4" 5-stitch for a long time. I prefer the 1 3/4" for carry and competition; so my holsters are set up accordingly. About a year and a half ago I switched from OWB to IWB and I can't imagine ever going back. I coughed up the money for a Comp Tac Minotaur--worth every penny. The Crossbreed is the same basic design and looks to be a quality rig, but I went with the Mtac for a few reasons:
1) Available with 1 3/4" belt clips--an absolute necessity for me(Crossbreed only fits up to 1 1/2")
2) The holster completely covers the slide, preventing accidentally dislodging the firearm and a little less clothing wear.
3) Adjustable draw tension(without having to use a hair dryer)
These are just some things that made my decision for me. My XD 9 Service and I are very satisfied!
I don't have any good input on belts, but I've been able to conceal a compact gun pretty easily under just a regular, untucked polo shirt.
I've mostly been able to conceal under a tucked in button up shirt as well, but I don't like to dress like that if I can avoid it because I don't like the idea of digging around in my shirt to get the gun out. The best solution I found for carrying while wearing a dress shirt was to tuck the shirt behind the IWB holster, and just wear a sweater vest or coat jacked over the gun. That is MUCH more comfortable, but not always an option.
Being in my own private office all the time, it didn't really matter what I wore though. If I ever had to work in the corporate world again, I think I'd go for either a pocket gun, or put something on my ankle. Just way too many people in a corporate office environment, lots of risk of people touching you, bumping into you, etc.
As far as holsters go, I'd suggest one with at least two contact points (like the C-TAC, M-TAC, Minotaur, etc). This will make the holster more likely to stay in exactly the place that you put it, and it can't rock back and forth. You don't want to be in a position where you go to grab your gun, only to find that your grip has titled enough that your belt is part way on top of it, and you can't immediately get your hands around the grip. Along that same line of thought, it is always easier to grab a gun that has the grip well above the belt line. Some holsters are specifically made to put the grip of the gun as close to the belt as possible, and call it "deep cover" or something.
My personal opinion is that I'd rather have the grip higher off the belt.
I have a Minotaur holster and a Desantis "Tuck This" (first generation). The Minotaur is much more stable, but also larger. The Desantis is nice for quickly slipping on the gun to take out the trash, or walking around the house in shorts or something. Also, since the Desantis is much safer, that is the holster that I put the gun in the safe at night. So if I need to grab it quick to go outside, I can just pull it out of the safe, slip it into my jeans or something. The point is that the cheaper, single point, non-leather, non-kydex holsters aren't usually the best option for carrying, but they can fill an important niche.
pickenup
05-03-2010, 15:41
My competition set up, was basically using a police duty belt. It has an inner Velcro belt, and an outer leather belt that has Velcro around the inside of it.
Anyway, I got so spoiled with the ability to have micro adjustment on the "inner" belt (because of the Velcro) that I got rid of my other belts that had buckles on them, and used the "inner" as my regular belt.
You can only adjust "buckled" belts to where the holes are. Some times, like after a good meal in town, one hole is not quite enough, and the next one is a bit too much. With Velcro you adjust it to where it fits JUST right, you know, nice and secure like you would want it when carrying a firearm.
No more buckles poking me in the belly when I sit down, and being able to fine tune the belt is my choice.
You can find them at any police supply store.
1) Available with 1 3/4" belt clips--an absolute necessity for me(Crossbreed only fits up to 1 1/2")
This isn't true, I have both the Crossbreed and the CompTac Spartan both fit fine on my Wilderness 1 3/4" belt. Actually the Crossbreed fits better than the Comptac, there is no slop at all.
I have a 5 stitch and a 5 stitch CSM both in 1 3/4" I like both, the 5 stitch CSM is WAY stiffer though.
First set up for me was the 5 stitch CSM with the Comptac Spartan, carrying the G19 and sometimes the G26.
Second set up is same belt but the Crossbreed Supertuck with a Springfield EMP....
I like both set ups but I lean more towards the Crossbreed, just feels better, no slop in the clips on the belt and feels like it spreads the weight better.
WyoXD is right though...you pretty much have to heat the Crossbreed up to adjust the tension (I haven't had to do that once though)
I have however, had to retighten the screws on the Comptac Spartan...
You can adjust the cant on both holsters.
I like the Crossbreed better but its really your preference.....All I can add is pay once cry once. In other words don't skimp out on a belt & holster, they are very important IMO.
-J
funkfool
05-03-2010, 21:03
I know I need to dress around the gun, so what type of clothing does everyone typically wear when your out? I'm not talking Hawaiian shirts or fanny packs either.
What's wrong with Hawaiian shits? HUH?
[ROFL1]
I wear 'em all summer long - with a Ruger SP101 (KSP-321XL) in a Galco IWB.
https://www.hawaiianshirtsonline.com/images/tropical/big/PalmIslandBlue.jpg
psawjack
05-03-2010, 21:40
shane,
I thought I'd take a couple of pics of my S&W SW99 9mm 4in w/ a Crossbreed Supertuck and show them to you. This holster is really comfortable. You can also tuck your shirt behind the holster or wear a undershirt if you want to keep the leather off your skin. I prefer to wear just a tee shirt over the holster with no undershirts. I recommend the horse upgrade (better moisture handler) and not the combat cut option (you can always take away but you can't add more leather). The CBST works great hand and hand with my Beltman sharkskin belt.
I own a couple MTACs and I prefer the CBST over the MTAC. I'm currently waiting on one as I write this.:Cool:
http://i909.photobucket.com/albums/ac292/psawjack/SW99/P1000836.jpg
http://i909.photobucket.com/albums/ac292/psawjack/SW99/P1000835.jpg
If you have any questions about the CBST just let me know.
Patrick
Is there anyone local that has a good selection of IWB holsters that I can go and see what these look like and how they feel with out having to order and then find out I dont like how it feels.
Thanks
Jensen Arms in Loveland has a pretty large selection of various brands. They do stock a pretty large selection of MTAC's. They also carry a few different belts, including the Wilderness.
For what it's worth Splefiy, I've never liked the feel of any holster the first time I put it on.
I think I am leaning in the direction of the mtac now. I really like the idea of being able to change out the kydex portion of the holster to allow it to accept another pistol rather than buying a whole new holster. Someone mentioned using a 1 3/4" belt over a 1 1/2" belt. Do you guys ever have a problem with the 1 3/4" belts not fitting through your belt loops? I just measured the belt I have on and its 1 1/4" so I don't see that an extra half an inch would make that big of a difference. Lots of very good information here guys. Thanks.[Beer]
Some of my pants can't fit a belt larger than 1 1/4, and some of my pants can hardly even fit the 1 1/4" belt at all. I'm certain that almost none of my pants could accommodate TWO belts. Maybe I'll have to read closer, because I don't seem to understand how wearing two belts is advantageous, or even works. Anyone have any pictures?
Some of my pants can't fit a belt larger than 1 1/4, and some of my pants can hardly even fit the 1 1/4" belt at all. I'm certain that almost none of my pants could accommodate TWO belts. Maybe I'll have to read closer, because I don't seem to understand how wearing two belts is advantageous, or even works. Anyone have any pictures?
Interested in pics as well... I've always used regular belts, but have been entertaining the thought of a dedicated "gun belt"... velcro, kydex, etc.. A littel weird.
pickenup
05-04-2010, 22:26
Hope this helps explain it.
The top belt in the first picture, is the "inner" belt. It is 1 1/2 inches wide, and has Velcro all the way around the outside of the belt. It goes "inside" the belt loops on your pants. It can be used "by itself" as a regular belt. This is the one I use as my everyday belt. No buckle and micro adjustment. If you try one, you will see that it is definitely strong enough, by itself, to handle a holstered firearm and mag pouches.
The bottom belt in the first picture, is the "outer" belt, or duty belt that hold all the gear that police carry. (which is a LOT more than you will probably ever carry) Or it will hold your gun and LOTS OF mag pouches for competition. It is 2 inches wide and leather. This belt goes around your waist, on the "outside" of your belt loops. If you look at the first picture, the black stripe on the inside of this belt, is a strip of Velcro. The Velcro on the "inside" of this belt, attaches to the Velcro on the "outside" of the other belt that is "through" your pant loops.
In the second picture, you can see that on the duty belt (outer belt) there is a couple of hooks that fit in holes spaced along the belt. You can also see the Velcro on this belt that hold the ends together once you get the hooks in. If both belts are used together, I would (almost) guarantee that you could not hang enough stuff on the outer belt to cause it to loose it's grip.
For regular carry, the inner belt is all you will ever need. Even for competition, you do not NEED the outer belt, the inner would do. It is just easier to "gear up" with everything you need already on the outer belt, when you get to the range. Things like a larger off-set holster and larger mag pouches that you would not normally carry, when carrying concealed.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v30/pickenup/Dutybelt.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v30/pickenup/Dutybelt-1.jpg
Thanks for the breakdown, that makes much more sense now. It'd be nice to be able to add a magazine carrier without taking your belt off in front of the 40 other shooters. Also, with the velcro, it now makes sense how the belt stays in place on a draw.
Another vote for the MTAC here. I have one for my G21 & G19. Most comfortable holster I've ever worn. YMMV.
I also have a Comp-Tac Kydex belt. The belt makes the biggest difference in carrying comfortably all day, IMHO.
Thanks for that breakdown. Very interesting.
Glock Shooter
05-08-2010, 06:48
I just received my Desantis Nemesis for my LCP and love it. It presents perfect every time, stays in position, only patterns when I'm sitting just right. Also picked up a Desantis Trickster, this one gives the appearance from the outside as a normal wallet, but not! Probably only use this when I get all gussied up and take the wife out on the town.
For a belt I went with the highly recommended www.thebeltman.com. 1 1/2" bullhide. It is very stiff, did not get the stiffner. Very well made. Been wearing it daily for over a year. Holding up well. Can see it lasting many years. Well worth the money.
ronaldrwl
05-10-2010, 10:15
For a belt I went with the highly recommended www.thebeltman.com (http://www.thebeltman.com). 1 1/2" bullhide. It is very stiff, did not get the stiffner. Very well made. Been wearing it daily for over a year. Holding up well. Can see it lasting many years. Well worth the money.
The correct link is http://thebeltman.net/
Sharpline
05-10-2010, 11:14
I like my crossbreed belt, wear it everyday, confortable and stiff and it works great with their ugly but extreamly comfortable holsters.
OgenRwot
05-27-2010, 00:37
What the hell, I'll throw my two cents in.
I'm using a Wilderness Instructor belt, five stitch with no insert.
http://store.thewilderness.com/product_info.php?cPath=43&products_id=2233&osCsid=qar3l4cbahfjjjnv52jcf6l5t1
For a holster I'm using an MTAC.
Anyone have any good recommendations for running? None of my running stuff has belt loops, nor is it substantial enough to support the holster very well (like jeans might be).
Next time I'm going to try stringing a belt through an OWB holster I have, and wearing the whole thing UNDER my top layer of running garment (shorts/pants).
ronaldrwl
05-27-2010, 09:23
Have you tried a shoulder holster?
No I don't have one. Other people have suggested similar as well. I've carried in a Camel Pack before, but you can't really draw from one of those.
hollohas
05-27-2010, 10:05
I like IWB.
I use two holsters now, depending on my mood.
One, which is like the Mtac and Crossbreed but from a place called Tucker Gun Leather http://rlcompanyusa.stores.yahoo.net/answeriwbs.html. It costs quite a bit more than the Mtac and CB but I like the features better. No exposed hardware against skin like the CB has (the Mtac is also covered). But this also has leather inside the Kydex, which I love. It is a lot of holster and takes a second to put on, so it's not my favorite to slap on quickly if I am running out of the house for a few minutes. Great for all day wear though.
http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae191/sholloh/IMG00117-20100527-0937.jpg
http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae191/sholloh/IMG00118-20100527-0938.jpg
http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae191/sholloh/IMG00119-20100527-0947.jpg
The other holster I use is the Galco USA Ultimate Second Amendment.
http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae191/sholloh/USA.jpg
This is a great holster but it didn't hold open well and made reholstering hard. So I went out and got some leather strap and plastic pipe hanger strapping and stitched on some reinforcement around the top. Works great now. Super easy to tuck and also easy to take off when you get home or if you want to take it off in the car. I did that custom work before Galco came out with the Ultra Deep Cover holster which looks identical to my semi-customer Galco 2nd Amendment holster. It's like they saw what I did to mine, copied it and made it standard product.
http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae191/sholloh/UDC.jpg
The correct link is http://thebeltman.net/
+1..!!
SonOfTheGriz
05-27-2010, 12:11
I alternate between a couple 5.11 nylon belts (similar to the Wilderness, a little cheaper) and a DeSantis 1.75" leather belt.
The DeSantis and 5.11 belts have all held up well -- no sag at all to speak of after more than a year of almost-daily carry of everything from small Glocks to all-steel full-size 1911s.
The DeSantis ran me about $30 at Jensens in Loveland. I figured that, even if I'm NOT walking around armed, it was a good price for a quality leather belt and it doesn't scream "CCW fashionista!!" like "tactical" belts.
I'm also an admitted 5.11 junkie and get most of my stuff at Kinsco in Longmont. The nylon belts seem to "look" more natural when I'm wearing shorts. A fat black leather belt on cargo shorts is a bit of a weird look -- the 5.11 belts just seem to blend in a little better.
Just avoid the cheap "big box" store belts and fashion leather from PacSun, The Buckle, or your local Vaquero wear shop downtown. Those belts fold faster than Obama without a teleprompter.
cowboykjohnson
06-17-2010, 13:31
Just recently got an MTAC Minotaur for my Kimber Ultra CDP... wow very comfortable holster. I like being able to wear it with a tucked in shirt. I would highly recommend one.
I use the Raven Consealment (http://www.themalabarfront.com/product_info.php?products_id=1561{13}269{7}33{12}2 64{10}57{2}9) holster and the Specter -Last Resort Belt.
I ended up with a MTAC Minotaur and a wilderness tactical belt. It's the first time I have ever worn a gun in this fashion, but I find it pretty comfortable. Not very comfortable when setting in the car though.
DD977GM2
06-26-2010, 14:00
I highly recommend the Crossbreed SUper Tuck IWB hoslter. I have one for my 1911, XD45 and G23. It is great for being able to tuck my shirt in and NO ONE notices a thing. At $60 bucks, they are not that expensive.
I wont wear anything but Crossbreed holsters [Beer]
I just use a Beltster, works well for my fatass. He can make 'em for any handgun you want, it's a very bodacious hunk of leather. Mine is 1-3/4". Believe it or not, it holds my 1911's very snug, no problems at all. You'll have to remove the rivets from your jeans though, or they'll mark up the slide.
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b150/rinselman/guns/holsters%20and%20grips/Beltster.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b150/rinselman/guns/my%20handguns/pupbeltster01.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b150/rinselman/guns/my%20handguns/DSCN1468.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b150/rinselman/guns/my%20handguns/DSCN1469.jpg
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