CC Belt - Blackhawk CQB/Instructors?

[BuffCyclist]

I'm planning on taking the CCL class offered by Riclin in October (this weekend's is full, and I have to work the weekend it's offered in September), so in the meantime I've been researching conceal carry belts and holsters.


Now, I know that I need a good quality, stiff belt to carry the pistol on. As I already own quite a few large leather belts, I've been carrying in an owb around my house every night for a couple weeks and it works decently well. But, I want to upgrade to a firearm specific belt and have found the Blackhawk CQB/Instructors belts.

I like the look of this style of belt, but can't decide which will work, as the only difference between the two is the Instructors belt has a kydex stiffener to stiffen the belt. The specs are:

• MIL-STD-858 with parachute grade buckles and adapters
• 1.75” webbing (7,000 lb tensile strength)
• Hook and loop secures running end


http://masterofconcealment.com/images/magick_cache/pgroup_7308_image_400x600__shadow.jpg

Does anyone have any experience with Blackhawk belts or more generically, any type of carry belt in this style?

[Elhuero]

I don't know about blackhawk but I've been wearing a wilderness belt for years, works perfectly and cheaper than blackhawk.


http://store.thewilderness.com/product_info.php?cPath=43&products_id=2271

[BuffCyclist]

Hmm, I'll look into those. I really like the extra tightening tab of the Blackhawks (if that's what it really is). The thing on the right side about 1-2" in length that attaches to the buckle.

And the Blackhawks run $44 for the Instructors and $35 for the CQB, which isn't that far off of the Wilderness belts that I'm seeing which are around $40. I'll look around at the Wilderness belts, haven't heard of the brand. Thanks for the link!

[omio]

opticsplanet has one for $28 http://www.opticsplanet.net/instructor-gun-belt-w-talon-flex-insert-34-41.html (http://www.opticsplanet.net/instructor-gun-belt-w-talon-flex-insert-34-41.html)
I bought it and it was really nice but it was too big for me and they don't have them in small so i had to go with a regular riggers belt. I had no complaints and it was a good price for being made in the USA.

[Roger]

I'm planning on taking the CCL class offered by Riclin in October (this weekend's is full, and I have to work the weekend it's offered in September), so in the meantime I've been researching conceal carry belts and holsters.

Over on glocktalk, there is a guy that makes iwb holsters, that are very quality (over 475 replies to his thread, nothing but good things, product reviews and customer pics) and relatively affordable compared to others.

Now, I know that I need a good quality, stiff belt to carry the pistol on. As I already own quite a few large leather belts, I've been carrying in an owb around my house every night for a couple weeks and it works decently well. But, I want to upgrade to a firearm specific belt and have found the Blackhawk CQB/Instructors belts.

I like the look of this style of belt, but can't decide which will work, as the only difference between the two is the Instructors belt has a kydex stiffener to stiffen the belt. The specs are:

• MIL-STD-858 with parachute grade buckles and adapters
• 1.75” webbing (7,000 lb tensile strength)
• Hook and loop secures running end


http://masterofconcealment.com/images/magick_cache/pgroup_7308_image_400x600__shadow.jpg

Does anyone have any experience with Blackhawk belts or more generically, any type of carry belt in this style?





I have and have used a riggers belt like the one shown here. It is heavy. The two buckles make the front heavy. The two buckles will not fit between some belt loops, depending on the pants of course. It is stiff enough to hold a lot of weight. And it tells the whole world you are carrying a gun.

The 5.11 operator and trainer belts are good and cost less. It too looks like a gun belt.
http://www.511tactical.com/images511/thumb/59405_120.gif


I have used the 5.11 TDU belt when I'm not carrying a lot of stuff. It works fine for knocking around, and doesn't quite have the same look.
http://www.511tactical.com/images511/thumb/59552_019.gif

The Blackhawk CQC belts are pretty and have a stiffner in them for wearing with dress clothes. But they are too thin in my opinion.

[BuffCyclist]

Forgot to mention, I normally wear a 1.5" thick leather belt with belt buckles (some of my buckles are not light), would these be enough for a double beltclip-mounting iwb holster? I guess I should probably just get my iwb holster first and then decide on a belt later if the ones I have aren't enough. It would be nice if they would work just fine, as I have about 3 that are nice, thick leather and still retain their shape (have some older ones too that are well worn in and quite flexible).

[275RLTW]

The "tightner" is to secure the attaching point for a retention lanyard. I wear a similar belt every day and have for years. Tactical Tailor started that exact belt for operators long ago and it is still the prefered belt by SOCOM. I believe their cost is only $30 and much longer lasting.

[Batteriesnare]

For what it's worth, I've been carrying with a Galco Instructors belt for over a year now and I cannot complain!

[nogaroheli]

[Shameless Plug] I know this one guy on this board who makes IWB holsters that people seem to like a lot, here's one of his FS threads for referrence:

http://www.co-ar15.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25589

He'll even take it back if you don't like it :-)

On a serious note, I've been eyeing that 5.11 operators belt a lot recently. I saw one at Specialty Sports but they didn't have my size, it did look like a good belt, and cost less than the Blackhawk.

Good luck!

[Irving]

I ordered a pair of 5.11 pants once and it came with a free belt that looks like the second one in the picture. I wore it exclusively until I got my Comptac. The clips I have are too short and I just need to order the extended clips to fit the belt. I don't know if it's the same belt or not since it came free, but it has held up for about two years of common use.

[SA Friday]

http://www.akerleather.com/

Model B21 and B22. I have two B21's and one B22. I wore them with suits, blue jeans, and 5.11s. They don't scream GUN, are leather, and have a polymer insert in between the leather front and back. $50.

Edited to add: I've had a Galco leather belt for years also. I'm almost positive the thing is indestructable, but damn it was pricy.

[Irving]

I don't see those models on there. Did you mean B01 and B02?

[StagLefty]

I'm not sure what brand Bowers Tactical carries but you might check those out if you around his store.

[Ranger]

[Shameless Plug] I know this one guy on this board who makes IWB holsters that people seem to like a lot, here's one of his FS threads for referrence:

http://www.co-ar15.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25589



I'll confirm the plug, it's a great holster. [UZI]

[BuffCyclist]

I'm not sure what brand Bowers Tactical carries but you might check those out if you around his store.

I just moved down to southern New Mexico for a job, so I wont be going by Bowers anytime soon. Worst of all, the only gunshop nearby is Walmart...



[Shameless Plug] I know this one guy on this board who makes IWB holsters that people seem to like a lot, here's one of his FS threads for referrence:

http://www.co-ar15.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25589

He'll even take it back if you don't like it :-)

On a serious note, I've been eyeing that 5.11 operators belt a lot recently. I saw one at Specialty Sports but they didn't have my size, it did look like a good belt, and cost less than the Blackhawk.

Good luck!
And as far as the IWB holster goes, I'm actually leaning towards one that is made by a guy over on glocktalk. They are very similar, but cheaper in price, have a better "finished" quality to them, they use metal clips whereas the ones on here look like they are kydex/plastic clips, they come in multiple cuts (combat or regular), multiple colors of leather that don't bleed, more holes drilled for various cants, belt slots can be added for owb (though I'm not getting this option), different kinds of kydex (regular or a thicker carbon fiber looking kydex), even come stamped with his logo (SH) and have a barbed wire border which adds to finishing the leather off aesthetically.

While I'm all for supporting the home-producer of any products, the glocktalk ones look better made with a more complete design. Not trying to offend, just stating my point.

[StagLefty]

Sorry-I'm so used to folks posting without a location I didn't look [Beer]

[BuffCyclist]

Sorry-I'm so used to folks posting without a location I didn't look [Beer]

hehe, no worries. I'm now one of the few guys on this board that are out of state. It kinda stinks as I still check the For Sale section and when I come across a good deal, I'm like "aww, I can't snag that". [ROFL1]

[Roger]

Neve's Uniforms bought out Public Safety Warehouse in Colorado Springs. They are a 5.11 dealer and have all the belts in stock in sizes and colors.

The smaller buckle is the TDU belt, and that's the one they give free sometimes when you buy pants. It's 1.5" or 1.75" in width. The Operator belt with the large buckle is 1.75" and the Trainer belt is 1.5".

I have an older Spec-Ops belt that is now on my son. Its a great belt.

Oh, and the Neve's thing means there is now a Glock LE dealer in Colorado Springs.

[Irving]

Cool, I guess I got lucky. Mine is a 5.11 TDU Coyote belt.