Lets talk belts and holsters

[shane]

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]

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....

[shane]

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?

[BigBear]

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.

[WyoXD]

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!

[Irving]

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]

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.

[xjtwo]

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]

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?

I wear 'em all summer long - with a Ruger SP101 (KSP-321XL) in a Galco IWB.

[psawjack]

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.




If you have any questions about the CBST just let me know.

Patrick