The Importance of a Good Belt for Carry
Table of Contents
Hey all, we here at True Shot Academy want to go over the importance of selecting a good
belt for carry.
Belts are an incredibly important piece of kit for shooters of all types. The mission of this blog post is to talk about what makes a
carry belt good and highlight their traits and benefits. Without further ado, let’s talk
belts.
Rigidity
A degree of rigidity is desirable when considering a
carry belt. You ideally would want a
belt that is rigid enough to fully support the weight of a gun, holster, and other equipment one would wear on a
belt. If a
belt is too rigid, it could potentially restrict movement and make it difficult to carry inside the waistband (IWB).
In addition to being able to support the weight of a firearm, holster, and other gear, a
belt should also be able to retain its shape over time. A rigid
belt will resist the tendency that non-optimized gun
belts have to deform after repeated use. If deformation occurs, the fit of the
belt and its ability to reliably and consistently hold a holster in place becomes compromised.
At the end of the day, a rigid
belt inspires confidence and allows an end user to place their faith in their
belt. They will be able to carry their gear and gun without worry of it becoming loose or drifting on the
belt.
Purchase Belts
Appropriately Sized for Accessories
It is also important to select a quality
carry belt as they are sized appropriately for a variety of firearm-related products and gear. Things such as holster retention clips, holster
belt loops, magazine pouches, and other pieces of kit integrate better with
belts designed with firearms in mind.
Standard, off-the-rack
belts tend to be too thin and not nearly rigid enough to support these types of items. Many purpose-built
belts will also be textured or constructed from materials which aid in keeping equipment in place on the
belt. Conventional
belts are often too smooth and slick and can induce play in some of these accessories.
While some common and everyday
belts and other items may pair well with firearms and their accessories, there are simply better options which are more optimal. Simply put, purpose-built firearms products work better when paired with other purpose-built firearm products.
Comfort
A good carry
belt will also allow for a higher degree of comfort when carrying a firearm. A sturdy and rigid
belt will hold fast to its wearer and not shift under the weight of a firearm or with the user’s movements. This enhances the user’s level of comfort as they aren’t having to make constant adjustments and behave any differently to appease an unruly
belt.
Sizing with Firearms in Mind
Many firearm-oriented
belts will feature a wide range of sizing options. While standard sizing conventions exist such as “small,” “medium,” and “large” options, these
belts can often be adjusted further for comfort. This is especially important when factoring in the fact that a holster may be carried IWB. Many
belts will feature multiple islets or similar areas to lock in on when sizing the
belt to oneself. These are often in close proximity to each other, allowing an end user to make minute adjustments to their
belt.
Many
belt manufacturers recommend that potential customers go with a larger sized
belt if they are between two sizes. This is to ensure that the
belt will be able to work with holsters and a variety of pants, particularly those with waistbands optimized for carry. Many manufacturers will also have detailed sizing guides on their site to aid customers in ensuring that they select the proper sized
belt.
Versatile for Different Types of Carry
A good carry
belt will be well-suited to different carry methods. This means that an end user can buy a single
belt solution and utilize it for a variety of purposes. Granted, other purpose-built offerings exist and may be better than a general-purpose gun
belt, but one can certainly get many jobs done with a good carry
belt.
Concealed carry can easily be accomplished with a quality carry
belt. One will be able to effectively carry IWB with a proper
belt thanks to the increased rigidity and additional adjustment range provided by these
belts. A quality carry
belt will also be well-suited for open carry applications. The rigidity of these
belts will easily support an OWB holster and additional magazine or equipment pouches.
Purchase Belts
Who Makes Carry Belts?
There are a wide variety of carry
belts on the market in this day and age. With the mass proliferation of concealed carriers, many companies offer products to support these end users,
belts included.
Belts of this type can be had from companies like Ciguera Gear Company (formerly Alonso Defense Group) and Blue Alpha Gear. USPSA GM Hunter Constantine even offers a
belt in the form of the
Constantine Carry Belt. At the end of the day, a prospective buyer will be able to browse a variety of
belt options when choosing a carry
belt.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, it is prudent to pair one’s firearm with quality equipment that is optimal for their intended use. A defensive firearm not only needs to be paired with a quality holster, but also a good
carry belt to tie the whole package together. Equipment is only as good as the user, and to build proficiency. We here at True Shot Ammo carry a wide variety of
ammunition to aid you in building your skills and training. As always, happy shooting.
Need bulk ammo? At True Shot Ammo, we have a wide variety of handgun ammo and rifle ammo available to purchase. Please visit our website trueshotammo.com, call us at (888) 736-6587, or you can email us at sales@trueshotammo.com for more ammo options.
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