The Bigfoot belt is a little stiff to handle because it features a flexible steel inner lining. The notches are tight, with a reverse bevel that is secure and attractive. Stitching is good, and the belt loop is double stitched. Under close examination, you can see the edges are burnished and beveled. The belt isn’t made from a bigfoot’s hide, but is rather made from English bridle leather. This is a sturdy belt at 0.28-inch thick. The raters have on hand a six-year-old example as well that still looks great.īigfoot Gunbelt, $74 Among the most impressive gun belts is the Bigfoot, a 0.28-inch-thick belt made from English bridle leather.Ĭheck for this at. The belt illustrated is new, but it is shown after weeks of testing. This isn’t the flashiest belt, but it is one that will provide good service. You may choose either a standard or roller buckle attached with Chicago screws. The finish is intended to display an aged or distressed look when new and is designed to acquire a finished patina over time. This treatment, often called waxing, is an overlooked feature. The Old World Gun Belt is thick at 0.25 inch and is, according to Wright, treated with oils and tallows for longevity. Wright Leather Works Old World Gun Belt, $75 The Wright Leather Works Old World belt is nicely turned out and proved comfortable in our testing. This is a credible choice, and, frankly, unless you are a connoisseur of pasting and waxing, this belt is the better buy. All that is said concerning the Old World Belt is true of the Bullhide Belt. The primary difference is the dark finish. This is a slightly different 0.25-inch-thick belt. It helps carry a heavy load comfortably, we found. Wright Leather Works Bullhide Belt, $52 The Wright Leather Works Bullhide Belt is specially treated for long wear and is plenty thick to spread the gun’s weight out on the belt. ![]() We did not discount this extra work, but neither did we rate the belt down on this factor. We should mention that all of the web-type holsters demanded the male component of the Cobra buckle be removed to thread the holster onto the belt, unless you were using a clip-on type inside-the-waistband holster. We added a Galco Phoenix and Smith & Wesson Combat Magnum later in the test to be certain crossdraw worked well. We also tested the belts with a Galco Stow-N-Go holster and a Glock 43 9mm for those belts designed for lightweight casual carry, with a weight of more than 30 ounces for the loaded handgun and holster. This is a hefty weight and a good test of the belt’s performance. Because the Defender holster also holds a spare magazine, the weight of the holster, gun, and magazine was more than 50 ounces. The gun used was a Government Model 1911 45 ACP. This holster uses three belt loops to attach to the belt. During the testing, we used several guns and holsters, but the one we used most was the Bullard Leather Defender. We ordered the gun belts in 1.5-inch width. Poor stitching is a sign of a cheaply-made belt. Be certain the holster is tightly fitted to the belt. The belt must mate firmly to the holster. It is a nuisance to keep adjusting the belt and attempting to cinch the belt tighter, which really just makes you uncomfortable, and the holster still drags. A rigid gun belt is wide enough to keep the holstered handgun from sagging. The stronger the belt, the more comfortable it is. ![]() While fit and finish are important, the performance of the belt is more important. A loose-fitting belt won’t cinch up tightly and will bunch up the trousers. A proper gun belt is a solid piece of leather and is properly glued or stitched together. Chain-store belts are not gun belts, but then they are not designed to be. Buckles may be stitched, screwed on, clamped, pressed, or anchored. The size of the frame that holds the prong affects function as well, and some modern belts use latches instead of a prong and notch. Classic leather is still good, but the modern types are well designed and workmanlike and may even fit modern fashion better.Ī belt is made of the strap, buckle, loop, and a prong that fits notches in the belt. We tested a box full of belts and came away with a good understanding of what makes a good gun belt. ![]() We needed a selection process and test procedure, particularly with the new breed of nylon types. Choosing the proper belt isn’t that difficult, but even raters who have used good gear for many years had pause when attempting to explain what makes a good gun belt. A poor belt is a huge problem for concealed-carry permit holders. A standard dress belt will allow the holstered handgun to sag on the trousers. When you make the decision to carry a holstered handgun in the field or in concealed carry, you need a proper gun belt.
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