We have this fairly recent thread that may be helpful

Wearing a seperate belt and holster for OWB

I like carrying a 1911 with shorter barrels and officer length grips. IWB or OWB the guns weight is contatly pulling my pants down. I really tighten the belt but that usually results if too tight of a grip on the gun, making it a struggle to pull or re-holster. Recently I have tried a separate...

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Duty belt I carried was visible and was provided with leather straps with snaps which locked it to the trouser belt. Very secure and comfortable. Not wearing a uniform for many years, I routinely wear Beltman leather gun belts as pants belts. I carry a Commander, but no other belt gear, though the belt is certainly up to any reasonable burden.

 

For many years I wore a duty belt with one of my Smiths or RBH while riding and hunting/hiking in the backcountry and also used suspenders to hold my pants up without squeezing myself in half. I didn't use the belt loops, just a pair of logger suspenders.

Now I am working with a couple of stiff gun belts to hold both pants and OWB holster. It is working quite well now as I got skinny and my hips are there again. When you have to carry a duty load of daily wear, maybe an over duty belt is in order and move your pants belt buckle to the left of center to not be so bulky in front. I just carry an OWB and a spare mag in my pocket . Mag carriers are soooo expensive. I don't want two belts unless I have to.

 

If your carrying so much stuff you have to go to an inner/outer belt set up your carrying too much stuff. Knock it off, your, not deployed to north western outer Mongolia.

Inner/outer belts are great for what they do, allow carrying large amounts of gear on a far stiffer/wider belt then would easily fit through normal belt loops. They also allow positioning gear in locations regardless of belt loops.

For normal EDC there is no need to carry that much stuff. I say this as an active LE officer, CPR/first aid and Active Shooter response instructor. YOU DO NOT NEED that much stuff. 99% of people who carry will never even draw, much less shoot. If you really really BELIEVE you need that much stuff get a manbag.

 

If you really really BELIEVE you need that much stuff get a manbag.

That ain't happenin'! 🤠

I generally carry a 1911 with one extra mag. I've found that carrying a small flashlight is pretty handy as well, so that's more space. I live out in the boonies, so I like to have at least a couple of knives with me, one pocket clip and, if there's room, a sheath knife. The main issue is that with the various placing of the belt loops between clothing manufacturers it's sometimes a pain in the pin feathers to get stuff situated so it's not only at least moderately comfortable but also allows access to the various and sundry junk I have in my pockets. Wranglers aren't too bad about this, but I don't always wear Wranglers..

 

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Used by the US Secret Service for their concealed carry needs. YMMV.

 

Just so we're all talking about the same thing. This vid shows the various types/styles of belts. Everything from just a belt, to police duty belts, to full padded warbelts to what I believe the OP is referring to, the two piece MOLLE style belt currently in vogue.

 

Duty belt is a little extreme for EDC IMO. It would print through/around the shirt for sure, plus its heavy. There are much better choice's. You mentioned you are running out of room? What are you carrying that requires so much real-estate in I may ask?

 

This is my EDC on my belt and I still have room for more. I could add a second full size gun in a small of the back holster if I wanted to. Just what do you have on your belt that needs more room??

My EDC, though I changed out the NHC for my stainless steel DW Specialist Commander.

This is my EDC belt and it works very well with the above items and can support more weight easily. Before I retired, I wore a Sig Stainless Elite P229 .40 with four spare 14rd magazines and a pair of handcuffs in a belt pouch under Hawaiian shirts or loose fitting 5.11 shirts. I still do, just without the Sig or the handcuffs.

 

Is that a Bladetech holster?

 

I like and wear a gun belt and pant belt.
Two keepers in the back quadrants
I just carry a holster and a horizontal double mag pouch.
No worries here.

Been sporting this since before the turn of the century.
Also, there is a matching 1 1/2” pant belt with like buckle.


///

 

If you really really BELIEVE you need that much stuff get a manbag.

We agree. If you have that much stuff to carry, do so more comfortably. You may never need it but if you do it will be with you.

PS: Old habits die hard ............................ 😇

 

Rockin' an FDE PX4, cool.

 

Yes, with all the LTT upgrades. DA trigger pull about like a slick Glock, SA pull like a nice 1911.

 

I’ve been using the same Wilderness Instructors Belt (everyday) for the last 8 years. It has an internal stiffener at the 3:00-5:00 position. One belt, eight years going, and plenty of life left. ymmv.

 

I know everyone has their own ideas on this but I am curious what are you thinking you need to load a belt up with? Are you a plainclothes or undercover LEO? I ask because if you are then my answer would be to talk to your fellow cop friends. If you are a Civilian what exactly are you carrying you can’t fit on a 35” belt and in your pockets? By all means wear a good belt. The only things I carry on my belt are my gun and one or two mags. Everything else goes in my pockets. Clip Folder knife in front pocket. Clip flashlight in back pocket, slimline wallet with DL and CPL and a couple CC’s in front pocket. Smartphone in back pocket, Cash on money clip in opposite front pocket. Keys in front pocket with knife I wear solid silver ICE ID (2) dog tags on a 30” silver chain with family members names and phone numbers along with meds I take and my blood type stamped on them. I used to work daily in downtown Detroit but only go a couple times a month now. What I wear and carry is different for daily life in the burbs. When going to Detroit then and now I carry a BUG in a Smartcarry Invisible holster. SmartCarry The Invisible Holster

I also carry larger amounts of money in the Smartcarry or an ankle wallet if going to casino or sports events. A friend of mine just bought one of these:

30 Dollar Gun Belt | High Caliber Gun Belts. Period.

Gun Belts | Made In The USA | The Ultimate Thick Single Layer Gun Belt | Corrosion Resistant Hardware | Only $30

www.30dollargunbelt.com

for the low price I was impressed with the quality. I don’t need a belt but would absolutely buy one, two or three of them now. I don’t wear cargo or tactical pants or any clothes usually associated with the carry crowd.

I hope you do not carry handcuffs if you are a regular civilian or one of those belt CCW badges. I am guessing if you are new to carrying you might be thinking you need a Batman Belt or some other gear not needed. Carry lightly in case you need to physically fight or run. I do wear a Para cord bracket and a wrist compass along with a wristwatch. I don’t wear expensive watches or rings if I am downtown. I don’t wear clothes that broadcast I am armed anywhere… If anything I dress down. If you think you are in any chance of a physical confrontation (it can happen anywhere anymore) more likely in big cities… think about a holster with snap or slide over retention. I don’t like to call attention to myself in anyway by my appearance. I think you said you wear a one size up shirt. That is a good thing. You don’t ever want to print. Take a look at any of the good IWB and OWB holsters. I generally don’t wear shirts I have to tuck in since I rarely wear suits or sport coats anymore. I Don’t wear tactical or photog vests—since they scream gun.
I know this may not be the answer you are looking for but it works for me. I just don’t like a lot of stuff around my midsection or on my belt.

 

I know everyone has their own ideas on this but I am curious what are you thinking you need to load a belt up with? Are you a plainclothes or undercover LEO? I ask because if you are then my answer would be to talk to your fellow cop friends. If you are a Civilian what exactly are you carrying you can’t fit on a 35” belt and in your pockets? By all means wear a good belt. The only things I carry on my belt are my gun and one or two mags. Everything else goes in my pockets. Clip Folder knife in front pocket. Clip flashlight in back pocket, slimline wallet with DL and CPL and a couple CC’s in front pocket. Smartphone in back pocket, Cash on money clip in opposite front pocket. Keys in front pocket with knife I wear solid silver ICE ID (2) dog tags on a 30” silver chain with family members names and phone numbers along with meds I take and my blood type stamped on them. I used to work daily in downtown Detroit but only go a couple times a month now. What I wear and carry is different for daily life in the burbs. When going to Detroit then and now I carry a BUG in a Smartcarry Invisible holster. SmartCarry The Invisible Holster

I also carry larger amounts of money in the Smartcarry or an ankle wallet if going to casino or sports events. A friend of mine just bought one of these:

30 Dollar Gun Belt | High Caliber Gun Belts. Period.

Gun Belts | Made In The USA | The Ultimate Thick Single Layer Gun Belt | Corrosion Resistant Hardware | Only $30

www.30dollargunbelt.com

for the low price I was impressed with the quality. I don’t need a belt but would absolutely buy one, two or three of them now. I don’t wear cargo or tactical pants or any clothes usually associated with the carry crowd.

I hope you do not carry handcuffs if you are a regular civilian or one of those belt CCW badges. I am guessing if you are new to carrying you might be thinking you need a Batman Belt or some other gear not needed. Carry lightly in case you need to physically fight or run. I do wear a Para cord bracket and a wrist compass along with a wristwatch. I don’t wear expensive watches or rings if I am downtown. I don’t wear clothes that broadcast I am armed anywhere… If anything I dress down. If you think you are in any chance of a physical confrontation (it can happen anywhere anymore) more likely in big cities… think about a holster with snap or slide over retention. I don’t like to call attention to myself in anyway by my appearance. I think you said you wear a one size up shirt. That is a good thing. You don’t ever want to print. Take a look at any of the good IWB and OWB holsters. I generally don’t wear shirts I have to tuck in since I rarely wear suits or sport coats anymore. I Don’t wear tactical or photog vests—since they scream gun.
I know this may not be the answer you are looking for but it works for me. I just don’t like a lot of stuff around my midsection or on my belt.

This is probably the best advice going. I have been a Cop for 30 years and while I enjoyed my uniform time I dont miss the back aches associated with carrying a lot of stuff around your waist. Nice 2002 or so I have worked plain clothes assignments with the majority of them being covert type work. Over the years I have migrated to the following for daily carry regardless if I am working or not. A Commander size or smaller 1911 with the majority of the last 6 years being a Wilson ULCC, one spair 10 round magazine, CRK Sebenza in right front pocket, Streamlight AAA flashlight in left front pocket, wallet left rear and phone in right rear. My normal dress is Wranglers and either a UA Polo shirt or Fishing shirt. I do have 2 extra mags in clip on carriers in all my vehicles along with cuffs. I rarely carry cuffs on a daily basis. All of this is suspended from a Milt Sparks belt and my holsters are either a Sparks 55BN or Criterion along with their S4C magazine carrier. I see more and more people that are wanting to carry battle belts, I have no idea what that is or why a person feels the need for one outside of some competition. I will say that I carry the above everyday whether I am working or not. I feel with my current load out I am adequately covered for most things I might encounter.

 

I carry a heavy belt with a 5" leather holster, +4 single stack mag pouches and it goes over a thinner cinchable nylon belt with leather keepers attaching the two belts together.

It was never intended to be conceal type carry but just the opposite, out in the open with a badge.

my guess, with the right shirt, it would all disappear.

 

I carry a heavy belt with a 5" leather holster, +4 single stack mag pouches and it goes over a thinner cinchable nylon belt with leather keepers attaching the two belts together.

It was never intended to be conceal type carry but just the opposite, out in the open with a badge.

my guess, with the right shirt, it would all disappear.

Most of my Department's Detectives and investigators do the same thing. And yes it's NOT a conceal carry setup.

 

Funny, Batman was big on TV back then and a few of us younger officers would talk about our Bat Utility Belts!

 

Thanks for your input, folks. I think I'll just chalk the concept up to "an idea whose time has not yet come" and move on.

Thanks again, everyone!

 

I need to clear up what I mean by heavy belt.

It's a 1.5" wide belt with some thickness designed for handgun carry. I use it for plain clothes duty carry but it does not have all my BAT stuff I carry on uniform duty.

I use it over a Wilderness Tactical 1.5" nylon 5 stitch cinchable ringed buckle.

Hope this helps

 

Good idea? Bad idea?

My plain ole belt hangs my EDC, extra mag (Sneaky Pete) and Leatherman Wave multitool. A small pocket knife (right pocket) and clip knife (left pocket or belt depending on pants loops). To help with the load I use suspenders ($11.98 at Lowes). I clip a pen and small (AAA battery) pen light on the left suspender strap. Cabella-style safari shirt carries cigarettes, sunglasses, lighter, phone and notepad.

My point being...distribute the load using the rest of your clothes. The suspenders were the best upgrade...

 

Life got simple with the first pair of aluminum knuckles.
A j frame in one sport coat pocket and the knuckles in the other. Maybe a slapper in my waistband.

 

Life got simple with the first pair of aluminum knuckles.
A j frame in one sport coat pocket and the knuckles in the other. Maybe a slapper in my waistband.

old school.

 

That's why I love my cargos' . G19 +two mags on a belt the rest gets shoved into pockets galore. The rest is IBD, a knife(sometimes), a flashlight(always), a phone, money clip, car keys. Kids or wife carry a backpack with full IFAK and whatever knick knacks they pack. No kids no wife even better less BMC about heavy backpack .

 

All of us that wore duty belts for a living have back problems in retirement. Cut the stuff off of your belt, get in in the waist band holster and wear pants with big pockets. You will appreciate that when age catches up to you by surprise.

 

After almost 33 years, we are getting load bearing vests to relieve some of the weight off the duty belt.

 

And obviously most everyone here is too young to remember Jack Bauer and his manbag