Neilin,... with a few searches I believe you will find belts with double layers of heavy leather, and a plastic core, for stiffness. I bought mine so long ago, I can't remember from whom, or when.

Now, I believe you can get every type from full grain bullhide belts, to, double layers with steel cores! If a double layer, with steel core, doesn't last you a lifetime,... I don't know what will!

 

I’ve had really good luck with Magpul belts. Especially for the price. The polymer never sags, nor does it set off metal detectors.

 

If you like leather, I'd recommend Big Foot Gunbelts. You have an option of a steel core, and it's well worth the upgrade. In 3 years, my current belt has zero sag to it, and the leather stays in pretty good condition with a little bit of TLC.

 

A&G Custom Gunleather is hard to beat, regardless of price.

Home - AG Custom Gun Leather

Each gun belt is meticulously handcrafted in the USA using Premium Grade A Hides sourced from the finest tanneries at AG Custom Gun Leather.

agcustomgunleather.com

 

Wilderness Instructors Belt.

I have one of each, and like both.

I have a 5-stitch version of the Instructor belt, which is what most will recommend for carrying a gun. Wilderness Tactical Products, LLC

My next belt will probably be a 5-stitch Frequent Flyer version, because my Wilderness belt is older than the A&G and I'd like to try the lighter buckle/loops of the Frequent Flyer design.

 

Wilderness Instructors Belt. I’ve been using the same one for the last 5-6 years, and plenty of life left. Best of luck with your choice.

 

Second the Big Foot steel core belts. Have 2 of them and they are well made and capable of supporting any full size gun out there.

 

What AZdesert said plus; We have used Davis, Sparks, and Galco gun belts for years and all have served well. We use them everyday as you do and they will wear out. Currently we have two Galco Holster belts one plain and one boot stitched (both 1.5") and they are fine. A buddy in Idaho recently gave me a Milt Sparks belt that he got at a gun show, with a holster and mag pouch, all stamped Idaho City, so the belt must be at least 20 years old. It's double thickness and very stout for its' age and is still serviceable. We give our belts a treatment of Sno-Seal or Chap Wax occasionally and that seems to ad "body" to the leather and keeps them from dying out and cracking and getting soft. Have never found the need to go with a belt with built in internal stiffeners as well cared for leather has served our needs for holster belts for a lot of years. We also carry daily, but as we've gotten older we now lean more to aluminum framed CCOs rather than full sized steel framed 1911s (which, BTW, still have a place in our heart).

 

I’ve gone though a few gun belts, Big Foot’s ,Hanks, horse & buffalo hide,etc. Absolutely best I’ve ever had is the Kore belts

Best Rated Gun Belts - EDC/Range/LEO | KORE Essentials

Gun Belts Built With Quality Materials for Durability and Comfort. Micro-Adjustable for Perfect Fit and Faster Draw. Trusted by Thousands of Government Officials. Variety of Leather, Nylon, Camo. Shop Now and Save 10%

www.koreessentials.com

1/4” adjustments makes for the perfect fit & reasonably priced-you will not be disappointed.
I have one rated for carrying 8lbs that allows me to carry a 1911 with zero sag & the most comfortable belt ever. Let it relax a few notches in the truck or after a big dinner & tighten it up when your ready to take a walk makes it the best out there in my opinion.

 

Eventually, I got damned tired of leather belts, stretching - like my waistline - punching holes, etc.. I went to web belts.. One is a "Carry belt" (double thick and mostly too thick for belt-loops on slacks) I wore one week. The other is the same design, single-thick - and I wear it daily. Also scored a military type belt with the brass buckle. The former two are "cobra buckles", and in every case I can adjust the length w/o a punch - forever.

So far, all my carry is IWB, but I may try to get an OWB this winter. Can't beat the web-belt for price/wear/usability at all. Ever.

If you are going with leather, by all means horse, mule, elk, bull, whatever - tough-skinned critters. Moo-cow is just not up to it.

 

Armour Belts - Handcrafted Gun Belts - Michigan USA

Armour Belts offers precision made handcrafted Gun Belts. Our American made Gun Belts will provide years of use for your open or concealed carry weapon.

armourbelts.com

They make excellent quality leather gun belts.

 

Pay attention to what you're doing when buying one of the thicker than normal belts. Not all holsters will fit on them.

For instance, the above mentioned Armour Belts lists their belts at 5/16" thick, while Milt Sparks FAQ page says...

Questions | Milt Sparks Holsters

Milt Sparks Holsters, Milt Sparks Leather, Milt Sparks, Gunleather, Concealment holsters, Concealment, sparks, holsters, gun holsters, gunbelts and more. Read our FAQs.

www.miltsparks.com

Any measurement over 1/4" in overall thickness of leather and you may not be able to close the snaps over the belt!

 

Original Instructor Belt
Best Leather Gun Belts for Open and Concealed Carry | Bigfoot Gun Belts

My favorite is the Wilderness 5 stitch belt.

 

This is the question of the year for me. I have about 7 and still haven't found the "perfect" one. I know it's just me. But that's the truth.

 

JM4 Tactical makes a great gun belt. I have a black one and a brown one. Both are 2 years old and they are my full-time belts. The black one is worn the most. Both still look new and have lost none of their strength.

They are made by a family owned company in Texas. They are great to do business with.

 

I have been using a Bianchi #B9 Gun Belt for concealed carry for many years.

Pay attention to what you're doing when buying one of the thicker than normal belts. Not all holsters will fit on them.

The other thing to consider, the current default for belt width and holster loops is 1.5". Is the B9 a 1.75" belt? Neither is right or wrong, and you can certainly get belts and holster loops typically anywhere between 1.25" - 1.75", but you need to make sure you are ordering the right belt for your holsters.

 

That is a good point! My B9 is a 1.75”, and so are all my belt holsters, except the Bianchi 127 which will accommodate a police duty belt. I like the seemingly better stability of the wider belt.

 

Desantis E25. Not cool, not fancy, not made from Select African Greater Kudu hide, but very close to a quarter inch thick, double layer (I think the inner layer is bonded leather), and stiff enough to support a 5" 1911, and regularly $25-29 at Midway. Wear it out in a couple of years? Replace it.

 

Try Beltman, best belts I have ever used. I buy horsehide with the internal stiffener.

Leather Gun Belts By Beltman

Gun Belts made in the USA and available in a wide variety of colors, styles, and sizes. The Gold Standard in Gun Belts!

www.thebeltman.net

 

I love my Milt Sparks sharkskin belt, cut on the contour, very comfortable.

 

I've been using the same Double Layer Bullhide for over 10 years. Not even close to wearing out. Best Belt I've ever had.
Think it cost me $20 when I bought it. Have seen them on eBay for $30-$40

 

Marinevet has it right IMO: https://www.thebeltman.net/
Horsehide, internal stiffener if you want; mine lasts 5-6 years without stretch or loosening, I'm on my 3rd. They'll walk you through custom fit, it'll carry a full size 1911 without you feeling the gun weight, and are actually relatively inexpensive compared to like belts. This thing will stand out straight for 7+ inches.

-jb, wait, that didn't sound right

 

If you want something that doesn't look like a gun belt, I recommend the Aker B21. I have a couple of them that I wear daily, and they are still stiff enough to support a 1911 after 5 years.

 

I have tried all sorts of belts since the 1980's and have a box full of belts - leather, nylon, elephant, sharkskin, etc. that I have bought and don't wear. The absolutely best belt for carrying a full size all steel hand gun and four spare magazines (and handcuff case: before I retired) is the 5.11 Apex Gunner's Belt. I have one that I have worn on duty/off duty for 5 or 6 years and continued to wear it now that I've retired (at the end of 2014) and it is still in near new appearance and shows little sign of wear. It is made of B10 coated webbing material (looks like it's a regular sized belt made of rubber) with 1,500 lbs tensile strength. I've worn it in casual clothing as well as with suits when I went to testify in court as well as to other formal occasions such as funerals.

Unfortunately, 5.11 no longer makes/sells these fantastic belts. Unlike leather and nylon belts, it does not warp, mold or mildew. I don't wear leather belts and haven't since I bought this one, going on 12 years. Maxpedition made a similar belt, the Liger belt that looks good as well. Unfortunately, Maxpedition discontinued the Liger belt. I figure that I will continue to wear this 5.11 Apex Gunner's Belt until I get too old to go out in public with a gun on my belt. I know that it will outlast me. If you can find one, buy it. You will never go back to leather belts ever again and will never need another belt.

My Apex Gunner's Belt regularly and comfortably carries this equipment all the time.

 

I primarily carry with Milt Sparks IWB holsters using:

Leather-A Better Belt A Better Belt USA
Ultimate Horse Belt-It is thick but no problem with Milt Sparks IWB snaps

Nylon- Ares Gear, Inc. 2X-Large : Ares Gear

 

Ive got two Big foot belts and I could not be more pleased.

 

My favorite leather belt is from Mean Gene Leather with the Aegis buckle for infinite adjustment. It easily supports my fullsize 1911 carried OWB. It’s thick, though. I had to switch out my MS SSII 1.5” snap loops with their 1.75” snap loops to get it to fit. Gene is also a really nice guy and will cut and adjust your belt for free if you lose more than 3” around the waist. He’s also fast and made me a custom order in less than a week. Superb quality and customer service from a master at leather crafting.

Mean Gene Leather | Mean Gene Leather Store | American Handmade Leather Products

Mean Gene Leather has the highest quality leather products on the market. With decades of experience in the tactical and firearms industry they deliver the best products for every day carry.

www.meangeneleather.com

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Another recommendation for "A Better Belt" for leather. I have an Elephant belt (carries full sized/weighted handgun easily) and just ordered a horsehide.

For synthetic I like the Wilderness Original Instructor belt.

 

I bought three belts several years ago from Bullhide Belts. They will last me for my lifetime. I got a thick 1 1/2", a thick 1 1/4", and a thin dress belt 1 1/4". They will never wear out. Which one I wear is determined by the belt loops. https://www.bullhidebelts.com/

 

I'm a heavy guy and I need a sturdy belt. 1791 Gunleather is my go-to brand. Fantastic quality at a reasonable price. You can even get their products on Amazon.

Home | 1791 Gunleather e-Shop Holsters, Gunbelts, Rifle Sling, Magazine

Take as much pride in your 1791Gunleather holsters or sling as you do your Second Amendment rights. Made from 100% Certified American Native Steerhide.

1791gunleather.com