Belt Help for 3-Gun

AlbertaAllure

AlbertaAllure

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I browsed the forums looking for tips regarding this, and didn't find much.
I'm having some trouble deciding or knowing what kind of belt to get. I've come to understand the 2-belt system (inner / outer) seems to be the best option, but there are lots of choices and variations. (CR Speed, battle belts, etc.) What is the difference between battle belt system and the CR Speed-type (or others?) systems?

After browsing what people have for holsters with 3-gun, I have a basic idea of what I'll be needing on my belt. I have approximately a 28" waist / belt - so I've read somewhere that it can get tricky to put everything I need on a belt alone based on my belt size (is this true?).

I'd love to know peoples input and thoughts on this. I've spend the better part of 2 work days reading and looking for retailers who carry stuff like this.

I'm looking to get a holster custom made in the next couple weeks, so I feel a little pressure to find something that will work for me. All the gun shops say "you need to try different configurations before you know what works for you" which makes sense and I understand - but I don't have the luxury of buying that many belts / holsters / mag pouches to figure it out.
I have zero experience, so I can learn whatever system I choose - and from there make adjustments as my experience grows. Not visa versa... (in my opinion)

Did I make this as long winded as possible? Perhaps....
 
You are one skinny dude! Yes, it’s true that a small waistline will minimize what you can carry. After the mags, shell carriers and a holster, maybe an IFAK, you’ll have no room for much, regardless of what belt or system you buy. The shotshell carriers take up the most space. You either want to consider a chest rig in addition to the belt for more space or use a dump pouch to carry your shotshell. The dump pouch technique is slow as sh!t but does leave more belt space for comfort. Also be wary of too much stuff on you as it makes any prone stage a pain!

The gun shops are right. You need to try out a bunch of set ups to see what works for you personally. It’s taken me 2 years to figure out my gear. And I already had a great start as I picked up ideas from a couple of experienced CGNers here!!

Im a size 32” waist and my 2 belt system HSGI is full! I use a dump pouch for shotshell though. I don’t shoot enough 3G to justify buying the shell carriers.

PS There’s a thread started by onetwentyish a few years ago where people showed and talk about their gear. Maybe someone can find it and repost it.
 
Still alive said:
You are one skinny dude! Yes, it’s true that a small waistline will minimize what you can carry. After the mags, shell carriers and a holster, maybe an IFAK, you’ll have no room for much, regardless of what belt or system you buy. The shotshell carriers take up the most space. You either want to consider a chest rig in addition to the belt for more space or use a dump pouch to carry your shotshell. The dump pouch technique is slow as sh!t but does leave more belt space for comfort. Also be wary of too much stuff on you as it makes any prone stage a pain!

The gun shops are right. You need to try out a bunch of set ups to see what works for you personally. It’s taken me 2 years to figure out my gear. And I already had a great start as I picked up ideas from a couple of experienced CGNers here!!

Im a size 32” waist and my 2 belt system HSGI is full! I use a dump pouch for shotshell though. I don’t shoot enough 3G to justify buying the shell carriers.

PS There’s a thread started by onetwentyish a few years ago where people showed and talk about their gear. Maybe someone can find it and repost it.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the compliment :) I'll take it. (Though skinny, chick would be more appropriate)
I'll search back and see if I over-looked it possibly. I appreciate your input.

As far as 911 tactical, they have an online site that I've checked out.
 
Persec Aware 2 belt system. Look him up on Facebook. Canadian made modular slim belt. You can easily put 3 pistol magazines and 2 coupled LAR15 on it + holster and still have room for some stuff. I find smaller battle belt better than huge battle belt that rattle around.

#1 (used a lot for fun and at work). I use this one for CQB and wear 4 rifle magazines + 2 pistol. 3 guns I remove 2 rifle mag pouch and add shotgun caddy or wear a chest piece.


#2 (for sale by the way). Shotgun caddy go on the right side before pistol holster)
 
AlbertaAllure said:
Thanks for the compliment :) I'll take it. (Though skinny, chick would be more appropriate)
I'll search back and see if I over-looked it possibly. I appreciate your input.

As far as 911 tactical, they have an online site that I've checked out.
Click to expand...

Red faced! You know what they say about assumptions! Awesome that you are doing this. I shot with a couple of ladies last summer at Lone Butte and they were a HOOT!!!
 
So, what is the difference between a battle belt and the others?
This is starting to become overwhelming. I found that thread you referred to from onetwentyish. Most of the rigs discussed are so elaborate (or seem to be). I'm not there yet... I wish my local stores had more options to try stuff on. I'm in Edmonton. Milarm actually had excellent selection of 5.11 and others - but they're closed now. Does Cabela's carry this type of stuff? Or other big-box stores? I want to physically see how these things work - including holsters and other accessories to see how they attach...
 
Line of Fire in Edmonton is having a sale until the end of the year. They have short pouches that would be great for lar mags. Canadian made.
 
AlbertaAllure said:
So, what is the difference between a battle belt and the others?
This is starting to become overwhelming. I found that thread you referred to from onetwentyish. Most of the rigs discussed are so elaborate (or seem to be). I'm not there yet... I wish my local stores had more options to try stuff on. I'm in Edmonton. Milarm actually had excellent selection of 5.11 and others - but they're closed now. Does Cabela's carry this type of stuff? Or other big-box stores? I want to physically see how these things work - including holsters and other accessories to see how they attach...
Click to expand...

I think the first thing you should settle on, is what kind of connectors do you want ot use?

Molle works fine, but you have to sometimes jerry rig your holster via zap-straps to be able to attach it to molle, when its designed for feed thru use.

So since the holster is probably most expensive piece of equipment (hardest to find too, depending on model of gun), get that first and design rest of your belt around it.
 
I've got a 32" waist and I find that it's tough to get the necessary items on my belt. Last time I ran 3 gun, I used a vest, because it allows you to run things up, instead of around. I've been looking at trying one of the "chest rigs" for this year, although that might not work as well on a female - might look more like a boustierre with mag pouches
 
KePet said:
I've got a 32" waist and I find that it's tough to get the necessary items on my belt. Last time I ran 3 gun, I used a vest, because it allows you to run things up, instead of around. I've been looking at trying one of the "chest rigs" for this year, although that might not work as well on a female - might look more like a boustierre with mag pouches
Click to expand...

dont think anyone would be complaining....... :cool::cool:
 
In my opinion, they key thing for any belt is that it is stiff so it can hold up to the weight of all the mags holstered gun etc, and stays in place.

I've used a quality 2 belt system from day 1 and it hasn't let me down yet.
I use a belt keeper type thing that ensures the overlapping velco ends of the belt do not come undone during a course of fire.
Haven't had the opportunity to use a battle belt so no comment.

Because you have less real estate to work with vs most, I'd try looking into double mag pouches so you can have 2 in the space of 1 to save some space.

As far as shotshells, even though I have lots of real estate, I use a separate belt that rides above my main belt (across the stomach)to hold the shell carriers.
2 reasons I do this is I don't want anything across the front of my waist belt to limit my range/comfort when bending over, and because it isn't secured to my belt loops I can quickly spin the belt to my back if I need to go prone.
That way I don't lay down on my shells, or anything else potentially damaging my equipment, and I can concentrate on making my shots.

Good luck with your equipment search.
 
I ran my first 3 gun with a Velcro 2 belt setup, and I didn't like it. I guess I like to carry too much junk on me; the Velcro started to separate, and the outer belt kept falling down. I had to zip tie it in place, and then I couldn't take it off all day. With a decent battle belt, you can load them right up all the way around, and not worry about junk falling off. And you can easily take the belt off without disturbing your setup. Some things are tough to find in MOLLE, but I managed to bastardize mine so that it's MOLLE on the left/back (For pistol and rifle mags), and I had the inner belt part poking through on the right (For my holster and shot shell carriers). The belt I bought is just a cheap-o chinese deal, so I didn't mind cutting it up, but it's working pretty well. It's the padded outer with the MOLLE loops on it, and a regular nylon belt on the inside.
 
bsand said:
I think the first thing you should settle on, is what kind of connectors do you want ot use?

Molle works fine, but you have to sometimes jerry rig your holster via zap-straps to be able to attach it to molle, when its designed for feed thru use.

So since the holster is probably most expensive piece of equipment (hardest to find too, depending on model of gun), get that first and design rest of your belt around it.
Click to expand...

I'm getting a kydex holster custom made - for your exact reason. There's a guy who does it locally.
By the looks what I can find for battle belts, they're $300 - $450. Good grief.....
 
AlbertaAllure said:
I'm getting a kydex holster custom made - for your exact reason. There's a guy who does it locally.
By the looks what I can find for battle belts, they're $300 - $450. Good grief.....
Click to expand...

Lol oooooorrrrr....


46 bucks. With free shipping!
happy0009.gif
 
AlbertaAllure said:
I'm getting a kydex holster custom made - for your exact reason. There's a guy who does it locally.
By the looks what I can find for battle belts, they're $300 - $450. Good grief.....
Click to expand...

I would strongly suggest holding off purchasing anything until DS tactical has their annual boxing day sale.. I saved 25% on hsgi I think, but 30% on arcteryx ftw. So 180$ minus 25%.

But then again Im a bit of a brand whore, I have HSGI everything lol...
 
If you are in the south, there is a Calgary 3-gun FB page that you can join and I know people would meet you at one of the ranges to show you different kit as we've done it before. CHAS in Edmonton would be another resource if you're in the capital region. It took me forever to figure out all the different terms and I started with a battle belt and then navigated to the 2-part Velcro system but mine isn't as rigid as the regular IPSC style because I wanted something other than black lol. I'm a fashion princess I guess. At least the wife thinks so.
 
A small waist will definitely be challenging, however if you approach it in a modular sense then it shouldn’t be an issue.
Rarely is everything carried used, if you study the match copy you should be able to Tailor what you carry to the requirements of the stage which will take some stress off of the space issue.
I can pack this;
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But due to modularity I don’t have to if I don’t need it and I can place most carriers in most locations;
jXaeU7J.jpg

With everything that’s
5 pistol mags (50 rounds), 4 rifle mags (40 rounds) and 24 shotgun rounds. Plus what’s in the guns...
I have yet to be on a stage that needed everything.

What has worked for me:
-2 piece Velcro belts, pros are your equipment doesn’t move and it’s easy to take off. A good thing to do is to put stick on Velcro on the inside of everything you attach to the belt so it stays in place (pic below);
xg7BuhJ.jpg

-The TMMS system is not cheap but works great.
Apart;
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Together;
MYmub0S.jpg

-I use a Ghost The One holster. Use whatever you want but a holster with a high degree of retention would be wise.
This rig uses a DOH holster and friction is all that keeps the gun in the holster, in most cases it is okay (IPSC) but it lacks any form of a mechanical lock so it is possible the gun could pop free during a 3gun COF...
gFA37fv.jpg

The CR holster has a mechanical lock but it isn’t designed to be disengaged during a COF, so IPSC friendly but a pain in 3gun.
HYX17Ub.jpg


The Ghost has an excellent mechanical lock that is easy to use during a COF, many holsters have similar functionality as this and are well worth considering.
 
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