[dbeardslee]

...and I'm pretty pleased about the whole thing. I've been wanting to try a belt with a polymer stiffener for a while, but price and available options have stopped me - until now. I saw an add from the NRA Store a week or so ago, and they were offering Latigo leather belts that are double stitched with polymer stiffeners for the very good price of $59.95. I ordered one, and it just arrived.

First impression? This is a VERY stiff belt - which is why I ordered it. It won't stretch, and it won't fold because of the insert and the 10oz leather, and for OWB holsters it seems to be the hot ticket. The Amish belt I've had for several years is still doing it's duty, but it works the best with IWB. OWB puts more stress on the belt and it takes a stiffer belt to really pull it into my side, and this NRA belt does exactly that. They also feature mildew resistant stitching, solid brass buckles, and lifetime guarantees.

It's nicely stiched, nicely finished, and it's a lot of belt for the money. It also has an NRA logo embossed into the leather, and I kinda like that. I came within a hair of buying a High Noon belt, but I didn't like the long squared off tip. Wasn't crazy about the $100 price, either. This one's got the rounded off end that I like, and I'm glad I bought it.

When I first unpackaged it I didn't think it was a 1.5" belt. It's actually a hair narrower than 1.5", but when I hold it up to my Amish 1.5 they're pretty much the same size. I might even like this one a touch more because it's easier to get through my belt loops.

And as with anything else you buy from the NRA, the profits go towards supporting NRA programs and our 2nd Amendment rights. This is a great product at a reasonable price, and it's worth your consideration if you need a good sturdy gun belt for OWB.

I bought the Latigo belt because it's the widest of the three types available, and because I like the tip. Check 'em out - NRA gun belts

 

[dbeardslee]

Looks pretty nice. How do they run size wise? I've got several belts that are marked for my size that are shorter then others.

I bought a 36, and my Amish belt is also a 36. The Amish belt has more holes (7 vs 5) but they're basically the same size. Every belt I've bought was 'sized' on the center hole, and this one's no different.

The best way I know to determine your size is to remove the belt you're wearing and measure it from your usual hole to the inside edge at the end of the buckle - right where the prong goes through the leather. If anything they run a little large, but nowhere near enough to need a different size. You can't go from your pants size, either. I wear 33" pants, but my belts are 36". Gotta do the measuring.

 

[dbeardslee]

Here's something else I just noticed. If you look at the pics on the NRA Store site, it looks like the polymer stiffener stops short of the prong holes. It doesn't - it goes all the way past the holes. If I look through the prong holes I can see the edge of the polymer, and it's a pretty stout piece of plastic. I like that it goes to the end because it supports the holes, and should help to keep them from elongating. I like the open back chicago screws that hold the buckle on, too. With an open back you can really crank them down, and that helps the belt to lay flat in the front. The more I discover about this thing, the better I'm likin' it.