Looking for a good gun belt.

[vcdgrips]

I have been wearing a Shivworks Specialist in lieu of my Wilderness FF polymer 5 stitch. For AIWB only carriers or just as a belt to hold up one's pants, it is all you would ever need. The polymer "buckle" simple disappears under a shirt. I suspect the V Dev Works and Langdon belts are similarly ideal for AIWB carry as well.

To get the similar level of "concealment" with my FF, I have to offset the buckle to 3:30 or 4:00 as a right hander.

FWIW.

[Wondering Beard]

Does anyone have both a LTT Foundation Belt and a Mastermind/Graith Specialist to compare? Is there a material difference between the designs?

I haven't looked at the detailed differences and, having moved last week, from a Graith to an LTT (on me right now), I can't tell the difference in terms of the belt. I can in terms of the buckle. The buckle of the LTT is basically what Graith used at first (there seems to have been different generations and options of buckles at different point and I haven't kept track) and I love it. The one on one of my Graith belts that I was wearing last week was thicker and made it tougher to cinch the belt. The new Mastermind belt has the old/LTT buckle and I think it's the best buckle option.

[corneileous]

So is there virtually any difference between this belt...
https://www.mastermindtactics.com/shop/specialist-pro
...and this belt?
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.lan...undation-belt/

Don’t get me wrong, I’m really liking this Volund belt but the G buckle is kinda funky. I am getting a better hang of it but I do like the ease of those other belts. I really like the extreme low profile of the G buckle, though.

This ones working out ok but I am anxious to try the new holster out with it with my much smaller/much lighter Springfield XDE. I still have to make the belt kinda tight to hold up the full-size PX4 but it’s a far cry better than those other two belts.


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[Wondering Beard]

So is there virtually any difference between this belt...
https://www.mastermindtactics.com/shop/specialist-pro
...and this belt?
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.lan...undation-belt/

Don’t get me wrong, I’m really liking this Volund belt but the G buckle is kinda funky. I am getting a better hang of it but I do like the ease of those other belts. I really like the extreme low profile of the G buckle, though.

This ones working out ok but I am anxious to try the new holster out with it with my much smaller/much lighter Springfield XDE. I still have to make the belt kinda tight to hold up the full-size PX4 but it’s a far cry better than those other two belts.


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I don't have the Mastermind one, so I can't comment beyond the photo. The buckle of the Mastermind belt looks different; I can't tell whether it's better or worse from an internet photo.

As to the rest of the belt, I don't think they're different enough to matter.

I suggest you keep working with the Volundt until you are so familiar with it that you know every little detail of what works right, wrong and why. That way, if you decide to look at other belts, you'll know exactly what you want and don't want and be probably able to tell just by looking at a photo. It'll save you a bunch of money.

[Mr. Goodtimes]

Im extremely happy with my Ciguera Gear belt. Looks great and is very comfortable.

[corneileous]

I don't have the Mastermind one, so I can't comment beyond the photo. The buckle of the Mastermind belt looks different; I can't tell whether it's better or worse from an internet photo.

As to the rest of the belt, I don't think they're different enough to matter.

I suggest you keep working with the Volundt until you are so familiar with it that you know every little detail of what works right, wrong and why. That way, if you decide to look at other belts, you'll know exactly what you want and don't want and be probably able to tell just by looking at a photo. It'll save you a bunch of money.

Oh, I’m not gonna give up on this one easy...lol. If I did get a different belt, it would just be an add-on to maybe use with my full-size PX4, if one of those that l linked turned out be better for a full-size pistol. But see, I could be in this holster, too. I don’t know what the general consensus regarding which leather pancake holsters are better/worse than others but it could be better with a much-stiffer kydex one.

I am getting better with this one. I love the fact that the buckle is so small that you don’t even feel it.


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[AKDoug]

I felt that it was fair that I picked up the Graith/Mastermind Specialist belt to give it a fair comparison to the Volund belt.

First of all, the commonality; they are both low profile belts with low profile buckles built with high quality standards. That's about it.

The Volund belt, due to it's additional layer of 1" wide webbing sewn the complete length of the belt makes it slightly thicker and stiffer. I think it's a superior belt for OWB applications and a toss up for every day wear if not (gasp) carrying a firearm. I wear mine continuously without a gun in my day to day life and I spend a ton of time sitting at a desk, driving, and operating heavy equipment. I don't mind the thickness and stiffness of the belt. I do not carry IWB, so I have no comments on that. Once you get around the idiosyncrasies of putting the belt on, it is a great belt. For AIWB, (using a Tenicor Velo with DCclips) I have gotten by by putting the belt on with the g-clip to my right, and rotating the whole belt around to the left to get to the single layer portion of the belt and attaching my holster. In fact, if the Mastermind belt hadn't been so inexpensive, I would have probably stuck to this method and never tried a Specialist.

One thing the Volund belt does is that it is not entirely dependent on the life of the velcro for functionality. Once the G hook holds without the tag end velcro'd down. Not so with the MM Specialist. Once the velcro on a Specialist is done, it must be replaced to keep the belt in service. Time will tell how long this will be as I put the belt through it's paces. Experience the Volund gives the velcor about a 3 year life span. However, with the Volund you can simply pick a new loop to put the G hook in and you can now use a different (new) piece of velcro to hold down the tag end. I was on year 5 of my last Volund belt and only retired it because I lost so much weight. In reality, replacing velcro is a simple process and I bet either belt manufacturer would do it at a fair price.

Being that the Mastermind belt was only $29+shipping, I decided to try one out. It is stiff enough for OWB carry, but I prefer the Volund for that. Donning the belt is marginally quicker and easier than the Volund, but I don't find that a big enough reason to buy one over the other. I run the MM belt clockwise around my body, leaving the buckles centered, and the tag end to my left. This leaves a single thickness of belt to attach my AIWB holster. This is actually the opposite way I would normally don a belt, but I have zero clue if all right handed people do it this way. For strictly AIWB use, the Specialist is the superior choice. My only beef with the MM specialist is that it uses way too much velcro for it's size range. It could probably use 3" less, but I understand that it's just my opinion.


Both are excellent belts and will serve people for many years. The lesser price on the MM belt is indicative of the less labor involve to produce it. The Volund belt requires much more sewing and that is reflected in the price. Both are priced extremely fairly and there is absolutely and can be adjusted infinitely within their size range. There is absolutely no reason to go to one of those crappy Chinese fashion belts posing as a gun belt.

[Wondering Beard]

Oh, I’m not gonna give up on this one easy...lol. If I did get a different belt, it would just be an add-on to maybe use with my full-size PX4, if one of those that l linked turned out be better for a full-size pistol. But see, I could be in this holster, too. I don’t know what the general consensus regarding which leather pancake holsters are better/worse than others but it could be better with a much-stiffer kydex one.

I am getting better with this one. I love the fact that the buckle is so small that you don’t even feel it.


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I've worn kydex AIWB for over ten years, so I'm out of the loop when it comes to OWB pancake holsters. My only recommendation there is that it be stiff everywhere (but especially at the opening) and that it really tucks in the gun butt. However, I do not know who makes quality leather pancake holsters nowadays.

I think that both the Langdon and the Mastermind are stiff enough to handle a full size PX4 but it's an individual thing too. It is my impression (correct me if I'm wrong) that you haven't carried a full size-full weight pistol concealed for very long, if at all, and that you more used to carrying compact pistols. That, in an of itself could account for your needing to tighten the belt and make adjustments. A heavier weight than you're used to at around 3 o'clock takes a while to adjust to. Maybe give it time?

[corneileous]

I've worn kydex AIWB for over ten years, so I'm out of the loop when it comes to OWB pancake holsters. My only recommendation there is that it be stiff everywhere (but especially at the opening) and that it really tucks in the gun butt. However, I do not know who makes quality leather pancake holsters nowadays.

I think that both the Langdon and the Mastermind are stiff enough to handle a full size PX4 but it's an individual thing too. It is my impression (correct me if I'm wrong) that you haven't carried a full size-full weight pistol concealed for very long, if at all, and that you more used to carrying compact pistols. That, in an of itself could account for your needing to tighten the belt and make adjustments. A heavier weight than you're used to at around 3 o'clock takes a while to adjust to. Maybe give it time?

No, I’ve only been carrying this Storm with the new belt for barely a week in a leather pancake holster I bought from Beretta. But my new kydex for the Springfield’s supposed to be here Friday so next week, I’ll be back to primarily carrying it.

I guess it just depends on how the new holster for the Springfield works if I decide to get one for the Storm or not because really, the only reason I’ve been carrying it is because the only concealed carry holster I have for the Springfield is my pocket holster.


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[RoyGBiv]

I felt that it was fair that I picked up the Graith/Mastermind Specialist belt to give it a fair comparison to the Volund belt.

First of all, the commonality; they are both low profile belts with low profile buckles built with high quality standards. That's about it.

The Volund belt, due to it's additional layer of 1" wide webbing sewn the complete length of the belt makes it slightly thicker and stiffer. I think it's a superior belt for OWB applications and a toss up for every day wear if not (gasp) carrying a firearm. I wear mine continuously without a gun in my day to day life and I spend a ton of time sitting at a desk, driving, and operating heavy equipment. I don't mind the thickness and stiffness of the belt. I do not carry IWB, so I have no comments on that. Once you get around the idiosyncrasies of putting the belt on, it is a great belt. For AIWB, (using a Tenicor Velo with DCclips) I have gotten by by putting the belt on with the g-clip to my right, and rotating the whole belt around to the left to get to the single layer portion of the belt and attaching my holster. In fact, if the Mastermind belt hadn't been so inexpensive, I would have probably stuck to this method and never tried a Specialist.

One thing the Volund belt does is that it is not entirely dependent on the life of the velcro for functionality. Once the G hook holds without the tag end velcro'd down. Not so with the MM Specialist. Once the velcro on a Specialist is done, it must be replaced to keep the belt in service. Time will tell how long this will be as I put the belt through it's paces. Experience the Volund gives the velcor about a 3 year life span. However, with the Volund you can simply pick a new loop to put the G hook in and you can now use a different (new) piece of velcro to hold down the tag end. I was on year 5 of my last Volund belt and only retired it because I lost so much weight. In reality, replacing velcro is a simple process and I bet either belt manufacturer would do it at a fair price.

Being that the Mastermind belt was only $29+shipping, I decided to try one out. It is stiff enough for OWB carry, but I prefer the Volund for that. Donning the belt is marginally quicker and easier than the Volund, but I don't find that a big enough reason to buy one over the other. I run the MM belt clockwise around my body, leaving the buckles centered, and the tag end to my left. This leaves a single thickness of belt to attach my AIWB holster. This is actually the opposite way I would normally don a belt, but I have zero clue if all right handed people do it this way. For strictly AIWB use, the Specialist is the superior choice. My only beef with the MM specialist is that it uses way too much velcro for it's size range. It could probably use 3" less, but I understand that it's just my opinion.


Both are excellent belts and will serve people for many years. The lesser price on the MM belt is indicative of the less labor involve to produce it. The Volund belt requires much more sewing and that is reflected in the price. Both are priced extremely fairly and there is absolutely and can be adjusted infinitely within their size range. There is absolutely no reason to go to one of those crappy Chinese fashion belts posing as a gun belt.

Spot on.

I'll add a few personal bits...

1. I also have the Volund "lite", or whatever it's called. The less stiff version. I like it a lot for AIWB in summer clothes, when I'm not carrying more than the gun (no reloads). I like the stiffer version if I've got a lot of stuff in my pockets or on my belt.

2. I prefer the Graith/MM version when I'm wearing long pants. I think it looks less tactical, even though I'm almost always wearing my shirt untucked and covering my belt. I don't like the graith nearly as much as either Volund for wearing with shorts. I can't explain why, exactly. Just a preference. Purely aesthetics.

3. Velcro.... I was worried about the Velcro life span on the Graith. So far, I've worn it twice as much as my 5-stitch and the 5-stitch looks like shit on the inside surface where the velcro f-d up the nylon. Velcro was replaced and I melted the nylon back under control, then wrapped it up and it sits on a shelf. The velcro on the Graith is still new-ish. I've had the Volunds much longer than the Graith and the Velcro has never been an issue. Still looks good.

TL/DR?
Both are GTG.