When we think of carrying a handgun for self-defense, many of us direct our thoughts straight to the holster — and for good reason. However, we also need to give the gun belt careful consideration because, in a way, it’s the heart of the concealed carry system. Today, we’ll be checking out the 1791 Gunleather Belt in Stealth Black. We’re going to let you know if it’s a quality piece of gear and if it’s a good value for your hard-earned dollars.
1791 Gunleather
1791 Gunleather is a Second Amendment loving company and staunch supporter of our right to keep and bear arms. Their team is comprised of four generations of professional leather artisans. They always use 100% certified American heavy native steerhide in their products. Their holsters are handcrafted — and it shows.
1791’s product line includes inside-the-waistband (IWB) and outside-the-waistband (OWB) holsters, magazine carriers, belts, cleaning mats, rifle slings, clothing, every day carry pouches (which hold all sorts of items including multi-tools and knives), and pocket organizers. Their holsters fit a huge array of pistols, including Sig, Smith and Wesson, Springfield Armory, Glock, and too many others to list here.
The Job of a Gun Belt
A good gun belt needs to be stiff to support the weight of the firearm being carried. The stiffer, the better. Why? Because a limp, sagging belt won’t properly support the gun and holster. The whole contraption will be unsatisfyingly uncomfortable and cause excess fatigue. That’s why it’s a bad idea to use standard belts to carry firearms. A bad belt can really bring you down…as well as your handgun!
Alas, we wouldn’t appreciate a good, quality gun belt had we never used a cheap, crappy one. I’ve used some poor gun belt choices, and I can’t overemphasize how much they sucked! They made carrying a pistol a monumental chore. A stiff, rigid belt prevents all of that by holding the holster and pistol higher and distributing their weight more evenly around the waist.
1791 Gunleather Belt
This gun belt is specifically designed for carrying a personal firearm. It’s constructed of the highest quality leather that warms and molds to the body. These belts are handcrafted and reinforced so they won’t stretch, break, or split. The construction is very heavy duty with American heavy native steer hide. The buckle is steel.
The belt’s width is 1.5 inches. There is a wide range of waist sizes, from 32-36 all the way up to 48-52. Colors include Stealth Black or Classic Brown. The belt is covered by a lifetime warranty, 100% guarantee, with easy returns.
Special Materials
So what makes the 1791 materials so special and different from some other belt makers? They’re made from 14-ounce leather from the top layer of the hide. They only tan and dye the leather, which strengthens the hide and produces a product for working applications. 1791 doesn’t otherwise sand or treat the leather, which softens it and makes it degrade more quickly when carrying a load.
1791 likens the difference by comparing it to handbag and horse bridle leather. One is far stronger and not as soft. Having handled horse bridle leather in the past, I will tell you that’s an accurate description of how this belt feels.
The belt can handle heavy loads. They never use nylon, synthetic materials, snaps, etc. 1791 states their belts are designed to hold any gear you might want to carry – IWB or OWB holsters, flashlights, mag pouches, knives, hammers, tape measures, and multi-tools. This is a good point; they’re not just designed for concealed carry, but for anyone who carries a substantial load on their belt, such as carpenters and construction workers.
Impressions
Okay, now that all the technical stuff is out of the way, I’ll throw in my two cents and let you know what I think. When I took the belt out of the package, I was impressed with its thickness and stiffness. As mentioned, we need a stiff belt to carry our EDC load comfortably. Normally, I carry a handgun in a holster and often a knife in a pouch on my belt. Sometimes, I carry a spare magazine or two on my belt as well. It’s not a tremendously heavy load, but it weighs enough.
The thickness of the belt certainly is confidence-inspiring, with nicely finished (but not polished) edges. At the end of the belt, there is an attractive stamp with the company’s “1791” logo pressed into the leather. It’s evident this belt will last for at least a few decades and will likely outlast me.
Hardware
Heavy-duty Chicago screws secure the loop that holds on the buckle of the belt. Speaking of the buckle, it’s seriously nice! Made of heavy-duty steel, it is polished and looks attractive. At the front of the belt, there is a roller, which makes donning the belt a lot easier since the end of the belt rolls right through. It makes the entire process smoother and shows impressive attention to detail while not overcomplicating the affair.
Given the strength and thickness of the buckle, this thing won’t be failing any time soon. They managed to make a very sturdy and robust belt without complicating the hell out of it, which I commend. Personally, I’m an advocate of KISS (Keep It Simple, Stupid).
How’s the 1791 Gunleather belt work?
I’ve been wearing this belt constantly since the moment I removed it from the packaging. To be blunt, I simply love it! I mostly carry AIWB these days, but it also works well with OWB holsters (I mostly use holsters from DeSantis). My Buck 112 folding Ranger knife in leather case fits on great. Currently, I usually carry a Springfield Armory Hellcat and Hellcat Pro. This belt is more than sufficient to carry either of these pistols, and I’ve no doubt it would be fine with heavier pistols or revolvers. I can tell you that it will carry the Glock 19X comfortably, which is about the heaviest handgun that I own at the moment.
The buckle includes seven different adjustment holes, so the range of adjustment is generous and easy to use. The subdued black color of the belt helps it blend in and doesn’t scream, “TACTICAL!” like so many other products these days (read that as black, tactical nylon). I could easily wear this belt with dress clothing and no one would be the wiser as to its mission. It is not polished and features a sort of matte texture finish. The buckle is polished, so it could pass for either a dress or a working man’s belt.
Final Thoughts
1791 Gunleather’s approach to belts, holsters, and other carry items is simple, rugged, and refreshing. Their care and attention to detail for their products is quite obvious the moment you pick up any of their gear. I remember when I first picked up one of their holsters, I said, “Man, this thing is really put together!” They believe in thick leather, that’s for sure.
I’ve found a new EDC belt in this model from 1791 Gunleather, of that I’m certain. I can’t imagine a belt topping this one. It will more than fill what I need it to do, and it does it with a no-nonsense, low-key look. Beyond that, it gives the owner a sense of pride in ownership, as it’s a hand-crafted belt made from high-end materials.
Now, for one of the best points of this belt, aside from its durability: the price. The 1791 Gunleather belt currently sells at GunMag Warehouse for $56.99. As this is written, there’s an additional 15% off coupon on top of that! This thing is really tough to beat, especially at that price.
If you want a great piece of gear for a modest price, this is the one for you. I’m now considering ordering one in their brown color; they look amazing. It looks like this may be the start of another addiction.
