How to Build the Perfect Gun Belt Setup (Based on Real-World Use)

Let’s be real—when it comes to your gun belt setup, there’s no room for guesswork.

Whether on duty, training on the range, or prepping for a course, how you configure your outside-the-waistband (OWB) belt matters—not just for comfort but also for function.

This is what works, based on years of real-world use in the military, law enforcement, SWAT, and training environments.

Over the years, I’ve built out and evolved my OWB gun belt, and every piece deserves its place.

Start With a Solid Foundation: The Belt

I’ve run a lot of belts. Here are the ones I keep coming back to:

• Blue Force Gear CHLK Belt – Load-bearing, helicopter-rated, Cobra buckle, built for serious work.

• Wilder Tactical Belt: It integrates easily with the mag pouch, and no Velcro is sacrificed. I’ve been running this hard, and it holds up.

• SubSecond Belt – Built by an active-duty SF guy. Includes an elastic loop—perfect for random extras like markers or spare pistol mags.

• Blue Alpha Gear Belt – The original. I started my company with this belt. Still trust it.

What I Run On My Belt (And Why)

Let’s walk through my current setup, piece by piece, starting with my SubSecond Belt as the base:

Mag Pouches: Wilder Tactical

• Quick and easy install without sacrificing Velcro contact.

• Bungee retention system—no accidental mag dumps, ever.

• I’ve also run S-Tac Kiwis—great retention with zero bungee maintenance.

Holster: Safariland 6390 on a Wilder Tactical Drop

• Mounted using a QLS system for easy swap-out.

• Adjustable cant so your draw stroke stays clean whether standing, kneeling, or in a vehicle.

Medical Gear: Flatline FiberCo x Kinetic Consulting Pouch

• Slim and easy to access from either side.

• Stages your med gear how you want it.

Tourniquet: CAT7 Tourniquet (Front Mounted)

• Front-accessible from either hand.

• Lives right where I can reach it—seconds matter when first responders are minutes away.

IFAK: Wilder Tactical or Flatline Med Insert

• Contents staged, packaging removed for quick access.

• Compression gauze, vent seal, gloves, emergency dressing, survival blanket.

Dump Pouch: Flatline FiberCo Dump Pouch

• Tucks behind the mag pouch. Doesn’t steal belt real estate.

• Stores extras like gloves, loose mags, markers, tape, or even a water bottle.

Ear Pro Storage: NeoMag Tac-Trap

• Secures ear pro when not in use.

• No more stuffing gear in your dump pouch or hanging it awkwardly.

Placement: Make It Natural

Your gun belt setup should follow your body’s natural movement. Don’t fight human behavior.

• Holster: On the dominant side—natural draw stroke.

• Pistol Mags: Forward on the support side.

• Rifle Mag: Behind the pistol mags.

• Med Gear: Rear or non-dominant side for ambidextrous access.

• Dump Pouch: Under rifle mag pouch to save space.

• Ear Pro Holder: Behind the holster for easy use on the range.

Lessons Learned

• Don’t overbuild your belt. Keep only what you’ll actually use.

• Use a two-piece Velcro setup to keep everything locked in tight.

• Prioritize access over aesthetics. Your gear should flow with how your body moves.

Final Thoughts

If your belt setup fights your hands, your movement, or your mission, it’s wrong.

Build a belt that works with you, not against you. Whether on patrol, attending a shooting course, or running drills at your local range, every piece needs to have a purpose.

If you’re starting from scratch or reworking your setup, use this layout as a baseline. Test it. Tweak it. Make it yours.

👉 See Upcoming Carbine Courses and start training the right way.