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Why You Need A Gun Belt

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Written by Frank Semeraro

If you carry a firearm, it is important that you wear a good quality gun belt.    A belt from Walmart isn’t going to cut it.  I good gun belt will keep your firearm tight and close to your body.    Many times people blame their holsters for flopping around when it is actually their gun belt that is flopping.   If you carry every day, don’t skimp on the gun belt.

There are different types of gun belts, and it is a personal choice as to what type of belt to use.

Traditional Leather Gun Belts – Nothing loos as good as a leather gun belt.  It can be worn with casual or dress clothes.  Leather does stretch a bit over time, and I find the belt holes can be spaced a little far apart making the belt too tight or too loose.   I have reviewed many traditional leather gun belts and Hanks Belts are by far the best quality you can get.   They are made in the USA and have a lifetime warranty.

Ratchet Style Belts – Ratchet style belts have a track system on the inner side of the belt that allows adjustments in ¼ inch increments.   This allows you to maintain a more precise fit and keeps your firearm close and tight to your body.    Out of all the ratchet style belts I have reviewed, the Kore Essentials ratchet belt is the best I have tried.

Tactical Belts – Another option is a Tactical Belt.    A good quality re-enforced nylon tactical belt is another good choice.  Due to the buckles on tactical belts, they work best with IWB holsters since the belt buckle won’t fit through the holster loops.   Blue Alpha makes a very good quality belt, it’s made in the USA and has a lifetime warranty. 

Click on this link to watch our review

BEST EDC GUN BELTS

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Know Your Gun Laws

By Frank Semeraro, AKA BIG GUN
Certified NRA Pistol Instructor

As gun owners, it is our responsibility to know our state and local gun laws.   Many people go out and purchase a firearm and never check the firearms laws of their state.    Not knowing your state gun laws or pleading ignorant isn’t a defense and can land you in jail for not knowing.   Since laws vary from state to state and people are constantly moving they should know the gun laws of the state they are moving to.

For example, I live in the great state of Tennessee.   There are no magazine restrictions here so all my rifle magazines are 30 round magazines.   Most of my pistols have 15 round magazines.   I know for a fact that if I moved to a state like New Jersey which has a 10 round restriction on both pistols and rifles, I could be in hot water if I was in possession of those magazines in New Jersey.

If you carry a firearm it is even more important to know your state and local laws.   You should know where you can and can’t carry.    Since the laws differ from state to state, it may be legal to carry in a restaurant that serves alcohol in one state but not another.    The same applies to state parks, school property, etc.

A good example is one day my wife and I were traveling on the bike.   The next thing I know the GPS routed us through Maryland.   I was carrying a loaded Glock with a 15 round magazine.   If I would have gotten pulled over I could have landed in jail because I can’t carry in Maryland.

What about shooting on your property.   I live outside city limits and I can shoot on my property.   People who live less than a mile away live within city limits and legally cannot.   They shoot on their property because they see and hear us do it but if a neighbor were to call the local authorities, they could find themselves in trouble.

There is a lot of confusion about permitless carry.   Typically, if a state is a permitless carry state, only residents of that state may carry.    A lot of people think that in a permitless state anyone can carry without a permit.    If you live in a permitless carry state you should still apply for a concealed carry permit.    The reason is that you will only have reciprocity in another state If you have a resident permit from your home state.    You should also know what states have reciprocity with your home state.    You should also know what states you can open carry in.     Some states allow concealed carry but prohibit open carry.    You should also know how to transport firearms in your vehicle when driving through states that are not gun-friendly.

Firearms laws vary from state to state and in some instances even from county to county.   Do yourself a favor and read your state and local firearm laws as well as the laws of any state you may be traveling through.

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Open vs Concealed Carry

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Welcome fellow gun owners.   I would like to cover the Pros and Cons of Open Cary Vs Concealed Carry.

When making a decision to carry a firearm the first thing you must decide is weather you will Open Carry or Conceal Carry.     This is a decision you need to make for yourself, what works for one person may not work for another.   You need to do what makes you comfortable.    The first thing you need to do is make sure you understand the firearms laws of your state.    If your state does not allow open carry, that decision will be made for you.     For comparison purposes, let’s assume your state allows you to open carry.

When carrying a firearm you must also know which states have reciprocity with your state and know the gun laws of the states you will be carrying in.    The size of the firearm you are carrying can also determine if you should open or conceal carry.   You may also need to purchase multiple holsters depending on the firearm you carry.   For example, I carry a full size 1911 with a 5 inch barrel which is a very difficult firearm to conceal and carrying that gun inside the waistband with a kydex holster is like walking around with a 2×4 in your pants all day.     For inside the waistband I recommend either leather or a Remora inside the waistband holster for comfort.

OPEN CARRY – Sometimes, how you carry is determined by where you are carrying.    If you are carrying in the woods while hunting or hiking you may need easy access to your firearm to defend yourself against dangerous animals.    Keep in mind that even though you may have the right to open carry, there may still be places that do not allow carrying a firearm.    Also keep in mind that when you open carry, in some places it may raise a few eyebrows and make people uncomfortable.    There is also the possibility that the bad guys see you carrying and it makes you a threat.    I personally like easy access to my firearm and open carry most of the time.    If I am in a crowded area I may just pull my shirt over the firearm to conceal it but technically, it is still considered open carry.

PROS

  • The major benefit of open carry is easy access to your firearm in case of an emergency.
  • Attacks may be less likely to occur since would-be criminals know you’re armed and can also serve as a potential deterrent for people to commit crimes around you.
  • It may be much more comfortable to carry your firearm.

CONS –

  • Draws attention
  • May make people uncomfortable or be intimidating to others
  • May make you a target or considered a threat and makes it easier for someone to take your firearm.

CONCEALED CARRY – Compared to open carry, concealed carry can sometimes be a real hassle and may also determine what you will need to wear in order to totally conceal your firearm.    In the cooler weather it may be very easy to conceal your firearm allowing you to carry a larger firearm but in the warmer weather it will be harder to conceal especially if you are carrying a large firearm.   If you are carrying inside the waistband the grips on your firearm may also make you uncomfortable.    Rubber grips may stick to your clothing or your skin when you sweat and G10 grips may scrape your skin.     I recommend wood grips for concealed carry. 

Another thing to keep in mind is that some states require you to obtain a permit to conceal carry.  This is a good thing since it requires the gun owner to at least complete some form of firearm safety.   As mentioned earlier, the size of your firearm and the holster you use is much more important for comfort and to keep your firearm concealed.

PROS

  • It makes it harder for someone to take your forearm away.
  • Does not make you a target or make people uncomfortable
  • Provides you with the ability to defend yourself if necessary and be discrete if it is not needed.

CONS –

  • May make it more difficult to determine what type of clothing to wear.
  • Can be uncomfortable depending on your firearm or holster.
  • Depending on how you are carrying it may either print and display your firearm or be difficult to access it quickly.

How should You Carry

How and where you carry is totally up to you.  You need to do what make you most comfortable.    If you carry every day like I do, you may carry a different firearm and wear a different holster depending on where you will be carrying or what activities you will be doing that day.    I personally prefer to open carry using an outside the waistband holster.    I try to wear an over-sized shirt so that I can just pull the shirt over the firearm if I feel the need to cover it up.

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Top 5 Mag Holders In 2020 On a Budget

Having an extra magazine comes handy in plenty of situations. Whether you need those mags for a specific purpose or just want to keep some handy just in case, you’ll need a mag holder for them. Unfortunately, some mag holders can run a pretty penny. Luckily, that doesn’t mean that these budget options won’t work perfectly for you. 

1. Remora Mag Holder Carry All

The Remora Mag Holder Carry All is a mag holder that fits inside your waistband and carries anything you might need to have on you. You’ll be able to comfortably wear the Remora Mag Holder Carry All on your hip, front, or back.

Each of the compartments included in the holder can carry your basic needs such as a single stack .22 or a double stack .45 mag. You can even store small tools like speed strips, a knife, or a small flashlight.

The holster comes in multiple colors as well. It sells in black, white, punch, and punch pink. You can also upgrade the lining of the holster to a black denier or plush black. An optional sweat shield is also on the table which will help with the longevity of the mag holder as well as add to your comfort when you’re wearing it.

2. Remora Kydex Magazine Holder

The Remora Kydex Magazine Holder is a simple, handmade mag holder that’s meant to be worn inside the waistband. The compact case is made with military hardware and spec clips. It features a genuine leather backing and the Remora non-slip material on the side of the holder that presses against your body.

There is a genuine advantage to adjustable and detachable parts in mag holders because they give you a level of adaptability. This mag holder has adjustable hardware which allows you to make sure it’s comfortable for you to wear, specifically.

This holder is available for a long list of different gun models. This versatility gives you an option with this holster no matter what your needs are. You can also choose the color and draw side of the holder.

3. Combo Remora 2-In-1 Holster and Mag Holder

The Combo Remora 2-In-1 Holster and Mag Holder is made as a draw side specific that fits inside your waistband. It also has a swivel clip that you can adjust to match your personal cant so that it fits comfortably and naturally on your side.

As a no clip option, you can wear it inside your waistband or carry it in your pocket. Without the clip, the holsters are ambidextrous, which is very attractive if you’re left-handed and struggle to find a holster that can accommodate!

This holster and mag holder combo is also hand manufactured., so you know you’re getting high quality with every order.

4. Remora Single Mag Holder

Sometimes you don’t need anything too fancy or large to get the job done. If you don’t have a lot to carry and you don’t want to worry about a lot of extra bulk, the Remora Single Mag Holder might be the best fit for you.

The main thing to notice about this mag holder is that it has a single compartment. However, this single compartment isn’t heavily restricted to what it will hold. You can use it to carry a double stack .45 magazine or a .22 single stack magazine. Alternatively, you can use the holster to carry a small flashlight, knife, or speed strip.

The holder is made to be worn inside the waistband or in your pocket. It has a non-slip design that won’t shift around. The outside of the holder is the standard Remora black with a standard black denier interior.

5. Remora Dual Mag Holder

If you need a versatile mag holder, the Remora Dual Mag Holder fits the bill. It’s made to hold a single stack .22 or to double-stack .45 mag. You can also use it to hold a speed strip, a knife, or even a small flashlight.

This is another option from Remora that’s manufactured by hand. So, you know you’re going to get personalized quality with every order. You can also choose a color to make sure your mag holder fits your personality and style.

Just because you’re on a budget, that doesn’t mean that you can’t get a mag that works well for you. Any of these options will hold your mags and serve you well without forcing you to shell out all the cash in your bank account.