1791 Gunleather has been making some great quality products for years. One of their newest belts to be released is the COBRA Gun Belt 01. This belt is made from quality leather and has a AustriAlpin COBRA buckle which makes it super easy to put on and take off.
To some people, a belt is just a piece of leather (or nylon) meant to keep their pants from betraying them. And let’s be honest, some people really need that…
But for others, especially those of us who carry firearms, a belt serves one more purpose. It serves as a holster-anchoring device. It’s a crucial piece of gear, as vital as your holster or firearm.
Picking the right belt, however, isn’t easy. With so many options, you’d think shopping for a belt was as overwhelming as trying to pick out a new pair of socks.
I like trying out new belts just like I do holsters, guns, ammo, optics, shoes, and well, everything I can get my hands on. We often overlook the importance of a good belt, but that doesn’t make it any less important.
I’ve been wearing the new COBRA Gun Belt 01 for a while now and it’s definitely worth checking out.
COBRA Gun Belt 01: What Makes It Special?
The COBRA Gun Belt 01 is not your average belt. It was built with durability and function in mind. It takes its name from the COBRA® buckle system, which is a high-strength metal clasp that snaps securely into place.
It’s not just the buckle that makes this belt special, however, it’s also the quality of the leather. It’s made from full-thickness 14 oz steerhide and has a great finish. You can get it in brown or black, so I decided to try the black one out.
As I mentioned above, 1791 Gunleather used a genuine AustriAlpin COBRA® Buckle. These buckles are known for their durability and the way they attach only makes the belt more durable.
Instead of using rivets at the end of the belt, they folded the belt over and put post and screws through the entire thing. This makes it nearly impossible to break. This also means you can replace parts or make adjustments when needed.
Adjusting the COBRA Gun Belt: Tailored to You
One thing I like about the COBRA Gun Belt is you can adjust it and leave it. I’ve caught myself looking at the holes in my belt before to see which one I normally use. With this belt however, you make the adjustment when attaching one side of the buckle and then leave it.
The adjustment process is simple. The leather belt feeds through the buckle, and folds over to line up with the holes in the belt (see photo below). Before putting the screws in mine, I held the belt together to see exactly where I wanted to attach mine.
Once you have the belt sized for your waist, insert the post from the back of the belt and the screws through the front. You will need a flat and Phillips screwdriver for this.
I inserted the post and screw furthest away from the buckle first and then added the one closest to the buckle. This made it easier to line up the screw and post.
At first, the belt will act like it doesn’t want to bend very well. But once you add the buckle, it doesn’t take long for the leather to start folding a little flatter. As you wear the belt it also starts to break in like a holster and becomes more comfortable.
How Did It Hold Up in the Field?
I almost always carry a firearm when I leave the house. When I’m not on duty, I carry one concealed, with an IWB holster. IWB holsters work best with this belt and I wore mine just about everywhere I went.
For the first few days, I it wasn’t uncomfortable, but I could fill it, like you do with anything that’s new. After that, however, I would put it on and soon forget about it.
The buckle appears to be great quality, and it snaps into place perfectly. Most of the time, I used a 1791 IWB holster with a Kimber Micro 9 1911 handgun.
I like thicker belts like this for carrying a firearm because they help keep the holster from sliding around. There were no issues with this belt because of its thickness.
After wearing it for about a week, I did have to remove the buckle and tighten it just a little, but this is not uncommon for a leather belt. As you wear it, the belt will stretch just a little, and become more flexible, which is the breaking in period.
Because I already have a lot of leather holsters, belts, and boots, I put some leather conditioner on the belt. I’m not sure it needed that, but I use it on all my leather gun gear and boots anyway.
Want a Traditional Belt Instead?
If your liking sound of the leather belt, but your not sure about the COBRA belt buckle, I will mention that 1791 Gunleather also makes the same belt in a traditional style.
Not everyone wants a tactical quick-clasp belt, and that’s okay. If you prefer using the traditional style you have always used, try out the “Gun Belt 01 made from American Heavy Native Steerhide.” This belt combines classic style with the same high level of durability you’d expect from 1791.
Just like the COBRA belt, this one is made from premium steerhide leather, which is known for its toughness and long-lasting quality. Because it has a little mor of a traditional look, it goes great for those occasions when you plan to have your shirt tucked in with the belt on full display.
This belt works a little better for OWB pancake holsters, but that’s just my opinion. This is a belt I’ve worn quite a bit before the COBRA belt came along.
It’s a little cheaper than the COBRA belt, retailing for just under $70 at most sites. This belt comes in four colors:
- Vintage
- Classic Brown
- Signature Brown
- Stealth Black
This is great belt for carrying a gun and looking classy while you do it.
Do you have a good belt?
As I said in the beginning, belts don’t always get the most attention when people are choosing their firearms, holsters, and other gear. But a good belt is just as important as any of your other gear because it holds up your firearm and holster.
If you like good quality leather, you should try out 1791 Gunleather’s gear. And if you don’t have a good belt, you definitely need to check out one of these.