Gun Belt Blog
Welcome to the Bigfoot Gun Belts Blog! While we love our gun belts, we talk about a lot more here. We cover topics like gun accessories, gun care, open carry, concealed carry, and so much more. Feel free to wander through our pages like Bigfoot moves through the forest. Leave a footprint if you feel like it...or better yet a comment!
How to Prevent and Handle a Car Jacking
Nov 28, 2016
By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor
Carjacking is a portmanteau of the words "car" and "hijacking," though a hijacking and a carjacking can be very different events.
By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor
Concealed carry doesn't mean just toting around a gun; there's a concealed carry mindset that has to go along with the gun and gear, as it's a change of lifestyle. For a person to carry competently, there are certain aspects of this mindset that should be adhered to.
LEOSA Is A Model For Future Gun Rights Policy
Nov 23, 2016
By Jake Smith | Contributing Editor
With America’s political climate leaning heavily conservative in the wake of the recent election, gun rights advocates are consistently echoing a phrase: national reciprocity.
Do I Need A Retention Holster For Open Carry?
Nov 21, 2016
By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor
For people open carry on a regular or semi-regular basis, it's a good idea to at least consider a retention holster of some sort. After all, that's what the professionals carry in. They offer more security than the typical concealed carry holster.
The Concealed Carry Mindset
Nov 18, 2016
By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor
Concealed carry doesn't mean just toting around a gun; there's a concealed carry mindset that has to go along with the gun and gear, as it's a change of lifestyle. For a person to carry competently, there are certain aspects of this mindset that should be adhered to.
Concealed Carry And The Elderly
Nov 16, 2016
By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor
A must for any carrier, including those in their golden years, is a quality holster and a good, stout gun belt. These are the most crucial aspect of any carry set-up. The guy carrying open carrying a Hi-Point in a nylon sheath at Walmart is just doing it wrong.
Do Adjustable Sights Matter On A Carry Gun?
Nov 14, 2016
By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor
A good number of gunmakers offer adjustable sights as an upgradeable option, sort of like how you can get leather bucket seats and an infotainment console in a premium trim package on a car. Are they worth it on a concealed carry gun?
Gun Drawing Techniques For Concealed Carry
Nov 11, 2016
By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor
A person should know how to draw a gun if they have to. Ideally, the concealed carrier/open carrier or person otherwise concerned with personal protection will be drilling their draw as part of regular practice with their firearm, among other shooting drills.
Do You Need Concealed Carry Insurance?
Nov 9, 2016
By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor
A number of people have had the thought that perhaps they should get concealed carry insurance once they acquire a license and begin carrying. After all, it's good to have insurance in case something happens, just like with driving a car.
Benefits of Taking a CCW Class
Nov 7, 2016
By Jake Smith | Contributing Editor
Abraham Lincoln once said, “Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe,” which, although it wasn’t his intention, helps define the value of a CCW class.
By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor
The everyday carrier is likely to encounter a situation where they can't carry a gun when they otherwise would be carrying. Clearly, removing one's pistol is going to be warranted, but what about the holster? For that matter, what about one's gun belt? Not everyone will want to wear a beefy strip of leather if they don't have to.
The Defensive Mindset for Concealed Carry
Nov 1, 2016
By Jake Smith | Contributing Editor
Having a defensive mindset as a concealed carrier means being able to distinguish a problem at all levels before, during and after a conflict.
Is Factory Ammunition Dangerous?
Oct 31, 2016
By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor
Talk to other gun owners and shooters, look at a few firearms forums, and you might start hearing horror stories about factory ammunition. It can seem disconcerting, especially to the person that doesn't have their own reloading equipment. Besides a pistol, one has to rely on ammunition to potentially save their lives or put food on the table.
When Is Drawing Your Gun Legal?
Oct 28, 2016
By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor
If a person has to engage in gun drawing, one had better be sure that they do so in the right situation. There are circumstances in which it isn't legal to draw a firearm.
How Often Should I Go To The Shooting Range?
Oct 26, 2016
By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor
Shooting is a perishable skill, and something that a lot of carriers wonder is how often they should be at the shooting range. The short answer is as often as possible, but in truth a person should go with enough frequency to maintain their shooting skills.
Why Teachers Should Concealed Carry
Oct 24, 2016
By Jake Smith | Contributing Editor
The debate on campus carry and whether or not teachers should concealed carry has been built on a foundation of cultural components that are both distracting and complicated.
Why Reholstering Matters...And Why It Doesn't
Oct 21, 2016
By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor
When it comes to holster selection, there are a lot of people that will tell you that reholstering or more to the point, reholsterability, is one of the most important aspects of choosing a gun holster. Is it though?
Gun Belts For Big People
Oct 19, 2016
By Jake Smith | Contributing Editor
The human race is fortunate to include a wide spectrum of body types of all shapes, sizes and colors, but equipping those bodies with the right apparel can be challenging, especially when it comes to gun belts for big guys.
When Family Disapproves Of Concealed Carry
Oct 17, 2016
By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor
Occasionally, a person who decides to arm themselves and express their 2nd Amendment rights finds that family or friends may not support open or concealed carry. This can make relations difficult in practical and emotional terms.
3 Tips For Keeping Concealed
Oct 14, 2016
By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor
There are certain things that unsafe carriers do that make them unsafe. If one is going to carry a gun, it needs to be done properly and safely; you owe it to yourself, your friends and loved ones, and indeed to society itself. Gun rights are under constant assault, and starving gun control advocates of ammunition is of paramount importance.
Rare Sig Pistols - How to find a .357 Sig
Oct 12, 2016
By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor
There are certain things that unsafe carriers do that make them unsafe. If one is going to carry a gun, it needs to be done properly and safely; you owe it to yourself, your friends and loved ones, and indeed to society itself. Gun rights are under constant assault, and starving gun control advocates of ammunition is of paramount importance.
By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor
It isn't difficult to conceal with jeans and a T-shirt, but what about concealing in business dress? It would seem to be a bit more difficult, but it doesn't necessarily have to be.
3 Habits of Unsafe Carriers
Oct 7, 2016
By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor
There are certain things that unsafe carriers do that make them unsafe. If one is going to carry a gun, it needs to be done properly and safely; you owe it to yourself, your friends and loved ones, and indeed to society itself. Gun rights are under constant assault, and starving gun control advocates of ammunition is of paramount importance.
By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor
While there are plenty of reasons to love double-action, single-action pistols, there are also plenty of reasons to not. In fact, the reasons not to are thought by many to completely outweigh any perceived advantage of SA/DA guns.
Mandatory Gun Ownership - It's A Thing!
Oct 3, 2016
By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor
Believe it or not, there is such a thing as mandatory gun ownership in some places - including mandatory carry. Granted, it isn't always exactly what one might think, but there are places on this good Earth where it's not only legal to carry a gun, but required.
What Is A Cobra Buckle For Gun Belts?
Sep 30, 2016
By Jake Smith | Contributing Editor
A lot of gun belt and tactical belt companies have sprung up in the past year or so advertising a cobra buckle on their belts. Are they so much better than other types of belt fasteners?
How to Store a Leather Gun Belt
Sep 26, 2016
By Jake Smith | Contributing Editor
A leather gun belt is more than a strap to keep garments and guns securely at waist level. Its existence is rooted in life.
Is An Enhanced Concealed Carry Permit Worth It?
Sep 25, 2016
By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor
A few states offer an enhanced concealed carry permit. Each one is different...but is it worth it to residents or nonresidents to try to get one?
Self Defense Option If You Can't Concealed Carry
Sep 23, 2016
By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor
There's no question that the ultimate of all the self defense tools ever invented is the handgun. They're compact, relatively easy to use and are capable of meting out deadly force should the need arise.
By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor
If one looks at the pistols developed in recent years, one could get the impression that the single-action, double-action pistol is on it's way out. Why bother, some say, since the striker-fired (technically a striker gun is more of a hammerless SA, but whatever) design is so much easier to operate?
Why Carrying A Gun Requires A Carry Belt
Sep 19, 2016
By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor
Most people who carry a pistol every day will tell you that gun belts are absolutely necessary to keep the weight of a pistol and holster supported on the waistline, at least if they're carrying on the waistband. It's not so necessary if you have a shoulder holster. That said, many people are likely to notice that there's a premium to be paid for good gun belts.
Velcro Gun Belt Fasteners - Are They Enough?
Sep 16, 2016
By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor
Some gun belt designs don't use a traditional buckle and as a result, there are a number of Velcro gun belts out there. It's especially popular as a tactical design. Granted, some belts use a combination of Velcro and hardware, but some wonder if the fabric itself is strong enough to be relied on for daily carry.
Can You Open Carry with an IWB Holster?
Sep 14, 2016
By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor
There is such a thing as an open carry IWB holster...but it's a bit rare for a person to use one that way. It's not that a person couldn't; it's just that they generally don't. Concealment with an IWB holster couldn't be easier, since you only need to drape a shirt over it. So really, open carry just means making sure the shirt goes under it.
Ammo Shelf Life: How Long Are Bullets Good For?
Sep 12, 2016
By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor
Is there such a thing as an ammunition shelf life? This is an excellent question and in this blog we tackle what exactly shelf life is and how to overcome or handle dealing with it.
By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor
If there is one place where some concealed carriers seem to make a fool of themselves, it's movie theaters - and concealed carry in a movie theater is not that hard. Granted, it's mostly people who would have screwed up somewhere anyway, and they just happened to do it at a cinema...
Should I Wear A Gun Belt While Hunting?
Sep 5, 2016
By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor
Should one wear a gun belt while hunting? Definitely! You need one for a backup pistol and there are some other uses one can get out of it.
By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor
OWB concealed carry is definitely doable despite naysayers telling you IWB is the best concealment method. It does take a bit of strategy to pull off, however.
Benefits And Drawbacks Of Israeli Carry
Aug 26, 2016
By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor
Detractors and defenders abound for the carrying method commonly called "Israeli carry." There are pros and cons to it, so it behooves one to be informed.
By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor
There is a difference between cowhide and horse hide leather besides just the animal it comes from. Click here to learn more...
What Are The Best Concealed Carry Positions?
Aug 22, 2016
By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor
The best concealed carry positions are somewhat subjective, but the best are generally on the waist. There are a few different positions to know, however...
What's the Best Gun Belt Weight?
Aug 19, 2016
By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor
The best gun belt weight is actually not so much a range of weight, but rather what a person is going to be able to comfortably carry. This varies by intended use.
By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor
The best self-defense ammo can be partially found out on paper, sure. However, some of what makes for the best defensive has to be found out by each person. Read more...
By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor
There is an NICS background check exemption for some people. It's only available in certain states, but it can certainly make purchases easier for qualified persons.
By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor
A lot of concealed carriers swear by a rigger's belt. What are they and are they as great as people say?
Choosing a Non-Resident Concealed Carry Permit
Aug 10, 2016
By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor
Thinking about a non-resident concealed carry permit? It could be a good idea, but make sure to do your homework first.
How To Wear A Hybrid Holster
Aug 8, 2016
By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor
How does one wear hybrid holsters? More less like any other holster - they are just made a little differently.
Do Gun Belts Wear Out?
Aug 5, 2016
By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor
Gun belts are built strong enough to carry a gun for extended periods of time, but like any other working item, they can have an expiration date. In other words, they can wear out like anything else and need replacing.
By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor
Try a pistol qualification test some time. These are the shooting exams that law enforcement and the military have to pass, so being able to pass one yourself is a sign of solid shooting skills.
Can I Get a Concealed Carry Permit Online?
Jul 31, 2016
By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor
Can a person get a concealed carry permit online? Well...kind of. It depends on the state you're getting the license from.
How Often Should I Replace My Gun Belt?
Jul 29, 2016
By Sam Hoober | Contributing Editor
You will eventually need to replace your gun belt. How long will that be? Depends on how long your current one holds up for...
