Galco makes some of the best leather products in the world, and the Classic Flat Buckle is no exception. Don’t get me wrong; I like tactical holsters, vests, helmets, and everything else that goes with them. But I have always been a fan of classic leather gear. From shoulder rigs to 1911 holsters and the belts that carry them, you just can’t beat good leather.
When wearing non-tactical clothing, it’s also nice to have gear options that work with everyday attire. I admit, I have way too many shoes, belts, holsters, watches, and sunglasses, but there’s always room for more, isn’t there? When I saw the Galco Classic Flat Back Buckle belt, I couldn’t help myself. The quality of the leather and the simple design are appealing.
At first thought, it’s easy to think one belt should be sufficient for daily use, right? But when you wear a firearm everywhere you go, belts become extremely important. If the belt is too thin, it will not properly support a good belt holster. Too thick, however, and the clip on an IWB (inside the waistband) holster will not fit over the belt.
This creates the need for multiple belts that work with multiple holsters. But don’t forget about color as well. Some may not care, but others like to coordinate the color of their clothing and the accessories they wear. I have black belts, dark brown, light brown, tan, etc. I’m not saying one good gun belt, holster, and handgun are not sufficient. But it’s nice to have options.
Classic Flat Back Buckle Leather Belt
Galco offers multiple design options within their “Flat Back Belt Collection.” This one has a post-style buckle, so there are no moving parts on the belt, which makes it unique. Most belts weave through some type of buckle, which bends the belt to some degree. With the Flat Back Buckle, the belt does not bend around the buckle.
It simply passes through the brass flat buckle, and the post on the back of the buckle pushes into one of the nine adjustment holes. Each hole in the belt is spaced three-quarters of an inch from one another to provide a good fit. The belt comes in four sizes that fit 34-to-48-inch waists. One thing I like most about this belt is how thin it is. I have plenty of thick leather belts, and they work great for OWB (outside the waistband) holsters.
But I prefer thin belts for IWB carry because it’s easier to push the holster clip over the belt. The Classic Galco belt is 1.5 inches wide, which is a perfect width for the belt loop on most jeans and slacks. It’s easy to put on and adjust in size with the post-style solid brass buckle. Even though I prefer it for CCW carry, it also works great with belt holsters.
Galco uses Bridle leather construction on the classic leather belt. This process of tanning creates a soft feel on the leather and is extremely durable. The belt is finished on the outside and unfinished on the inside, which I like. My belt has a “coffee” finish, but it also comes in black.
What holsters work with the Galco Classic Belt?
Belt thickness, rigidity, and finish are all personal preferences, but there are some holsters I found work great with my Galco Classic belt. I mentioned before this is a great belt for CCW purposes, but I also wear my Galco Thunder Clap 1911 holster with it (pictured above). Because the belt is so thin, OWB holsters tend to feel just a little loose on the belt, but not enough to bother me.
For inside the IWB holsters, I like to wear the Glaco Summer Comfort holster for my Kimber Micro 9. The Safariland Species and CYA holsters also work great if you prefer polymer for IWB carry. Even though it’s thin, the clips on IWB holsters easily catch on the belt to keep the holster secure when drawing the firearm.
Is It Worth the Money?
Deciding how much a good belt should cost is like deciding how much a good gun should cost. It all depends on what you like and what you expect from the product. There are multiple designs in the Flat Back Belt Collection, and the price ranges from $169 to $205. You can find plenty of cheaper belts, but the quality and craftsmanship are what you pay for.
I know multiple people who have worn the same leather belt their entire life. When you start dividing the price into years, the price is very appealing. When good leather gear is taken care of, it will last a lifetime. Again, tactical belts and holsters are great for certain tasks. But good leather gear can be used every day, and it only looks better as it ages.
Ready to add a quality belt to your collection?
If you want something even more special than the classic brass buckle, Gaclo offers “The Die Is Cast” buckle. This is the same belt with a brass buckle but has a sterling medallion in the middle. The Latin words for the belt’s name, “iacta alea est,” are etched in the circular medallion. Because of the sterling silver center, this belt comes in at the top of the price range ($225).
I wear Galco shoulder holsters on duty at work when I’m not in uniform and frequently use them off duty. There is no question they use top-quality leather, and their quality control is excellent. Now that I’ve been wearing the Galco Classic belt, I’m even more impressed with them. You aren’t getting a Chinese product with an American name; you’re getting a product that is truly made in the United States.
When ordering, you can choose between the two colors and four size options. When I ordered mine, it only took a few days to arrive. If you want something a little different, Galco offers a lot of other choices, from western gunslinger belts to dress belts. This belt is definitely worth the price if what you’re after is quality craftsmanship.
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