Abstract: A gun belt for use in combat side arm competitions supports a side arm retaining boot. A fender extends from the gun belt and a depending shank to support the boot at a predetermined lateral and angular orientation with respect to the gun belt. The boot, of a composite structure bent back upon itself to define rearwardly extending skirts, is readily adjustable to vary the clamping force exertable upon the barrel of the side arm retained by the skirts. A bearing piece joins the opposed rear edges of the skirts without interfering with the integrity of the boot clamping function and provides a low friction bearing surface for rapid drawing of the side arm from the boot. Removable straps provide an option of physically locking the side arm within the boot.