Leather Iwb Belt Loops

[anubismp]

Hello everyone , I'm new to the forums and to leatherworking in general so please bear with me and my super new guy questions. I make IWB holsters and just switched from kydex to leather. I was doing leather with kydex belt clips but I've been interested in doing leather belt loops on the IWBs and would like some input on any considerations, special methods etc. This would be for a single loop in the rear IWB and I think I'd like to avoid snaps and just do one solid piece. I also apologize if this has been covered elsewhere I tried a search but did not see it.

[Dwight]

anubismp, . . . I left your question alone at first, . . . figuring someone with more knowledge might chime in.

Since they didn't, . . . maybe I can help, . . . but from what you are asking, and the way you are asking, . . . quite honestly, I have not the faintest idea of how or what you are trying to accomplish.

Can you post a drawing, . . . picture, . . . ????

May God bless,

Dwight

[anubismp]

I appreciate the help, heres what I've got so far. I'm mostly looking for tips as to forming and attaching belt loops. Its a holster for me so I didn't really get into cutting the loop symmetrically or burnishing etc but it should give you a basic idea of what I'm looking to accomplish.

[Sixer]

Ok, I'll give it a shot...

If I was making that type of IWB holster I would use a loop that could be snapped and un-snapped. I would use a "strap cutter" to cut out a 2" - 3" loop (you don't really need a strap cuttter though). From there I would probably punch a hole in the holster and strap, then use a "t-nut" and screw to secure ...

Well I tried, lol, but this is harder to explain than I thought. Here is a pic of how I would do it

ETA - Not my holster, just a random pic from the internet.

[anubismp]

That sounds like a good idea but my only thought is would the snap swivel and make the pistol rotate on the belt. Since I've seen things like that I imagine it would not rotate but I guess I'm just trying to wrap my mind around it.

[Dwight]

That sounds like a good idea but my only thought is would the snap swivel and make the pistol rotate on the belt. Since I've seen things like that I imagine it would not rotate but I guess I'm just trying to wrap my mind around it.

That is a McDaniel holster, . . . and the loop does NOT rotate. The snap makes the holster vere easy to take on and off (like going into a gun free zone or something), . . . and while McDaniel uses some sort of screw and nut arrangement (I think) you could accomplish the same thing by starting the loop at the bottom of the holster, . . . and riveting it to the holster in one place. You would have a solid loop, . . . and a snap, . . . having the best of both worlds.

Take a look at my website, . . . you'll see I use snaps and loops on both ends of the holsters. I don't even offer a pass through loop like you made, and very few makers do.

May God bless,

Dwight

[TwinOaks]

Something else to consider is the backing to the loop. Most of the holsters I've seen and all of the ones I've built have a spacer behind the loop. Even if the loop is stitched in place, the addition of the spacer will help the loop fit over the pants better.

I also have to agree with the use of a snap attachment. The back of the loop (against the holster body) can be attached in a non-rotating method and still use a snap or two on the front of the loop to facilitate wearing or removal of the holster. The addition of a spacer also gives you a little more leather with which to hide the prongs of a t-nut if you decide to use them.

[anubismp]

Well in my limited wear time the one I made works but I do believe I'm going to be looking into picking up some snaps. For a spacer is a leather washer a good idea or a strip the size of the loop itself? Thanks for all of the help so far I wish I would have found this site a month ago when I got started.

[TwinOaks]

You can use whatever you want for the spacer- I cut washers the same diameter as my loops, but for the single wide loop, you may find that a strip the width of the loop would look and perform better.

Also, if you have a place to source them, use DOT snaps (aka 'pull the dot' snaps) as they only unsnap in one direction and are MUCH more secure than regular snaps.

[anubismp]

Just a follow up, I'm waiting to get some pull the dot snaps but I wanted to thank everyone for their help and when I do make one I'll be sure to post it up for a review. For everyone who posted up here before I get too far into it if you see any other flaws besides the loop on the holster please let me know even by PM as the original question has been answered. Thanks

[anubismp]

Alright I tried some tandy line 24 snaps as I couldn't find PTD snaps locally and the snap loops where more of a experiment. I like them and they arent loose or anything they actually hold pretty well. Thanks for the suggestions and I'll probably try to find PTD snaps some time in the future.

[kevinhopkins]

Hi... Glad you got your holster issue ironed out... Folks on this site are great aren't they? If it's any help, I've got the pull the dot snaps... You don't even have to buy all the parts if you don't need them. You can buy just the ones that you need, and use regular dot snap parts for the rest.

Happy Holsters!

Kevin@springfieldleather.com

[anubismp]

I just might take you up on that thanks