Gunbelt Question

[RWP]

hey guys, i was wondering what your opinions is on lining the back of gunbelts with? suede? latigo? another piece of veg-tan? i've not made one yet but im wanting some opinions and what would you guys use as far as a good heavy duty buckle? or would that matter as much? thanks guys

-Robert

[Lobo]

I have made gun belts for concealed carry applications in 3 ways. First is a single-layer belt of 9-10 oz. veg-tanned, which is suitable for light to medium weight handguns. Second is made of 9-10 oz. with a lining of 4-5 oz. veg-tanned, which is good for medium to heavy handguns. Third is 9-10 oz. with lining of 7-8 oz. veg-tanned, which will support just about any weapon.

My typical belt is 1.5" width around the body tapered to 1" at the front for improved comfort. I usually use the Oxford-style buckles, which are small and rounded for better comfort.

My personal carry rig consists of a Kimber Custom CDP 1911 5" .45 pistol in my Enhanced Pancake model holster on the 9-10/4-5 oz belt combination. It is very durable and very comfortable.

In my experience, single-layer belts can be expected to give about one to two years service in daily use. The single-layer belts will stretch more easily than a belt with substantial lining cemented and stitched in place. The two-layer belts will usually give at least double the service life of a single-layer belt. Linings of suede or other light, flexible leathers add nothing to load-bearing capability or service life, in my opinion.

When making belts for a customer I recommend getting an accurate measurement of the belt he is now wearing, from tip of buckle to the tongue hole in use. This is usually about 2" larger than trouser waist size. Also, try to make sure that the customer's holster will accept the belt to be used. Both width and thickness need to be considered. My 9-10/4-5 oz. combination results in a thickness just under 1/4", and some holsters have belt attachment points that won't accept the added thickness readily. The 9-10/7-8 oz. combination finishes out at slightly over 1/4" thickness.

Also to be kept in mind is the fact that many dress and casual trousers have belt loops that will not accept the wider and thicker belts. It never hurts to discuss this with customers before they have something they can't easily use, in which case it will always be your fault (in their minds).

Best regards.

[RWP]

thanks lobo that gives me something to think about on the belt front while im getting my holster started

[Dwight]

Adding just a little to Lobo's information: when you sandwich two pieces of leather together, flesh side to flesh side, it becomes much stronger as both faces (inside and outside) are now the hair side of the leather, . . . which is the strong side.

I also personally detest a belt with a suede liner, . . . the darned thing will not slide like I want my belts to all do, . . . ugggghhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!

I usually start out with a 8/9 piece of leather for the outside, . . . hit it with the calipers, . . . then find another one that will get me in the .210 to .240 area of thickness, . . . just under 1/4 inch. I also set my strap cutter to 1 7/16 inches for the reasons Lobo mentioned about width.

May God bless,

Dwight

[RWP]

lol dwight i have the same trouble with that and i hate it

[billymac814]

Lobo summed everything up quite well, I line mine with Veg tan as well. I feel the stitching and double thickness keeps it from stretching. I've used the utitlity buckles from Springfield that are very inexpensive with good results, I'm sure you can find much better but they serve thier purpose, I always use chicago screws so the buckles can be easily replaced.

Now I'll add a question to this. Does anyone cut thier belts on a curve?

[RWP]

idk about belts made for concealed carry, but the few regular belts i've made i just cut straight. personally i feel like its a bit of a design preference and a way for the larger companies to charge a few extra bucks on something that will happen naturally with wear and use, thats just my opinion though

[JoelR]

I've only made a few belts. The gunbelts have been lined with 7/8 oz horse hide with 7/8 oz veg top. Adds a little extra stability in my opinion. The one dress belt I made was 10 oz with a 3oz pigskin lining- flesh side out. I burnished the lining to prevent the sticking issue.

[ShortBBL]

I think I will probably make belts with a curve, but only on heavy gun belts with bullet loops and in the 2.5 - 3" sizes. Smaller belts seem to shape themselves in a short bit of time and the big gun belts are worn a little lower (below the main belt) more on the hips where a little curve will make the belt fit right, right now.

[Fredo]

After reading Lobos reply I decided to make myself a gun belt. I uused 9/10 oz veg tan lined with 3/4 oz veg tan. At first I thought it might be a bit too thick but it turned out perfect for conceled carry on my Starfire M40. I have to tell you there is a real difference that you notice right away when you are using a purpose made belt.

I still need to work on my stitching, as I always seem to end up withb a cpl of wobbles on the stitch line.

[JackRabbit]

Just came to my mind ...

Which way you'd go in making a ccw belt when using exotic skins as a part of it :

1 ) 9-10 oz for belt , 4-5 oz for lining PLUS a decorative panel (stingray , shark ...) on top

OR

1) 9-10 for a lining AND a heavy panel on that ( again shark / stingray ...) ?

And yes , I'd like to use a decor like that , kinda hits my eye.

Suggestions for thicknesses will be appreciated .

My old belt has given me much more than suggested 5 or so years , but seems that I'll need a new one later.

Edited February 26, 2011 by JackRabbit

[Rayban]

Does anyone cut thier belts on a curve?

I haven't but I've wetted down a strap and shaped a curve into it, let it dry and turned out pretty good. (I never made a belt out of it however, I ended up using the piece on another project.)

I'm also of the opinion that a straight strap will take on the contour of the new body soon enough.

[JackRabbit]

I haven't but I've wetted down a strap and shaped a curve into it, let it dry and turned out pretty good. (I never made a belt out of it however, I ended up using the piece on another project.)

I'm also of the opinion that a straight strap will take on the contour of the new body soon enough.

Which is a fact , it will shape to fit to YOUR waist.

Just wear the belt , that's all it takes.

JR

[Bryan E]

I need to make another belt for myself. I made my first one, good for daily use and for concealed carry and it's finally time to get started on another one after 16 years of almost daily wear, 7 days a week. It was veg tanned water buffalo, from Tandy. I did cut it on the curve, and sized it to 1 3/8" width. It's just a plain black belt and all saddle stitched by hand. The stitching got worn in a few places but with the saddle stitching, it never did un-ravel, just had a few bad spots so I would go back and re-stitch as needed.

Man...hand stitching these long belts is a chore but a fun one. I don't do it very often so I'm not fast at it, and I'm sure my diamond awl wasn't sharp enough but I learned a lot from the first one and expect this next one to turn out even better.

[Cap]

Does anyone use any other material as a stiffner? The best belts (utility wise) I have found are from CompTac. Here The are double thickness with a Kydex liner. I would love to make something similar but have yet to find a supplier of a kydex or similar stiffener.

[Rayban]

A fella was over just yesterday to show me his Kydex reinforced belt. He somehow folded it and now has an ever-lasting fold crease in the Kydex and can't get it out...he's got a nice fold line in his belt.

[Bryan E]

Does anyone use any other material as a stiffner? The best belts (utility wise) I have found are from CompTac. Here The are double thickness with a Kydex liner. I would love to make something similar but have yet to find a supplier of a kydex or similar stiffener.

My experience is that a proper made belt, double thick leather of veg tan, will not need any further stiffener to support a properly sized holster where the loops match the belt width. A well made belt of such construction as what I used is very stiff indeed.

Let's say you wish to make a belt, double thick which is two thicknesses of leather, say two 8 oz layers. Now think about the added thickness of the Kydex. It will add a lot of thickness if it's stiff enough kydex to add stiffness to your belt. I've made Kydex holsters and used a .08 Kydex. I've seen thinner used but I liked the stronger stuff. My hand sewn belt measures .275 thick, so add another .08, and it's gonna be one thick belt.

[Big O]

I just made a belt for my wife. Probably overdid it.

8/9oz cowhide backed with about 7 oz horsehide.

Might just be the last belt I ever make unless I get a sewing machine. That's a LOT of stitching!!!!!

[Rayban]

I just made a belt for my wife. Probably overdid it.

8/9oz cowhide backed with about 7 oz horsehide.

Might just be the last belt I ever make unless I get a sewing machine. That's a LOT of stitching!!!!!

You hand-stitched your wife a belt!!?? now THAT'S true love!!