Cartridge Loops In A Belt

[Order and Chaos]

So a friend at work mentions something about needing a longer belt buckle section on his gunslinger rig and I tell him I'm willing to try to do the job for him to get some practice. Apparently over the last few decades his gun belt has mysteriously gotten smaller by a couple inches, and I make the new belt piece with no problem, but then he mentions that he recently realized that he shoots a lot better left handed and would like to have a basic black no frills left handed rig (his old one is right handed). I figured what the heck and told him I'd be willing to try making one from scratch, and everything seems to be coming together fairly well except I'm not sure the right way to do the math to lay out the strap and stitch section spacing that will be turned in to the cartridge loops on the belt. I have the Stohlman holster book but it doesn't cover cartridge loops and was wondering if there was a different source book I could pick up that gave the measurements for various size cartridge loops. BTW, I'm trying to make the loops for .38spl/.357magnum rounds.

Edited March 11, 2012 by Order and Chaos

[katsass]

FWIW from the grumpy old guy; I simply cut a series of slits (I use an oblong bag punch) about 3/4" apart,(for .357) then take a strip of 4oz leather the same width of the slit and weave it first in from the back, then back from the front through the same slit. around a cartridge case. Continue for the entire number of slits.. Wet the leather strip and be careful not to pull it too hard or it will shrink in width. Mike

Edited March 11, 2012 by katsass

[Dwight]

That is exactly the same way I make mine. I do always line the belt back, . . . and when the lining goes on, . . . I contact cement it to the other belt piece, including the cartridge straps.

Here is a little drawing that may also help.

May God bless,

Dwight

[TexasJack]

...a different source book I could pick up that gave the measurements for various size cartridge loops. BTW, I'm trying to make the loops for .38spl/.357magnum rounds.

A .38 is .379 inches in diameter. With just the dimension, it would be pretty hard to get the loops right. Best thing is to use an actual cartridge. You don't actually need a live cartridge, you can use just the brass from a cartridge he's fired. Ask him for a couple of them as that will make your sizing easier. Spent .357's would be the best since they are slightly longer than the .38s.

Edited March 12, 2012 by TexasJack

[Order and Chaos]

Thanks for the replies. I did a little experimenting with some scraps I had laying around. Right now my plan is the cartridge holder section is going to be a separate piece that will be attached to the main belt. The hardest part was digging around in the closet to figure out where I had put away that caliber ammo. On a positive note, I also found about 5 boxes of .45 long colt and some .444 marlin I forgot I even had. I spaced the 3/4" slots on 9/16's centerlines and with the 2-3oz strip to make the loops it left about 3/16" between each cartridge, so that should leave me plenty of room between each round using the thicker correct leather. Later on down the road I plan to make a similar gun belt for my .41 magnum redhawk. Hopefully I'll have all the parts ready to go together soon and can take some pictures to post.

[Boriqua]

I hope I am not hijacking but I have the loop thing down and came out nicely. well nicely for a newby on an inch and a quarter strap. now I am trying to do it on a 2.5 inch strap. is there a trick to make it easier to ensure you line up all of your belt punch holes even top to bottom. I have been eye balling but there just has to be a more accurate method.

[silverwingit]

Boriqua, member Richard Black has a detailed video on this very subject which might be of some help.

Edited July 15, 2013 by silverwingit

[Order and Chaos]

I wound up using the method Katsass described. I used my 3/4" slot punch every 9/16", started with a rivet to anchor the strap, then tucked the strip of 4oz in and out, snugging it down on a cartridge, repeat the process until all the loops are created. Remove the cartridges and then some quick (a relative term) sewing between each loop to attach. The inside of the belt was lined with some fairly heavy suede so the inner part is hidden.

Side note, if you need to buy ammo in a caliber for creating bullet loops, I found that there is a style of ammo called cowboy loads that are used for the competitive action shooters that cost about 2/3 what regular ammo would, due to the lighter powder loads in the rounds for reduced recoil. It's available in most popular six-gun calibers.

[silverwingit]

Chaos, actually there is no need to buy live ammo for sizing your loops. There is a product called, "Snap Caps" that are dummy loads used for practice firing. Prolly cheaper than any box of live ammo and much safer.

http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-tools-supplies/general-gunsmith-tools/cartridge-dummies/9mm-snap-caps-prod54923.aspx

[Order and Chaos]

Well, to be honest, if I buy ammo in a caliber that I don't own a firearm for, that does kinda give me an excuse to buy something later on that uses it, heheh.

[Dwight]

If your leather shop is so chaotic that you fear to have live ammunition around you, . . . probably ought to think about lessening the chaos.

Also, . . . 9mm snap caps are $149.50 for a box of 50, . . . 9mm ball ammo is in the neighborhood of $12 for 50.

I use THE size and style (when possible) of loaded ammo in my belts for all my customers, that they will use in their belt.

After I weave the loops like katsass recommended, . . . I leave the cartridges in the loops until the loops are almost dry. Take em out too soon and the leather will shrink up, . . . making it very hard to get them in next time, . . . and you usually wind up wallering them into the loop and stretching the loop.

The loaded ammo makes sure that THE proper diameter is imparted to the loop.

Empty ammo has a sharp edge many times, . . . and you can seriously cut the end of your finger with empty cases. It won't happen every time, . . . but it only takes that once, . . . and you will not want to do it again.

May God bless,

Dwight

[wolfe9]

Another option is to have someone that reloads put a bullet in a case without powder or a primer

I can see the argument about not using live ammo but I have never seen a round go off in an environment that humans can survive in , not to say it cant happen .

some day that is what I will do just to be 100% safe but it hasnt made it to the top of the list yet ...LOL