Lining Holsters And Gun Belts

[katsass]

I just finished my second belt. This one was for me, finally. I wear size 40 pants and initially tried a tandy belt blank from Hobby Lobby. Not only was it too thin, it was too short. So that went to my wife. For me I ordered 5-6 oz Hermann Oak tooling bellies from Springfield. I was not too happy with the thickness of 2 of them back to back. It was close, might have worked, but I did not want to do all that work on something that "might" work. So I did what any self respecting DIY'er would do. I tinkered and improvised. My belt is 2 layers the entire length with the ends skivved, and from just in front of the hips it has a 3rd layer running around the back. I had to skiv the 3rd layer to get it to glue correctly. But it seems to be plenty stiff now. I wore it last night after I finished it and have it on now and I love it.

If you are ordering the bellies they are plenty long enough for belts. If you are ordering leather and expect to make a belt from it you will likely have to talk to someone to get what you want. I entered directions in a web order trying to get the leather cut to make a belt. The leather was cut, but was not nearly long enough on the cut side for a belt my size.

Lined 5-6 oz is what my holster is made of too. Plenty stiff. Works great.

Jason, from the grump, you might try a stirrup strip from Springfield for belts. They are 12/13oz and plenty long for belts - until you need more that 72 or so inches to work with. As to bellies,they are (IMO) suitable for making mock-ups, but not much more. Too prone to stretch and sag. Mike.

[chiefjason]

Jason, from the grump, you might try a stirrup strip from Springfield for belts. They are 12/13oz and plenty long for belts - until you need more that 72 or so inches to work with. As to bellies,they are (IMO) suitable for making mock-ups, but not much more. Too prone to stretch and sag. Mike.

I remember you recommending that before, but I already had these on order. And there certainly are some soft spots on them. I ran into a few. Hopefully this one works out well. I'm hoping that layering it helps offset some of that stretch. I'll post a pic later in another thread. FWIW, since it's the second belt I have made it kind of is a mock up. I don't plan on making them with any regularity. Hand stitching a belt is A LOT of work. I know you know that as well. If I make another one I will certainly look into the stirrup strips and I do appreciate the info. I probably should have asked before I ordered. Story of my life. lol