Gun Belt Buckle Selection?

[Tallbald]

In tools, clothing, vehicles, guns...you name it....I've always chosen stout construction and fine function over appearance. I have decided that I want to add gun belts to my leather crafting skill set, and am having difficulty identifying strongly made buckles of higher grade materials. I prefer stainless steel, solid bronze and heavy alloyed brasses. So much though of the buckle selection I see online seems to lean toward stylish finishes, fancy stamping and thinner construction. I don't want flowers and rhinestones. I want rigid build and durable finishes that hold up to heavy use.

Is there a specific line of buckles folks can recommend I look into? I currently have accounts with a couple big name leather craft supply houses, but it's hard to select the buckles I hope for from only a single photograph and brief description.. Thanks. Don.

[husker]

I use the #50 type roller buckles from Weaver. I have also bought these from Springfield but Weaver has better prices on them. Very good buckle in my opinion.

[Tallbald]

I'm not familiar with a Weaver site. I'll do a search. Thank you.Don.

[husker]

These are for casual/dress type gunbelts that is. They are also a sponsor at the top of the page.

Edited March 30, 2015 by husker

[Jwalker]

these are pricey...but, wOw

http://comstockheritage.com/collections/trophy-buckles

[TwinOaks]

I've been using "utility' buckles from Springfield...but not the fancy ones. These are solid brass or nickel over brass and have held up to several years of hard use.

[cgleathercraft]

Anything that is stainless steel, steel, or brass (plated or not) should hold up just fine.

If you worried about the strength of a buckle on a gun belt then you probably should look at the weight of the gun lol.

[Wicked Welts]

Thanks husker, I too was unaware of Weaver's offerings in hardware and you might have just saved one of my climbing saddles. I was considering hacking up my retired (Weaver) saddle, mostly for the buckle, jumbo d rings and maybe the straps etc., but after a search I see they offer a hefty double tongue utility buckle that appears to be nicer than the others I've found. Until now I felt the same as the OP, unwilling to go on just a thumbnail pic and one liner description so, if nothing else, I think Weaver's name gives me the nudge.

Edited March 31, 2015 by Wicked Welts

[byggyns]

As far as strength, The buckles from Weaver will certainly do the job. Before I started doing my own leatherwork, I bought all of my belts from an amish shop here in central Ohio. I'm sure they source their buckles from Weaver. I have literaly hung my entire body weight (over 250) from my 1.25" latigo belt with one of those roller buckles.

A basic safety rope around your belt will save you from injury when you don't have a full safety harness available

[Rayban]

I've been getting them from Buckleguy recently...good selection. They have a real nice stainless roller buckle, see item no. B6231.