Gun Belt Questions?

[KBarRanch]

First off I would like to say hello to everyone, I have gotten awesome information on this forum from reading everyone's topics.

I'm wanting to make a western rig gun belt for a ruger super RedHawk 44 mag. The gun is heavy and I have the holster figured out pretty well. The questions I have for the gun belt is what oz's leather for the actual belt. And can the belt be cut straight or does it need to curved to sit properly on the hip? Also what thickness would you recommend for where the buckle attaches and the the billet? If anyone has links to a page where this has already been discussed i would be happy to look there also. Thank you for any help- Trevor

Edited December 22, 2015 by KBarRanch

[Dwight]

Trevor, . . .

If you want the rig to carry that cannon, . . . better do it right. Yes, . . . it needs to be curved, . . . there is an excellent video series from John Bianchi, . . . he goes through it.

Basically, . . . if you can think of a bow where the string is 6 inches from the bow at the middle, . . . that is the curve you need to make. That keeps it from dropping to his ankles every time he sneezes.

I make only dual layer belts, . . . two pieces using contact cement and then sewn together, . . . 7/8 oz veggie tan.

Tongue is also double layer, . . . same leather. Buckle holder is 7/8 single layer.

Belt loops are 4/5 or 5/6 depending on what is there when I need it.

I use a single hole looping system, . . . the loop comes through the hole, . . . around the cartridge, . . . and back out the exact same hole.

There is an example on my website, . . . but it is a money belt, . . . made a bit differently than the standard gun belt and it is not curved.

Gun belts are not that hard to do, . . . just time consuming.

Oh, . . . final point. Make it a practice to add 4 inches to the length of the belt the guy wears, . . . for a hip holster. That way it fits, . . . if you don't, . . . you'll re-make it most likely.

May God bless,

Dwight

[KBarRanch]

Thank you for all the information Dwight and the curve or no curve was what I was contemplating but now I know. I saw that the bianchi video was mentioned in another topic and that is definitely going to be bought. I'm new to leather working but it has gotten my full interest and money haha. Again thank you and hopefully I can get some pictures posted soon depending on the work schedule.