Weight/Thickness/Types for Gunbelt and Holsters

[mrappe]

When I got into CAS in about 1996 I went to a local Tandy and got my leather and took a class with William Tucker. I made the rigs for myself an my son. In 2001 I stopped shooting CAS until 2009 and looking at the rig I still wear has left me dissatisfied. The belt seems to be made out of leather that is not as heavy as I would like. Just recently my wife decided that she wanted to try the game also. (After many years of just watching) so I am going to make her leather also. I still have several sides of leather in the attic but I am not sure what weight/thickness that I need to make the belt the way that I want it to be. I like the belt at El Paso Saddlery calledd the "Texas  Belt" at http://www.epsaddlery.com/pc-51-31-2-texas-belt.aspx and would like to make something similuar. Any Ideas as to what type/weight leather I should use?

[Sgt. C.J. Sabre]

I cheat; I use the Tandy Leather Factory 2 1/2" straps. THey appear to be about a 12oz. leather. Just inspect the backside to find a good one.

[Trailrider]

I generally use 8-9 oz topgrain cowhide for my cartridge belts and unlined holsters. For my hunting holsters I will go to 10-11 oz, or in lined holsters combinations of thicknesses of lighter leather that add up to 10-11 oz.  For lined western holsters, I'll use combinations that add up to 8-9 oz.

As far as belts are concerned I use 8-9 oz. leather. If you go too much heavier, the belts get pretty still and may not be comfortable.

[rickk]

I suspect that everyone has a preference. My preference is "heavy".  I like them to hold the holsters in place.

12 ounce minimum, going towards 16 ounce total if lined.

I am doing a "money belt" styled cartridge belt right now, using a folded 7/8 ounce and I think it will be right where I want it to be.

I did a single layered 9-10 ounce last year for a pair of C&B guns and I am not happy with it. It just seems to thin and I plan on redoing it when time permits.

For what it's worth, I just pulled 2 different lined Bianchi gun belts out of my closet and measured each of them. They each measure about 16 ounce total thickness.

[mrappe]

Thanks for the info. i was thinking that this time I would line the belt. What should I use as a liner. Seude? If sow what kind of weight or thickness of suede should be used. I have never made a lined holster or belt. how do you attach the lining other than just sewing it with the belt leather.

Thanks,
Mike

[rickk]

Suede is coarse on both sides like the back side of leather. It's just a layer of leather from the hide skived below the top grain. It also typically is thin. I have never seen a suede liner in anything other than some very inexpensive holsters. It's probably been done on fancy ones, just that I have never seen one. I'm not sure what advantage suede would offer over a single layer other than possible covering some work up. Suede is easily discolored and holds dirt well, neither being good.

Usually if one is going to line something it is done with another piece of top grain, top side out.

Barge cement (or whatever your personal favorite contact cement is) can be used prior to sewing the edges. In the case I was referring to (money belt style) the belt isn't glued so that one can stuff one's fortune inside.

[Cliff Fendley]

Many people feel a lined holster prevents some gun wear but after carrying a gun everyday of my life for years now I have found that a gun actually gets more wear on the corners from a lined holster rather than unlined. I believe its a combination of the grain side being a little harder and it may be allowing the gun to move in the holster as you walk and ride. This is the case from several different guns and holster combination's I have carried. My preference is an unlined holster and if your buying good quality leather it's flesh side is smooth anyway.

[Slowhand Bob]

I tend to prefer unlined in a 10 to 12 oz weight but do go heavier if I feel the owner might benefit.  Some of these guys actually  want to get someone to pull the belt (Mammy style from GWTW) to extreme tightness and anything light or weak will just stretch pretty quickly.  This seems to be most common amongst some competitors and looks as if it should be very uncomfortable.  On the other end of the spectrum you will find those who like either a draped wear or a light money belt style, made from soft leather.  Hmmm, guess I am saying different strokes fer different fokes BUT I'll bet the one you have pictured will measure around 9 or 10 ozs and be unlined. 

[mrappe]

What I meant was lining the belt. Iguess it did not come out that way. The belt that I have now was made about 15 years ago and when I look at it now the bottom and top edges seem to be too soft and roll outward. I was thinking about making the belt thicker and at the same time the lining surface would keep the belt from slipping when pulling the pistol if it is not worn tight.

[Marshal Will Wingam]

Welcome to the forum, mrappe. I also like the weights Trailrider mentions. Most of mine are unlined but occasionally I'll line one. Looking forward to seeing some of your work.

[Springfield Slim]

I use 10-12 for both belts and holsters. Belts more toward the 10 and the holster more toward the 12. I have tried 8-9 oz for belts but I just didin't like it and neither did most of my customers, so I go heavier and get fewer complaints. Personally I wear money belts as they are the most comfortable, and I find folded over 5-6 oz is plenty thick. Never lined a holster, as I am like Cliff. Wore a gun as part of my job for 18 years and found lined holsters wore out my finish more than my unlined cowboy holsters did after work. As for a lined belt I don't see how the softer flesh side will hold it in place less then a soft liner. At least I have never had trouble with it.

[mrappe]

Welcome to the forum, mrappe. I also like the weights Trailrider mentions. Most of mine are unlined but occasionally I'll line one. Looking forward to seeing some of your work.

Thanks.