Is there a good way to resize a belt smaller?

[Ben Beam]

I just picked up an El Paso dual holster Speed Rig for a very excellent price (it had literally just been listed on eBay with a Buy It Now,  and I guess I saw it before anyone else did.) The bummer is that I'm a scrawny feller (29" waist), and the belt that comes with it supposedly only goes down to 34". I figured I could sell the belt and get another one, but the smallest El Paso makes is for a 32" waist.

Any suggestions on a way I might be able to modify the existing belt to fit? If worse comes to worst I have an old Hunter belt that fits, but I'd love to be able to use the beautiful El Paso if I can and keep it as a matching set.

Can't believe my luck!

[Johnny McCrae]

If you could post a few pictures of this belt, the Leather Workers on this Forum would be in a better position to give you suggestions on how to shorten the belt.

[Ben Beam]

I'll do that once it's in my hands. In the meantime, it's this one: http://www.epsaddlery.com/pc-151-38-el-paso-speed-rig-2-holsters-and-belt.aspx

[Marshal Will Wingam]

The illustration looks like it has a long billet. Depending on where the holes are punched, you may be able to just make a few new ones.

[Professor Marvel]

Greetings my Good OldSchoolBoy -

If punching new holes won't shorten it enough, I have a somewhat similiarly designed belt that I was able to shorten by relocating the buckle holes, and thus shortening the buckle side by over an inch.

yhs
prof marvel

[Ben Beam]

Those are both good suggestions. I'll see what wonders I can facilitate. If that doesn't work, I'll just have brownies and ice cream every night before bed.

[Major 2]

Yeah....I was gonna say , just hang it in the closet for a few months, it will seem shorter 

[Marshal Will Wingam]

Those are both good suggestions. I'll see what wonders I can facilitate. If that doesn't work, I'll just have brownies and ice cream every night before bed.

[Ten Wolves Fiveshooter]

An easy way to make your belt longer is to just add a short belt extension to the front of the belt, this will work and has been used a lot over time , you have to measure what is needed in length and then put a buckle and tongue  on either side of the center short belt, you can put ties on either side of the short belt to stabilize the belt, it's called a double buckle gun belt..hope this might be of some help..

tEN wOLVES.

[Professor Marvel]

An easy way to make your belt longer is to just add a short belt extension to the front of the belt, this will work and has been used a lot over time , you have to measure what is needed in length and then put a buckle and tongue  on either side of the center short belt, you can put ties on either side of the short belt to stabilize the belt, it's called a double buckle gun belt..hope this might be of some help..

tEN wOLVES.

No, no TWF  - he needs it SHORTER

prf mvl

[Professor Marvel]

Greetings Again OldSchoolBoy -

I obtained another belt which was too long, quite cheaply. It is a heavy web canvas cartridge belt with sewn on billets,
and it was quite simple to modify and relocate the billets. it shortened up quite nicely that way. If you have some skill at
hand sewing you can accomplish that on a leather belt as well, cutting off any excess.

i'll try to post some photos of the modified buckle end - it does not take much to modify.

yhs
prof marvel

[Ben Beam]

The rig shipped today. Looks like it'll be here a Monday.

I'm unreasonably excited! 

[Ben Beam]

The belt actually arrived today, and it looks great. As it turns out, on the tightest notch the belt hangs loosely on my hips, which I gather is how it's supposed to be. Looks like I may not need to modify it at all, which would be great.

[Marshal Will Wingam]

Glad to hear it. Nice score, there.

[Cliff Fendley]

Don't worry, if you hang on to it a while you'll be surprised how much it will draw up.

[Ben Beam]

That's never been my problem. In Cowboy parlance, I'm scrawnier than a gee-raff on a hunger strike.