recommendation on gunbelt weight

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ivankerley

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recently finished a holster for my 1860 army, a mexican loop style, i'm in need of a decent heavy duty belt. Id like to do the belt myself (carving and whatnot) as to keep it consistant with the holster. also didnt want to have to buy hide of that weight for just 1 belt.
Belt Blanks: Ive poked about the interwebs didnt really find much above 8-9 oz
Would that be heavy enough, read some people recommend to use belts as much as 12+ oz...
Thinking of a 1.75" - 2" wide belt
Any thoughts/suggestions would be appreciated
Thanks
Gene
 
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I really don't think a single thickness of 8-9oz is heavy enough. It works okay but I like them heavier. I hand stitch and since folks aren't gonna wanna pay me to stitch all the way around a belt (don't want to anyway), I use a 13-14oz 2½" to 3" blank. It helps to have a store close by so you can cherry pick the best blanks. They're not cheap but they save me a lot of work and cost less in the long run.

http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/en-usd/home/department/leather-belts-leather-straps/4576-191.aspx
 
like was mentioned 3" is gonna be a little too wide, given what i made.
i figure ill find something that'll work... live and learn:)
Gene
 
Wider belts help spread the weight. 2" belt is not near wide enough for as heavy as a gun as the 1860.
I disagree. A "good" 2" belt is plenty as long as it's as thick as it should be anyway and the 1860 ain't 'that' heavy.
 
yeah im thinking 2-2.5" will work if i can get one the proper thickness, tandy near me has them so i'll see what they have, prefer to handle what im looking to buy first... ive worn the holster around the house with a cheap leather belt thats 1.75" wide and flimsy, too funny. Definitely need the heavier weight that was apparent rather quickly:)
appreciate all the help guys
Gene
 
No to do a total thread jack, but several questions on topic:

I have made a lot of holsters, but never a quality gun-belt. Do you think I could get away with just gluing 2 9/10 oz straps together with out the stitching on both seams? (I hand stitch) Honest opinion, since I will be the only one wearing it, my main concern is durability in the field, not good looks.

I was also thinking of making a money belt, as with those you only have to stich one side ... what weight leather is recommended?
 
Gluing two layers of leather to make a belt is not meant to be an end all....it's a big help, but stitching is still necessary, IMO.
 
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I don't think I would want to wear a belt made of two thicknesses of 9/10 leather. Since one ounce of leather converts into 1/64 of an inch that is going to be a heavy, stiff piece of equipment.

I wore a belt for years made from ordinary 9/10 ounce leather (open carry) and never had any trouble with stretching but it was 3" wide. Personally if I were to make a new belt I would go with a strip of saddle skirting cut from Herman's Oak leather. It's 12/14 ounce leather and if it's tough enough for a saddle cinch strap it will hold up any handgun you hang off it. S and D Trading Co. has them from 1 3/4' to 3" wide. If you want it narrower I'm sure he would strip one down to any width you wished.
 
EVIL...you asked about a money belt. I've never made one but Will Ghormley has, and in his pattern packet he recommend 4/5oz for them.
He also makes single layer gun belts from 9/10oz.
 

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