Dorado Posted August 15, 2018 Posted August 15, 2018 I'm looking at making a new gun rig. Sort of a hybrid between a huckleberry shoulder holster and a traditional rig. Basically a shoulder holster holding the pistol like a typical crossdraw holding up the belt. More belt suspender than shoulder holster. I'll have it set up where I can switch between the full rig and gunbelt only with normal holsters. My question comes to the belt itself. I've only ever used "money belts" that is two layers of wide leather doubled over with two smaller pieces actually connecting via the buckle. I'm curious about the ranger style. The two wide ends taper down to accept the buckle. Think of Clint Eastwood's in "The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly". Which do y'all prefer? Money belt or Ranger belt?
Billy Boots, # 20282 LTG-Regulator Posted August 15, 2018 Posted August 15, 2018 Ranger, and IMO, make main portion plenty wide (minimum 2.5").
Dorado Posted August 15, 2018 Author Posted August 15, 2018 The main part will be fairly wide. My current one is just under 2.5". It'll be made about the same.
Billy Boots, # 20282 LTG-Regulator Posted August 15, 2018 Posted August 15, 2018 I find wider ones (2.5 - 3") hold holsters better and are more comfortable for long periods. You can also have a belt that is wide the entire length but tongues are attached to end portions for buckling. Besides "keeper" for tongue, incorporate a large "keeper" to slide portion of wide belt that "girts" up under front. This keeper will keep belt from sagging in front behind buckling portion. Hope that makes sense.
Dorado Posted August 15, 2018 Author Posted August 15, 2018 The belt with the tongues the money belt I was describing earlier. My other belts are made that way. They are comfortable, but restrictive. It's hard to bend with mine at least.
Billy Boots, # 20282 LTG-Regulator Posted August 15, 2018 Posted August 15, 2018 22 minutes ago, Dorado said: The belt with the tongues the money belt I was describing earlier. My other belts are made that way. They are comfortable, but restrictive. It's hard to bend with mine at least. tapered might be better in that respect but if you like holster more to front you might be restrictive in how much taper you incorporate in ends.
Dorado Posted August 15, 2018 Author Posted August 15, 2018 23 minutes ago, cajun bandit said: are you talking about a tapered belt? With ranger belts, the ends taper to fit a buckle. Less mass up front. A money belt is like what Billy Boots described with two wide sections ovelapping and thinner tongues attached to the buckle. I'm just trying to decide on which I want to go with.
Rex M Rugers #6621 Posted August 15, 2018 Posted August 15, 2018 19 minutes ago, Dorado said: With ranger belts, the ends taper to fit a buckle. Less mass up front. A money belt is like what Billy Boots described with two wide sections ovelapping and thinner tongues attached to the buckle. I'm just trying to decide on which I want to go with. That description is for a tapered belt. A ranger style belt has the buckle and tongue sewn onto the main body , which is the same size from end to end. A true money belt is a softer type of leather , folded over and stitched together , with a slot left open on the buckle end to put stuff in the open space where the belt is folded. Ranger style or tapered style could either be one piece leather or layers sewn together. Look up the different types on the Kirkpatrick website. They have good pictures of both styles. Hope this is some use. Rex
Springfield Slim SASS #24733 Posted August 15, 2018 Posted August 15, 2018 A Money belt IS a Ranger style belt, but uses the folded thinner leather instead of a single thicker piece. The other style is just usually called a one piece or a tapered belt. I prefer the money belt style as it is more comfortable for me and seems to stay up better as it conforms to my hips better. My wife prefers that thicker leather better. Go figure. Also, I'd have to double check the rules, but I don't believe you are allowed to use support for your gunbelt, so I think your combo rig would not be SASS legal.
Garrison Joe, SASS #60708 Posted August 15, 2018 Posted August 15, 2018 Most of our leather makers use a ranger belt design, with the integral tongue reduced to a narrow width (narrower than the body of belt). Tapered would be the wrong way to describe it, IMHO. They do so because it is what the customer base wants and is used to. The money belt design is big and bulky to carry (doh) money inside it. Shooters don't often need that width and bulk. 2 3/8" wide main, lined, belt with a reduced tongue of 1 1/2" is what is on all my Mernickle gun belts. and 2" main with 1 1/2" tongue on shotgun shell belts. I would not want mine any wider, it's hard enough to bend over with that size main belt and shotgun belt worn. Good luck, GJ
Colorado Coffinmaker Posted August 15, 2018 Posted August 15, 2018 Yep. PLUS ONE to Garrison Joe. Plus .... I prefer a "contour" belt as opposed to a straight belt. Much more comfortable all day than a straight cut belt. My Sweetie use to say I had a "Girlie Butt" and that's why the contour belt fit so well. Now, I'm just old and fat.
JoseyWales Posted August 15, 2018 Posted August 15, 2018 4 hours ago, Billy Boots, # 20282 LTG-Regulator said: Ranger, and IMO, make main portion plenty wide (minimum 2.5"). In my limited experience...this is what I would say as well.
Dorado Posted August 15, 2018 Author Posted August 15, 2018 3 hours ago, Springfield Slim SASS #24733 said: A Money belt IS a Ranger style belt, but uses the folded thinner leather instead of a single thicker piece. The other style is just usually called a one piece or a tapered belt. I prefer the money belt style as it is more comfortable for me and seems to stay up better as it conforms to my hips better. My wife prefers that thicker leather better. Go figure. Also, I'd have to double check the rules, but I don't believe you are allowed to use support for your gunbelt, so I think your combo rig would not be SASS legal. I checked the rulebook. No mention of any such rule. Besides I see many shooters with dedicated suspender for their rig. Mine won't be much different. Just held up on one side vs. three sides. 3 hours ago, Garrison Joe, SASS #60708 said: Most of our leather makers use a ranger belt design, with the integral tongue reduced to a narrow width (narrower than the body of belt). Tapered would be the wrong way to describe it, IMHO. They do so because it is what the customer base wants and is used to. The money belt design is big and bulky to carry (doh) money inside it. Shooters don't often need that width and bulk. 2 3/8" wide main, lined, belt with a reduced tongue of 1 1/2" is what is on all my Mernickle gun belts. and 2" main with 1 1/2" tongue on shotgun shell belts. I would not want mine any wider, it's hard enough to bend over with that size main belt and shotgun belt worn. Good luck, GJ Thanks for that Joe. I can build things but I can't always remember what they're called. My plan is for a 2.5" wide lined belt that sharply tapers to a 1.5" tongue using 6oz veg tan leather. I'll have cartridge loops surrounding as much as I can. I think that may be what I go with. I can't get a contoured belt as I can't afford a side like that. So it'll be straight cut. I will try to make a matching shotgun slide or belt.
Griff Posted August 15, 2018 Posted August 15, 2018 Springfield Slim IS correct, A "Ranger" belt has it's billets sewn to the outside of the body, as in: Made famous by that legal outfit in Texas. Then you have your "Tapered" billet belts, Why the name just sorta describes, no? and your "Straight" billet belts. Another rather descriptive name, no? A money belt could be either a Ranger style or straight billet... one with tapered billets might be problematic... but I have seen one that had a little zipper along the inside... You could hold other opinions... but, you'd be wrong.
Noz Posted August 15, 2018 Posted August 15, 2018 I've had professionally built money belts (Ranger style) and tapered belts. I much prefer the tapered belt.
Springfield Slim SASS #24733 Posted August 16, 2018 Posted August 16, 2018 "Cartridge Belts, Bandoleers, and Pouches - Bandoleers, cartridge belts, and pouches must be of traditional design (e.g., bandoleers must be loose and not secured in any way to prevent movement)." I was thinking this applied to shoulder holsters also, but I guess not.
Dorado Posted August 16, 2018 Author Posted August 16, 2018 It's a holster not a bandoleer. Shoulder holsters have been around for a long time.
Red Cent Posted August 17, 2018 Posted August 17, 2018 A properly built money belt is made from one layer of medium weight leather. Folded and sewn. The money belt is made to be very supple and very comfortable to wear. The holster (with a revolver in it) will actually distort/pressure the top of the belt. Perfect belt for the period correct cowboys.
Painted Mohawk SASS 77785 Posted August 17, 2018 Posted August 17, 2018 I like the Ranger belt..but that's just a preference as I know zip about leatherwork..but what I do know with confidence is everyone needs a belt of some sort or 'ya holsters got no where to live !!
Red Cent Posted August 17, 2018 Posted August 17, 2018 The first two are not mine. I did the third one.
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