Got a spot question?

[Dalton Masterson]

Howdy all. Making a new set of holsters for my wifes Model P Jrs, in a modified West Texas pattern. Going to possibly line it, and definately going to add nickel spots. Any suggestions? Good source of instructions? Keep the tabs in line? Never done spots so will be a learning process! Thanks. DM

[knucklehead]

check out tandy leather for your spot needs.

the pic is their round spot that is a rivet. its easier to me to install these on leather projects.
you will need to get the domed spot setter tool.

[knucklehead]

tandy leather also has the diamond spots as rivets.


to see what the diamond spot looks like on a holster check out my post

holster almost finished.

[knucklehead]

on these rivet back spots:
you need to allow room for the stiching line and the spot on the border.
you also need to allow room for the setting tool between each spot.

I think the rivet back spots are easier to line up than the prong spots because you only have one hole to set the spot in.
this makes it easier to get the diamond spot to line up correctley .You can rotate it till it looks right before you set it.

I would say with the rivet spots lining is a must to hide the rivet and protect the handgun from the rivet.

hope this helps

[Marshal Will Wingam]

Knucklehead is right about the rivet back ones having certain advantages. If you don't make a lining, be sure to place them where they won't contact your shootin' irons.

[knucklehead]

I have some of the prong style spots and i still have yet to try them.

I saw the rivet style after i purchase the prong ones and decided to use the rivet style.

I just dont like the idea of poking 2 holes into the leather. once the holes are poked you are stuck where you stick the spot and you cant rotate it to line up. so i went with the rivet style. you do need to be carefull where you punch the hole for the rivet ones.
i punched one out of line on my holster.

you can also check out the frontier holsters by wild rose trading co. he demonstrates how to set the prong style spots on a holster.

[Dalton Masterson]

Thank ya gents. 2 prongers are more historically accurate, no? I am gonna try the 2 prongers as that is what I have coming. The other does have a lot of advantages tho.I have some old spots that are probably an inch across, and then some slightly smaller ones. Gonna incorporate those into a belt, and then small ones on holster. On a belt, is it better to have the prongs horizontal along the belt, or vertical on the belt? Thanks. DM

[Little Al]

I use the two prong spots and, after watching Nolans video on Holsters, made a tool to help set the prongs in the back.

For the 1/4" spots, for example, I went out and got a 1/4" punch ($2 at Sears).  I rounded the tip slightly on my grinder and polished it up on my felt wheel.  For the 3/8" spots, I got a 3/8" long bolt and cut off the threads before rounding.  Probably could have used a 1/4" bolt as well but I wasn't thinking that far ahead the first time.

Now, after I bend the prongs down, I slightly dampen the back of the leather between the prongs and use the punch to set the prongs down into the leather. 

The "dome" shape on the punch combined with the damp leather sets them below the surface of the leather.  haven't had any problems so far with scratching.

Be sure and have the spot face down on a rubber matt or another peice of leather.

[Dalton Masterson]

Thank ya Little Al. Will try to post some pics of my project here before long. DM