Putting cartige loops on a belt

[Bitterwheat]

I am making a gun belt and was wondering how you put the loops on and how to figure how far a part they should be. This will be a lined belt. and i would prefer not to sew them.

[Singing Bear]

If you're not going to stitch them, then you're going to use slots.  Just measure the cartridge diameter and that'll give you the distance between the slots.  As for the loop itself, since the belt is slotted, rivet or stitch one end and start "lacing" the loop leather in the slots.  Place the case of your choice in the loop and pull snug as you go.   Get to the other end and rivet or stich it in place.  I suppose you could glue the ends instead, but with all the bending, stretching and such, it may not be a long term affair.  I'd, at least, use a rivet or two along wtih the glue. 

This is how I did mine.  I ain't no professional, but it worked fine for my needs.   

[Slowhand Bob]

Bitterwheat, I use 4/5oz leather in 3/4" width for 32-20 thru 45cal ammo.  I like the Rampart 3/4" punch for this chore as the slot width tends to be a bit narrower than the better punches, causing a neater appearance.  I think you can find a chart of useful measurements on the TrailRider web site.  I'm not sure but I think he uses thinner leather for his loop material and this does affect measurments.  Tell me your caliber and I give you my measurement for it. 

[Bitterwheat]

Bob I am making it to fit both .38's and 45's

[Slowhand Bob]

These are the measurements:  44/45= slots on 5/8" centers, 38/357= slots on 17/32" centers, 32s= slots on 1/2" centers.  Bitterwheat, these will make reasonably atrractive belts and cartridge slides under most circumstances but after you do a few it would be to your advantage to try a hand at the sewing.  Its actually pretty easy after the first few loops and it can be very attractive.  The only real downside is that it is very time consuming(perhaps not as much so as belt lineing large sizes).  With 3/4" loop material I prepunch all holes using a four hole diamond stitch punch and actually do my diagnals as one normallly does with machine sewing.  To keep a continuous run going is no more time consuming than having to lock, cut, restart and lock for every vertical stitch row.  I have lots of irons in the fire right now but as the season winds down and I learn to do pictures on here watch for better instructions.