OT: How do I tighten a snap?

[J Miller]

I have a thumb break holster that has a loose fitting snap. When the pistol is in the holster the strap tilts the snap a bit and then it will pop open with the least pressure. Matter of fact I can put the gun in, snap it, and then pull the gun out with little effort, the snap just won't hold.

How do I tighten the snap? I'd rather not try to replace it I can get away with it. Too much chance of me buggering up the leather.

Joe

[alnitak]

Here are two ideas:

"If they are metal snaps, YES, you can tighten them! Put the garment on a hard surface, like the floor (tile or the like) with the protruding part of the snap facing up. Gently tap it with a hammer. You'll flatten the tip somewhat, which will also flare it out a little and it will hold better."

"...take some pliers and gently (so as to not mishape) push the edges of the female end of the snap to tighten it"

[Blaine]

Yup....tiny little taps....if you go too far, yer SOL. (short on luck, for the delicate)

[Wind]

Hey Joe - They are very simple to replace. They are essentially a rivet. Get a snap kit from your local leather/fabric store. The snaps come in various flavors and you can get older looking ones or shiny nickle/brass. Take about an 1/8th inch drill and drill out the little "rolled" area in the center of the snap. There is a point when the two pieces will come apart. Put two new pieces in the same hole and use the "punch and socket" that came with the kit to roll the center piece over again. Doesn't take much pounding and I "wobble" the punch around initially to get a good roll started. It's a snap!! Hope this helps. Wind

[765x53]

If the snap itself is loose on the leather, look in the center and you will see the rivet-like rim that can be tightened with a flat punch. To prevent marring the rounded, out-side face of the snap, make a seat for it by striking the end-grain of a piece of hard wood with a ball-peen hammer .

[J Miller]

If the snap itself is loose on the leather, look in the center and you will see the rivet-like rim that can be tightened with a flat punch. To prevent marring the rounded, out-side face of the snap, make a seat for it by striking the end-grain of a piece of hard wood with a ball-peen hammer .

No the snap, both sides, is good and tight in the leather. It's just that it won't stay snapped.

Wind,
I'd really like to avoid replacing the snap if I can. This holster is really nice and I don't want to mess it up.


Joe

[pokey]

Hey Joe It's a snap!!

hah

[AJMD429]

Wind is right, though - they are just 'rivets' and we got a kit from Tandy Leather years ago that we still use on occasion. Very inexpensive if I recall.

[Old Savage]

Tried this on a leather jacket with the hammer the protrusion down method. Did it judiciously in about 8 steps and indeed it did the trick.

[JerryB]

Joe you got some good advise on this, poor folks have poor ways, but they do get the job done. Just do like they say a little at a time till you get what you want.

[44shooter]

If you rather not do it yourself, shoe repair shops will replace the snap for very little money. I had the snap on my Buck sheath replaced and a belt seam retied all for $7.

[RSY]

Yeah, a few taps should do it. In order to ensure uniformity, tapping on the male end with a rounded punch (say, the end of a little CO2 cartridge) might work well.