ltwguns.com

I am just looking to get my first good IWB holster.
I would LOVE to have a Del Fatti but need somethink I can get fairly quick so I can start to carry my beauties.

I am a smaller guy, 5'6 147 with a 31 in waist.

I was looking at a Milt Sparks VM II as I have heard good things about them also they are available now.

Any thoughts?

Anyone with any other suggestions?

I want to get one IWB in black for a 4.25 in 1911 and I also want to get a black IWB for my Glock 19.

I don't mind waiting a couple weeks, I have been carrying my Rohrbaugh in the pocket for so long already... What do you all suggest I go for? I want something very comfortable. If it matters at all I tend to wear jeans quite a bit.

Thank you !

I do know for sure someday I want to get a nice on the belt Elephant Skin Holster in black... I saw one last week and really like the look!

Not an easy question to answer. For perspective, I'm also 5'6" although I'm a bit more 'experienced' around the midsection. I carry a 5" 1911 all the time with no problems at all. Just make darn sure you're using a good belt.

The VMII is an excellent design and quite comfortable. I don't think you'd be displeased with it. Lou Allessi makes what I consider the best IWB design I've ever tried. His PCH is very, very comfortable. Yes, theres a wait, but it's worth it. Craig & Audrey Chadwick at http://www.lightningarms.com try to stock some of Uncle Lou's products, so you might check with them.

Josh Bullman makes a TSA2 that is also a very good, comfortable design. You might check with him at http://www.bulmangunleather.com. Not sure what his wait is like. He's a good guy to just visit with anyway!

Mark

In Sparks IWBs, I have, and have used the Summer Special, 1H Heritage, and VersaMax II. The biggest difference in actual use (to me) is from the VersaMax's wider spaced belt loops.

Those widely spaced loops are good and bad. The good part is they hold the holster more "solid". It doesn't "rock" on the belt as much. But some (me, for one) prefer a little movement. It feels better to me for the gun to move with me a little bit as I walk or sit.
It isn't much movement- I didn't notice it was moving at all until I got the VM and didn't have it.

The VM is also bigger front-to-back, and takes up more belt space. With your waist size that may matter.

But holsters are a very personal thing, especially IWB. What I like may be terrible for the next guy, even if he is the same size/weight. I like the Summer Special, mostly because it is so compact. The VM just feels like too much extra leather shoved in my pants. It may be the best one for you.

One thing also to remember is that if you try a holster from Sparks, Alessi, Bulman, Garrity, etc and don't like it, there will be a line of people waiting at your door to buy it from you. They don't last long at all in the for sale threads. The odds of you not liking them are pretty small though. Stick with the pros, you will be glad you did.

_________________
People sleep peaceably in their beds at night because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf.

I can attest to the quality of milt sparks, I have a summer special that I have used for years and it has held up through heat, rain etc.

i have a summer special 2. for a glock 19. its great. i really like it.

mind you i have about a house payments worth of bulmangunleather. lol.

and some alessi stuff too.

like they already said. go to lightning arms. you can get milt sparks and alessi through them. (skip the galco)

with that gun, you should be able to get one for sure.

and a couple weeks is a little understatement. every custom maker is running about 12weeks!!!!

You can also contact John of 5Shot leather here
http://www.5shotleather.com/
He may be able to shorten your wait and he has some pretty good looking products--I have 2 of his (commander and 5" Colt) IWB holsters.

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An armed society is a polite society--Robert Heinlein

Uh oh...I just ordered a VMII specifically for the wider loops...I'm 6'0 160lbs, 30" waist. Do you think I'm going to have problems? Should I call in an order to Mr. Alessi for a PCH? Help a newbie out...please?

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--Nick
Graphic design and government relations for Magpul Industries Corp.

That should be fine. I wouldn't worry too much about it.

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People sleep peaceably in their beds at night because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf.

It's just that 20 week wait time that bothers me...if I get the VMII and don't like it, I've got 5 more months before I can get a suitable replacement. But...if I order a PCH now, they should come in about the same time and I can compare and sell the other. Thoughts?

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--Nick
Graphic design and government relations for Magpul Industries Corp.

I am not a real big guy - 5'-9", 200 lbs, 36" waist, and I carry the VMII style (usually). I have not yet had a chance to try out a PCH, so I can't comment on that, but the design is very thin around the gun, so I would guess that it is quite comfortable.

I don't think you will be disappointed with the VMII, but you could order the PCH also, just so you could say you had one .

John

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I will never forget you Lou......February 21, 2009

John Ralston
5 SHOT LEATHER, LLC - Finely Crafted Custom Handgun Leather

http://www.5ShotLeather.com

its more a personal preferance. (wide loops, compared to convential)

i personally dont care for the wide loops to much. makes the gun/holster seem a lot bigger than it really is.

I was tempted to bribe one of you fine craftsman with some web design work if you'd put a rush on my toys...I'm even willing to pay for the holster!

_________________
--Nick
Graphic design and government relations for Magpul Industries Corp.

That's what I'm worried about. We'll see...it's not like there aren't a thousand buyers out there to take it off my hands if I don't like it...

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--Nick
Graphic design and government relations for Magpul Industries Corp.

Bribes? We don't take no stinking.......wait, I think we do .

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I will never forget you Lou......February 21, 2009

John Ralston
5 SHOT LEATHER, LLC - Finely Crafted Custom Handgun Leather

http://www.5ShotLeather.com

Hummmmmmm, do you do FLASH?

Nick, we make lots and lots of the IWB's with the spread out loops and clips. I wear one everyday. I'm sure you'll be very happy with the Sparks VMII. I wouldn't worry about it. Most people find the wider looped IWB's tend to feel thinner and disperse the "feel" of the gun against your side better than a standard "pocket" type IWB. Plus, you get the added benefit of the holster being slightly more stable.

_________________
Bulman Gunleather
http://www.bulmangunleather.com
(814)696-8615

My going rate is 0.5-1 holster per hour, depending on the make/model. But...I get bored a lot and like to work with "fun" clients, so I'm willing to do a bit of pro bono work for a good cause.

Edit: Good cause = pro-CCW/pro-2nd Amendment folks.

_________________
--Nick
Graphic design and government relations for Magpul Industries Corp.

I do not. 99% of the work I do is print, but I've got web experience as well. Flash can be a wonderful tool if done properly, but most of the work I see online is gaudy and/or poorly designed. If a client is looking for flashy/cool, I don't hesitate to suggest it, but it is always good to keep your audience in mind. If you're designing a site for high-tech products (read: high tech audience), it's a good idea. However, if you're designing a site for the less-technologically inclined Flash is often a bad idea because these people are going to have to sort through half a dozen browser updates before viewing your product. Most simply move on to the next store/maker/site instead of trying to figure it out.

Good to know, Mr. Bulman. My curiosity won't be put to rest until I try it, so I may as well keep my order in line. I can always try again...

_________________
--Nick
Graphic design and government relations for Magpul Industries Corp.

Josh isn't a large frame guy either - and I would have to agree with his description. To me, they feel thinner.

John

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I will never forget you Lou......February 21, 2009

John Ralston
5 SHOT LEATHER, LLC - Finely Crafted Custom Handgun Leather

http://www.5ShotLeather.com

I love this site. Not once have I read anything but honest (and usually positive) feedback about the competition's product. Now THAT is class...hat is off to you gentlemen.

_________________
--Nick
Graphic design and government relations for Magpul Industries Corp.

I have a WB and a slightly modified Uncle Lou from 5Shot and do prefer the WB. He also makes the "sweat tab" that covers the safety and hammer a little higher than most other makers- protects a little more.
Fortunately, when I found him, he was a struggling novice and I got them dirt cheap!!:mrgreen:
Now to get my new Monolith Commanche Heavyweight over to him for a "bit o' horse" for it more money for his vices

_________________
An armed society is a polite society--Robert Heinlein

I hate insomnia...I hope I didn't step on any toes by playing around. If I did, let me know and I'll delete everything ASAP.


I'm not exactly satisfied with several parts of this design, but I can't expect much from an hour's work after midnight.

_________________
--Nick
Graphic design and government relations for Magpul Industries Corp.

If you can do it, then get them both. I already have a VM-II, but I pledge here and now to buy the PCH from you if you don't like it. My guess is you'll end up keeping both of them, and ordering more from the likes of 5shot, Garrity, Bulman, HBE, etc. Then you'll be addicted like the rest of us. Be careful, it's a slippery expensive slope.....

_________________
People sleep peaceably in their beds at night because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf.

Nick -

Where were you before I spent all that time putting mine together?

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I will never forget you Lou......February 21, 2009

John Ralston
5 SHOT LEATHER, LLC - Finely Crafted Custom Handgun Leather

http://www.5ShotLeather.com

I think most on this forum are of a similar mind. You're probably right...I can see a large collection of dead cow in my near future!

_________________
--Nick
Graphic design and government relations for Magpul Industries Corp.

Yeah, websites never are a quick undertaking. After looking at that comp in the light of day, I'm a little ashamed of it...even still, I'm around if you decide you need any help!

_________________
--Nick
Graphic design and government relations for Magpul Industries Corp.

Cow, horse, shark, ostrich--could all be threatened by our NEED for these staples-of-life

_________________
An armed society is a polite society--Robert Heinlein

What Software did you use to make that page?

John

_________________
I will never forget you Lou......February 21, 2009

John Ralston
5 SHOT LEATHER, LLC - Finely Crafted Custom Handgun Leather

http://www.5ShotLeather.com

Guys, this is getting off the subject. Please take the web talk off-line.

--md

By the way, I'm sorry if I created a panic over widely spaced loops.

Like I said the first time- It's a personal thing. What I like you may hate and vice versa.
When I wear my VMII for a HiPower, it doesn't feel bad at the time. When I go back to a 1911/Summer Special, it feels pretty good. It doesn't mean wide loop holsters feel terrible to me, but the narrow ones feel better.
But that's me.