And please don't say Lobo. Why? I'm already going to order yet another one of his holsters!

Ray does great work and I love carrying in his IWB holsters. But I also want to try someone else for a change. You know what I mean? I love steak, but sometimes I want lobster.

So for this holster I am looking to IWB carry my S&W 1911SCE. I always carry at 4:00 position. I'd like it in horsehide, with a slide shield and reinforced mouth.

I've read that Bianchi has gone south, and I've read good things about High Noon, Wright Leather, Milt Sparks, and I'm looking hard at the Kramer #3 IWB....

Please advise what you have learned. Spending 4 months and $150 to get a dud would suck.....

.

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Kirk / Spock 2020

I use the AKJ concealco.
concealco.com

I have a drawer full of holsters (like many of us do) and my all time favorite is the Milt Sparks VM2. I like them so much I have 3 of them.I have one for a Colt Commander and one for S&W Shield and one for my SA XDS. Aside from the extra weight of Commander you can't tell the difference when you wear them. They distribute the weight very well and contour to the body perfectly. I'm sure there are other great holsters but for me it's the VM2.

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AL
Pax Per Potens

Del Fatti iwb.

El Paso Saddlery has a great line of concealment holsters.

El Paso Saddlery - Holsters

Hard to say if their styles will work for you but I swear by them.

***GRJ***

I am another fan of Milt Sparks Versa Max II, have one on my hip as I type this.

What kind/style do you currently have (VMII style or Kramer style)? I like versatility, so I usually have at least two "styles" of IWB holsters. Sometimes one works better than the other. You can't go wrong with any of the holsters you mentioned. I'm a big fan of Sparks and Kramer, but I have plenty of others. My go-to for my commander is a VMII, but I also have Kramer, Garrett Industries, and BladeTech.

These are worth a look--
Gun Leather, Concealment and Cowboy holsters, Azle, TX.

I'm also a fan of Milt Sparks VMII. If you are looking for versatility, check out Simply Rugged's Cuda holster. Give you the ability to wear strong side and crossdraw OWB. Add their inside the waistband loops and you can wear IWB.

Cuda

I carry a full sized 1911 in a Sparks Summer Special II. Great holster and it just seems to get better with age. I don't know if Sparks offers it in horse hide.

I also have a Kramer #2 IWB for my Hi Power in horse hide. Great holster (but I prefer the cant on the SSII).

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Jon

Some beautiful holsters on that website, and they're in my home state!!!

Does anyone know if they are accepting new orders? The website says they quit taking orders in August of 2013.

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Kirk / Spock 2020

My Colt GM is so comfortable in my Milt Sparks Summer Special that I rarely carry either of my Commanders (a .45 ad a .38 Super).

When I do want the smaller gun I have a VMII.

Quite satisfied, thank you.

Don't carry it often but my Sig CCO rides in a M Sparks Summer Special.

Summer specials for Sig 220/245, S&W compact 9mm's and Beretta compacts......two thumbs up

I've been using the El Paso Saddlery C-Force IWB holsters for decades now with great success.

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Steve
NJ State Trooper (rtd)

Milt sparks VMII... sold off the rest after I got this one

The Sparks VM2 is the IWB holster to which all others are compared. I use them for my 1911PD (4.25"), various SIGs and revolvers.

All VM2 holsters have a horsehide back. The front is normally cowhide (a very high grade), but can be ordered in horsehide for a nominal charge.

Sparks has a notoriously long wait, but it is much better these days, and they answer the phone all the time, not just the first three days of the month. Instead of 15+ weeks, their lead time is now between 9 and 12 weeks. Top Gun Supply usually has 1911 and Commander sizes in stock (black cowhide only). Brownells has a few too.

The Sparks Summer Special 2 is also a good holster, especially for full sized 1911s. The leather is rough side out, and they can "float" a little to accommodate your anatomy. They aren't quite as comfortable as the VM2 for long periods. Brownells generally stocks the SS2.

I use the Milt Sparks Summer II for my Colt Commander. Very comfortable.

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Riding, Shooting, and Truth

I like my DeSantis SoftTuc. I have three now.

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Quando omni flunkus moritati.

I have a Sparks Versa Max II which I really like. I also have a Galco knockoff of the Versa Max Ii. The Galco works just fine also. I carry a Colt or STI Ranger Commander size 1911s.

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gunfighter48
NRA Life Member

The holster on the left is a Milt Sparks Summer Special, it now belongs to another forum member, a huge Glock fan, IIRC. This was my second, they just do not work for me since I have put on some weight. I used to weigh 8 lbs., 9 ounces. This is a well made and secure holster, I believe now the belt loops are removable so they can be swapped to accommodate different width belts.

Milt Sparks Summer special II

Brownells carries them, so you may not have to wait for Milt to make you one....

http://www.brownells.com/shooting-ac...-prod9922.aspx

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NRA Life
USPSA/IPSC

Another vote for the Milt Sparks Summer Special.And Brownells usally has it in stock.

You all are giving me great advice!

Brownell's does stock the Summer Special in cowhide.... Maybe I should just go with cowhide. I understand horse is thinner and more sweat resistant which is goo for an IWB holster, but I'm not pretending to know everything....

Someone recommended TT Gunleather to me today. They sell a 'Mike's Special' which is very similar to a VM2, looks beautiful and they offer a military discount off the $120 price..... Time to ship is about 6 weeks the website says..... Anyone have a TT Gunleather holster?

I can't copy a pic of what it looks like but here's a link:
http://www.mcssl.com/store/a9856d0de...f130f25458da04

.

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Kirk / Spock 2020

Alessi Talon or the Milt Sparks summer special - best two IWB's going.

I use a Galco Royal Guard for a 1911 full size.
-mike

Hey Lost Lake, when I had my 1911SC, it rode in a Nightingale Leather Peregrin. I first looked at Lobo (I have a few already for other models) but wanted something with a higher degree of cant angle. When I received the holster, it rode a little too high above the belt line for my liking, so I modified it and replaced the belt loops with clips that anchored at the bottom. This lowered the ride height for me.

So, that being said, figure out what type of ride height and cant angle you are looking for. Then check out Nightingale, TT Gunleather, Kelly Gunleather. I haven't read a bad review about TT Gunleather.

For what it's worth, however, I did order a Lobo IWB about the same time that I sold my 1911SC. The replacement 1911 has not yet arrived.

pluss 1 for Milt Sparks VMII. i have several for different guns. the best part is that the 1911 commander size does double duty with my Browning Hi-powers! i am also a fan of TT Gunleather, and have a couple of theirs as well...

Okay, I just ordered a TT Gunleather IWB Mike's Special. It has some features that are a bit different from the Sparks VM2. Doing some research I found they both are well respected holsters. With a military discount the TT costs $108 and should be in my hands inside of two months.

I left a message with Tim at TT and he promptly called back. That means a lot to me. I'll write a review when I get it.

I'll also probably get a Sparks Summer Special and a Lobo. All very different holsters.

.

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Kirk / Spock 2020

Two down now thanks to forum member TenTea who offered me a new Milt Sparks SS2 with an extra set of belt loops at a price I'm sure I'll have to go to confession for....

Last one to order is the Lobo IWB. I'm going to ask ray if he can reinforce the mouth of the holster. I suppose the man can do anything he puts his mind to.....

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Kirk / Spock 2020

Gods Save the Queen!

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Be Well

I have three of the Summer Special holsters. One is in cow hide and two are horse hide. I don't see any real difference between them. The last time I ordered (within the last year) they were only making the Summer Specials in horse hide. The holsters are available either smooth side out or rough side out. All of mine are smooth side out. These are my favorite holsters and I am about to order another one.

Bill

Jason Winnie



IWB with Locking Snap Loops, Reinforced Top, and Body Shield - J122 - Jason Winnie Leathergoods

They do 10% Military discount btw.

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Jorge

That one looks pretty nice Jorge, but a LOT like a Sparks VM2.

The TT Mike's Special has an extra tab of leather hanging out to the rear of the holster I'm interesting to see how it performs....

I'll give a full review when it gets here....



.

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Kirk / Spock 2020

Milt Sparks Summer Special is a very good IWB holster for use with1911 type pistols. The angle of carry is comfortable and the upper leather shield between the gun and your skin is a great feature when carrying a 1911 IWB. Also I like the location of the belt loops on the Summer Special. This gives it a smaller footprint on the waist.

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Tom
"Panem et Circenses"

If you haven't ordered that 2nd holster you may want to look at these.

http://www.adamsleatherworks.com/

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Stay protected my friends.

I LOVE TT Gunleather, and the Mike's Special is my favorite all-time holster!
It is similar to the VMII from Milt Sparks, but.....
rides lower and with a more aggressive cant angle, which makes it conceal better than the VMII (I've owned both, for several different model guns)

And TT is good folks!
Give them a try, you will NOT be disappointed.

p.s.-I just bought an IWB for my 4.25" 1911 from Nightingale leather, but it was in stock, so...no waiting.

I also like the Summer Special type holsters but I'm a fat old man. So I get the ones that have a sweat shield, prevents me from getting stuck in the side by the 1911 slides!!

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gunfighter48
NRA Life Member

Okay...but just remember, lobsters have claws.

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Thirty characters. Exactly...

My CZ75 rides in a TT like you ordered, and I like it very much. However, my all-time favorite rig is a commander in Gary Brommeland's Max-Con. I did not see it listed, maybe because its mouth is not reinforced. However, I've never had an issue with that, and the comfort compared to "any" other IWB of the many I've tried is remarkable. The tab on the TT is kind of a toy compared to Brommeland's, and the comfort it offers is not in the same ballpark at all. Many years ago I literally purchased a life-time's supply!

Strangely, I don't like the Max-Con Government model at all. But for a commander I know of no better. Big fan of MS VM 2 as well, as so many are.

TT's snap-on double mag holster (1911) is the most comfortable one I've ever had on, just in case you're interested. They're a really good company to work with.

Sadly, AKJ Concealco is out of business. A few years ago, Andy became afflicted with ALS and had to stop making holsters.
I have about eight or so and the design is minimalist beauty. There's a Commander in one right here right now, and if it ever wears out, I will be at loose ends.
I still prefer the under-hammer retention loop- we have to take our guns off frequently here in this state- and the snapped loop creates a safer package when it has to go into the console or other stash location.
I do recommend the styles that have the loops to the front and back of the gun, instead of directly over it. It makes for both a slimmer profile (less material right there at the thickest point) and more stability- the wider stance of the loops keeps the gun from tipping as much.
I have a Summer Comfort as well, but the AKJ is the solution for me.
Best wishes to Andy Johnson wherever he is.

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I have a sparks vm2 for a glock 26. I like it pretty well. Been trying to decide between sparks nexus to tt gun leather Xcode slim for my sw1911sc. Leaning a bit towards the nexus due to horsehide and the magnetic snaps.

Something from Milt Sparks would be My choice

Another Sparks fan, VMII, or if you want more cant, The new Criterion or Nexus

When I get the sr1911 im only looking at 3 makers, TT gunleather, Lobo and Sparks. TTs mikes special is the one in front right now bc of the lower ride. OWB is more comfortable to me and then its hands down Lobo EHP. Its the most comfortable holster ive ever used.

I've been very happy with my IWB from TT Gunleather.




Sent from my iPhone 4s using Tapatalk

Galco Horsehide..........Looks like the TT and the Sparks are fine set-ups also.

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Go big or stay home

another vote for Milt Sparks Summer Special or the VMII, I find High Noon holsters too wide at the mouth, defeating the advantage of a slim 1911