Anybody owned both? Seems like the clip would be easier on-off. Any comments on either? 3914 strong side behind hip.

I've used a number of High Noon holsters and they are quality rigs.

Kudumaned,

Milt Sparks is the way to go. I have owned and still do some of their goods that are at lease 15 years old. I do not like clip on anything there is a chance of coming off when you go to draw. Just my $.02 worth.

Sincerely,
THE ROLLING STONES

I carry a 457S in a High Noon holster everyday. I also own a Summer Special 2 for a revolver. I had that one built smooth side out. In my opinion the Summer Special is a better holster. By comparison, I think the High Noon is not quite worth what they are asking for them. The Summer Special is a higher quality holster in my opinion.

BTW, both of mine have the leather straps. I don't like the metal clips.

Bill

I own many holsters and have found that Milt Sparks are top of the line. The Summer Special is great but I love my Versa Max 2's that much more. They are worth the wait. However if you want it now, the Summer Special holsters are usually available from Brownells right off the shelf.

IMHO, Milt Sparks holsters are in a class of their own. I've owned a VM2. They are indeed highly crafted, premium quality holsters and well worth the $$$ and wait.

That said, the HighNoon holsters are good, slightly overpriced, but probably quicker turnaround if you need something ASAP.

I've found the clips to be very good on the HighNoon holsters and convenient for quick on\off when necessary (e.g. bathroom stalls, no carry places like school, post office, etc).

The one thing many would suggest is to make sure you get a belt that will work with your holster. My HighNoon holster works best with my 2", leather, thick, Rafter S Gunleather belt. It doesn't work as well with my 2", nylon, Wilderness 5 stitch (slides around a bit). My VM2 didn't work well with the Rafter belt (snaps were tough to snap) but worked well with my Wilderness. YMMV.

I am a fan of the summer special, but I have carried extensively with a Bianchi Pistol Pocket as well. The two strap designs are better though in case you have a belt loop in the way where you want the gun to ride.

I have owned both and the Sparks is made the best and with the best fit. I have 3 High Noon holsters all in horsehide and their turn around time was only 6/8 weeks at that time. I have a clip by them that is excellent and the other 2 are the straps. The High Noon are very good holsters, but their price is a little high, but again their turn around time is much faster.

Decisions-decisions. Anybody have a summer special or a high noon down under they want to sell for a 3914?

Lobo gunleather has similar designs with great quality for much less money that the Sparks....

__________________
Thirty characters. Exactly...

I have a friend who has Sparks and Rosen holsters. They are awesome - nothing negative to say about them. But when he bought his last 1911 (Ed Brown) he went in a different direction.

A TT Gunleather Holster made by Tim Thurner in Montana. After talking to this guy about his, and seeing it, it didn't take me long to call Tim up.

He made me a fully custom holster for my 4014, at a really great price, and a sub 3 week turn-around time (NOT guaranteed for any of your orders, but that was my experience).

Everyone that sees my TT Gunleather holster (IWB) wants to know where I got it. I wear it everyday, everywhere I go for the last year or so. It has been extremely comfortable and durable. From day one, my gun fit in it perfectly, and still does.

I'm getting ready to order another one for my son's PPS and FNP, (both IWB) and then one for one of my 5906's (OWB).

Seriously, I don't always recommend things, even if I really like them. But I can't recommend TT Gunleather high enough or often enough.

They also have a line, I think it is called "Occidental Gunleather", of in-stock, semi-custom holsters based on Tim's designs.

The clip is much easier on - off, if you know how to work it, its strong. Questions

Keep in mind when comparing, the Down Under has the site track Sight Track and tension screw Questions which is the reason for the price jump. We designed everything we could think of with that holster.

Hope that helps
William
High Noon Holsters

I mentioned above that I use a High Noon holster every day. Because the company has posted on this thread I want to mention the things that I think could be improved with the holster. I don't consider myself an expert but I know what I like and don't like.

When I ordered the holster I knew I needed black straps for a 1.25" belt. I had to pay extra for that.

I expected the adjustment screw to be below the trigger guard but on my model it was near the top of the holster. That reduced slightly the amount of space for the fingers when the gun is drawn and I find that annoying. I much prefer a design where the leather is cut downward at a pretty good angle to keep the leather away from my middle finger.

I would prefer more forward cant. I think this holster has about 15 degrees of forward cant and I would prefer a more vertical grip of provided by maybe 20 degrees or greater. More can't hides the weapon better and hides a longer grip.

When I got the holster is was a little "creaky" and most of that went away after a few weeks of wear. However if I hold the stitched area between my thumb and trigger finger I can move the leather back and forth and it creaks. I am guessing a little sandpaper on the shiny leather or some glue prior to assembly would eliminate that.

After the criticism mentioned above I have to say that this is a decent holster otherwise I wouldn't use it nearly every day. I believe it will last many years, probably longer than I will need it.

Bill

Hello Bill,

Thank you for the suggestions, some of the best changes have come from customers.

We will try and go over your concerns.

"When I ordered the holster I knew I needed black straps for a 1.25" belt. I had to pay extra for that."

To include both 1.5 and 1.25 would bring the cost of the holster up. 99% of folks use 1.5 so we ship the holster out with 1.5. and leave the 1.25 as an option.

"I expected the adjustment screw to be below the trigger guard but on my model it was near the top of the holster. That reduced slightly the amount of space for the fingers when the gun is drawn and I find that annoying. I much prefer a design where the leather is cut downward at a pretty good angle to keep the leather away from my middle finger."

It is posted on the web page that the tension screw placement will vary. In no way does that affect what is called throughout the industry combat grip/ knuckle clearance ("That reduced slightly the amount of space for the fingers when the gun is drawn") of the design. It would be the same combat Grip wherever the tension screw is designed.

"I would prefer more forward cant. I think this holster has about 15 degrees of forward cant and I would prefer a more vertical grip of provided by maybe 20 degrees or greater."

We have to design for the majority, 15 degrees is industry standard. It is posted clearly what cant it has before you buy. Foward Cant

With that said we can agree on some guns and body types 20 degrees may work better. We are a custom shop, but not that custom where we can change what works for most customers. But again we do agree for some body types.

"More can't hides the weapon better and hides a longer grip."

If only wearing at the 3 position maybe we can agree, depending on body type. If you were a wider person ( speaking front to back) it would may not help. A less wide person yes, more cant will help.

With that said 99% wear a canted holster 3:30 to 5. At these spots the handle of the gun rest against a flat part of your body, so more cant will not help hide the gun. More info here CP 3,4,5

"When I got the holster is was a little "creaky" and most of that went away after a few weeks of wear. However if I hold the stitched area between my thumb and trigger finger I can move the leather back and forth and it creaks. I am guessing a little sandpaper on the shiny leather or some glue prior to assembly would eliminate that."

Its a pain when this happens but its leather that's compressed to fit the gun it is ordered for. It's the nature of the material to sometimes creek which does go away, as you have said.

That holster is triple stitched it's not moving and "sandpaper and glue" will not solve a creaking problem. When you bend the leather where the stitching is you are bending compressed leather fibers. It does not happen with all holsters just some. More info here Questions

Hope that helps answer some questions stay safe and enjoy the gear.
Alex
High Noon Holsters

High Noon seems to have good holsters, however, I've been told they have none for 5 inch barrels. I'm a little wary about the no return policy on most of the holsters. I sure don't need an expensive dust holder.

I agree with Sip that Lobo make a great custom leather holster at a decent price.

__________________
John 1:17
NRA Life Benefactor

I forgot to mention in my post above about the TT Gumleather holsters that Tim also makes some really nice belts specifically for carry use. He will make these to match the holster of course.

I've posted this 3914 before. Not a Sparks but it works for me.

Attached Images

3914 & DM Bullard holster.jpg (87.6 KB, 29 views)

I've used Sparks Summer Specials & Executive Companions for 3913/14s for 20 years.

I've used Sparks Summer Specials & Executive Companions for 3913/14s for 20 years.