I've got a beautiful Milt Sparks VMII that has not been carried much, almost like new. It's cowhide, and made for my Colt Defender.

Here's why it has not been carried much... The problem is that it no longer is tight enough to retain the gun properly; she's loose... It was very tight when I got it. I never did anything to stretch it, or put any leather conditioners on it. One day my gun just dropped on the floor when I was seated with my pants down. .

I love the holster, have another VMII for a Glock 19, and I've got a couple of Sparks' Summer Specials, all with no issues; great holsters. But this VMII for my Defender stinks. I really have not had retention issues with other holsters, just this very expensive, hard to get super holster. I love the comfort and carry of the VMII, but hate that this thing is useless after minimal wear.

So, any suggestions? I have not called them about it because my experience in calling and getting someone live at that company is problematic. Frankly, I just have not wanted to be bothered with chasing down the problem.

So, I thought I'd throw it out to you guys that seem to be steeped in gun leather knowledge. Is there anything that can be done to 'fix' the retention tightness? Do you know if Sparks would stand behind the product and make it right if I did chase this down? Or, is it just a lost cause and move on...?

Thank you for your feedback.

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NRA Life Member

I have had no problems getting a person on the phone, give them a ring. I do not know if there is a way to shrink the leather. The VMII has a reinforced mouth, maybe you can close the top a bit.

While my firearm is not too loose in my VMII, the firearm is secure once my belt is buckled. My feeling is that if your firearm is secure when your belt is buckled, the holster is doing its job.

I remove my firearm from its holster when I am going to the restroom (No.2), just so it does not fall out. My opinion only, others will have different answers.

The only thing I can advise is to contact them. I have one for my 3" Kimber & it is fine.

that's a problem i've not heard of before. the leather is very still on the VMll and it is odd that it would loosen without provocation. the supportive strip across the mouth of the holster provides even more support to the holster's shape than the stiff leather underneath does, and is provided to assist the holster to maintain it's shape for reholstering. the support strip swings around to the backside of the holster's mouth and provides firm support there, too.

if you try to tighten or loosen the holster's mouth by hand, you will see how strong and stiff that holster is. i can't imagine the VMll loosening from the shape it's maker provided. i have a VMll for a w german Sig Sauer P220 .45 ACP, which also fits for my w german Sig Sauer P226; no problems with fit. by all means, do not just move on and leave this matter unresolved. do contact the folks at Milt Sparks Holsters, Inc. and explain your dilemma.

Milt Sparks Holsters

I prefer my handguns simply fall loose from my VM IIs when the holster is turned upside down.

I depend on my belt to regulate retention.

-Steve