First Milt Sparks Holster

[Red Rover]

I just received my first Milt Sparks holster(s) from the man on the brown truck. It's a PMK for a Model 25-14 Lew Horton nickel revolver with a 3" barrel. I have carried a semi-auto with plenty of capacity for years and I just want to be able to carry a 45 acp revolver on days when I feel like it.

Let's just say that I am very pleased with my first* Milt Sparks holster. The fit is perfect and the slight forward cant makes the revolver grip disappear up against my side. I'm a righty; the photo was taken in a mirror.

Now I just need to figure out how I'm going to carry extra ammo. Seems like extra moon clips are going to be a little bulky.

*I also received (in the same box) a J frame pocket holster, a PMK for a Colt Detective Special, and a PMK for a 3", 7 shot 686+ but I haven't put them in use yet.

 

[Bob R]

I really like using the blade-tech carrier for moon clips.

It puts two of them in a space a little larger than where one would go. I haven't had any problem with retention in them either.

BROWNELLS : BLADE-TECH : TWIN MOON CLIP HOLDER - World's Largest Supplier of Firearm Accessories, Gun Parts and Gunsmithing Tools

bob

 

[Red Rover]

I really like using the blade-tech carrier for moon clips.

bob

Do you use it for concealed carry Bob? Seems fine for competition when carried openly but how secure does it hold the rounds and does it conceal easily under a shirt?

Thanks.

 

[Dan Cash]

I would reccommend .45 Auto Rim ammo in a Pick Two belt pack from ElPaso Saddlery. Clips are fine when all is expended but keep you from "topping off" I f you are so very concerned with speed of reload, get an auto loader.

You will really like your PMK but your belt is a bit light for an N frame. I have used a PMK with a M24 Lew Horton for about 15 years and it is just getting broken in. Mine is carried on a 2" belt and is very comfortable. I don't like the covered trigger however.

Dan

 

[Red Rover]

I would reccommend .45 Auto Rim ammo in a Pick Two belt pack from ElPaso Saddlery. Clips are fine when all is expended but keep you from "topping off" I f you are so very concerned with speed of reload, get an auto loader.

You will really like your PMK but your belt is a bit light for an N frame. I have used a PMK with a M24 Lew Horton for about 15 years and it is just getting broken in. Mine is carried on a 2" belt and is very comfortable. I don't like the covered trigger however.

Dan

I have considered 45 Auto Rim; just not familiar with any for a carry gun. What do you recommend.

The belt may look "light" but it is a 1 1/2" Beltman and is plenty stout to carry the N frame.

Thanks, I'll check out the Pick Two.

 

[Bob R]

Do you use it for concealed carry Bob? Seems fine for competition when carried openly but how secure does it hold the rounds and does it conceal easily under a shirt?

I do use it for concealed carry, and often for open carry. With OC the reloads are much more noticible than a mag and mag carrier for my Semi-auto.

OTOH, concealed they do very well under a cover garment. The bladtech keeps them close enough that they stick out very far.

The only issue I have had is that I will occasionally bump the moon clipped reload on the steering wheel as I get out of the car and the top moon clip will pop free from one round, sometimes two if hit really hard. I am a lefty so the reloads are on my right side.

Other than having to be a little more conscious of where my right side hits, it works very well for me.

bob

 

[flop-shank]

DWood, Tuff Products makes speed strips that will probably work with the .45 auto rim cartridge. You'll have to check into that. For extra ammo for my 629, I use an El Paso Saddlery belt slide. I don't care for the bulk of speed Loaders, so I don't use them.

As far as the fastest reload, I use the New York reload (second gun), usually a .357 snubby available to my weak hand.

 

[Red Rover]

Thanks bob R and flop-shank. I see that Corbon and Buffalo Bore both make a defensive 45 AR. I may ditch the moon clips and use the speed strips with a rimmed cartridge. I already carry the Tuff Products strips and nylon pouch for my J frames when I pocket carry. I think you are right and I may try them in 45 if they are available.

 

[Dan Cash]

I have considered 45 Auto Rim; just not familiar with any for a carry gun. What do you recommend.

The belt may look "light" but it is a 1 1/2" Beltman and is plenty stout to carry the N frame.

Thanks, I'll check out the Pick Two.

If your belt is comfortable it suits me
A couple fellows indicate some commercial Auto Rim that probably works fine. If you load or have a custom loader make them for you, a 225 grain truncated cone flat point over 6 rains of unique is easy to load and packs a very suitable wallop.

 

[Glock 'em down]

*I also received (in the same box) a J frame pocket holster, a PMK for a Colt Detective Special, and a PMK for a 3", 7 shot 686+ but I haven't put them in use yet.

If you get a chance, would you mind posting some pics of the J frame pocket holster as well as the PMK Colt Detective Special holster?

Those are two holsters that are on my wish list!

 

[Red Rover]

If you get a chance, would you mind posting some pics of the J frame pocket holster as well as the PMK Colt Detective Special holster?

Those are two holsters that are on my wish list!

Here they are GED. The fit is perfect. The pocket holster is a little too snug for my likes and I will have to let the 340 PD sit in it for a while, maybe with one or two layers of plastic bag to stretch it slightly.

For Kydex I buy Raven Concealment, but for leather, Milt Sparks is my new holster. The wait is 5+ months but is worth it. Today I ordered two 55BN OWB holsters for a S & W 3913 and a Glock 23.

 

[Glock 'em down]

Here they are GED. The fit is perfect. The pocket holster is a little too snug for my likes and I will have to let the 340 PD sit in it for a while, maybe with one or two layers of plastic bag to stretch it slightly.

For Kydex I buy Raven Concealment, but for leather, Milt Sparks is my new holster. The wait is 5+ months but is worth it. Today I ordered two 55BN OWB holsters for a S & W 3913 and a Glock 23.

If you ever feel like selling either one of those...or BOTH...give me a shout!

 

[bubbajoe45]

Milt Sparks is great gear! I've had a PMK for a 3" N frame for about 15 years. It has served me well. Lately, there are so many 'upstart' holster makers, I look for better deals with shorter wait times. Sounds like Milt Sparks has caught up a bit if they are quoting 5 months; it was a year not too long ago. Congratulations, you can't go wrong with their stuff.

I'd say you can stick with moon clips, if you want; they are likely why you have a .45ACP revolver. I've got some shoot-a-moons, but they aren't effective for CC (and have some nasty sharp edges). What I like are the Safariland leather pouches that straddle the belt (split-six, I believe they call the .38/.357 ones). I've found a single pouch one for the N frame speedloaders and you can put moon clips in them as well. I use them with the Safariland comp1 loaders for .44 special/mag as well. (I think the model No. is 371 something or other). try Armadillo Supply Speedloader Store. Or fleaBay. The key thing is that the moon clip or speedloader straddles your belt (3 in, 3 out) sucking everything in tight on top of the belt, greatly enhancing concealabilty.

 

[Red Rover]

Thanks bubbajoe. You are right, I liked the idea of the 45 acp and moon clips and if I find a practical way to carry the moon clips I may make the Model 25 one of my regular carry guns. I've been carrying it to see how it works out. It certainly feels good having the big revolver on my hip.

I'm going to look at the speed loader pouches that split the belt. Do the moon clips bend after prolonged carry this way?

 

[devildog66]

This will not be your last Milt Sparks holster! I have switched in brands and types of guns that I use and carry but have used Milt Sparks as my primary carry holsters since I bought my first one a few years back.

 

[bubbajoe45]

Thanks bubbajoe. You are right, I liked the idea of the 45 acp and moon clips and if I find a practical way to carry the moon clips I may make the Model 25 one of my regular carry guns. I've been carrying it to see how it works out. It certainly feels good having the big revolver on my hip.

I'm going to look at the speed loader pouches that split the belt. Do the moon clips bend after prolonged carry this way?

Doesn't seem to bend 'em. They are spring steel. I have some that are tighter than others. They are cheap anyway. I don't know about the plastic kind. Part of the deal with this pouch is that as you take it off and put it on the speedloader or moonclip comes out, so it won't reside in the pouch in the same place for long periods of time. The pouches actually slides behind and envelopes the belt. Besides, you'll probably shoot the ammo up from time to time and cycle fresh stuff in anyway (won't you?).

 

[Poohgyrr]

Here is a Summer Special II from about 1990 that still does well. The only problem with it is it was ordered as an all black. Great holster otherwise. That good little Speed Six is long gone, and a snub M66 has taken its' place.

 

[wdamp]

S&W Model 10

I recently purchased a S&W model 10 (k frame) and am looking for a Milt Sparks concealed holster, but am having trouble locating one. any ideas where i could look?

 

[Glock 'em down]

I recently purchased a S&W model 10 (k frame) and am looking for a Milt Sparks concealed holster, but am having trouble locating one. any ideas where i could look?

Good luck finding one!

Here's the thing about Milt Sparks stuff.

Depending on what gun you want one for and what model holster you are looking for (the Versa Max 2 is probably their best seller), you're probably gonna hafta order direct from the boys in Boise. That means a 6 month wait!

No...I'm not joking.

However...

They do have a few dealers that they use, but they usually only carry popular holsters for popular weapons. Glocks, 1911s and Sigs are the commons. A model 10 snubbie? Doubtful. The dealers' links are in the Sparks website...

Milt Sparks Holsters

Milt Sparks gunleather is probably, IMHO, the best there is, but...like I said, be prepared for a long wait as well as terrible customer service.

 

[Texas1941]

I've had a 325NG since Oct '08. I ordered two holsters, a Milt Sparks Summer Special and a Mernickle owb (P6DA, I think). Both were first class, but the Milt Sparks took just about six months to the day to arrive. The Mernickle was about 4 weeks.

I've used the BladeTech (sp?) double carrier for moon clips for more than a year and in general they work well. I've never bent a clip and they are fast. I wear them in front, right of the belt buckle, so I'm constantly hitting the steering wheel. Once or twice the top moon clip has disloged. Something to watch.

The Tuff strips for ARs are great. I carry one in my jeans watch pocket with no problems, but all my jeans are 40 or 42. Thin guys might have a problem.

FWIW, I carry DoubleTap 230 gr Gold Dot ARs in the revolver.