Got my Milt Sparks VM2 for my HK45 full size

[rohardi]

I got my VM2 today from milt sparks and I'm having mixed feelings. I don't have a lot of experience with CCW and IWB, so I didn't know what to expect. I can't really find a position that feels right for it. I'm using it at the 5-5:30 position. Is that the ideal spot? That's where it feels the best, but it still is jabbing me in the kidney. I know the HK45 is a bigger gun, but I know people CCW full size 1911s. I'm in a hoodie right now and you would never know it's there. If I swich to a sweater though, it prints a good amount. I don't know if I'm using in the wrong position or what. So it looks like the only time I could use it would be with a hoodie. But if I use my comp-tac paddle in a hoodie once again, you would never know it's there, but neither would I.

My second issue is the snaps come unsnapped very easy. All I need to do is adjust the holdersr a little bit and they come undone. I have the 1.5 inch loops and I'm using a 1.5 inch belt. I don't know if I would have better over all results with a real gun belt. Has any one else here had issues with the snaps on there VM2s or any other milt sparks holsters?

The craftmanship is great though. I must say this is a high quality holster. I haven't desided if I will keep it and try to make my self like it, return it with in the 3 day inspection period for a refund, or sell it here on HKPRO. I will post pics tomorrow when I go back to work as I am writing this on my iPhone.

[apetrulis01]

I had a Milt Sparks VM2 for my hi power and loved it. As for the carry position I would put it just behind the hip bone. You my even try to put the front strap on the hip bone or or just past it.

Adam

[Perseus]

I would like to see some pics, but I would be pretty concerned about the snaps coming un-done easily.

As far as it being uncomfortable I would guess it's because it's such a large gun to carry IWB. I bet there are a lot of guys on here that do it. I carry a p2000sk IWB at about 4 o'clock if that helps.

[HKCHEF]

Pics would be helpful, what is your build? Also keep in mind leather takes some time to break in. Over time the holster will form to the way you wear it. As far as the loops go I would send it back to have it fixed.

[rohardi]

if the gun was a LEM with no safety, it might feel better too. The sweat sheild is pushed in board in to the kidney to accomodate the safty/decocker so an LEM set up might feel better. I've had no issues of the holster turning the safty off.

[rohardi]

I'm 5'7" with about a 42,43 inch chest with a 32 inch waist. So I get a good amount of looseness at the bottom of untucked shirts and sweters witch I would think would help hide a gun. Also how do you drive a car with an IWB holster? If you have a car with "sport" style leather seats? Will it destry the seats by digging in to them???

[apetrulis01]

You shouldn't be having a problem with concealment, I carry a Glock 22 in a OWB holster with no problem. Again i would suggest moving the gun forward on the belt to see if that helps anything.

Adam

[TDH]

My second issue is the snaps come unsnapped very easy. All I need to do is adjust the holdersr a little bit and they come undone. I have the 1.5 inch loops and I'm using a 1.5 inch belt. I don't know if I would have better over all results with a real gun belt. Has any one else here had issues with the snaps on there VM2s or any other milt sparks holsters?

Order the Kydex clips and use them instead. I replaced my belt loops with the Kydex clips. Sometime I even carry the holster without a belt. They are not for everyone as I've heard some people that outright hate the clips but I prefer them. They are only like 25-30 from Milt Sparks.

[rohardi]

I've brought the gun to the 4 o'clock position and it does have more concealment and feels a little better. I REALLY need a good gun belt though!

[bonehead]

I've brought the gun to the 4 o'clock position and it does have more concealment and feels a little better. I REALLY need a good gun belt though!

Wilderness Instructor for a casual belt. I'm still looking for a good leather dress belt.

Please post some pics of the holster!

[apetrulis01]

At the 4 o'clock position it sucks it to your side and back, especially in a IWB holster. Are you trying to snap the holster on around your belt after your belt is already on?

Adam

[rohardi]

How do you guys drive when you CCW with an IWB holster??? This seems to be where it would be most unconfirable situation. I'll be picking up an infiniti g37 in the next month or two. It will have sport seats that wrap around your sides. What do you recomend for that... Im guessing that's just a situation of it is what is...

[rohardi]

Adam,

4 O'clock is working much better. I'm putting on my jeans and belt then putting the holster in my pants and attaching it to my belt. How should I be doing it?

[bonehead]

How do you guys drive when you CCW with an IWB holster??? This seems to be where it would be most unconfirable situation. I'll be picking up an infiniti g37 in the next month or two. It will have sport seats that wrap around your sides. What do you recomend for that... Im guessing that's just a situation of it is what is...

I still haven't found a great position for both comfort and accessibility. I don't think there's a position that can afford both at the same time, at least not with my body type or vehicle.

I got a Desantis Kingston for my M5. Perfectly legal here in AZ. YMMV.
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q42/bmwbonehead/HK45/photo3.jpg

[rohardi]

Cool set up, do you transfer the gun to your seat holster when you get in and back to the IWB when you get out? In general, I wouldn't want to take the IWB holster off when I get in and put it back on when I get out. With a paddle, it just goes on and off in seconds.

[apetrulis01]

Try having your holster already snap, placing it in your pants where you want it (without firearm in it) and then looping your belt through. I use to do that with my Milt Sparks before it was broken in. If the belt is the same size as the loop holes, you may not be snapping it securely, I had that problem with my Milt Sparks. Loop your belt through after it is already snap and that should solve your problem.

Adam

[bonehead]

Cool set up, do you transfer the gun to your seat holster when you get in and back to the IWB when you get out? In general, I wouldn't want to take the IWB holster off when I get in and put it back on when I get out. With a paddle, it just goes on and off in seconds.

I do. I'd prefer not to handle the gun so much, but I have the 'sport seat' problem as you stated. The M5 has side bolsters that push the gun into my side when wearing IWB. I currently use a kydex rig, but from my understanding, you can deform an empty leather holster by sitting on it for prolonged periods.

[rohardi]

Even with the holster empty, it's stiff enough to do damage to the seats I think.

Adam, I'll try doing it your way next time I put it on. Where are you on the job in SW FL? My father lives in Venice. I'm going to be going down to see him next month for a few days to escape the harsh New England winter! Can't wit for the warm weather!!

[apetrulis01]

Lee County Sheriff's Office

[rohardi]

So after adjusting and using the holster at the 4 O'clock position, adjusting the way I put the holster on my belt and playing with the snaps (if I snap them from the bottom up insted of strait on or from the top down, they snap in nice and secure) I'm feeling a lot better about my purchas. Thank you for every ones input!

[Perseus]

Also how do you drive a car with an IWB holster? If you have a car with "sport" style leather seats? Will it destry the seats by digging in to them???

I have an Audi A4 with bolstered seats and I haven't seen any wear on the leather from my IWB holster. If the gun is in a good position it doesn't really bother me.

[rohardi]

I have an Audi A4 with bolstered seats and I haven't seen any wear on the leather from my IWB holster. If the gun is in a good position it doesn't really bother me.

Well that's GOOD news!

[givo08]

The belt loop snaps are like that by design. They have a little knot in the outer connector of the snap that hooks under the rim of the inner snap. You have to button them by putting the bottom of the snap down first and then the top...if you do it in reverse order, which is the easiest to do if you are buttoning it around a belt, it will not be 100% attached and will unsnap easily. You should snap the loops together first and then slide your belt through until it's broken in enough to snap the loops around the belt.

Also, the HK45 is a large gun to try to conceal IWB at 4:00-5:30 position. Its got such a long grip that it is going to protrude easier than something more compact and may require you to dress around it a little more.

[YVK]

Also, the HK45 is a large gun to try to conceal IWB at 4:00-5:30 position.

I was thinking the same; full-sized service polymer 0.45 ACP pistol with 1913 rail inside the pants is not something I'd try, and I do carry 1911 IWB regularly. I wonder how many folks here do IWB with HK45...

Good luck, and let us know how it works out for you.

[rohardi]

I haven't gotten a chance to take any good pics of the holster on me, But I am liking it alot more now thatn when I first got it. Not the greatest pics, I took them with my iPhone


http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j143/rohardi/vm22.jpg


http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j143/rohardi/vm23.jpg


http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j143/rohardi/vm21.jpg

[rohardi]

Also, the HK45 is a large gun to try to conceal IWB at 4:00-5:30 position. Its got such a long grip that it is going to protrude easier than something more compact and may require you to dress around it a little more.

I would agree, I also got a VM2 for the P7M8 Iwill pick up in the next few months. I would not expect to be able to CCW an HK45 in a T-shirt in the summer, there's where the P7M8 comes in to play. But under a hoodie or sweater, I think the Full size will be fine....

[mattfrey]

For those of you with the VM-2 for the HK45 series, do you notice any fraying of the stitching inside the holster?

I have about 100 normal practice presentations through my VM-2HS with my HK45C and notice that the front slide serrations are abrading and fraying the internal mouth reinforcement stitching.

Anyone else notice this on theirs? I'm concerned that the slide will ultimately saw through the stitching.