Ordered VM2

[Mack45]

I ordered a Milt Sparks VM2 for my Combat Commander last Thursday. Top Gun Supply was advertising them as "IN STOCK" so I ordered one. Should be here first of next week.

[Mack45]

Actualy ordered it late Wednesday nite. I came in just a little while ago. That was fast shipping! It was sent USPS and Friday was a holiday. Nice holster, I'll have to learn how to wear it now.

[DrBaker]

It's always a fun to get a new toy.

[Mack45]

Yeah and trying to learn how to use it properly is just as fun. Can anyone tell me the best location on the belt for the VM2? Also proper drawing technique? Right now I've got it as close to my right hip as I can without it starting to bend the holster. Do I pull my shirt up with weak hand and draw with my right, the instructions said to pull the shirt up with both hands, hold the shirt up with weak hand, release shirt with strong hand and then draw the weapon. Seems like a lot of steps. Tips from experienced VM2 users would be greatly appreciated.

[Lasports]

The VM-2 can be worn from 2:00 to 5:30. Many people find it most comfortable from 4:00-5:00. You should wear the holster where it is most comfortable for you and allowing a good draw stroke. Don't worry about bending the holster. It is meant to contour to your body position which will start happening within 8 hours of use. Also when it comes to the shirt utilize whatever tactic allows you to cear the shirt in as quick a time as possible yet keeping a smooth fluid draw. Practice, practice, practice, will help you achieve that which works best for you. In my case I utilize the VM-2 with a G23 and use one hand to clear the shirt and the other to draw.

[Michael Brown]

Do I pull my shirt up with weak hand and draw with my right, the instructions said to pull the shirt up with both hands, hold the shirt up with weak hand, release shirt with strong hand and then draw the weapon. Seems like a lot of steps. Tips from experienced VM2 users would be greatly appreciated.

Do not condition yourself to need two hands to draw if you intend to wear the holster for self-protection.

You must learn to draw the weapon one-handed, clearing the cover garment with one and drawing with the same. Chances are when you need to draw your weapon, your other hand may be somehow encumbered (flashlight, loved one, car keys, fending off your opponent etc.) Some things you can simply jettison, some you can't. Thus you need to be reflexive in drawing the gun one-handed.

It is definitely a staple skill but most people don't really do it properly and get caught up in the garment if they wear a vertical raising garment like a closed front shirt. It is much easier to show than to describe online.

If you wear a front-open garment, it is much easier and doesn't require quite as much specific technique.

Michael Brown

[okgr8outdrs]

The IDPA rulebook says equipment must not be visible when wearing an open cover garment. Is an open cover garment required, or is there a safety issue with using a closed front garment? I mainly want to shoot IDPA for the training and would like to use a closed front garment if possible. As it is, I have to make sure the S.O. is aware of my style of carry so he can position himself to avoid muzzle sweep. I prefer an open garment, but Oklahoma is so windy that concealment becomes an issue even when I am carrying behind the hip. If I don't button my shirt, I have to try to inconspicuously hold it "closed" by putting my hands in my pockets and holding the tails, or stuffing the strong side tail in my front pocket.

[Michael Brown]

The IDPA rulebook says equipment must not be visible when wearing an open cover garment. Is an open cover garment required, or is there a safety issue with using a closed front garment? I mainly want to shoot IDPA for the training and would like to use a closed front garment if possible. As it is, I have to make sure the S.O. is aware of my style of carry so he can position himself to avoid muzzle sweep. I prefer an open garment, but Oklahoma is so windy that concealment becomes an issue even when I am carrying behind the hip. If I don't button my shirt, I have to try to inconspicuously hold it "closed" by putting my hands in my pockets and holding the tails, or stuffing the strong side tail in my front pocket.

In IDPA you can use a close front garment. They just use the open front example in the rulebook because its the least concealable to describe the minimum requirement.

You have described the great conundrum of concealed carry.

Open front is faster and more reliable. Closed front is much more concealable.

I choose closed front for carry and do 95% of my concealed practice that way. I shoot IDPA open-front because that's the way to win. I just don't practice that way very often. If you can draw closed-front efficiently, open front is no problem.

In combat, timing is much more important that speed because of the intangibles involved, so I don't worry about it. You'll never be as fast from a closed front but you can be just as reliable and that's what is important. This is the great fallacy of shooting competition like IDPA, that speed is more important than timing.

In fighting, the speed of decision-making, preservation of the personality, and the ability to reset your opponent's OODA loop is much more important than draw-speed.

Michael Brown

[Cowman]

I have ordered from LAsports. They are very helpful and fast. If in stock. Highly recommended. Regards

[J.P.]

ditto...
I ordered a VM2 from them today...shipped today!

[stepper]

ditto...
I ordered a VM2 from them today...shipped today!

What did you order the VM2 for?

[stepper]

I'm thinking about going ahead and ordering one in cordavan with the black trim for a glock 38. That way, when its done in February or March, I'll have my holster ready to go! After seeing bulbboy's holster, I've got to get one with the trim, it looks really good.

[J.P.]

What did you order the VM2 for?

Because I wanted it. ;)

Seriously,I ordered it for the new G17 I got last Friday

[bulbboy]

I'm thinking about going ahead and ordering one in cordavan with the black trim for a glock 38. That way, when its done in February or March, I'll have my holster ready to go! After seeing bulbboy's holster, I've got to get one with the trim, it looks really good.

Not going for the crimson/creme one from Donners? :)

[Michael Brown]

I'm thinking about going ahead and ordering one in cordavan with the black trim for a glock 38. That way, when its done in February or March, I'll have my holster ready to go! After seeing bulbboy's holster, I've got to get one with the trim, it looks really good.

Just out of curiosity, if its going to be INSIDE your pants and covered by a garment in order to be concealed, what difference does appearence make?
:wink2:

You're not planning on letting other forum members inside your pants are you?
:saywhat:

Michael Brown

[TwoBravo]

I was thinking the same thing Mike. I'll await his response. :)

[stepper]

Just out of curiosity, if its going to be INSIDE your pants and covered by a garment in order to be concealed, what difference does appearence make?
:wink2:

You're not planning on letting other forum members inside your pants are you?
:saywhat:

Michael Brown


Well, your comment is the reason I haven't done it earlier. Why spend the extra money on something that can't even be seen. I guess thats why you have to take pics of it and post it on the website. Thats the only way anybody is going to see it.

After seeing bulbboy's holster, I really like it. I get to see it, so I guess thats enough for me. :)

I guess its along the same lines as why would you buy expensive underwear from Victoria's Secret? Nobody sees it either, but it looks good so you buy it? Does that make sense? :ugh2:

[Michael Brown]

I guess its along the same lines as why would you buy expensive underwear from Victoria's Secret? Nobody sees it either, but it looks good so you buy it? Does that make sense? :ugh2:

No!!!!
:smack:

The goal of the Victoria's Secret underwear is that I WANT to see it!!!!!
:hyper: :hyper: :hyper: :hyper: :hyper:

I just never get to.
:grumble:

Michael Brown

[stepper]

No!!!!
:smack:

The goal of the Victoria's Secret underwear is that I WANT to see it!!!!!
:hyper: :hyper: :hyper: :hyper: :hyper:

I just never get to.
:grumble:

Michael Brown

You'll want to see my holster too! I'll let you see it! :wink2:

[bulbboy]

My kind of thinking on the holster.. maybe sharkskin turns the wife on.... it turns out.. no - apparently spending less money on a holster does!?. :nolike:

[J.P.]

My kind of thinking on the holster.. maybe sharkskin turns the wife on.... it turns out.. no - apparently spending less money on a holster does!?. :nolike:

:billclinton: "I feel your pain" :billclinton:

[bulbboy]

I just don't get it! If SHE was wearing a sharkskin holster - well, lets just say that would do it for me! :kiss: :kiss:

[J.P.]

My VM2s are plain.
I would like to have a custom one to show off.
When several friends and I get together for a cookout,and stuff,we sometimes carry openly.
This is the situation where it pays to have a custom "BBQ" rig. ;)

[bulbboy]

I like mine customized because then they are harder to sell and I will be less tempted to trade or sell my guns!

[stepper]

My VM2s are plain.
I would like to have a custom one to show off.
When several friends and I get together for a cookout,and stuff,we sometimes carry openly.
This is the situation where it pays to have a custom "BBQ" rig. ;)

Yes, thats it. I need a "BBQ rig". Thats funny. :gun1:

[Michael Brown]

Yes, thats it. I need a "BBQ rig". Thats funny. :gun1:

Perhaps we can make that an official term?

I move that all OKShooters members have a BBQ rig.

Seconded?

Michael Brown

[Mack45]

Thanks for the input guys. At first I was practicing using 1 hand to clear the shirt and using the other hand to draw the weapon, as Lasports mentioned. Mike brought up something that I hadn't thought of at the time. The need for a 1 handed draw. I plan to carry with the VM2 for personal protection so I will start working on that method. On a lighter note, I think that a Colt Combat Commander in a plain ole' tan VM2 is a pretty good "BBQ rig"

[stepper]

Perhaps we can make that an official term?

I move that all OKShooters members have a BBQ rig.

Seconded?

Michael Brown

BBQ rig is now an okshooters official word.

[Scott_In_OKC]

Well, after all the hype in this thread, I treated myself to an early Christmas present and ordered a cordovan VM2 for my 23 from LASports today (it was in stock and shipped today, WooHoo!) Now I have to head down to Looper Leather and get one of those nice leather/kydex belts to go with it :)

[stepper]

Well, after all the hype in this thread, I treated myself to an early Christmas present and ordered a cordovan VM2 for my 23 from LASports today (it was in stock and shipped today, WooHoo!) Now I have to head down to Looper Leather and get one of those nice leather/kydex belts to go with it :)

Good choice. You will never be the same.........

[Scott_In_OKC]

I can't wait. It should be here Friday or Saturday. Pics will be posted upon arrival.

[stepper]

Yes, we've got to have pics.

[J.P.]

Perhaps we can make that an official term?

I move that all OKShooters members have a BBQ rig.

Seconded?

Michael Brown

As much as I would have liked to have coined the phrase,the term "BBQ gun" appeared in a Guns & Ammo 1911 special issue recently.

It was a writeup about a Wayne Novak custom Kimber.
The article reference Texan's "BBQ guns",or in other words,the extra fancy,engraved pistols they wear cocked & locked to their get togethers.

Still,I *did* invent BBQ *rig*
So it is written,so it shall be done.

[DrBaker]

If everybody else is doing it, I'll order a BBQ Rig too.

Do I get one for my G26, G19, G17? Does a VM2 or SS2 for a G19 also work for a G26?

[bulbboy]

My VM2 is closed on bottom so it would only work for a G26/27. I have heard other people say theirs were open? I would say they have to be specific - don't know about the SS2 (maybe Brown can answer)

Nice to hear from you :)

[J.P.]

My VM2 arrived today.
That was fast!
My VM2 for G23 and G17 are both open at the bottom.
I think a 26 would fit either one of them without a problem.

i'll post some pics of mine later tonight if i can.
this is the first VM2 I've purchased brand new and the thing is VERY stiff.
It;s going to take a while to break this thing in.
The G17 is 'stuck' in it as we speak, ans the loops are hard to snap still.

FWIW,instead of the Horsehide/Cowhide (standard) model,I got a total Horsehide model.
Not for any particular reason other than that was all they had in stock,for my gun,in black.

[DrBaker]

My VM2 for G23 and G17 are both open at the bottom.
I think a 26 would fit either one of them without a problem.



If I can use my G26 and G19 in the same one, that would make it much more appealing.

Can you try sticking your G17 gun into the G23 holster? If that works, I'll buy one for the G19 and use it for the 19,26,and 17.

[Michael Brown]

You can wear the G26 in a larger holster but if it collapses while you are wearing it, it may be FUBAR for use with the bigger gun.

Michael Brown

[stepper]

If I can use my G26 and G19 in the same one, that would make it much more appealing.

Can you try sticking your G17 gun into the G23 holster? If that works, I'll buy one for the G19 and use it for the 19,26,and 17.

My dad has a glock 26 and 23. He has a vm2 for the 23. Maybe we can get him to check for us.

[Michael Brown]

I'm confident it will fit.

I just think the possibility exists that if the longer muzzle end collapses, it may make it difficult to use with the larger gun.

I say so only because I had an EX Companion, which is designed similarly to the VM2 which did just that when I wore my G23 in it though its made for a G22.

Michael Brown

[DrBaker]

If I get one for a G19 then I would still be able to use my G17 in it (poking out the bottom), right ??

For IWB, I think I can conceal a large gun than OWB. With that in mind, I would rather carry my G19.

[J.P.]

If I get one for a G19 then I would still be able to use my G17 in it (poking out the bottom), right ??

For IWB, I think I can conceal a large gun than OWB. With that in mind, I would rather carry my G19.

Wrong.
the VM2.while open at the bottom,is not a *slide*.
The open end is beveled inward at the tip so a longer gun wouldn't fit.

[DrBaker]

Wrong.
the VM2.while open at the bottom,is not a *slide*.
The open end is beveled inward at the tip so a longer gun wouldn't fit.

Thanks for the info everyone. I'm glad to know this before I spend my $$ on it.

[Scott_In_OKC]

I went to Looper Leather at lunch today and got my Leather/Kydex belt. Man, this thing rocks! And not too bad a buy at $29.99 IMHO I'll warn you though, they only have small and REALLY large left (I got the last middle of the road size :) ) Also, regular leather belts are on sale for $10
Well, after all the hype in this thread, I treated myself to an early Christmas present and ordered a cordovan VM2 for my 23 from LASports today (it was in stock and shipped today, WooHoo!) Now I have to head down to Looper Leather and get one of those nice leather/kydex belts to go with it

[stepper]

Very cool!

[bratch]

J.P.

I was told by M.S. to wrap the gun in the plastic the holster ships in and put it in the holster. The plastic is just thick enough to loosen it up a bit without retention problems.

I order all of my 1911 holsters for 5" and almost always carry a 4". Its a wee bit less comfortable but alot more versatile for me.

[J.P.]

I did just that.
Worked beautifully!

[stepper]

My dad told me to use wax paper too. I've done it with a really tight Alessi holster and it works well. I leave it and the gun in the holster overnight, and it made a big difference.

[J.P.]

Here are a few pics of the new VM2.
I had to take them myself,so they aren't the greatest....

[c10bonanza]

Perfect!!! Thanks for the pics J.P. I don't know why I didn't look here first!

[J.P.]

Don't hesitate to pick up a VM2!
They are the best IWB holsters on the market.
If anyone diagrees...please explain..........

[skyydiver]

Somebody disagree, this thing's 4 pages long and still hasn't been locked. I kid, I kid.

[Michael Brown]

I kid because I love. :wink2:

Michael Brown

[J.P.]

I kid because I love. :wink2:

Michael Brown

WTF does that mean?

*thread locked*

j/k!
;)

[J.P.]

Somebody disagree, this thing's 4 pages long and still hasn't been locked. I kid, I kid.

No reason to walk on eggshells,my friend. ;)

I *really* would like any reasonable human to show me a downside to this remarkable holster.....

[Michael Brown]

I *really* would like any reasonable human to show me a downside to this remarkable holster.....

Price and availability.
:kiss:

Otherwise its the cat's meow.

Michael Brown

[Mack45]

Michael, Maybe your post should say price OR availability. There are a couple of places that have them in stock BUT you pay a premium price for the availability. Nice looking rig J.P., I'll post pics of my new tan one with a 1911 this weekend. I haven't decided if these pics should be classified as "leather porn" or "BBQ rig porn"

[Michael Brown]

Michael, Maybe your post should say price OR availability. There are a couple of places that have them in stock BUT you pay a premium price for the availability. Nice looking rig J.P., I'll post pics of my new tan one with a 1911 this weekend. I haven't decided if these pics should be classified as "leather porn" or "BBQ rig porn"

My spidey sense tells me it probably ought to be BBQ Rig Porn.
:wink2:

Michael Brown

[Mack45]

OK Michael, I'll follow your spidey sense. I just got back from the woods, no luck by the way, and took some pics of my new BBQ rig. I am going to try to post them, always an adventure in itsself for me. HA!

[Mack45]

BBQ RIG PORN

[michael]

Is the VM2 that good? It sure looks it.

[skyydiver]

I really liked mine for my 1911. I liked my Summer Special copy from high noon just as well. Both are very good quality, I do prefer rough side out for IWB, but with the VMII it doesn't move anyway. Very good holster.

[DrBaker]

I finally got my VM2 today. I'm not pleased with the feel of any IWB holster, but I'll admit that this thing is pimptastic. It conceals incredibly well and it is much easier to draw the gun than I had expected. I'm using the Looper Leather kydex/leather belt with it.

Hopefully I'll get used to the feel of an IWB quickly.

[Mack45]

I am thinking about strapping mine on and making the obligatory trip to Wal-Mart. I just got back from the sheriff's office with my concealed weapons license.

[J.P.]

Ah yes.....
Another believer.

Drink the kool-aid,my friend,the kool-aid is good....... :drunk:


Good lookin' holster,Mack45!

[c10bonanza]

I am thinking about strapping mine on and making the obligatory trip to Wal-Mart. I just got back from the sheriff's office with my concealed weapons license.


Congrat's on the permit! Definitely hit up Walmart and buy a box or two of WWB.

Hmm, perhaps 'hit up' was the wrong phrase to use... :nono1:

[stepper]

I finally got my VM2 today. I'm not pleased with the feel of any IWB holster, but I'll admit that this thing is pimptastic. It conceals incredibly well and it is much easier to draw the gun than I had expected. I'm using the Looper Leather kydex/leather belt with it.

Hopefully I'll get used to the feel of an IWB quickly.

Sweet. Once you've had the VM2, you're never the same. :gun1:

[Scott_In_OKC]

I got my VM2 today as well. I'm really looking forward to breaking it in this weekend :) I'll get some pics posted shortly.

[J.P.]

The one way snaps are confusing to some,just remember to hook the bottom edge of the snap *first*.

A little tip....
Apply some Breakfree to inside of the snaps.
(just a drop)

[DrBaker]

I didn't mess with the snaps. I just put the holster on and then put my belt on (feeding it through the loops). Maybe I did it wrong, but I could still eat some BBQ while wearing it.

[Scott_In_OKC]

I've been carrying my G23 with the VM2 all weekend and I have to agree with everyone else, the VM2 is very confortable. Regardless of the fact that there's a large chunk of steel, polymer, and leather between me and the waistband of my jeans, I almost forget it that I'm wearing it at all.

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-4/174110/VM2.jpg

[stepper]

I like your belt too. Very nice.

[Scott_In_OKC]

I got it at Looper Leather. Leather/Kydex combo. I really like it as well :)

[stepper]

Oh, so thats the kydex belt I've heard about. I think Dr.Baker has one. My dad told me he went there and bought one too, but I haven't seen it yet.

[DrBaker]

Mines in black. I think I'm going to buy the brown one too.
My vm2 is black. I guess I'll have to buy a brown vm2 also.

You can't wear black shoes with a brown holster, duhhhh.

[stepper]

You are correct, that would be a major mistake. :nono1:

[burner]

I really want to order one of the miltsparks Versa holsters.
Those look nice!
I wonder what the chances are of anyone local having one that I could try out before I spend the large amount of cash they want?

[J.P.]

I really want to order one of the miltsparks Versa holsters.
Those look nice!
I wonder what the chances are of anyone local having one that I could try out before I spend the large amount of cash they want?

you have a PM