[Soybomb]

I'm curious if anyone here has had both the Alessi PCH and Sparks VM2? I'm getting ready to get a new IWB and the PCH I have for another gun seems impossible to beat with incredible concealment. I hear nothing but amazing things about the VM2 and its comfort though. I'd love to hear from someone who has had both.

[tech]

I own a VMII and a OWB allessi so I can not do a comparison of the holsters themselves. I can say both company's put out quality merchandise. I found alessi's customer service very lacking. Both holsters I ordered from him took over 4 months longer than the quoted wait. That in itself was not the problem. The problem was when I checked with Mr. Alessi after the quoted time I got the runaround with both holsters. You know the drill.... Oh it is being built this week and will ship in 5 days. Two months later still no holster. I will say Milt Sparks has taken longer than thier quoted time but when I called I was told the truth and the holster came in when it was supposed to. I would say if you order a Alessi get it from a reseller or buy slightly used. If you order a sparks get it right from them and you can count on great customer service.

Mike

[Zundfolge]

Well you can't go wrong with either from a quality standpoint ... both are top notch holster makers.


However, I recommend the VM2 over the Alessi because of the design of the holster. I'm convinced that a dual loop/clip style holster like the VM2 (or better yet the HBE Leatherworks (http://www.hbeleatherworks.com/) COM holsters (http://www.imageseek.com/hbeleather/gallery/iwb_com)) is THE way to go.

The two loops/clips hold the gun more securely and are flatter than a holster that puts the clip on the body of the holster. The holster doesn't "rock" or "walk" and if you're packing a larger pistol it distributes the weight over a larger area than a standard IWB holster.

I've got an HBE DC Special (dual clip) that I wear daily ... its a wonderful holster and I would recommend Eric in a heartbeat.

[Soybomb]

Well my question with the dual clips and between the two holsters comes from this: I have a tucker "answer" for my P99 which is also a spread clip design, and then an alessi pch for a sig p226. Based on these two I find that the little sharkfin on the front of the alessi pushes against my leg and helps tuck the butt of the gun very close and actually conceals better. I'm wondering if I'd see the same thing from the sparks rig.

Its a shame walmart doesn't have holsters :D

[Safety First]

Soycomb,
I have a PCH on order from uncle Lou, not here yet, but I will post a review after receiving it. I ordered a Brommeland Max Con V which is very similar to the VM 2. The brommeland leather holds very tight,it is a high quality IWB the 1911 it carries for me does not shift, it is secure but yet presentation is not hampered. I have only had it a few days and I can tell you I am very pleased with it. Gary quoted a 6 week wait, it arrived excactly 6 weeks later. I was considering the VM 2 but did not want to pay a premium price from a distributor if there was a smart alternative. Check out Garys web site if you have not yet done so and give him a call, he took all the time I needed on the phone,,,very nice person to deal with...www.brommelandsgunleather.com

[CB900F]

Soybomb;

Can't directly answer your question, but will give you this information. I've been using the Milt Sparks Exec's companion for daily carry of an H&K for about 10 full years now. The belt I got from Sparks is about ready to get replaced, the holster is still going strong.

900F

[steve2267]

I was googling "alessi pch" and found this thread.

FWIW...

My first carry holster was an Milt Sparks VM2 and I loved that holster... and still do... BUT... once I received my Alessi PCH, the VM2 has been relegated to the proverbial holster box under the bed. IMO, the PCH is that much better than the VM2 -- and there is no comparison.

I had had issues with the VM2 sliding around on my belt -- it would tend to slide around, creep forward on my belt throughout the day. The PCH has a split belt loop allowing me to "capture" a belt loop on my pants. The PCH doesn't move. While the VM2 might be a tad more stable because the belt loops are so far forward... that slight advantage is tempered by the slight possibility that the forward belt loop might be spotted by a pair of sharp eyes. Not an issue with the PCH. Oh, I do still occasionally wear a VM2, but only on rare occasions when I need a tuckable holster... I have one VM2 set up with the kydex talon clips so it can be worn tuckable. The PCH is by design not tuckable.

Again...both great holsters, and I own both...but my VM2's were "retired" when I got my PCH.

[Iggy]

I have several VMII's and Alessi WSDT's,and I had a PCH. Let me say that the PCH is a great holster. I liked it for many reasons.. Not having off set loops, I would be able to shift it just a bit when I was driving and make it more comfortable than I can with the VMII's.

It is a very stable and fine fitting holster.

My problem with it is that I don't like holsters with the loops ON the main part of the holster. I have tried Sparks SSII's, and others and just don't care for that configuration. I would buy them, try them, and sell them to someone in about a week.

The PCH also is set up so that the belt loops protrude out at a bit of an angle due to the way the snaps are mounted. This also created additional width on my already wide waistline. I took the snaps off and sewed the loops down and this improved things, at least for me.

I again want say the PCH is a GREAT holster. I kept it for about a year, but in the end, I sold it and returned to the Sparks VMII's and the Alessi WSDT. I need all the "thin" I can get, and the offset belt attachments just work better for me.

If I hadn't already been spoiled by offset loop holsters, you couldn't have pried that PCH away from me.