[Aahzz]

To preface, I've always been one who thought the high-end holstermakers were WAY overpriced, and have studiously avoided them. I always thought the lower-priced makers did a fine job (and many of them do!) and I'd just be paying for a name with one of the big-name companies. I refused to pay over $49.95 for any holster. I figured all the holsters concealed "almost" as well as I'd like them to, and it wouldn't make a difference. However, I got fed up enough to send off the cash (well, pull out the credit card) and see if the pricier stuff really performs.

It does.

It really, really does.

Got the new VM2 yesterday (thanks again to Lightning Arms!) and put it on last night. First impression, comfy. Nicely comfy. Holds the gun butt nice and close. Put on shorts and a T-shirt, went to get my photographer's vest to cover. Walking past the mirror on my way to get the vest, I noticed I wasn't printing. At all. Zero print. I giggled. I stood in front of the mirror and I bent, folded, spindled, and mutilated. Slight printing when bending wrong with one arm outstretched holding a wok. I have to TRY to print with this rig. I tried several T-shirts, and the same results with all. Then I went out for the evening, without my vest, with a full-sized steel 1911 in naught but shorts and a T-shirt. Wooooo-hoooo!

Went over to my parents house. I got out of the car, and went to readjust my holster, as all my previous ones would shift when sitting in the car. It was still where I'd left it. No shifting whatsoever - completely stable. Asked my father if he could find the gun. He said "Yeah, I see it" and proceeded to point to the wrong hip. I giggled some more.

Short conclusion, I LOVE this holster. Worth every penny. Thanks to the good folks at Milt Sparks, and thanks yet again for the excellent service at Lightning Arms.

[TarpleyG]

I was like you. I refused to pay over $100 for a holster. I did, however, buy two other holsters (one IWB and one OWB) that totalled almost that much. I didn't care for them that much so I decided to go ahead and get the VM-II that I had wanted for over a year. Best decision I ever made (well, as far as holsters go anyway). Fit and finish is outstanding and now I know why they cost so much. The holster should last for years. Anyone else on the fence should just do it. You won't regret it.

GT

[Soap]

High quality leather is like nothing else. I spent my bucks and I've been smiling since.

[El Tejon]

Those hairy-chested Westerners know how to make a holster, huh?

You save time and money with good gear. Pay once, be happy for a long time.

[TheFrontRange]

I'm arriving a couple of days late to this thread, but am wondering...do you VM-II owners ever have issues with "sweating-through" this holster? I have heard tons of good comments on this particular rig, but as I live in the humid South the perspiration issue can become a big one. I'm more of a "leather"kind of guy when it comes to holsters, but I'm thinking of going Kydex over just this one thing. I see TarpleyG is a Floridian...how do you (or any of the rest of you) cope with this?

[TarpleyG]

No problems here. I believe the back panel of the VM-II is horsehide anyhow so that repels moisture very well.

I have yet to remove my gun from the holster after a long period of carry and see moisture on it where I have seen it on the less expensive IWB I own.

GT

[lasports]

TheFrontRange--

In areas of high humidity order the VM-2H which has a horsehide front and rear panel to resist moisture. After a day's wear remove your firearm and air out the holster before your next day's use.

Regards,

Craig

[El Tejon]

TheFront, horse is defintely the way to go. As with guns, I have multiple copies of the same holster. Rotate them.:)

[TheFrontRange]

TarpleyG, lasports, and El Tejon, thank you for the info...when I order one of these fine rigs, I'll opt for the horsehide! :) I'm looking forward to getting started with IWB carry.