Milt Sparks Summer Special II. Recommendations?

[Climb14er]

Been a Milt Sparks fan for over twenty years. Great holsters! Have never worn the SS II. Currently wearing Nexus and Axiom for DW 1911 CCO. Love ‘em. With my Sig P365, went the Tulster IWB Kydex way, Carry’s fine at Appendix, pistol is secure, kydex is super thin and lightweight. No problems.

I want an IWB to carry at 3:30, one that’s thin and with secure straps. Don’t want a lot of extra hardware. Sparks has SS II’s in stock, rough out cowhide, not inexpensive but their quality, excellent.

Is the SS II thick and bulky, especially for the thin and lightweight P365? Sure, kydex is thinner. Just looking for thoughts about the SS II for a smaller pistol like the P365 or a Glock 43 type pistol.

 

[CapnMac]

I have a SS II for my Colt Officer's and I'd not trade it for anything.

My SIG 365X rides in a SuperTuck by Crossbreed, as it was cut to fit the Romeo Zero sight from the factory. Have browsed the Milt Sparks catalog a time or two, too.

The SuperTuck uses spring steel clips as standard, which I'm ok with as I can use a mix of over/under the belt as my attire warrants. The leather sweatshield wants wearing to get it to your exact contours, but does that well enough. Keeps the gun butt turned in nicely without having to resort to wedges or the like.

Now, I have custom IWB 3:00 rig coming from a local tack-maker, which ought to arrive in a couple more weeks.

 

[nettlle]

Buy a Criterion. I have three.

 

[JTQ]

While your typical gun forum member will comment they prefer the holsters with wide spaced loops like the Versa Max II and other similar models, Jason Burton of Heirloom Precision ( https://www.heirloomprecision.com ) makes an argument for the smaller footprint holsters like the Summer Special and the 5 Shot Leather IBS (Inside Burton Special)

https://forum.ltwguns.com/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=8187

 

[JTQ]

Is the SS II thick and bulky, especially for the thin and lightweight P365? Sure, kydex is thinner. Just looking for thoughts about the SS II for a smaller pistol like the P365 or a Glock 43 type pistol.

To me, a small footprint holster like a Summer Special makes more sense for small guns than large footprint holsters.

The origin of the wide spaced loops and large footprint holsters was to spread the weight of large guns. With a little gun, there is no need for that.

 

[DR505]

I was just over at Milt Sparks shop the other day....sign in the window says there is a 26 week wait for holsters.

 

[JTQ]

I was just over at Milt Sparks shop the other day....sign in the window says there is a 26 week wait for holsters.

Though they have an "On Line" store https://www.miltsparks.com/store.php

and if you have a popular gun and want a popular holster, they may be available with no wait.

Just looking for thoughts about the SS II for a smaller pistol like the P365 or a Glock 43 type pistol.

P365 https://www.miltsparks.com/store.ph...n-1-5-Belt-Loop/p/129036119/category=28350085

G43 https://www.miltsparks.com/store.ph...n-1-5-Belt-Loop/p/101820206/category=28350085

 

[Climb14er]

Though they have an "On Line" store https://www.miltsparks.com/store.php

and if you have a popular gun and want a popular holster, they may be available with no wait.


P365 https://www.miltsparks.com/store.ph...n-1-5-Belt-Loop/p/129036119/category=28350085

G43 https://www.miltsparks.com/store.ph...n-1-5-Belt-Loop/p/101820206/category=28350085

yeah, I spoke with them yesterday.

 

[Old Dog]

s the SS II thick and bulky, especially for the thin and lightweight P365?

I would wholeheartedly endorse the Sparks SS2 for a P-365. It'll seem a tad thick/bulky at first, but once you get used to it, it'll become your favorite. The Summer Special was my first IWB, I later started using the Sparks VM 2, but have gone back to the SS style for IWB (as JTQ mentions Burton's case for the smaller footprint, I agree). Nobody does IWB better than Milt Sparks (well, Greg Kramer's horsehide IWB #3 https://www.kramerleather.com/products/iwb-3-holster is just as good, depends on whether you prefer the rough-out or a nice smooth finish.

All more expensive than most folks wanna spend on holsters (strangely, guys'll put $3000 1911s in OTS kydex, nylon or mass-produced leather), but these holsters will last your lifetime if cared for properly.

 

[WYO]

Buy a Criterion. I have three.

My favorite. I have one for my P365.



PS. The cant is too much if you intend to put an optic on the gun.

 

[nettlle]

My latest Criterion

 

[Hikingman]

VM 2 and SS 2 owner, here. It's difficult to imagine the SS 2 not working for your intended Sig P365. My SS 2 is for a 1911 Government. I'll have to say, you should try it, and write a THR review of how well it fits the Sig, and how it works for you.