ChiWeiSz

Hey guys. I have finally found the type of holster I want. A friend of mine has a Milt Sparks Watch Six - I really like it. However, after going to the site, not only is it weirdly expensive, but out of stock, and/or back ordered.

Anyone know of an off-brand, or similar type holster I can eyeball?

I really like the "feel" and the shape etc - so if anyone can point me to some other sites I would appreciate it.

Thank you

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QKShooter

Sparks holsters are actually weirdly inexpensive for what you are getting for your dollar. Just FYI.

Gideon

They are GREAT holsters BUT, I'm convinced, more now than ever, that there are equally good holster values out there at lower prices and with shorter lead times. I would have to admit that for Milt Sparks, not many but one that comes to mind right away is HBE Leatherworks and their COMIII line of holsters. About $109 with a 4 week lead time or so. I have several of his holsters and they're simply outstanding.

Another extremely good value in holsters if you intend to wear at the 3:00 position (or a bit forward or behind that) is the new premium line of AJ Concealco holsters. I have two of their regular ones for revolvers and I just got a premium one with sweat guard for a Kahr MK9 and it was half what you'd pay for the Watch Six and it was less than 4 weeks lead time.

To be fair, I haven't owned a Watch Six, only seen one and it is beautiful but I think you get every bit of that in an HBE ComIII. I think certain makers get reputations that are certainly deserved but become larger than they really ought to be. For example Toyota really is GREAT car but the brand recognition is comanding more dollars than they probably really are worth.

Another option is UBG holsters. They aren't quite as nice as a HBE but they're every bit as functional and again, great price and lead time.

I once waited over a year for a custom holster and paid a fortune for it and it was a piece of art but at the end of the day I'm not putting these on the wall, I'm strapping them to a gun belt and wearing them.

ChiWeiSz

Gideon, thank you - I will do some searching on those. My goal is to wear around the 4:00 position, and I have a GLOCK 23.

Again, thanks - I will post after some search.

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redrick

Also look at kd holsters, they are not as expensive as Sparks, but there is a 4 month wait. Kevin is great to work with. I have 2 of his OWB Eagle Defenders, 1 is for a G23 and the other for a J frame and they are my favorite holsters. I am going to get one of his IWB holsters for the G23 to compare it with my Sparks VMII. Another member order a KD and a VMII and sold his VMII because he like the KD better.

tabsr

I have only three, 2 from Alessi and one from Bulman. None much better than these guys but also wished for a Delfatti. His wait is two years!! I'm too old for that kind of waiting. No offense to the other great makers, only my experience.

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retsupt99

Fist holsters...most are under a C-note, quality leather, with delivery in 3-5 weeks.
OMO...costs nothing to look.

Stay armed...I like Fist holsters...stay safe!

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T Bone

Something is wrong here. Are you referring to the "Select Grade IWB Holster w/Reinforced Sweat-shield"? If so, the price I see listed is $78. Did you look at the Milt Sparks site? The Watch Six is $77. And it's Horsehide, a more expensive leather than cowhide (as an example of the upcharge, with CrossBreed, you pay an upcharge of $15 for the flat slab of leather on the body side of the holster to be upgraded to horsehide).

And to the OP, the Watch Six is neither out of stock, nor back ordered. It is made to order, as are all Milt Sparks Holsters. There is a reason they are so popular (you witnessed this when you liked what you saw). And yes, there is a wait (current quote is I think 20 to 26 weeks). And guess what? They deliver when they say they will (unlike many of the horror stories you've heard about custom holster makers).

I don't understand why I so often see both wait times and prices of Milt Sparks Holsters mis-quoted/exaggerated on Forums. But I see a lot of it.

Bottom line, you can get a holster quicker in many cases from many sources. But you'll find few finer than Milt Sparks Holsters. They've become a standard others are compared too, and for good reason. Besides top quality, you'll find fair pricing and customer service policies, and honest and accurate delivery estimates. They simply are one of the best in the business. Guess that's why they're such a target!

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JD

Regarding Sparks, I can only echo T Bones points. If you want a Sparks, you wait and pay. If you don't want to wait, you can always check out eBay and pay an outrageous markup from the price gougers that are the reason there's a wait time.

There are other makers, but IMHO Milt Sparks is one of the best, the others having even more of a wait. OR you can try to order the Sparks from Lightning Arms Sports, at a higher price...

For similar IWB styles if you don't want the Sparks, I'd go with the above mentioned guys, UBG, HBE, TT Gunleather, FIST, and Desibens Gun Leather now that Rhome is back in the states. I was just checking out his website and I can't wait to get me one of the #2 IWB holsters...



Now that's a nice looking rig.

I've dealt with all of the above mentioned makers except FIST, but I've never heard a complaint about them.

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ChiWeiSz

T-Bone, thank you. Man, I don't know where my brain was when I looked at that site last night - could have sworn it was closer to $150.

However, that wait seems a long time - I will need to get something to last until I can get that one.

Again, thank you. I will be checking into it immediately.

__________________
Trying to leave as large a carbon footprint as possible.
Shivering in the "heat"
Innocent as doves, wise as serpents, armed like wolves.