Milt Sparks Watch Six and VM II

NY27 · July 20th, 2009, 01:09 AM

Does anyone have a top view photo of a Milt Sparks Watch Six next to a Versa Max II? Is it significantly thinner?

I currently have a VM II and it draws and reholsters great. I have heard conflicting stories about the mouth staying open on a Watch Six. Can anyone who has both provide some input? Will the Watch Six put up with years of drawing and reholstering with one hand?

automatic slim · July 20th, 2009, 08:57 AM

You need to go to the Milt Sparks web site and read what they say about the Watch Six. Apparently it does have it's shortcomings, including those you address.

NY27 · July 20th, 2009, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by automatic slim

You need to go to the Milt Sparks web site and read what they say about the Watch Six. Apparently it does have it's shortcomings, including those you address.

Yes, I did that already. I would just like to get some opinions from the members of DC who have used both holsters.

kpw · July 21st, 2009, 08:12 AM

I've used them both. From a strictly carrying perspective, I'll take the WS anyday. It is considerably thinner. For me, it is much more comfortable. If you are drawing and reholstering often throughout the day, the VM II is the better choice. I don't find the WS difficult to reholster with but the VM II is easier. But, then again, I don't find myself drawing and reholstering too often throughout my average day.

torrejon224 · July 21st, 2009, 02:11 PM

The major difference is that the WS does not have a metal reinforcement band around the holster mouth which makes it thinner but harder to reholster. Alessi also sells this same holster but instead of loops uses the Dual Talon clips.

Thumper · July 22nd, 2009, 02:42 AM

I have several VM-IIs and I very much want my IWB holster with a reinforced mouth... come on now, the thickness of one small piece of leather is not going to significantly affect the holster's ability to be concealed.

Rexster · July 22nd, 2009, 03:57 PM

It is more than just the thickness of one piece of leather, as that one piece is doubled, and then there is that piece of metal, too. I don't think it affects concealment so much as comfort. I notice my Watch Six to be more comfortable than my Garrity In-Cognito, which is comparable in construction to a VM2, for the same weapon. (P229) I have Sparks Summer Special and Heritage rigs for 1911s and revolvers, which provides a less exact comparison. I also have IWB rigs that are now out of production, also without reinforcing metal bands, for 1911 pistols and revolvers. That bit of reinforcement offers the advantage of easier one-handed re-holstering, but it does affect all-day comfort, at least for me. This is, of course, a very personal thing.

NY27 · July 24th, 2009, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thumper

I have several VM-IIs and I very much want my IWB holster with a reinforced mouth... come on now, the thickness of one small piece of leather is not going to significantly affect the holster's ability to be concealed.

My VM II conceals well. I was wondering about comfort. My VM II is comfortable, I just wanted to know if the Watch Six is MORE comfortable. But I do not want to lose the abilty to reholster with one hand.

I don't draw and holster all day long. But I train with what I carry and that feature is important to me. So far the Watch Six sounds a little "iffy" on the ability to reholster with one hand easily.

July 20th, 2009, 01:09 AM	#1
NY27 Distinguished Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: NY Posts: 1,244	Milt Sparks Watch Six and VM II Does anyone have a top view photo of a Milt Sparks Watch Six next to a Versa Max II? Is it significantly thinner? I currently have a VM II and it draws and reholsters great. I have heard conflicting stories about the mouth staying open on a Watch Six. Can anyone who has both provide some input? Will the Watch Six put up with years of drawing and reholstering with one hand? __________________ It is better to have your gun and not need it, than to need it and not have it. 2012

July 20th, 2009, 08:57 AM	#2
automatic slim Distinguished Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: The western edge of The Confederacy Posts: 1,223	You need to go to the Milt Sparks web site and read what they say about the Watch Six. Apparently it does have it's shortcomings, including those you address. __________________ "First gallant South Carolina nobly made the stand." Edge of Darkness

July 21st, 2009, 08:12 AM	#4
kpw Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: PA Posts: 1,116	I've used them both. From a strictly carrying perspective, I'll take the WS anyday. It is considerably thinner. For me, it is much more comfortable. If you are drawing and reholstering often throughout the day, the VM II is the better choice. I don't find the WS difficult to reholster with but the VM II is easier. But, then again, I don't find myself drawing and reholstering too often throughout my average day. __________________ "In a republic this rule ought to be observed: that the majority should not have the predominant power." - -- Marcus Tullius Cicero

July 22nd, 2009, 02:42 AM	#6
Thumper VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Nevada Posts: 5,590	I have several VM-IIs and I very much want my IWB holster with a reinforced mouth... come on now, the thickness of one small piece of leather is not going to significantly affect the holster's ability to be concealed. __________________ USMC 1968-1971 ALWAYS carry! - NEVER tell! *"Don't go to stupid places, with stupid people, and do stupid things!"*

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July 21st, 2009, 02:11 PM	#5
torrejon224 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Oregon Posts: 678	The major difference is that the WS does not have a metal reinforcement band around the holster mouth which makes it thinner but harder to reholster. Alessi also sells this same holster but instead of loops uses the Dual Talon clips.

July 22nd, 2009, 03:57 PM	#7
Rexster Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: SE Texas Posts: 895	It is more than just the thickness of one piece of leather, as that one piece is doubled, and then there is that piece of metal, too. I don't think it affects concealment so much as comfort. I notice my Watch Six to be more comfortable than my Garrity In-Cognito, which is comparable in construction to a VM2, for the same weapon. (P229) I have Sparks Summer Special and Heritage rigs for 1911s and revolvers, which provides a less exact comparison. I also have IWB rigs that are now out of production, also without reinforcing metal bands, for 1911 pistols and revolvers. That bit of reinforcement offers the advantage of easier one-handed re-holstering, but it does affect all-day comfort, at least for me. This is, of course, a very personal thing.