Valkyries
04-02-2008, 06:52 PM
MTAC vs. Memphis vs. VMII - an IWB Holster Comparison (http://www.countryboyartillery.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=61:iwb-holster-comparison-memphis-mtac-vmaxii&catid=41:reviews-accessories&Itemid=64) Written by VOLGRAD Tuesday, 01 April 2008 20:23 At any given time, there are numerous threads on internet discussion boards requesting a recommendation for a good quality inside-the-waistband (IWB) holster. I have read and responded in many of them with my recommendation. However, until recently my experience was limited to Comp-Tac (http://www.comp-tac.com/) products and a few low-end IWBs.
I feel compelled to state my opinion that it is not necessary to ask this same exact question every time you get a new pistol. While some models do have specific issues, they are usually due to the fact the pistol is a new model and holster makers have not yet begun production of holsters for them (e.g. Glock 21SF or Sig 250). In general, what folks recommend for a Sig P239 or P229 or for a Glock 19 or 22 will likely work equally well for your HK, S&W M&P, etc.. A more appropriate question might be, “What IWB works best for a fat guy?”, or something that is more “user specific” as opposed to “gun specific”.
I feel equally compelled to say that many, including myself, often make statements like the following; “It completely disappears.”, “I completely forgot I was wearing a gun.”, or “I wore it for 10 hours and it felt great.” Let’s set something straight from the beginning. These statements are a little exaggerated. No matter how comfortable the holster is we still feel the gun and know it is there. This is true for both IWB and OWB holsters alike. When you sit down you feel it. It might not dig and jab into your side, but you know it is there. It is possible to forget we are wearing a gun. However, it is not because the holster is “magic”. It is more likely that we have grown accustomed to wearing one. We notice it less and less over time, sort of like wearing a wrist watch.
The most popular models of IWB holsters seem to be the Comp-Tac Minotaur MTAC (http://www.comp-tac.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=28&products_id=95) for Kydex and the Milt Sparks Versa Max II (VMII) (http://www.miltsparks.com/) for leather. There are countless other makers using similar designs of these two products.
I had always wanted to try IWB holsters from other popular makers, but until now was unable to do so. I saw a thread recently on SigForum (http://www.sigforum.com/) where an individual shared pics of the same gun worn in several different holsters. I thought the idea was great. Unfortunately, the models he used were not exactly the ones I would have considered purchasing for myself. I decided that whenever I had the chance I wanted to do the same type of comparison and share my results.
My current every day carry (EDC) pistol is a Glock 19 worn in a MTAC. I love this product and frequently recommend it to others. I recently purchased a Sig P239 and was in need of a new holster so I could ease it into the rotation for EDC. My first thought was just to order an extra Kydex body for the MTAC and be done with it. However, this time I decided I wanted to try an all leather holster to see what it was all about. Frankly I didn’t want to pay $105 (base model before S&H) and wait 26+ weeks for a VMII. You can sometimes find a used one listed in the [online] classified ads but they almost always sell within minutes and for nearly as much, or more, than a new one. I heard about a custom leather holster maker, Tom Burks, of Southern Holsters (http://www.southernholsters.com/) on my regular forum, GeorgiaPacking.org (http://www.georgiapacking.org/). He is a sponsor of a grass roots gun rights organization of which I am a member, GeorgiaCarry.org (http://www.georgiacarry.org/), and decided to give him a try. About the same time I made this decision, a friend purchased a used VMII for his P239. Both of our 239 pistols are 9mm, I decided to take advantage of this opportunity to do a side by side comparison. I ordered both the Memphis from Southern Holsters (http://southernholsters.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=28) and the extra Kydex body from Comp-Tac, and borrowed his VMII.
My thought was this; In order to do a true comparison of different holsters it would need to be done on the same person, using the same pistol, under the same type of cover garments. That being said, my comparison will not be applicable to all as we are all built differently. It will, however, give you a good idea of the differences in these three holsters. If nothing more, my review/comparison might point out some criteria you should consider when evaluating a holster for your use.
My disclaimer will be as follows: I am 5’ 6” and approximately 155 lbs and wear a 33 inch pant size, depending on brand and style. I am not fat but do have slight “luv handles”. Other than that my build would pretty much be considered medium. I usually wear my pistol strong side (right handed), anywhere between 3 o’clock and 5 o’clock. My normal attire outside of work is jeans or casual pants (khakis or cargo pants) and an un-tucked shirt. I always wear an undershirt beneath polo and button down shirts, but would not say I am a fan of “layering”. I also frequently wear just a regular printed t-shirt.
The following reviews were not sanctioned by or solicited by any holster maker, group, or other organization. I paid in full for each holster. I pulled some basic descriptive information from the official website of each holster maker. The remainder of this review represents only my opinion and experience with each.
this articles goes more in depth into each brand of IWB Holster.
http://www.countryboyartillery.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=61:iwb-holster-comparison-memphis-mtac-vmaxii&catid=41:reviews-accessories&Itemid=64
I feel compelled to state my opinion that it is not necessary to ask this same exact question every time you get a new pistol. While some models do have specific issues, they are usually due to the fact the pistol is a new model and holster makers have not yet begun production of holsters for them (e.g. Glock 21SF or Sig 250). In general, what folks recommend for a Sig P239 or P229 or for a Glock 19 or 22 will likely work equally well for your HK, S&W M&P, etc.. A more appropriate question might be, “What IWB works best for a fat guy?”, or something that is more “user specific” as opposed to “gun specific”.
I feel equally compelled to say that many, including myself, often make statements like the following; “It completely disappears.”, “I completely forgot I was wearing a gun.”, or “I wore it for 10 hours and it felt great.” Let’s set something straight from the beginning. These statements are a little exaggerated. No matter how comfortable the holster is we still feel the gun and know it is there. This is true for both IWB and OWB holsters alike. When you sit down you feel it. It might not dig and jab into your side, but you know it is there. It is possible to forget we are wearing a gun. However, it is not because the holster is “magic”. It is more likely that we have grown accustomed to wearing one. We notice it less and less over time, sort of like wearing a wrist watch.
The most popular models of IWB holsters seem to be the Comp-Tac Minotaur MTAC (http://www.comp-tac.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=28&products_id=95) for Kydex and the Milt Sparks Versa Max II (VMII) (http://www.miltsparks.com/) for leather. There are countless other makers using similar designs of these two products.
I had always wanted to try IWB holsters from other popular makers, but until now was unable to do so. I saw a thread recently on SigForum (http://www.sigforum.com/) where an individual shared pics of the same gun worn in several different holsters. I thought the idea was great. Unfortunately, the models he used were not exactly the ones I would have considered purchasing for myself. I decided that whenever I had the chance I wanted to do the same type of comparison and share my results.
My current every day carry (EDC) pistol is a Glock 19 worn in a MTAC. I love this product and frequently recommend it to others. I recently purchased a Sig P239 and was in need of a new holster so I could ease it into the rotation for EDC. My first thought was just to order an extra Kydex body for the MTAC and be done with it. However, this time I decided I wanted to try an all leather holster to see what it was all about. Frankly I didn’t want to pay $105 (base model before S&H) and wait 26+ weeks for a VMII. You can sometimes find a used one listed in the [online] classified ads but they almost always sell within minutes and for nearly as much, or more, than a new one. I heard about a custom leather holster maker, Tom Burks, of Southern Holsters (http://www.southernholsters.com/) on my regular forum, GeorgiaPacking.org (http://www.georgiapacking.org/). He is a sponsor of a grass roots gun rights organization of which I am a member, GeorgiaCarry.org (http://www.georgiacarry.org/), and decided to give him a try. About the same time I made this decision, a friend purchased a used VMII for his P239. Both of our 239 pistols are 9mm, I decided to take advantage of this opportunity to do a side by side comparison. I ordered both the Memphis from Southern Holsters (http://southernholsters.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=28) and the extra Kydex body from Comp-Tac, and borrowed his VMII.
My thought was this; In order to do a true comparison of different holsters it would need to be done on the same person, using the same pistol, under the same type of cover garments. That being said, my comparison will not be applicable to all as we are all built differently. It will, however, give you a good idea of the differences in these three holsters. If nothing more, my review/comparison might point out some criteria you should consider when evaluating a holster for your use.
My disclaimer will be as follows: I am 5’ 6” and approximately 155 lbs and wear a 33 inch pant size, depending on brand and style. I am not fat but do have slight “luv handles”. Other than that my build would pretty much be considered medium. I usually wear my pistol strong side (right handed), anywhere between 3 o’clock and 5 o’clock. My normal attire outside of work is jeans or casual pants (khakis or cargo pants) and an un-tucked shirt. I always wear an undershirt beneath polo and button down shirts, but would not say I am a fan of “layering”. I also frequently wear just a regular printed t-shirt.
The following reviews were not sanctioned by or solicited by any holster maker, group, or other organization. I paid in full for each holster. I pulled some basic descriptive information from the official website of each holster maker. The remainder of this review represents only my opinion and experience with each.
this articles goes more in depth into each brand of IWB Holster.
http://www.countryboyartillery.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=61:iwb-holster-comparison-memphis-mtac-vmaxii&catid=41:reviews-accessories&Itemid=64