Posted on the Handguns forum without replies so I am posting here.

I am ready to order my Milt Sparks Versa Max 2 on Monday thanks to my wonderful children who sent dad birthday $$$.

Horsehide or cowhide?

I like horse hide with shark skin trim. Horse hide is supposed to be tougher than cow hide. Horse hide also seems to wear better (less marks from being worn).

I own several horse hide holsters and like them all.

I've had a cowhide Versa-Max 2 for many years and have had no trouble at all with wear. It looks used, but not used up.

(Anyway, who cares how a concealment holster looks? Isn't that kind of beside the point?)

Scott---Before you make a decision check this out:

http://www.holsters.org/shoulder-holster.htm

I've bought two shoulder holsters from this guy. They are very well made and very comfortable, you literally forget you are carrying.

Don't know haw relevant this is, but horse hide makes better razor strops due to it's having more natural micro silicates in it. It is more abrasive. Effects on gun finish?

Thanks. I like the looks and it would work with a snap shirt but much of my carry time is spent with a shirt tucked in and no jacket. I am thinking a IWB with the ability to tuck will be of the most use to me.

I would go horsehide just because that means one less horse in this world.

Since This holster will spent most of it's life inside a tucked shirt it makes no deference at all. Fact is I king of laugh about the color options. I don't care about blemishes or any of that. If I do my job right it will never be seen.

I am really more concerned about long term wear and use. horsehide is supposed to resist moisture better and if it resides inside my waist band and I live on the Olympic Peninsula moisture might be a concern.

Perhaps I am nitpicking and cowhide will last me the rest of my life. That is why I asked for the wisdom here.

Not a cowboy?

A horse sweats,a cow don't. Bob

hell no. I look at a hay burner and the only thing that I think Is how many bottles of glue can they make outta a horse. I dunn even know if they make glue out of horses but I heard the story and it seemed like such a happy little story....

Do the world a favor and get 2 horsehide holsters.

Scott I went through the same issues when I ordered my VM-2. I went horsehide on the holster and the Milt Sparks wonderfully built belt. The difference for me came down to wear during the summer months here. I work up a good lather all year but especially so when it gets oppressively hot. My cowhide holsters whether pocket or iwb really soak through with sweat but the horsehide is rather sweat repellant. Hope this helps.

For the stated purpose, I really don't think it matters. None of my horsehide stuff seemed any better or worse than cowhide.

I like my holsters to stay looking good. You never know when you will change carry guns or just not like the holster. Its hard to sell a holster that looks like its been drug behind a truck even though its only six months old.

I have owned several (ordered all at the same time) VM-II's and don't like them as well as Kramers #3's. I have sold all but two and got my money back out of them.

Dink

Just looked at the Kramers but again no tuckable holsters. I have to be able to carry my full size 1911 with my shirt tucked in. Still thinking the Mils Sparks is my best option. I am offsetting the 30 week wait with a DeSantis Tuck-This 2 holster.

Sparks builds a great holster. I just can't get along with the cant/rake for some reason.

Some of the guys I work with are using the crossbreed supertuck and really like them.

Dink

I have used both for about 20 years and can say they both work but for long term wear the horsehide wins. It is kinder to the finish of the weapon as well. BTW when you don't need the tuckable the Kramer stuff is top rate. Bear

Horse hide with shark trim is GREAT. My son has had several. Great looking and stout as all get out.

I have had both and like the cowhide best, seemed to wear a bit better.

I almost always wear a vest which conceals the holster very well.

Here is another idea:

http://www.coronadoleather.com/default.aspx?n=532407

I bought a vest at the Reno gun show a few years ago. It'll take you to town.

Horse, with the shark skin trim, for the above reasons, because it's just cooler, and because it'd piss off leftists even more.

Ostrich, kangaroo, dolphin, elephant (especially if your piece has genuine ivory grips) work well.

Scott,

I have a horsehide Galco NSA (IWB) that I bought 15 years ago and wore everyday for over ten years as a plainclothes duty holster. It is still in great condition and holds it's shape. I have the matching single mag carrier in the same condition.

I wouldn't buy a cowhide IWB just because of my positive experience with Galco horsehide.

Just my $0.02

Ed

That's a good point. If you don't have a real gunbelt, get one. A concealment holster worn constantly with a dress belt will A) make a real hash of the dress belt, and B) refuse to stay where you put it. A nice stiff gunbelt--of the sort that Milt Sparks makes--will shrug off holster abuse and make your positioning very steady and repeatable.

I broke down and spent $95 years ago on a Sparks gunbelt, and have been very happy with it.

I wear Wranglers about 99.9999% of the time and have a 1 3/3" wide heavy leather belt. I am going to try that for now. If is not tough enough for the job the Milt will get another call. Been wearing my 1911 tucked into my pants without any holster. Belt has been doing the job. Plan to use the tuckable clips most of the time so my belt should be OK.

OK, I'm not a machinist, or a carpenter, or even a tailor, but isn't 1 3/3" really 2"? Maybe that's how I hide my true waist size? By calling it 33 3/3" instead of 34"?

Sorry, I couldn't resist...

Ed

Well, I walked into that one!

How about we make that 1 3/4 inch.

If IWB is what you want then the Sparks holster would be the way to go, however if OWB is an option then the Kramer horsehide holsters are great. I have two of them and they're very comfortable and are easy to conceal under a jacket or tactical shirt.

OWB is not an option 80% of the year.

WTF is a "tactical shirt"?

5-11 makes a shirt that is specifically tailored to carry concealed under. Hidden pockets, and some have a built-in holster. Most are of a cloth that drapes really well and reduces "printing".

I haven't seen the need for them yet and I've been carrying for over thirty years...

Ed

When I saw tactical shirt I was thinking mall ninja. However Woolrich makes several lines of conceal carry shirts.

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