Here's a "reprint" of a post I put on 1911forum.com about the Sparks VM-II in the "tucker" configuration:
Here is a response from Tony Kanaley, the owner of Milt Sparks Holsters:Charles L. Cotton wrote: Okay guys, I need some help. I love my VM2 with the belt loops, so I decided to give the Kydex clips another chance. (They've been in the dead holster drawer for over a year now.)
I finally got the holster on the pants by putting it on before I put the pants on. Getting the shirt tucked was a real hoot; I looked like my 200# sister-in-law trying to get into pantyhose small enough for her 14 year old 90# daughter. My wife was laughing so hard she couldn't breathe and I think I even saw the dogs snickering! Grabbing the shirt with my left hand through on open fly and with my right hand stuck in the back of my pants and working it back and forth like dental floss must have been too much for them to bear. If this is the normal procedure, I'd better get all of the serious bathroom work done before leaving the house.
There has to be a better way. How do you guys do it?
Thanks,
Chas.
I don't know if this procedure is required for all shirt-tuckers, or if it will work on others, but I suspect so on both points. I used it in the "tucker" configuration only once and I really like the VM-II. I think I'm going to try one of Gregg Garrett's Comp-Tac tuckers, but overall, I think tuckers are of minimal utility. Here are Tony's comments about tuckers:Tony Kanaley wrote:Charles,
Funny! You sound like you got the system down pat. I use the same method, but with a slightly different twist. I don't fasten my belt, or trouser button until I get the shirt slid all the way into the clips. The method I use to keep my drawers from sliding down to my knees during the process, is to spread and spraddle my legs a little bit. Similar to the technique that OJ used with his hand to keep the glove from fitting..
Once I get the shirt in place, I do up my trousers and check to see if I need to further adjust my shirt fore or aft. Once I get everything where I want it and everything is fastened, I blouse my shirt until it just rolls over the top of my belt. That is pretty much it. Good luck!
Tony
I hope you have better luck with yours. Give us a field report after you've used it for a while; maybe you're on to something that may work well.Tony Kanaley wrote:My thoughts on tuckable carry:
I personally don't have much faith in the concept, but customer demand required that I come up with something to address it. I have found that tuckable carry works for me providing that I dress specifically for it. Blue Jeans and a polo/T-shirt seems to work best and I think the reason is because the heavier jean material helps soften the pronounced bulge of the holstered gun. Unfortunately, those who need to tuck their shirt are generally in a work environment which requires dressier attire. Form fitting shirt and pants are not going to cut the mustard in that regard.
Lets face it. In a situation where you are tucking your shirt in over your gun, there is absolutely no way you are going completely eliminate the bulge of the gun. The best you can hope for is that the holster you choose, helps disguise the bulge without adding unnecessarily to it.
That is why I chose the style of the VM-2 for this particular function.
With the holster mounts located fore and aft, the belt does not have to take an abrupt turn around the shape of the gun when strung over top of the holster. Most notably around the front. As a result, the belt transitions in a more direct line around the side of the hip where the gun is mounted, lending a more natural appearance. The bulge is still there, but it is softened to the point where it is less noticable.
Most people either love or hate the tuckable clips. I realized early on in the design phase, that many people would not be able to sucessfully tuck their weapon because of all the variables involved. That is why the VM-2 was designed to be adaptable, but not dedicated to tuckable carry.
The gun you choose, will have a lot to do with how sucessfull you are at tucking your gun. Think thin! The 1911 is optimal, but thinner is always better. Having said that, I know of at least one person that tucks over top of a full size USP and gets away with it. But that is an exception and definitely not the rule.
Lastly, practicing your presentation from a tucked gun position can be very frustrating. If it takes more than a minute to set it up, then you are not likely to get much practicing done. Also it gets boring very fast. Needless to say if you are not dedicated to the notion of tucked carry, than you would be perhaps better off looking for an alternative mode of carry.
Just my .02 for what its worth.
Tony
Regards,
Chas.