A Tale Of Two Holsters (A Pictorial 'Review')

by FOG, Thursday, January 10, 2013, 22:06 (4281 days ago)
edited by FOG, Thursday, January 10, 2013, 22:31

You know, when I hear people say, 'It isn't easy telling the truth,' I often wonder just what they're thinking. Then, every once in a while, I'm granted the opportunity to assume a rather more introspective viewpoint.

The other day, I posted a 'Freetagh' for a used, modified, Milt Sparks Summer Special II holster to fit a 5-inch 1911. In my subsequent email correspondence with the 'winner', Gary G, it became evident that he had been pining for one of these holsters for some time.

I can understand that.

I...*COUGH*..."grew up" reading the likes of Cooper, Keith, and Skelton (a.k.a., The Holey Triumvirate), so you know there never was much 'hope' for me.

But I digress...

This photo shows the SS2 from my Freetagh post. This holster is 'current production.'

Now, if you're asking yourself, "Who would do that to an SS2?", I would have to answer, "Why not do that to an SS2?"

Allow me to explain. (Using pictures!)

Here, we have a current-production SS2 for a Commander (L) next to a mid-1990s vintage SS2 for a Government Model (R). (Note that the Commander holster is shown for comparison because it, too, is unmodified.):

(Which one looks 'better made' to you?)

This photo shows the interior of the current-production SS2:

Note the sight track is a bit too narrow and somewhat off-center. In my experience, this is typical of current-production Milt Sparks holsters having sewn-in sight tracks.

This photo shows the interior of the mid-1990s vintage SS2:

Note the sewn-in sight track is much wider and well-centered in the holster body.

(Which sight track do you think works like it's supposed to?)

To make a long story short, I now think it was wrong of me to post a Freetagh for my used, modified, SS2 holster. It really isn't worth even that. Moreover, I think this is probably doubly true for someone like Gary G who has been so looking forward to having one.

So, in addition to telling 'all', I am here to make public amends.

I will still be sending my beat-up SS2 to Gary G as promised, but I will also be sending him the near-new-condition, mid-1990s vintage SS2 shown here.

That way, he will at least get what he bargained for (not to mention a holster that actually works as designed and intended).

Respectfully,
FOG

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