Review: Milt Sparks 60TK - Long

[Charles L. Cotton]

I bought a “like new� Milt Sparks 60TK OWB holster for Commander length 1911's from a fellow on 1911forum.com and have been trying it out at home for a few days. The holster likely will not see a great deal of use, not because it isn’t an excellent holster, but because I bought it for a special purpose.

The 60TK is a traditional quasi-pankcake style OWB holster that rides high on the belt. I expected to find that it 1) would ride high enough to be concealed with shorter jackets and vests; and 2) would be a bit slower in draw time, because the grip is positioned much higher than with any of my other holsters. I was half right. It does ride high and does conceal with shorter jackets and vests, but draw time is anything but slow.

Using the draw technique or stroke taught at Thunder Ranch, I find the grip exactly where I would put it, if I had time to choreograph the fight! The TR method is the popular 4-step method: 1 - firing grip on the pistol with support hand to the belt (I modified the location of the support hand); 2 - draw the pistol straight up, not out, rocking the muzzle forward at the top of the draw with a slight longitudinal cant away from the body (in case you have to fire from a retention posture); 3 - support hand goes to the pistol as it starts to move forward; and 4 - “punch� the pistol straight out toward the threat. (I’ve also seen steps 2, 3 and 4 described with slight variations, but in truth, the draw stroke is a fluid motion that doesn’t lend itself to division into steps. The only time I find it useful to describe the draw in steps is in the initial stages of training when students are first learning to draw.)

Yeah, I know this is a holster review, not a discussion on drawing techniques, so let’s get back to it. Using the TR method, the grip is perfectly located for this technique and I find my draw times much faster than I expected. I haven’t been to the range yet, so I don’t have any practice with a timer to compare with other holsters, but it sure feels every bit as fast as any holster I own. At 5' 9" however, the Commander is at the far end of the spectrum for this holster to work for me. If I had to draw a 5" gun, my draw stroke would be awkward and my arm would be out of position; for taller people it would probably work fine.

Like all of my holsters, I’ll give it a try in an IDPA match or two, just to see how it stacks up against the others. So, the 60TK will stay in the holster line up, but I suspect it will remain a special purpose rig for use on those rare days in the Texas Gulf Coast when the weather is right for a vest or light, short jacket. (It would suck mightily for use under an untucked shirt!) For regular OWB work during the week when a holster has to be put on and taken off more than once, I’ll stick with my Sparks IQM. The 60TK does not slide well over my dress belts (all of which are gun belts) and I don’t want to be wearing the dye off any faster than necessary, or stressing the belt loops on my suit pants.

A couple of closing comments may be in order. First, this holster may be useful for women who typically have greater difficulty finding comfortable holsters that fit their figure, if they are tall enough to use a proper draw stroke, or use a shorter pistol. However, since I can’t get my wife to get her pistol out of her Galco purses and into any of the holsters I bought for her where it belongs, I won’t have any first hand information for you. (Do you detect a bit of irritation here?)

Secondly, some people will note there is a theory that absolute uniformity is a cornerstone in tactical training, practice and performance. That is, one should use the same pistol configuration (i.e. 1911, Glock, SIG, etc.), the same holster, the same holster position on or within the belt, etc. I acknowledge this theory exists and has a great number of followers. I would not presume to disagree with those who follow this practice. I also feel this is an excellent strategy for those who are new to tactical training and practice. However, I’ve been shooting for more years than I’m going to admit and I don’t find such transitions to be a problem. I am not unique in this respect; I see many, many other shooters doing the same thing. There is no real secret here; just shoot the snot out of a lot of different guns and use a bunch of different holsters and positions! (Anyway, you should be learning, practicing and perfecting your draw at home with an empty gun, so don’t be using the “I don’t have time to get to the range� excuse.) Nevertheless, if you’re new to shooting, or to tactical shooting, then pick a pistol and holster to stick with, until you gain the proficiency to start mixing things up a bit.

I hope you find this review useful.

Regards,
Chas.

[longtooth]

Yes I also get a little frustrated because mine will not carry on her person either. You have said what I tell those getting started. Choose gun, position, holster, & as much as possible the same dress style until you are comfortable & access & presentation become 2nd nature. Practice at home & when you are through then practice at home.

[Baytown]

Situation is still the same on the homefront here too Chas.

Glenn

[Charles L. Cotton]

Situation is still the same on the homefront here too Chas.

Glenn

And they're both Thunder Ranch grads!
There really is something to this Venus/Mars thing.

Chas.

[Baytown]

I thought two classes at TR would change that, but I was wrong.

Here is the icing on the cake, after she got in a brown holster and belt from DelFatti, she stated she wanted a rig in black. Cool--she will wear her rigs since they will match her shoes (or whatever thought process is going on in the drafty place). No luck, I now have two woman rigs for a P239, that sit in my hoster box.


Glenn

[Charles L. Cotton]

Martha has two pristine Mitch Rosen rigs. They're pristine not because she takes such good care of them, but because they don't get used! (Except when we go to TR).

I've got to quit this; I'm just making myself mad.

Chas.