Re: IWB holster
MILT SPARKS VM2! Talk to anyone who owns one and they'll tell you who they think is the best. I don't have a Mitch Rosen, I plan on getting one some day for my 340PD, but just haven't done it yet. But they are as good or better than Milt Sparks, just a lot more expensive and they don't have the exact holster that so many of us love for these carry autos --particularly of the Tupperware variety.
Of the last six holsters I bought over seven years, two were kydex belt holsters for the range and one a Brazilian leather clip on to be modded and sewn in a purse for my wife's J-frame. The other three were all Milt Sparks VM2's for IWB carry. Prior to finding Milt Sparks, I, like a lot of other dedicated CCW'ers, wasted money on several other holster designs and makes --and none cut the mustard.
I have one each for a G27, a G29 and a Smith 1006. It hides and carries them all comfortably, no complaints with any of them. When I need a new IWB holster, it will be a VM2.
Their holsters aren't all that expensive really, especially for what you get, and there may be better out there, but not for the cost. These things are VERY well made, may last longer than the pistol will. You can even get horsehide, and it won't be all rough and unfinished like Kramer's is either.
One thing you should know if you are new to IWB, is that the belt is just as important as your holster is. This can't be overstated. Blade Tech makes a cheaper one that I'm using now as I lost a lot of weight and am waiting to get another good one. So for $50, that one will suffice, it is stiff and having one that does not fold is paramount. You don't want it to fold, and you want your holster to fit the belt snug also. If you get the Milt Sparks belt (a nice belt! I'll get one when I'm down to normal weight) when you order the holster, you don't have to worry so much about fit to the holster. But a custom double thick belt I had made used to fit almost too tight in the loops, so beware of that. Also, the Galco belt looked good too, but for the price you are only $30 or so off from the Milt Sparks belt, so I'd go that route.
I find 1.5" to be optimum for carry. Any bigger, like 1.75", and you run risk of finding pants with adequate belt loops. 1.25" would be okay, but I bet it wouldn't be as comfortable as 1.5" and would run risk of maybe being too small for the loops --as is the case with me. My pant's loops are about 1.6", which gives me a good, stable and comfortable rig that doesn't slip despite the weight of the rig, and despite the fact I tuck in an Underarmor t-shirt, which only makes it slicker against the holster. So yeah, this fit between holster-belt-pants relationship is very important indeed. So much so, it really doesn't matter what pistol you carry, it matters much more about what you'll be carrying it in! And like you said, comfort is important so you'll want to carry it. You are exactly right on the money there. But know you can get a good, comfortable holster like the VM2, but with a JC Penney belt and some thin pants, it won't be any more comfortable than a rough wooden holster worn likewise --it will fall down constantly, shift in your pants, etc. That holster has to be stable and not move, tight against your body, in order to be comfortable.
Wardrobe is important. For instance, conceal carry camo looks something like this (in general): loose fit pants, maybe cargo pants or shorts? Tucked in t-shirt or not, and a buttoned or half buttoned Hawaiian print shirt, like a Tommy Bahama, those prints and heavy silk material work great to conceal any printing. That is the easy way to go. As you get better at it, you'll find you can wear tighter and slimmer stuff and get away with it. Also note that YOU will be aware that you are carrying and you will project this onto others --most folks, even if you do print, don't notice. Hell, half time they don't notice if I open carry! So relax there, no need to be paranoid, just aware.
If you can handle the wait... Milt Sparks has HUGE demand --most of us get one and keep going back. 4-6 months is nothing when you know you will be getting EXACTLY what you wanted.
Anyway, take a look at the VM2. It is the one that started that "style" of having the loops to either side of the weapon instead of over it. By doing this, it significantly reduces the width of the weapon IWB, and it significantly reduces print as well. It also holds the weapon tight against you with practically no slipping or movement (provided your rig is up to par --stiff belt, etc.) and, equally important, it is comfortable enough to carry all day.
If you decide you want one, I'd order right now, or at their next open window (they only take so many orders per month because they were getting to the point the wait list was going to be over a year long a few years back). In the meantime, I'd get some kind of useful kydex that you can use at the range later on, and perhaps OWB for now with a jacket or open shirt. The weather makes good for it I reckon. Good luck, this is just my experience, if I can save you money on junk carry gear then great!
