I have the VM and the Criterion, I too want to try a Nexus.

Your questions in order:

the metal band at the top does make the top stiff and reholstering easier; it does slightly increase the thickness of the holster at that point, though it's at, or slightly above the belt line so hardly a factor. I find both comfy for all-day wear driving an RV

The difference in cant makes for a slightly more comfy draw stroke for my retired 65 year old elbow and shoulder. The cant makes a 5 inch gun a bit more comfortable while sitting on my 5-7 frame. The VM seems to dig into my buttock a bit more. The cant also pushes the butt up slightly and makes it humanly possibly, though far from easy, to access the gun with the off hand - which might never be an issue. Then again ....

Screw the pull the dots and closed loops; give me the magnetic closures every day. I've had one pop loose once in three years with my Criterion. Why other makers don't offer them intrigues me,. Carpal tunnel makes closing pull the dots a PIA.

any other specific questions?

In general, you can't go wrong with either. For a first time buyer - I push then to the Criterion - or the plain old Summer Special. All three of your options straddle belt loops nicely in casual, dress and rough clothing. Shirts stay tucked in nicely behind them. Plan on going up a full pants side, though and don't try any of them on 1 inch, or even 1.25 belts. Go 1.5 inch and a good leather maker - AND all belts vary in thickness - Sparks' holsters are not overly forgiving as regards belt thickness.

 

... but I also like that the Nexus is supposed to ride a little lower.

I'm a truck driver, so conceallabilty and all day comfort are really important to me.

I have the VM and the Criterion, I too want to try a Nexus.

The cant makes a 5 inch gun a bit more comfortable while sitting on my 5-7 frame.

I don't own any of the three, but I'm always intrigued by the desire for deeper riding IWB holsters.

I'm not sure they provide any concealment advantage, since the part of the gun above the belt line wouldn't be affected by length of the cover garment. The lower riding holster would need the same cover garment as the higher riding holster.

Wouldn't the lower riding holster also make getting a grip on the gun more difficult.

Finally, especially for those that are short and carry while seated a lot, I'd think the low riding gun/holster would bottom out easier and make carry less comfortable.

Edit to add: A 3" gun IWB would probably benefit from a lower riding holster to provide more stability, but a 5" gun should have plenty of barrel below the belt line to provide plenty of stability for even the highest rinding IWB holsters.

 

Rblondon’s post hit all the main points. I’ll add that the cant of the Criterion puts the muzzle of a 5” behind your hip bone, making it much more comfortable to sit than the more vertical VMII. The Criterion is the Nexus with the steel band. Cannot go wrong with the Criterion with the magnetic snaps.

 

I carry more in the Criterion than any other holster. It is even comfortable during 14 hour driving days. Super easy to reholster and I even use it the most at the range when running drills. I still only have a VMII for my 5” guns and have no issues using that but I do like the Criterion better. I have not tried a Nexus as the reinforced band is such a huge plus, in my view.

My 5” VMII was my first Sparks holster. Sold it here on the forum many years ago and realized my mistake. It came back up for sale a few years ago and I snatched it back, immediately.

 

I believe the criterion is better for 3:30-4:30 CCw while the lesser cant of the VM2 works better if you are a 3:00-3:30 CCw and taller type person. My VM2 tucks in behind a love handle w a Gov't at 3:00 like JMB himself designed it to be.

 

I have several of the VMII's and think they are a great holster. However, I move to OWB since TX is open carry and I am not as concerned about printing and etc. for the sake of comfort. All of the VMII's worked well, but for me the 5" was not comfortable when sitting as it poked me in the hip.

 

The lack of cant in the VMII cause me to sell mine. Long drives were a pain with a VMII- the lack of cant makes it longer into the seat and pushes the butt into the seat back- both issues will be less of an issue with the added cant of the Nexus or Criterion. I love the Nexus and Criterion. Nexus is a little thinner feeling & comfy but the lack of reinforcement makes it less conducive to practice and range work. A real world consideration you might give some thought to.

In the end, you can buy either and if you change your mind- you can sell it quickly without losing much money.

 

My vote is for the Criterion, been using one since they came out with success.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

I have personally use the Summer Special for about the last forty years. Bruce Nelson talked me into buying one of his at Gunsite (man I'm getting old).
The Milt Sparks version (which I have been using for the last 15 years or so) is a bit more substantial that the original Bruce Nelson design. With a good sturdy gun belt the Summer Special carrying a 1911 becomes as unnoticeable as your clothes. The pictures of the three designs you mentioned have way more material at the belt.

 

I have owned and carried my 1911’s in all three. Started with VMII’s, did a brief stint with the Nexus, but once I tried a Criterion, all of the others were relegated to storage. All of my carry guns now have dedicated Criterion holsters. They are that good.

 

Gents, you've given exactly the info I've been looking for, especially with regard to how the gun sits while you're in a seated position. A couple of you mentioned how the added cant of the Criterion and Nexus helps keep the gun from poking you while seated. That's one of if not my biggest concern since this is a 5" gun. I think I will be going with the Criterion after all. I think I will pull the trigger this weekend since I know Milt Sparks tends to have a long wait time.

Thanks again for the great info.

 

Also, watch eBay. It seems one comes up once or twice a month or so. Nothing wrong with a spare!

 

I have both the VMII and Criterion for my full size 1911's. Both are great but I find I use the VMII a lot more often-not sure I can articulate why. Lately however, I find myself using my SSII if I am behind the steering wheel for long periods as the closer belt loops allow me to shift the holster to and fro for more comfort while seated.

 

Have both the VM-II and the Criterion. Both are great; the Criterion is just greater.

Sam

 

I quit using my VM2 when I got the Criterion.

 

I really like the VM2. I’ve carried full size 1911s in them for years (along with similar designs from others). I’ve spent a small fortune on holsters over the years and have come to the following conclusions: (1) leather is the only thing that is all day comfortable; (2) the belt loops have to be outboard of the pistol; and (3) the bigger the pistol, the higher it should ride. The VM2 meets all three for me.

 

I've carried in the Nexus for a number of years and really like it for the reasons already covered, including the extra cant. I like the Criterion, too, but the Nexus is more trim than the bulkier (by necessity) Criterion. Now if I carry IWB I'm carrying in either one or the other depending on what I'm doing. I guess I'm an oddball, though, as I prefer the security and lesser bulk of the snaps vs. the magnets. The magnets came loose several times on me before I swapped them, and I see no need to go back.

 

I have three Citerion's. And a few hundred dollars of other holsters that I bought before I got my first Criterion.

 

Makoman,

As mentioned by others, you can't go wrong with a VM2 or a Criterion. Every so often a forum member will post that their magnets popped open. All my Sparks have standard "one way" snaps. They aren't as convenient as magnets but once you get used to them they are no problem. If you find them tough to un-snap, putting a bit of Renaissance Wax or even Chapstick on the male portion solves the problem.

If you decide to order a VM2 or Criterion from Sparks and want something to use during the wait, SS2's are often in stock at Brownell's. Yes it's extra $$ but I don't believe you will regret owning both holsters.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

 

And an SS or SSII are good holsters to have. If I’m not carrying one of my normal guns in a Criterion it is most likely in either a 55BN or an SS.

I’ve never had a snap pop open on my Criterion’s, not doubting that some have, but it certainly is not a common issue.