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Last fall I sold my Kahr CM9 and replaced it with a new S&W 642 for concealed carry. I wanted to find an IWB holster that would work in the appendix position. I’m an older guy with a slender build. A person on another forum had an Alessi Deep Cover holster that looked like it would fit the bill.
I called Alessi for more information and talked with Tom Kulwicki, the President. He was very helpful and suggested that I consider 3 holsters….the APX, the Talon, and the Deep Cover. He mentioned that the Deep Cover was designed for undercover LEO’s, sits low, and is difficult for some less experienced people to get a proper grip on the stock when drawing. He thought I should probably choose one of the other two. I ended up ordering a Deep Cover anyway because I thought it would conceal better.
I waited about 5 weeks for the Deep Cover before it arrived. I tried it for a few weeks. Although it was very comfortable and well concealed, it was difficult for me to consistently get a good grip when I practiced drawing. I called Alessi and spoke with Tom again. He was very sympathetic and didn’t say “I told you so” but that was the essence of the conversation. He then volunteered that he would make one APX and one Talon for me, ship them to me at no upfront cost, let me “test drive” them, and then I could return the holster(s) I didn’t want, and pay for any I wanted to keep. I was very pleasantly surprised with Tom’s offer and accepted it.
About a month later, I received the two holsters. The APX is designed specifically for appendix carry. The Talon is really meant for carry around the hip. They both position the revolver higher above the top of my pants/belt, making for an easier draw. The bottom of the APX sits higher than the Deep Cover, making it more comfortable when sitting down. Also, because of the placement of the clip, there is less of a bulge in my waistband. I decided to keep the APX and also the Deep Cover, and return the Talon since I have no interest in carrying at the hip.
I tried to upload some pictures comparing them, but it didn't work. All three are very nicely made, molded to fit the J frame 642 perfectly, and are made of very thin but substantial leather. The clip works either under or over my belt, so I can use them without a belt if needed.
I know this is a bit lengthy, but I wanted to report my experiences with Alessi and more specifically with Tom Kulwicki. It’s obvious that a quality product and customer service are very high on their priority list.
Ken
I called Alessi for more information and talked with Tom Kulwicki, the President. He was very helpful and suggested that I consider 3 holsters….the APX, the Talon, and the Deep Cover. He mentioned that the Deep Cover was designed for undercover LEO’s, sits low, and is difficult for some less experienced people to get a proper grip on the stock when drawing. He thought I should probably choose one of the other two. I ended up ordering a Deep Cover anyway because I thought it would conceal better.
I waited about 5 weeks for the Deep Cover before it arrived. I tried it for a few weeks. Although it was very comfortable and well concealed, it was difficult for me to consistently get a good grip when I practiced drawing. I called Alessi and spoke with Tom again. He was very sympathetic and didn’t say “I told you so” but that was the essence of the conversation. He then volunteered that he would make one APX and one Talon for me, ship them to me at no upfront cost, let me “test drive” them, and then I could return the holster(s) I didn’t want, and pay for any I wanted to keep. I was very pleasantly surprised with Tom’s offer and accepted it.
About a month later, I received the two holsters. The APX is designed specifically for appendix carry. The Talon is really meant for carry around the hip. They both position the revolver higher above the top of my pants/belt, making for an easier draw. The bottom of the APX sits higher than the Deep Cover, making it more comfortable when sitting down. Also, because of the placement of the clip, there is less of a bulge in my waistband. I decided to keep the APX and also the Deep Cover, and return the Talon since I have no interest in carrying at the hip.
I tried to upload some pictures comparing them, but it didn't work. All three are very nicely made, molded to fit the J frame 642 perfectly, and are made of very thin but substantial leather. The clip works either under or over my belt, so I can use them without a belt if needed.
I know this is a bit lengthy, but I wanted to report my experiences with Alessi and more specifically with Tom Kulwicki. It’s obvious that a quality product and customer service are very high on their priority list.
Ken
Well, guess what? This capable gunsmith got the DA trigger pull on my 638 down to 4.25 lb, with strong striker contact and bang every time! Sweet! 
Ahlman's put one lighter hammer spring in and said they got light strikes, so they put the old spring back in and sent it back to me that way (I only learned this when they responded to my complaint after the gun was back in my hands). Also, after their hurried reassembly the cylinder release would only work with extreme difficulty. My gunsmith fixed that, too. He trimmed a coil at a time off of the hammer spring and the trigger return spring until he got it that light, and test fired it to verify the bang thing. He said if there was any problem with light strikes, he could install a slightly longer firing pin. But it wasn't needed. He said this was the best trigger job he has ever done on a S&W J-frame! Kept trying because he knew what I had to have. Now, that's a gunsmith! 
It is going to stay with me for life. In fact, I think I'll ask them to put it in the coffin with me when they bury me! 
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