My First Time Being Uncomfortable Being Around Someone Carrying a Gun

Does anyone else have a concern with how the gun is pointed when in one of these holsters?

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I do, and have for quite a while.

FWIW, I've recently heard Tom Gresham bring up the same question.

we are conditioned to think 'don't point the gun at anything you aren't willing to shoot' but we fixate on the muzzle rather than the human hand.

Being in a shoulder holster untouched by human hands is no different than the gun being in a gun case. If some guy stands behind you with say a pistol in a factory gun case (plastic box) the gun muzzle probably IS pointing right at you, and a thin bit of plastic isn't going to stop the bullet. It's equally risky...but I bet you don't think twice about that.

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Exactly ^^^^^^^^^^

And for those who think that a draw from shoulder carry (whether horizontal or vertical) absolutely involves sweeping the entire free world. PLEASE read the link below and stop parroting what you have heard from others. And if you don't know to correctly draw (and re-holster) from a shoulder rig....for Pete's sake LEARN!

http://texaschlforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=31470&hilit=shoulder+holster+solutions

As for all other methods of 'carry', take an honest look at what you cover (yourself and others) everyday. Particularly upon a draw or re-holster.

Again, IF the weapon is NOT being handled....there is no problem.

Flintknapper said:

Exactly ^^^^^^^^^^

And for those who think that a draw from shoulder carry (whether horizontal or vertical) absolutely involves sweeping the entire free world. PLEASE read the link below and stop parroting what you have heard from others. And if you don't know to correctly draw (and re-holster) from a shoulder rig....for Pete's sake LEARN!

http://texaschlforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=31470&hilit=shoulder+holster+solutions

As for all other methods of 'carry', take an honest look at what you cover (yourself and others) everyday. Particularly upon a draw or re-holster.

Again, IF the weapon is NOT being handled....there is no problem.

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That link shows:

-Carrier holding pistol in hand while it is pointed 180* behind him
-Carrier holding pistol in extremely weak position with wrist bent at a 90 degree angle
-Carrier sweeping anybody that would be to his left as he draws


These are are disadvantages that are avoidable by using a belt holster.

The pistol in hand while pointed 180* behind is kind of a big deal when it comes to safe direction.

GBExpat said:

FWIW, slowr1der, having Gunslinger Bob's pistol pointed at my face would have bothered me, too.

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Same here. While this admitedly isn't a real big deal, and I wouldn't have run screaming for the exits while dialing 911, I probably wouldn't have been able to resist the urge to take a step to one side,either.
Also, while that guy's pistol was pointing directly at you, had something happened that caused the guy to grab and pull his pistol, it's not a strectch to envison his finger on the trigger, and him having an AD as it was being pulled and still oriented towards the OP.

MIL-DOT said:

Same here. While this admitedly isn't a big deal, and i wouldn't have run screaming for the exits,dialing 911, I probably wouldn't have been able to resist the urge to take a step to one side,either.
Also, while that guy's pistol was pointing directly at you, had something happened that caused the guy to grab and pull his pistol, it's not a strectch to envison his finger on the trigger, and him having an AD as it was being pulled and still oriented towards the OP.

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ND's during drawing (and holstering) definitely happen. Having the gun pointed horizontally to the rear for holstering and re-holstering is obviously not a good idea.

Warp said:

ND's during drawing (and holstering) definitely happen. Having the gun pointed horizontally to the rear for holstering and re-holstering is obviously not a good idea.

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Yup, I just noticed that you aluded to the same thing i did, in the post just previous to mine. I only read a few posts on the first page before posting, so I missed it.

I have been in a similar situation as OP experienced. Yes, it's a little unnerving seeing that muzzle pointing right at my newly-stented heart. Yes, I took a step to the side. In my case, Gunslinger Bob was carrying a 1911, 2 magazines, but only 1 knife. A big Bowie. His appearance certainly contributed to the occasion.. stereotypical 1% biker-type.

2 ironies here; first, I happened to be pocket carrying that day, and I found myself evaluating how inadequate what I had to compare to his display of armament.

Second, I happened to meet this guy at a party hosted by my neighbor, the sheriff deputy, just a couple days later. It turns out that he is a biker, but is also a highly rated police detective. I told him about my little moment of discomfort and his reply was "yeah, I get that a lot. It's part of the show."

And for what it's worth, I walk past the muzzles of loaded guns in my home all the time, but rarely think of it.

I will keep this short, since you really want to focus on the muzzle issue. But this much hardware on the outside and with what you hint is an attitude from this guy, I would be wary of the guy regarding his mental state. People can carry and be ready for problems without walking around looking like Rambo.

He probably scared a bunch of people who now think worse than before about "gun nuts". Right or wrong, I suspect most people look at someone like that and think he is either nuts or an adolescent who has to show off his manhood and enjoys the "attention" he gets.

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My first thoughts as well. Just someone needing a testosterone boost with the attention.

Suffering from noassatall the only carry holster I have that makes it comfortable for my full size 1911 is a shoulder holster. In that holster the gun is pointed down. I rarely carry it anyhow, I choose lighter more concealable carry pieces. Nothing against 1911s, I love em, my way works for me.

Warp wrote:

ND's during drawing (and holstering) definitely happen. Having the gun pointed horizontally to the rear for holstering and re-holstering is obviously not a good idea.

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So 'obviously' (or maybe not) you DON'T do that.

IF there is no safe direction to turn for a holster/re-holster then you simply grasp the holster...point it down (or other safe direction) and proceed. Simple.

OR...if time/circumstance does not allow for that, tuck the weapon in your waistband until it IS safe to do so. Again common sense...is the obvious answer.

But its much easier I suppose to disparage a mode of carry than to consider simple solutions.

That link shows:

-Carrier holding pistol in hand while it is pointed 180* behind him
-Carrier holding pistol in extremely weak position with wrist bent at a 90 degree angle
-Carrier sweeping anybody that would be to his left as he draws


These are are disadvantages that are avoidable by using a belt holster.

The pistol in hand while pointed 180* behind is kind of a big deal when it comes to safe direction.

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Me thinks someone did not actually read the entire post?

Your every point (mine actually) were addressed.

The gun I understand, the knives and the extended magazine are a concern. Why carry all that extra "bling"? My question would be "is this guy a macho attention-craving nut?"

Flintknapper said:

Warp wrote:



So 'obviously' (or maybe not) you DON'T do that.

IF there is no safe direction to turn for a holster/re-holster then you simply grasp the holster...point it down (or other safe direction) and proceed. Simple.

OR...if time/circumstance does not allow for that, tuck the weapon in your waistband until it IS safe to do so. Again common sense...is the obvious answer.

But its much easier I suppose to disparage a mode of carry than to consider simple solutions.

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I'm sure that, if and when the firearm needs to be drawn for defensive purposes, you'll have all the time in the world to carefully perform an administrative style draw using both hands.

Flintknapper said:

Me thinks someone did not actually read the entire post?

Your every point (mine actually) were addressed.

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It's in the photos.

I also suppose these folks either never practice or train live fire from the holster, or have some very unique ranges that allow this to be done safely.

Gun in holster, no finger on the trigger. No issue here.

The gun I understand, the knives and the extended magazine are a concern. Why carry all that extra "bling"? My question would be "is this guy a macho attention-craving nut?"

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Maybe he realizes we live in dangerous times and thinks that his "bling" will be better protection against an active shooter than a pocket gun. Just playing devil's advocate here.

Cannibul said:

Look at it this way. If he had been wearing a jacket you'd be happy in your ignorance.

To me this is much like people getting all upset seeing the hammer back on a 1911.

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Exactly what I was going to say. Your never know you were being swept if he was wearing a jacket. I carry in a shoulder rig for formal situations. It is what it is when it comes to that type of holster. Keep your finger off the trigger and the gun won't fire.

Warp wrote:

I'm sure that, if and when the firearm needs to be drawn for defensive purposes, you'll have all the time in the world to carefully perform an administrative style draw using both hands.

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Huh? My response was with respect to "holstering/re-holstering" you mentioned, not drawing your weapon.

It's in the photos.

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Sir, I know what is in the photos, I took them, I wrote the article. I've been carrying in a shoulder holster almost daily for 19 years. That is precisely why I know what is fact and what is horse pookey. Also, the reason I have tried to share that knowledge with others (particularly those without closed minds).

I also suppose these folks either never practice or train live fire from the holster, or have some very unique ranges that allow this to be done safely.

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Not sure who "these folks" are? But it does NOT require ANY "live fire" at all to practice a draw stroke, holstering, retention, dry firing, mag changes, etc....

All of these things can be done 'safely' in the confines of your home, right? People do it all the time.

I have my own personal range and DO practice from my shoulder rig. I understand that is a luxury most do not have. But that is not a reason to forego practicing the 'mechanics' of a proper draw from a shoulder rig. In fact...the BEST time to examine IF it is a viable mode of carry...is at your leisure, at home.

You clearly did not read the entire thread. I was very clear the pro's and con's of it all. I didn't try to make a case FOR shoulder carry (the way you seem committed to condemn it). I simply provide some facts and solutions to objections we commonly hear.

Do you want to be standing behind someone with a shoulder holster when they do draw?

One advantage to hip carry is that you are almost never pointing the gun in a bad direction, even as you draw. A shoulder holster means a 180° sweep, which will include your left arm.


If every person around someone open carrying a shoulder holstered gun started saying "Please don't point that at me", he'd stop openly carrying that way. But we are too polite with open carrier's because we also fear they might be nuts.

Flintknapper said:

Huh? My response was with respect to "holstering/re-holstering" you mentioned, not drawing your weapon.

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Well:

Warp said:

ND's during drawing (and holstering) definitely happen. Having the gun pointed horizontally to the rear for holstering and re-holstering is obviously not a good idea.

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RX-79G said:

If every person around someone open carrying a shoulder holstered gun started saying "Please don't point that at me", he'd stop openly carrying that way. But we are too polite with open carrier's because we also fear they might be nuts.

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Wow! So I am nuts because I open carry? It always amazes me when people who obviously haven't been exposed to open carry make blanket statements.

And for me personally. You could ask me all you want to not carry in a particular fashion. I would be polite but I would not change how I was doing it. How I carry is of no concern to anyone. I do not open carry w/ a shoulder holster to avoid the type of situation in the OP. Just shows how if you don't know you feel comfortable. But not knowing doesn't make you any safer.

I suppose you have an panic attack on the first floor of a building where belt holsters are pointed down towards you of someone on a higher floor?

Or pocket carry the muzzle is towards your feet? Or sitting and it is pointed at the crotch of a person across from you?

How about a cased firearm that may be sitting muzzle towards you while closed up?

Sheesh.... The concept is pointing a firearm WITH YOUR HAND towards a safe backstop or valid target.

There must be many thousands of shoulder holsters in us daily and I don't recall hearing a single account of "Glock arm" or bystanders suffering any worse than other types of carry in gunfights but as is the High Road tradition those cites will soon be rolling in I'm sure.

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

dragon813gt said:

Wow! So I am nuts because I open carry? It always amazes me when people who obviously haven't been exposed to open carry make blanket statements.

And for me personally. You could ask me all you want to not carry in a particular fashion. I would be polite but I would not change how I was doing it. How I carry is of no concern to anyone. I do not open carry w/ a shoulder holster to avoid the type of situation in the OP. Just shows how if you don't know you feel comfortable. But not knowing doesn't make you any safer.

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I don't know if you are nuts or not, but no one likes confronting armed people about much of anything, because anyone can be crazy, but most people aren't obviously armed.


However, if you were sweeping my family with your gun, I'd ask you to stop. And if you didn't, I'd tell the manager of the restaurant, bank or whatever about the problem, and then you might not have a choice.

I'm reading this thread sitting in one of the barstool height chairs at a fast food restrurant. I have Khar PM40 in a pocket friction holster. You can trace a line from the muzzle to the back of another patron's head. Pretty standard. Holstered/cases/racked firearms often point right at people.

Mike

I'm reading this thread sitting in one of the barstool height chairs at a fast food restrurant. I have Khar PM40 in a pocket friction holster. You can trace a line from the muzzle to the back of another patron's head. Pretty standard. Holstered/cases/racked firearms often point right at people.

Mike

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Uh-oh..........'RX' is going to tell on you.

He's going to be a busy man....if he stops to consider how many muzzles are covering folks everyday (ALL modes of carry).

I wish folks could/would be more intellectually honest about this.