Opinions On Shoulder Holsters

Look cool but can be very uncomfortable in a lot of situations. Bathrooms can be an issue. Look like a good answer but in reality not that great IMO.

Actually the horizontal ones that do not have ties to the belt are excellent if bathroom use is an issue.

I bought a cheap vertical military/tank holster from cheaper than dirt, and I really like it for my 5.5" cap and ball 1858. It really like how it displaces the 2lb weight. With a spacious over short, you really can't tell I'm packing a chunky smokewagon.

I am one of the people that love them. Well I love mine that is. I have a Galco Miami Classic 2 that I use for my glock 26, have also used it for the g17 as well. What made me turn to a shoulder holster is that no belt holsters are comfortable for me. Not in the waistband nor on the waistband. Unfortunately, I have boney hips and zero backside to hold the weight up. I've tried the crossbreed holsters as well as the galco king tuk and hated them both. My shoulder holster allows me to comfortably carry my firearm and 2 mags all day long. Also very quick on the draw.

Good for if you are sitting in a vehicle for long periods.Ever try using a public restroom with a belt holster or a duty rig??Good for climates where you will be wearing a jacket and not taking it off,or layered under several garments.

I am not sure how "cool" they look; and I am sure I don't "look cool". However, I was pleasantly surprised how well the Army issue Galco one helps conceal a large Beretta M9, even on my short, pudgy body.
I find the Galco vertical one quite comfortable and concealing for a Smith & Wesson 29 or 28, or a Model 15. One of my main attractions to the shoulder holster is that I can throw on the whole assembly of gun, knife, flashlight and reload at once, rather than snaking my belt through all the impedimentia and then struggling with the weight of the pants, etc.
I do quite a bit of walking, hiking, and sitting in a car.... activities that, over the years, lent the crossdraw methods some value to me.

My CC SH is a generic nylon/cotten pad, light colored camo one I picked up a/t same GS where purchasing my P11. It was 15.00. Has a vertical holster and 2 mag holders on the off-hand side. The nice thing is that it's completely reversable if one happens to be LHD. It works well for winter, but the imprint is just too large for fair weather use.

It's my intent to get a smaller CC pistol like a Beretta TC, KT P32, LCP, Seecamp .32, etc. when the weather breaks. I'll use some sort of waistband rig or a T-shirt strap/holster w/a loose shirt over top. Shoulder rig imprint is visible 2 blocks away.

I have the old Galoco rig, but I tend to go with IWB carry most of the time. It is just easier for me, and if I am someplace that I want to take off my jacket, its still concealed. The main exception to this is when Im on my motorcycle, as the shoulder rig tends to feel a bit more secure, and offers a bit easier access as opposed to IWB carry when wearing chaps.

If the time "ever" comes when you need to draw, where would you lke it to be.
Personal choice.

I spend a lot of time outside and I live in an isolated rural area. This time of year I carry a M686P/6" in a Bianchi shoulder rig. Major benefits are when wearing layered outer clothing access is a lot faster than a hip carry rig. The hip length Carhartt coat has a waist band draw string, dusters are also too long for quick hip access. Undoing a couple of snaps/zipper at the top of the coat is easier for access than trying to lift up the coat.

The shoulder rig is also advantageous when driving the pickup or tractor, as well as in the saddle. I'm used to drawing from the field interview stance so drawing from a shoulder rig is not an impediment. Now that spring temps are warming up, I'll transition to a 1911/38 Super IWB or OWB, but I still like the mag in a shoulder rig for the tractor or saddle.

I don't need to worry about using a shoulder rig in competition since I carry 7 and 8 round revolvers.

I'm considering getting one for carry of a large framed revolver. Anyone that's used the Galco vertical rig, can you tell me how the gun breaks out of the holster? Through the front, or out the top? (ie, how hard is it to draw from?)

The idea is that even in warm weather, I could conceal under a loose snap front shirt. (Where I live, no one looks twice at jeans and a loud pearl snap shirt).

I have a couple of different shoulder rigs, in both vertical or horizontal carry models. I like the Galco rigs the best. It is nice to be able to grab the rig and have everything in one package.

Lately, I have been wearing my 3" S&W M-36 in a "Frankenstein" combo rig that I made up. It has a Galco harness and a the holster and ammo pouches are from an old Bianchi shoulder holster.....





I am also a big fan of "Chest" rigs, especially when I am out running around the ranch. They are great for riding on an ATV or in a Jeep:

This is my Ruger SBH in a "Guide's Choice" chest rig:

I have a shoulder holster for my SA revolver. In cold weather my belt is covered up by my overalls. Clipping a holster on my pocket or the bib of my overalls is ok but a deer is in the next county by the time I draw the gun. I can draw my pistol without making a lot of noise with the shoulder holster. Others have mentioned the shoulder holster is great in a vehicle.

For Texan, the Galco vertical holster that I was issued, and then bought, has a "thumbreak" much like many retention holsters, and is reversible. On mine, the "botton" or "snap" is in a protrusion which is pushed open by the thumb, the thumb next to and turned toward the torso, the gun coming out the front with little upward movement.
I hope I am making sense... I use mine for medium and large revolvers, including a 6" barrelled. 357. The other side of the "spider harness" attaches to a homemade speedloader/flashlight/knife arrangement, and I think it balances quite well.