CCW holster for shoulder carry

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brighamr

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Reading the CCW for skinny guys thread got me thinking. Rather than hi-jack that thread, I post this here.

I have a full size XD9 that i currently carry in the inside pocket of my coat. Lately I've been looking for a shoulder holster to avoid possible ND and to be able to wear my other coats ;)

I saw one called Galco that's an X type with a pistol holster on your left - horizontal, and an extra mag holder on your right. Has anyone used this? is $149 too much for a rig like this? For those that do shoulder carry, whats your experience (good vs bad)?

Appreciate your replies!

Here's the one I was talking about: http://store.packinheatleather.com/micliitalhsp.html
 
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That's the Miami Classic. I wear one in the winter time with a commander-size 1911 in it.

Advantages include more comfort while sitting than with an inside the waistband holster or other types of waist holsters that put pressure on the pelvis.

A disadvantage is that it requires a good cover garment to conceal, more than what would be needed for an IWB holster. Another disadvantage is a slower draw, especially if the holster is under a couple of layers of clothing.

On some days I find that the narrow shoulder straps make my shoulders ache after carrying all day. On other days I barely even notice. I tried the wider shoulder straps from the Galco Jackass rig, but for some reason the wide area of the straps wound up in the wrong place.

Expect a lot of replies to your question, and a lot of pro's and con's.
 
Most people prefer the horizontal rig but I prefer the vertical style. The gun seems to ride better with less swaying and I don't like the feel of the muzzle under my arm (which sometimes sticks out the back) or the heavy handle in front hanging down. Of course it depends on the weapon magazine capacity double stack vs. single stack and barrel length. Personal preference has a lot to do with it as well.
 
appreciate the responses

Kind of the reason I started this thread is I have zero experience with shoulder holsters. Ideally, I would like the vertical carry due to my body size. Can anyone show me an example?

Also, where I live I wear a coat 8 months out of the year, I've concluded that having a shoulder holster would actually be faster access than IWB (coat zipps up the front). Does anyone here use a shoulder holster for IDPA? Whats your experience good vs bad?
 
I carried my M9 in a FOBUS sshoulder rig when I would be on the FOB over in Iraq, worked pretty well, very good retention almost too much.
 
One of these days I want to try this one:

model1090.jpg


Safariland #1090 "Gun Quick." Just pull the gun out against the spring tension and tilt it down slightly to free it. The nose cap is adjustable to fit different sizes of guns. And you can reholster with one hand in the reverse of removal. Not recommended for 1911s as the spring has to wrap around the grip safety or put pressure against the cocked hammer.
 
The Miami Classic style has its good and bad sides.
Since you are in the colder area, it is actually quite a good setup, if you have a flexible jacket.
What I mean by that is that you have to be able to pull (if you are right handed) with you left your jacket up, so you can grab your gun with the right. So a thick leather jacket is not so great.

Personally I like long coats in the winter or rain.
All buttoned up a 2nd gun in a pocket is a great 1st responder, because it will take some time to "dig out" the big gun!
Most attacks are something you only have less then a second to react!

The problem with all shoulder holster is that the gun is pointed with the muzzle towards yourself, so if the aggressor is already close, you might not have the time to turn it around!
 
i have a miami classic as well, i wear it in the cold wether months, my xd service model rides in there nicely. i like it alot there is alot of room for adjustment and is very comfortable for long periods.
 
Aker/Galco Miami Classic 2/Bianchi

I used a great black leather Aker rig for my big Beretta 96D for around 2.5yrs in the late 1990s. If you like leather holsters, the Aker system is comfortable for long periods(10-18hours). Check www.deltaforce.com for styles/prices or go to Aker's main website. My only grip was the angle of the spare mag holder. I'd get the horizontal rather than the vertical style to free up the space on your waist/hip. For that, see the Galco Miami Classic 2 models. Galco holsters/gear are not cheap but it will last a long time with proper care, ;). The cheaper Bianchi rigs are well made and highly respected, see www.bianchi-intl.com for the models/styles.
Rusty S
 
I've got an Alessi horizontal rig for a Smith K frame and a Tauris for a CZ 75. Both are beautifully made, comfortable, and easy to draw from. My FIST vertical rig has none of those virtues, and verticals don't conceal as well - they hang lower.

Expect to pay $135 and up for quality stuff. The cheaper rigs have crappy adjustments, don't balance well, and fail to cover metal snaps which can scratch the gun.
 
Ken Null's SMZ (muzzle-up vertical shoulder rig) carrying a 4" S&W Model 65.
Grip size is not a factor. The barrel length can be - the SMZ looks like it's a somewhat better choice for a semi-auto. Retention's great.

The price for the Galco is the going rate. Good leather shoulder rigs go for 120-ish or higher. Polymer rigs can be cheaper (the SMZ is $55).

Another member's review:
http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=36510&d=1141425824
 
Has anyone used this? is $149 too much for a rig like this? For those that do shoulder carry, whats your experience (good vs bad)?
Click to expand...

When carrying the .40 & .45 in the cold weather, I really like the shoulder set-up...In this holster, the mags are vertical & the carry horizontal; the way I like it..BTW, the price you mentioned is okay, but look around....
I'm not crazy about a vertical hang due to an unusual reach with your wrist when "you need it in a hurry"...To each their own.
Not being a LEO, I find lugging a full-size .45 on my hip can be debilitating when worn for a long period of time...Besides, I can "bleed my lizard" much easier in the restaurant's John....:)
ShoulderRigw-Slabside45005.gif
 
I carry my G17 in a Ross leather shoulder rig. The website has em for about 130, I found mine at Sportsmans Warehouse for 80 bucks. Its pretty comfortable, and I have no trouble concealing the whole shebang with a coat of just about any type.
Personally I prefer the horizontal over vertical, it just feels more natural when drawing. If you aren't against carrying even more magazines, two on your hip seems like it will be quicker than the two spares in the shoulder rig. Not to mention they will still be covered by your coat. I just stick with the one in the weapon plus the two reloads on the opposite side, though.
 
Shoulder holsters are a bad idea for Concealed Carry.
The bad guy can easlily trap your arm when you reach to draw.
During the draw you are going to point a loaded gun at yourself.
The sweeping issue is the reason noone will let you in a class or on a range to practice.
If the BG get in close he can draw and shoot you with your gun a lot easier if you have it in a shoulder holster.
 
scott 40S&W said
The bad guy can easlily trap your arm when you reach to draw.
During the draw you are going to point a loaded gun at yourself.
The sweeping issue is the reason noone will let you in a class or on a range to practice.
If the BG get in close he can draw and shoot you with your gun a lot easier if you have it in a shoulder holster.
Click to expand...

You'd better be able to supply some proof when you make statements such as this. If the BG is that close to you it isn't going to make one bit of difference what kind of holster you have because it is going to be way to late.

Also don't know how you draw from a shoulder holster but I've drawn from one many times at not once did I ever point the gun at myself. As for the sweeping issue that would be a problem on a range, which is why shoulder holsters are not allowed in competition and neither are cross draw holsters, however we are not talking about games here. We are talking about carrying a conceal weapon for possible use in a serious social situation. The last thing I'm going to be worried about if I have to draw is some bystander having a brief flash of the barrel of my gun.

As far as the BG being more likely to pull your own gun from a shoulder holster and use it against you that is less likely to happen than with a belt holster. Virtually all shoulder holsters have some sort of retention system which is not true for the majority of the holster worn for concealed carry. Also once the BG reaches for the shoulder holster he automatically puts himself at your mercy enabling you to put a twisting lock and block on his arm.
 
During the draw you are going to point a loaded gun at yourself.
Click to expand...
Granted - but it's the same with a belt rig, it would seem. If the gun goes off during the draw, you're liable to blow a chunk out of your groin - or a leg at least. Or your backside, depending on position. With an ankle rig, you could shoot yourself in the foot. With thunderwear, you could... well, use your imagination. My shoulder rig's an odd one, though - so it never points at me during the draw.

If the BG get in close he can draw and shoot you with your gun a lot easier if you have it in a shoulder holster.
Click to expand...
Possibly. But if a BG comes up behind you, it's vastly easier to snatch your gun out of a traditional strong-side belt rig than a shoulder rig, ankle rig, crossdraw, or thunderwear.

Two sides to every coin. :p
And welcome to THR.
 
I have the Galco Vertical Shoulder Holster. I got it because I carry a pistol at work and a belt holster led to me cinching my belt too tight, which gave me some back pain. Galco is good stuff and the price you're being asked to pay is not bad. I think wholesale on the Miami Classic is about $110.

You should invest in the retention straps that attach the magazine pouch to your belt. I have to get one of these. It moves when you move and it can be annoying. I think you can also use one to secure the holster side of it. If you lean forward, it wants to pop out of your jacket. I plan to have an elastic loop sewn onto the holster side of mine to secure it to my belt, but I think the Miami model can use the straps.

The reason I did not get the Miami Classic was because I have to turn around a lot. I did not want to sweep my coworkers and customers with a loaded pistol every time I did this. If you're okay with it, the holster is comfortable and very well made. It just takes a little time to get used to the different weight distribution.
 
I use one with my full-size 1911, with the two mags on the right side. I don't use the tie-downs. I like it very much, but I do see the other model with the wider straps across the back, and I wonder if it might be a touch more comfortable, but more likely to print under a thin cover garment. I think I paid about $125 for the whole package a few years ago at a gun show.

Horizontal draw is the only way I see myself using a shoulder rig.
 
I bought my first shoulder rig the other day. For me, that method of carry works very well. Driving in the car, it provides the easiest access and I am always wearing a long coat. So....without ever putting one on or playing around with one....I bought the Galco Miami Rig II. Its already in the mail back to where it came from. I hate it!!! I want somthing thats gonna be snug under my arm and not drape around my waist. So to do that...you need to set it up to its tightest setting. Well.....that makes it near impossible to put on. The straps are skinny and get twisted easily too. I am in search of the perfect rig and intend to find it. That means if I have to have one custom made. I will say this much....the most important thing to me is this.....the ability to put on the rig, and THEN adjust it once its on. You simply cant do that with alot of the rigs that I have seen. So far....the only one I have seen that looks like it might be possible to do this is made by Fobus. The rig itself looks good however....I have not heard one good thing about Fobus Holsters. So....my search continues.......
 
I can recommend Haugen Handgun Leather's Stinger Shoulder Holster System. It is a fine product and compares nicely to similar offering from the mass producers in the price point.
 
If I ever buy another shoulder rig it's going to be another Monarch from SAM ANDREWS: http://www.andrewsleather.com Sam is an old friend these last 20 or so years and he turns out a premium product! Check out the rigs on his site! My Monarch sports the quick release add on knife attachment. The handle of ther blade is situated DOWNWARD and a quick snapping motion with your wrist leaves you ready to deal with the steel in perfect grip and stance.

There are 3 problems with a shoulder holster especially for novice carry:

#1 It's a slow draw requiring a wide range of movement that will tend to put a lot of innocent folks inside the "sweep" of the muzzle. The slowness of the draw also invites counter action as has been previously mentioned.

#2 It is weather dependent as far as concealment. A shoulder rig on a HOT and HUMIOD Miami day is miserable.

#3 There are thousands of practice draws to be made to build sufficient "muscle memory." If you carry another way (Stong Side, Hip for ex) that just compounds the amount of practice and can cause a jumble in the moves if you're not careful. Folks with a decade or more of CCW really don't have much in the way of this last sort of issue. I'm comfortable with multiple modes of carry and I don't worry I'll "bobble the ball" if there is a sudden need to present.
 
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