I Have A Question For You Big Boys.

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Phydeaux642

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I am thinking about getting a shoulder rig. Is there a a rig that is more friendly to the big man than others? I would be carrying either a S&W 642 or an XD9. I have pocket holsters and an ankle rig for the 642 but need a shoulder rig for a specific application. I really can't spend a fortune on one if I can avoid it. Thanks.

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"Phydeaux, bad dog....no biscuit!"
 
Find one that carries the weapon muzzle down or muzzle to the rear. Upside down shoulder holsters require you to reach way around to draw the weapon. If you're like me, way around means way around. My arms seem to have shortened with age! :what::eek::p
 
If at all possible, try before you buy. Many shoulder holsters get real uncomfortable real quick for us big guys. Also, depending on how big you are, you may find it somewhat difficult to draw from a shoulder holster. Mike Venturino actually wrote an article about CCW for us big guys a couple of issues back in American Handgunner, and he says he will never wear a shoulder holster again.
 
I find a shoulder rig for a small gun a pain. The rig winds up weighing more than the gun. I have used shoulder rigs for j-frames and that's just my opinion.
 
Nulls are good in general. I also like the SBII Galco rigs, but as noted all shoulder rigs get extremely heavy very quickly. For heavier iron, whatever size you are, a chest/belly holster will secure it better. With shoulder rigs you have to keep the weight balanced and it tends to ride hard on your neck, whereas a chest rig rides on your shoulders like a reverse backpack.
 
The first concern should be that you can reach around your chest and grab your opposite Lat. Barrel chests do not typically make for good shoulder holster platforms. A chest holster like a Tanker style is much better, but usually only applicable to a field situation.

Second concern, is try before you buy or purchase from a manufacturer with a good return policy.
 
I'm not a big guy but the article Timbo Khan mentions is what came to mind when I read your title. You can find the article by Mike Venturino in the July/August 2007 issue of American Handgunner (the issue features a Springfield EMP review by Dave Anderson and an article covering the effectiveness of Baby Face Nelson's ruthlessness by Massad Ayoob - hard to miss if you come across it).

Some items of note:
- Ankle holsters suck due to the bending involved in accessing firearm and firearm interfering with boots
- Shoulder holsters suck due to the reach involved in accessing firearm and firearm jabbing you constantly
- Cross draw holsters suck due to the reach involved in accessing firearm (unless you have gorilla arms) and firearm printing/showing
- Reverse draw holsters on your back suck due to the reach involved in accessing firearm and firearm is uncomfortable and inaccessible when sitting

His solutions:
- 1911 worn in a Milt Sparks IWB Summer Special holster with adequate cover garment
- S&W Model 442 Air-Weight or S&W Model 360 Air-Lite in weak-side cover garment's pocket

What he wants:
- A Colt Model 1903 in .40S&W
 
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