Shoulder holster pics

[Barry the Bear]

Any of you guys packing revolvers "Dirty Harry" style? Here's my Lew Horton in an appropiately Smith and Wesson branded shoulder holster. The holster was made for a 3.5 inch model 27 but fits this model 29 three inch barrel quite well.

 

[gamestalker]

I have an old leather shoulder holster, all leather, straps and all. It came with my 2.5" S&W 66-2 as part of the sale, when I bought it back in the 80's. I like it too, it's really quite comfortable when the weather is right for that style of CC. I think it's a Bianchi.

GS

 

[bannockburn]

Barry the Bear

Not even close to being ala "Dirty Harry" style but this is my Model 686 in a very old Uncle Mike's shoulder holster. It does a decent job of distributing the weight of the gun and is actually quite comfortable to wear.

 

[Barry the Bear]

Bannock is that easy to conceal? I always thought the vertical style was best for larger revolvers.

 

[basicblur]

I always thought the vertical style was best for larger revolvers.

I'm curious to know how folks that carry shoulder holsters that aren't the vertical style feel about breaking one of the four rules of gun safety by sweeping everyone in the room?
(I'm not happy about it)

I'm finally starting to hear some in the industry mention the "problem" with a rearward facing holster.

I still have a rig similar to the OP's - don't remember who makes it (would have to dig it out) since it hasn't been used in decades.

Divorce many years ago caused me to sell my 6" blue Python, which used to reside in said holster.

 

[bannockburn]

Barry the Bear

I don't wear it very often and always with a coat or jacket. Typically I carry my CCW (like my Model 649 or 638), either IWB or pocket carry.

 

[Barry the Bear]

I'm curious to know how folks that carry shoulder holsters that aren't the vertical style feel about breaking one of the four rules of gun safety by sweeping everyone in the room?
(I'm not happy about it)

I'm finally starting to hear some in the industry mention the "problem" with a rearward facing holster.

I still have a rig similar to the OP's - don't remember who makes it (would have to dig it out) since it hasn't been used in decades.

Divorce many years ago caused me to sell my 6" blue Python, which used to reside in said holster.

I believe practice eliminates that supposed handicap. We shouldn't be putting our finger on the trigger until we've identified our threat and have a clear sight picture regardless of how we carry.

 

[basicblur]

I believe practice eliminates that supposed handicap. We shouldn't be putting our finger on the trigger until we've identified our threat and have a clear sight picture regardless of how we carry.

All of which means you're still breaking one of the four rules of gun safety.

I'm no safety Nazi, but rearward facing shoulder holsters have always (and continue to) freak me out.

I think Tom Gresham is one that has finally started questioning the wisdom of carrying in such a manner that violates one of the four rules.

 

[the Black Spot]

To prove to someone it could be done; i once conceal carried a 2nd model colt dragoon to church under my suit coat in a uncle mikes shoulder holster. Bout ruptured a disc with all that weight! Lol

 

[Barry the Bear]

It's also one of the best ways to carry full size weapons. Some people feel great with "pocket rockets" and that's fine but I'd rather carry my n frames.

 

[gun_with_a_view]

Semi-automatics carried in horizontal shoulder holsters should only be used Israeli draw, i.e. with an empty chamber. There are most likely some legal issues here regarding negligence whereby this type of carry might well be illegal, or at the least very inadvisable.

Even more scary are those upside down shoulder holsters that point the gun barrel straight at the armpit and consequently the brachial artery.

 

[X-Rap]

I'm curious to know how folks that carry shoulder holsters that aren't the vertical style feel about breaking one of the four rules of gun safety by sweeping everyone in the room?
(I'm not happy about it)

I wonder how you feel about carrying a gun on an upper floor while people are below you or how you feel going to gun shops or shows and having all those muzzles displayed while directed at customers?
Steps probably cause a lot of discomfort as well.

 

[AK103K]

These days, I mostly carry my larger revolvers, in one of the "Tanker" type shoulder holsters. More for practicality, and not to concerned about concealing them.

Pacific Canvas and Leather....


El Paso Saddlery....


Back in the 70s, for a short while, I carried a S&W 19, 28, and 29 in Bianchi X-15s. Didnt take to long to figure out, there were better ways.

Ive also used a Ken Null "SMZ" with my J frames, and Walther PPK/SIG P230s.

The Null, and the Galco Executive's, were really the only concealment type shoulder holsters Ive ever really liked. They work well and conceal much easier than most of the other types. Then again, they are small, minimalist type holsters, using fairly small guns.

As for safety issues with shoulder holsters, they really are no different, or less safe, than any other method of carry. Unless you consider your trying to conceal one a safety issue. In that respect, they can be an issue, as most dont conceal as well as other methods.

 

[basicblur]

I wonder how you feel about carrying a gun on an upper floor while people are below you...

What about what's behind those people on the floor below me?
Heck - I'm worried 'bout it going all the way to China!

Really - if a gun pointed at the floor goes off, what are the odds of it not losing about all it's energy when it goes thru the floor?
How many times a day do you carry where you are on a multi-level building with lots of stuff running between the floors that would either stop, deflect, or just absorb all the energy / velocity?

or how you feel going to gun shops or shows and having all those muzzles displayed while directed at customers?

Freaks the hell out of me - more than once I've been in a gun shop where I looked like a guinea putting head fakes on you as I bob and weave trying to avoid some customer sweeping everybody in the room. I've only been to a few gun shows, but I kept my head on a swivel when standing next to someone handling a firearm.

 

[basicblur]

As for safety issues with shoulder holsters, they really are no different, or less safe, than any other method of carry.

Unless they're pointed down, I'd take exception to that.

If they're pointed to the rear, you're sweeping everybody, every day, in every room you enter - heck, that goes for everybody you're around outside also.

As a previous posted stated, if it's the upside down variety it's aimed at an artery for which there is no pressure point for a tourniquet etc. to stop the bleeding should you put a round thru said artery.

 

[AK103K]

Really - if a gun pointed at the floor goes off, what are the odds of it not losing about all it's energy when it goes thru the floor?
How many times a day do you carry where you are on a multi-level building with lots of stuff running between the floors that would either stop, deflect, or just absorb all the energy / velocity?

Most all of the handguns Ive ever carried, wouldnt have much trouble piercing most floors in todays construction (and yesterdays for that matter), and still having plenty enough energy to do damage on the other side. What good would they be if they wouldnt?

If they're pointed to the rear, you're sweeping everybody, every day, in every room you enter - heck, that goes for everybody you're around outside also.

Dont you think youre carrying things a little bit to far here? Just handling any gun in pretty much any situation, will break one of the holy rules at some point. Its unrealistic to believe otherwise.

As a previous posted stated, if it's the upside down variety it's aimed at an artery for which there is no pressure point for a tourniquet etc. to stop the bleeding should you put a round thru said artery.

And a AIWB holster is often aimed into the direction of the femoral artery, some carry SOB, and the draw there can cover various body parts, as can cross draw, etc.

Any holster can at some point, violate those holy rules. With any of them, its your diligent practice and gun handling that minimizes the chances that something goes wrong. If you arent willing to practice with what you carry, and how you carry it, then you shouldnt be carrying it.

 

[entropy]

i have an old, old shoulder holster my son found in the woods. No strap, the stitching on the front goes all the way up to the back of the trigger guard on just about any 5-6" revolver or auto stuck in it. I had to work a lot of mink oil into it before it was usable again. Not an inch of elastic on it anywhere-it is all leather, with metal buckles to adjust the belt loops. I plan on using it out deer hunting this fall.

 

[Barry the Bear]

Hope it turns out well entropy, I've used shoulder holsters In the fall and winter hunting with great comfort in fact for me shoulder holsters are the most comfortable holsters to wear out side of pocket carry.