Shoulder Holsters: Alessi/Ritchie vs Galco

Who makes the better shoulder holster?

  • Total voters
    8
ProfessorFrag

ProfessorFrag

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Joined
Jun 20, 2023
Messages
8
First of all: hi! I've been lurking on these forums for twenty years. I love the discussion, but I never had a reason to make an account. Now I need some help.

I'm afraid I've gotten old and my back no longer agrees with wearing a gunbelt, even if I have nothing hanging off it. I switched to an Arcade Belt, which fixed my back issues, but is no good for a holster.

I believe my future will hold a shoulder holster, or maybe pocket carry which I'm also investigating. I'm familiar with the usual trade-offs when it comes to shoulder holsters. Since I do quite a bit of sitting and driving, it's actually quite suitable for me.

Based on my reading and limited personal experience, few shoulder holster are good and work well. There are two camps about who makes the best. Some say Lou Alessi had it really figured out. Skip Ritchie runs that shop now. This review in particular impressed me. The other camp likes Galco. Their holsters have gone through decades of incremental improvements and you can get a variety of modular accessories. Shoulder holsters are their signature and the vertical seems to be popular in the armed forces.

My question: Who has had experience with both Alessi/Ritchie and Galco shoulder holsters? I would love any advice and comparisons. Bonus points if anyone has used the Alessis Guardian/Ritchie Agent, which is the inverted J-frame holster. Revolvers aren't my thing but if that carry style is objectively superior, I will consider going wheelgun.
 
I've got a vintage Alessi Bodyguard shoulder holster for a 1911. At one time, it was arguably the best shoulder rig out there. Ordered in back in '04 when Lou was a member of the 1911 Forum and his holsters consistently got high praise from knowledgeable people. It is for sure the best shoulder holster I've ever used. Lou passed in '09. I've looked at the current Ritchie versions of Lou's best-known holsters but haven't used any (or seen them in person), so I can't say if they live up to the standard. The pics don't convince me, though.

I presently own three Galco Miami Classic rigs and one Galco Original Jackass system. They're all decent, serviceable and comfortable. Order the Miami Classic II straps -- they're wider and more comfortable. I like the pull-through system on the original Alessi holster over the thumb-break of the Galcos, but the Galco holsters are fine.

I much prefer horizontal over vertical due to ease of drawing.

Pocket carry for me is strictly for handguns in a backup role. I'd go ten out ten times with a shoulder holster over pocket carry for a primary carry mode.

Never used the upside down style for revolver carry, although I worked with a detective once who had an original Berns-Martin and it seemed pretty cool at the time. I think there's a company that still makes that design.
 
Gotta go with Old Dogs call........we must be from the same era. Currently own both the Miami C and an old Alessi.........that snap break on the latter is truly just a better way of doing it. Far as the BM stuff went, had a fella I worked with carried the break front duty rig............very fast, very secure. Upside down stuff....works, just never cared for the snubs enough to use one. Any of the stuff listed will serve you well.
 
Wow! Very cool to hear from owners of both systems. If I may ask some follow up:

  1. The biggest difference seems to be the connection of the halves in the back. Galco uses a spider rig, Alessi a ring across the upper back. Can you comment on all-day-comfort between those two approaches? I’m surprised how different they are.
  2. Do I understand both of you correctly that you prefer Alessi to Galco?
 
Speaking soley for mysel...............of the two I prefer the Alessi........leather stock is somewhat thinner, release system is in my opinion superior.....downside, my old Alessi has rather narrow straps...the Galco is wider and more comfortable. But to me the bottom line is that it's a tossup.....one thing tho is that my Alessi was used for a rather light M/39 Smith....the Galco for a 645. Weight and size alone really factor in.......your call!
 
ProfessorFrag said:
Wow! Very cool to hear from owners of both systems. If I may ask some follow up:
  1. The biggest difference seems to be the connection of the halves in the back. Galco uses a spider rig, Alessi a ring across the upper back. Can you comment on all-day-comfort between those two approaches? I’m surprised how different they are.
  2. Do I understand both of you correctly that you prefer Alessi to Galco?
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The pull-through retention system on the original Alessi is, I feel, an easier and a hair faster drawstroke. The MC straps (if you get the MC II wider straps) is comfortable and possibly won't print on one's back with a lighter cover garment but the Alessi seems to distribute the weight (with pistol and mags) a tad better and allow a bit more range of motion, if that makes any sense.
Also, the old Alessi had a great holster of thicker leather, beautifully finished; the new Galcos seem thinner and less robust. But that's my subjective opinion. For a 1911, I'd go with the original Alessi over the Galco, no question.
ProfessorFrag said:
Null’s website sounds like I would not want to do business with him.
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Frankly, I'm kinda down on a lot of holster-makers these days; with less time left on the planet, I'm more into instant gratification and don't like waiting three to six months for a holster that I'm spending hundreds of dollars on. Won't name any makers, but some of them don't answer or return phone calls and e-mails and will charge your card before you get the holster. There are some out there still that do great customer service, though.
 
I just want to say, again, thanks for all the super helpful information. Making an account here was sort of a last ditch effort since I couldn't find any comparative info on the web or even YouTube. Seriously, isn't there a video of everything?

In fewer than 24 hours you all have blown me away!

I've also learned from the discussion that horizontal seems to be preferred. If anyone wants to make an argument for vertical, which looks more comfortable to me, let me know.
 
Another reason I voted for other…the alien gear allows you to cant the holster. I carry at around a 45 degree angle. Definitely helps with printing, but also allows me to get a good purchase on the gun. Also allows me to not use a retention strap. Have carried this way for 6-7 years and haven’t had any issues.
 
Yamifrk said:
Another reason I voted for other…the alien gear allows you to cant the holster. I carry at around a 45 degree angle. Definitely helps with printing, but also allows me to get a good purchase on the gun. Also allows me to not use a retention strap. Have carried this way for 6-7 years and haven’t had any issues.
Click to expand...

Thanks for putting another option on the table. Do you have experience with Galco or Alessi to draw a comparison?
 
I do not… I do have some older S&W shoulder holsters. One for my model 29/629 and another for my 586/686 both carry vertical. They are very comfortable to wear and actually conceal pretty well. No experience with the galco or Alessi, sorry
 
I’ve tried belly band. Not for me. My usual non-work outfit is a tucked-in button-down with a light jacket. Belly band just doesn't work with that. On the plus side, I've had 20 years of comfortable OWB carry. And now that stiff gun belts don't work for me anymore*, I expect that a shoulder holster will suit me well.

*I've decided to give the thinnest and lightest gun belt I can find one last try. The 5.11 SI web belt is nylon without the usual velcro'd overlap and has a thin aluminum buckle. I expect my usual muscle cramps after wearing it for two or three days. But I figure I gotta give non-elastic belts one last chance before saying good-bye to that chapter of my life.
 
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After watching Miami Vice many years ago, I bought the Miami Classic from Galco. I added double mag pouch, cuff case and belt snaps. I wore it whenever I was working plainclothes for several years. I had no issue with it, kept the pistol, cuffs and mags secure. It was comfortable. When I met Lou in Buffalo for ASLET in January, I bought his ankle holster. Lou showed me how he made the holsters, and even made a .45 holster for me while I was there. Never tried his shoulder holster, but know I would have been happy with it. Lou took us out for dinner - Buffalo Wings!
 
Old Dog said:
You're talking the angle of the dangle, right? So both the Alessi Bodyguard and Galco Miami Classic allow one to adjust the above or below a 90 degree pure horizontal cant.

The original:
View attachment 1159488
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The very best and I only have one Lou Made for my CZP01 and it also fits my Tangfolio small frame Compact .40 perfectly. I had been using the Original Jackass since the middle 80s and the Miami Vice ones are a favorite. I have quite a few and some with different holsters on each side ! They work well for hiking and dangerous game country the N frame stays on you in the Toilet use time ! they work well and never had a bit of trouble in almost 40 years with the x flex piece. The Jackass goes on easily and was a step up for me over the good Bianchi X15 holster before it. The Original Lou Alessi Bodygaurd and his sheepski ankle rig tho for defensive concealed carry are simpley the best. For non concealed carry tho I have gone to the chest carry rigs last 10 years . It is a better system for riding anything and outdoor vigourous activity. The Gunfighters Inc. Kenai rigs and The Chesty Puller from Simply Rugged are the ones I like best and allow easy switch of the holster module as needed.
 
I had a Null for review for an article, sent by Ken personally. It's an absolute minimalist design, and he freely admits its limitations, but if you're look for what the real James Bond types would actually wear, it's about as close as you can get.

I'd also add that he was perfectly friendly and great to chat with during that project. VERY knowledgeable, and like many knowledgeable craftsmen, somewhat opinionated.

Larry
 
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