Shoulder Holsters

[TechBrute]

Ok, what's your view of the shoulder holster? Obviously, some are better than others, just like any holster, but I'm talking about the concept in general.

Personally, I take a very dim view of shoulder holsters. They can be hard to draw from. You "sweep" things that you don't want to when you are drawing. They are nearly impossible to re-holster one-handed. If you're wearing something that covers your shoulder holster, it could just as easily cover a IWB holster at 4:00 (my preferred method of carry.)

If you do like them, what do you like about them, and what advantages do they have over other forms of carry.

**I'm talking in reference to CCW, not hunting in the field with an 8" barrel.

 

[Jeeper]

I agree with you completely. First to really wear a shoulder holster you would need to be wearing a jacket or something all the time. You couldnt wear a sweatshirt or t-shirt. I guess there could possibly be a erason for them but it illudes me. On the hip is faster and seems that it would be more comfortable. I carry IWB at 1 oclock.

 

[WT]

Can I add .........

how do you carry in a shoulder holster? Horizontal, vertical or someplace in between??

 

[P95Carry]

Tech ..... nearly voted for #2 but as my decision to use a sho rig is not dependent on TV or movies ... didn't vote at all!!

I have several but maybe the fave is a Bianchi X-15 .. a vertical front break rig. Suits P95 best but P97 is OK in it. Retention is pretty good and the draw yields very little muzzle sweep .... probably about as minimal as it gets with a sho rig.

I use it less now because as you rightly say .. for the most part if sho rig concealable then equally so is IWB or OWB . the latter these days is my regular method.

However ... there are occasions where top clothing is really not long enough to maintain a good concealment OWB and then I might well switch to sho rig in order to still carry more gun than otherwise.

All methods have their pro's and con's ... much varying according the individual, location, manner of dress etc .... but IMO the sho rig has a valuable place at times.. oh and .. a windy day is much less of a problem!

 

[Secmat]

Normal CCW is either IWB or OWB, but I have a Null City Slicker that is used quite often for a J-frame BUG. There are other times when a shoulder holster is useful- carrying a second full-sized gun, very cold weather carry, woods carry.

 

[BerettaNut92]

I can see how they would be nice for driving. I've heard crossdraws recommended but it seems one would have to reconfigure every time one gets in or out of the vehicle.

Shoulder holsters are out of the question for me as most guns are longer than my ribs

 

[XLMiguel]

While I don't want to call Techbrute an idiot, a shoulder rig is my preferred mode of carry most of the year. First, I'm big (6'3" 265), IWB isn't comfortable for me, though I do use OWB at 4:30 under a loose shirt in the summer. I'm in & out of the car alot and can cover up with a vest, jacket or overshirt. I can carry anything from a GM 1911/Sig 226 on down to a Sig 239 or Kahr P-9. It just works for me.

Edited to add: I use a Galco Jackass Rig, FWIW

 

[uglymofo]

daily for almost 5 months

For a while, I carried by shoulder holster daily. It wouldn't be my normal first choice for "public" wear, but in my circumstances, it was the best and ideal way to carry. I worked in a machine shop where coveralls are the normal dress. We'd all been threatened by a former employee. This was almost 23 years ago, but I heard that his threat was so clearly thought out it was taken seriously by the local and campus police. "Unofficially", we were advised, "I wouldn't come to work without packing if I knew how to handle a gun." In this lone restrictive scenario (coveralls), I found the shoulder holster easy to hide and fastest to reach. The disgruntled employee took to stalking a couple of the higher-ups (before stalking laws were enacted) and nothing could be done legally, until he got stupid, when he was finally busted and jailed for brandishing. After his release he finally moved away, and we heard he was killed in a fight.

 

[Charles S]

For concealed carry I almost always carry IWB. If I were to carry in a shoulder holster I must agree with Secmat's assessment of the Ken Null holsters they are the best I am aware of. If I were to carry in a shoulder holster that is how I would carry.

I chose the second option not because I carry in a shoulder holster for concealed carry, but because it is my preferred method of carry for hunting and hiking. I find that I can carry a 6 inch S&W 29 easily in a shoulder holster with a pack while either hunting or hiking, the holster does not get in the way of the waist strap for the pack, but is relatively easily accessible and fairly inconspicuous.

It is certainly not the most comfortable mode of carry, just the most convenient for me in some special situations.

Charles

 

[ksnecktieman]

It has it's place. I find draw from a shoulder holster to be the easiest when driving. When ccw reciprocity is common I will wear that way on trips. I carry my 92f at an angle that if fired in the holster it would clear my arm pit behind me, lower than most, maybe halfway between armpit and waist.

I found a "Tri-Vert" shoulder holster that only has one strap across behind the neck, and down the opposite side front and fastens to belt or waist band. The holster is mounted on straps from a leather shoulder support, and angle of carry can be changed easily. All the others I found (with the crossover in mid back) I found uncomfortable.

 

[Logistar]

Horizontal shoulder holster whenever possible. When driving around and running in and out of places it is hard to beat. -IMHO

Logistar

 

[cool45auto]

I wear a Galco rig with my Beretta. It's good for driving, going to the bathroom, etc... I usually wear a short sleeved button up shirt over it.

 

[Mike Irwin]

Shoulder rig is my preferred method of carry, but much of the year I carry in a pocket holster.

IWB is a living hell. I can't see how anyone can actually stand carrying a gun that way, unless possibly their a stick insect on the Calista Flockhart "Heroin & Anorexia" diet.

Speed of draw with ANY holster is a matter of practice. Making a blanket statement and saying that one holster type is faster than another isn't productive or realistic.

 

[Grunt]

Well, shoulder rigs aren't my favorite way of packing a sidearm but sometimes they are the better choice, even with their limitations. For folks that spend a lot of time driving or sitting say behind a desk, a shoulder rig works quite well for them. Nice to be able to move and not have your handgun digging in to your stomach like a cross draw and still be far more accessable than a stong side carry holster.
Like I said, I have them and they have their place but that place is very specialized so they aren't used that much.

 

[Johnny Guest]

For some purposes

I carry concealed every day,and the method varies with the situation. Vast majority of the time is OWB just behind right hipbone.

Occasionally, though, I carry either - -

- - A Davis horizontal holster rigged for butt low carry, with a Colt Agent. Holster has two cartridge pouches on opposite side. This fits well beneath a loose, dark color shirt.

- - A Galco Miami Classic horizontal rigwith a .45 Commander and two spare mags. This rides well under a short, light, windbreaker in mild-to-cool weather,and is an easy way to carry a "real gun" without a longer cover garment.

Best,
Johnny

 

[cratz2]

I haven't tried one long enough to make a solid decision, but I'm pretty much completely comfortable with IWB carry so I don't have a pressing need to convert.

I've always thought of shoulder rigs as a good way to conceal carry a 6" 357, 41 or 44 Magnum, maybe even a 1911... But, I mean I carry a plastic Kahr for crying out loud! Whadda I know about shoulder holsters?

 

[BluesBear]

I'm carrying a Taurus 445 (2" .44 Special) in a Galco S1H right now.

Extremely comfortable.

As for one handed reholstering - I CCW for personal protection,
IF I ever have to draw, the LAST thing I am worried about is how many hands I'll need to reholster.

 

[Majic]

I didn't vote as I see they do have certain advantages, but I have yet to find one that's comfortable for me. The fit seems more important than any other style of carry. Maybe I'm just built funny.

 

[toocool]

I used a Galco Miami Classic when I was in law enforcement for a couple of reasons. When driving I had better access to the gun than when worn strong-side; but I think what really sold me on it was when I was out in public and needed to use the restroom. I could drop my drawers without having to figure out what to do with my gun/holster.

 

[Bainx]

IWB is a living hell. I can't see how anyone can actually stand carrying a gun that way,

I'm carrying a full sized 1911 IWB right now. What is it that you don't get?

 

[P95Carry]

Bainx ... maybe I don't have enough padding!! But IWB just don't work for me .. end of story! I really do think it just will not suit some. I guess too I don't like having the pants left slack over the gun .. and when it gets warm .. I sweat ... BAD!!

We had no sho rig pics earlier so .. just very quickly blasted these off .... they are of my Bianchi X-15 and P95 .. it is set up for winter carry and sits quite low ... usually it is set higher than this .. more under armpit. Pics very rushed .... they include my remote button! And ... even worse ... remind me I need to reduce food intake soon!

It does tho give some idea for those who haven't tried .. of a front break vertical ... and also ... this has the elastic straps .. no horrible ''X'' in middle of your back from a cross-over.

 

[Tamara]

Outside of certain specialized carry situations, they just scream "I've watched too many episodes of Miami Vice."

 

[denfoote]

Ok. Picture this. It's 115 degrees out. So hot, you can literally fry an egg on the sidewalk (I've done it), are you gunna opt for a shoulder holster?? I think not!! What I have discribed is a typical summer day here in the vast Sonoran desert. I know of no one here that carries using a shoulder holster!!! I know I don't!!!

 

[JPM70535]

Denfoot hit the nail squarely on the head. I live in Florida where shorts and a T-shirt is standard dress 95% of the time. It is just not practical to wear a shoulder rig under these conditions. Even our Police detectives who tried them (They were required to wear shirt and tie with sportcoats as a cover garment) found the advantage of easy draw while seated to be outweighed by the inconvenience of having to keep the weapon covered. Most went to OWB clip-ons that could be removed and placed in their desk drawer while working in shirtsleeves around the office.

The one venue where Shoulder Rigs can't be beat is for hunting, carrying a large frame, long barrelled revolver or Auto. Other than that, living in the sub-tropics, they are pretty much a non- optionb

 

[surfinUSA]

Outside of certain specialized carry situations, they just scream "I've watched too many episodes of Miami Vice.

This is the general perception, and its unfortunate as I think it keeps many people from using a very convenient way of carry. Its hard to beat a shoulder holster when carrying in the car.

As someone else said, here in Florida, its usually too hot for a cover garment. Any more I usually carry in a pocket holster or a paddle holster that can easily be removed. But I would probably use one more often if I lived in a colder climate.