Shoulder Holsters

[Tamara]

Its hard to beat a shoulder holster when carrying in the car.

Sounds like a "specialized carry situation" to me. Or if one habitually wears outer garments at least partially zipped or buttoned. Probably a few others apply. If that's the reason someone chooses a shoulder rig, more power to them. It's been my observation over the years, however, that most (not all) shoulder holster buyers buy them for other reasons. Hopefully those reading this know which category they'd fall into.

 

[Mike Irwin]

"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."

We have days like that here in Washington, DC, only ours come with humidity levels that can top 80%.

As I stated above, in the summer, I'll most often carry in a pocket holster, and I do carry in the pocket throughout the rest of the year, as well. A J-frame simply disappears into the pockets of cargo shorts.

But, that may change. I saw a Galco shoulder holster for my J-frame at one of the gunshops I frequent, and I may just pick it up.



"It's been my observation over the years, however, that most (not all) shoulder holster buyers buy them for other reasons."

Hum... You mean like carrying my Model 19 2.5" or my P7PSP in the fall, winter, and spring, or roughly 3/4 of the year? Given DC's funky weather, I even get to carry with a shoulder holster during the summer when the weather's cool.

3 season carry... Is that a specialized carry purpose, or am I just a Washington Vice wannabe? Granted, the effect of climbing into a Ferrari is largely muted when you're wearing a winter coat becuase it's 15 degs. F and windy...

Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got a babe to arrest for cocaine running while my partner gets it on with the drug kinpin's daughter... (cue Jan Hamer soundtrack...)


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

Well, let's see... I don't get the gun digging into my ribs. I don't get the gun dragging my pants down. I don't get the gun/holster feeling like an uncomfortable lump distributing uneven pressure around my waist. I don't get a sore spot from where the gun digs into my waist. I don't have to get pants a size or two larger to accommodate a thoroughly annoying way of carrying a gun.

It's not the concept of "not getting it." It's the concept of HATING having something riding inside my waist band.

 

[Tamara]

Hopefully those reading this know which category they'd fall into.

...but of course most will be hyper-sensitive and assume I meant them.

 

[Mike Irwin]

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

I'm just wonding what you consider to be a "specialized carry situation..."

It's not like to you make seemingly off handed sweeping generalizations...

"Or if one habitually wears outer garments at least partially zipped or buttoned."

I rarely wear an outer garmet partially zipped or buttoned when I'm carrying in a shoulder holster, and I have no problem keeping my gun concealed.

I went through my brother's wedding and dinner afterwards with an unbuttoned suitjacket, and no one knew I was carrying my P7.

 

[slydel0kt]

Whew!!!
I needda go outside and smoke a camel. Now where'd I put my Wayfarers? And my feet always itch. Wonder if its cause I'm not wearing sox.


Dan

 

[Tamara]

Mike Irwin,

I'm just wonding what you consider to be a "specialized carry situation..."

Well, "HATING something riding inside [your] waistband" most likely qualifies under "[p]robably a few others apply."

But don't let that slow you down on your quest to be offended.


PS: For the record, you badly misread this one:

I rarely wear an outer garmet partially zipped or buttoned when I'm carrying in a shoulder holster, and I have no problem keeping my gun concealed.

The "partially zipped or buttoned" part refers to the fact that it's easier to access a shoulder rig under a partially-fastened overgarment than to hike it up far enough to draw from an IWB. (The same reason I carry a pocket Centennial in my winter coat, incidentally: That way I don't have to wear it unzipped outdoors to access the 1911 on my belt.)

 

[Monkeyleg]

Wow! Pretty heated talk for such a mundane subject.

For years I thought the shoulder rig was of limited use. Then my circumstances changed: I was spending nearly all of my time sitting in front of a monitor or behind the wheel of a car. IWB carry didn't cut it for those times.

The advantages and disadvantages of both are pretty clear.

Shoulder holster. Advantages: more comfortable when sitting for extended periods of time; more accessible while in a car; doesn't pressure sciatic nerves (my problem); can be kept on when pants come down. Disadvantages: requires more clothing to conceal than IWB; longer time for draw (depending upon clothing); can result in shoulder/back pain after a long day; people accuse you of wanting to be Don Johnson.

IWB holster. Advantages: more easily concealed, especially in warm weather; requires less clothing to conceal; draw is usually faster; draw is more natural. Disadvantages: uncomfortable and hard to access while sitting or driving; can pressure nerves in the hip; requires more frequent pants purchases depending upon weight gain/loss; people accuse you of wanting to be Tamara.

Does that about sum it up? If so, what's next, S&W versus Colt?