Shoulder Holsters?

[G11354]

I've been carrying iwb for 2 years now and find that it causes me great discomfort. I have a variety of minor issues that affect my stomach and lower back and having a tight belt aggravates them terribly. I've tried wearing a variety of suspenders with little success.

I'm considering a shoulder holster as a solution but wanted input from more experienced carriers before hand. I find it somewhat concerning having the muzzle in a position that is not pointed at the ground, but perhaps I'm worrying over nothing.

I carry a S&W M&P40 full size if this is of any help.

 

[GRIZ22]

Being they require a cover garment I only use shoulder holsters in cooler weather. Even under a light covering garment they are uncomfortable in warm weather. I use them for larger guns like a Beretta 92 or 1911. The smallest gun I usually use a shoulder holster is k frame size. It just seems like a lot of leather and straps for a smaller gun. I did use a Bianchi 9R for a backup j frame when I worked in uniform but that was almost 40 years ago.

As far as the muzzle not pointing at the ground I never thought that an issue. Where do you think your gun is pointing when you bend over, go up stairs or an escalator, or a dozen different things you do every day. If the gun is in the holster it's safe.

 

[G11354]

Being they require a cover garment I only use shoulder holsters in cooler weather. Even under a light covering garment they are uncomfortable in warm weather. I use them for larger guns like a Beretta 92 or 1911. The smallest gun I usually use a shoulder holster is k frame size. It just seems like a lot of leather and straps for a smaller gun. I did use a Bianchi 9R for a backup j frame when I worked in uniform but that was almost 40 years ago.

As far as the muzzle not pointing at the ground I never thought that an issue. Where do you think your gun is pointing when you bend over, go up stairs or an escalator, or a dozen different things you do every day. If the gun is in the holster it's safe.

I always wear a cover garment as it is, I also wear suspenders daily at work so the heat and straps dont bother me much. I may have to give it a try. Do you recommend any particualr manufacturer?

 

[GRIZ22]

I like DeSantis. The leather holsters are better IMO but the nylon ones work well too.

 

[G11354]

I like DeSantis. The leather holsters are better IMO but the nylon ones work well too.

Thank you for your help, much appreciated!

 

[Cokeman]

I got the Galco Lite to try to see if I would like shoulder holsters because of the price. I like it a lot. You could also try an OWB holster.

 

[JTQ]

I don't have any first hand shoulder holster experience, but have followed the subject over several forums and several years. Most don't find shoulder holsters comfortable for normal concealed carry. Lots like to use them while driving, or as a field holster, but most prefer belt carry for normal use.

I would be concerned about holstering a non-safety equipped striker fired gun in a horizontal shoulder holster. Once holstered, no problem, but getting it in the holster would concern me.

Those that do like shoulder holsters tend to recommend ...

Alessi http://www.alessigunholsters.com/bodyguard/

Mitch Rosen http://mitchrosen.com/products/holsters/shoulder-holsters/

Andrews Monarch http://www.andrewsleather.com/traditional.htm

The price is high, but realize a shoulder holster is the equivalent of a belt, holster, and mag pouch.

The M&P is a fairly lightweight pistol. What is your current belt and holster combination?

 

[Rexster]

I favor the Andrews Monarch. Expensive, even when bought pre-owned, but worth it. The additional strap, across the back, linking the holster body with the ammo carrier, makes the rig stable, with no need for tie-downs. Mine is currently set-up with a lefty Andrews holster body for an SP101, and a Bianchi Scorpio* ammo carrier, that I acquired second-hand, but my Monarch rig was originally built with a P229 right-hand holster body and matching mag pouches and knife sheath. (I no longer carry a P229.)

 

[JeffG]

I've been carrying iwb for 2 years now and find that it causes me great discomfort. I have a variety of minor issues that affect my stomach and lower back and having a tight belt aggravates them terribly. I've tried wearing a variety of suspenders with little success.

I'm considering a shoulder holster as a solution but wanted input from more experienced carriers before hand. I find it somewhat concerning having the muzzle in a position that is not pointed at the ground, but perhaps I'm worrying over nothing.

I carry a S&W M&P40 full size if this is of any help.

I have tried shoulder holsters. In SD carry, it's difficult to draw without pointing the gun at yourself; shoulder, chest, or arm. An early or panicked trigger finger and you shoot yourself. Secondly, if you are a right handed shooter, drawing from your left armpit, a threat on your right side will cause you to sweep the muzzle of the gun in almost a 180 degree arc. Pointing the gun at lots of things you don't intend to shoot, some of which may be people. Motorcycling, ATVing, mountain biking, sure. Not for urban carry for me.

 

[G11354]

I don't have any first hand shoulder holster experience, but have followed the subject over several forums and several years. Most don't find shoulder holsters comfortable for normal concealed carry. Lots like to use them while driving, or as a field holster, but most prefer belt carry for normal use.

I would be concerned about holstering a non-safety equipped striker fired gun in a horizontal shoulder holster. Once holstered, no problem, but getting it in the holster would concern me.

Those that do like shoulder holsters tend to recommend ...

Alessi http://www.alessigunholsters.com/bodyguard/

Mitch Rosen http://mitchrosen.com/products/holsters/shoulder-holsters/

Andrews Monarch http://www.andrewsleather.com/traditional.htm

The price is high, but realize a shoulder holster is the equivalent of a belt, holster, and mag pouch.

The M&P is a fairly lightweight pistol. What is your current belt and holster combination?

I currently use an "Alien Gear Cloak Tuck 3.0" along with a leather gun belt, also from Alien Gear. At the moment the shoulder rig is seeming promising.

 

[Sam1911]

Something you may want to think about it whether you'd prefer a vertical shoulder holster rather than horizontal. That way the length of the gun is oriented down the length of your body, rather than perpendicular to it, reducing the tendency of the gun to "print" both in front and behind.

Also, a vertical holster gets you pointing the muzzle down instead of around your weak side and behind you as you holster, draw, and re-holster.

And that brings up an even more important factor: Learning to draw and (maybe even more importantly) holster that gun SAFELY with those rigs. Remember how you don't ever point a gun at something you aren't willing to destroy? That includes your weak side arm, your chest, your belly, the guy in the next range stall, people behind you, etc., etc.

A HOLSTERED gun is a safe gun.

A gun coming out of a holster or going into a holster is in the most dangerous moment of gun-handling -- that one golden moment when most accidental/negligent discharges happen. No, you didn't mean to have your finger on the trigger. No you didn't mean to have a bit of your shirt jammed in the trigger guard. But I personally know two expert (or above) level shooters who've shot themselves while holstering a gun, and lots more guys than would care to admit it who've fired one before they were ready while drawing.

It's bad to put a round into the floor. It's REAL bad to put a round through your leg or butt. Those are the kind of mistakes that happen with strong-side belt holsters. Translating those mistakes to a shoulder holster can have far worse consequences.

Take it VERY seriously.



(And be aware that you'll probably need to find a specialized place to practice. You MUST practice with this kind of carry rig, but almost no ranges will allow you to draw from one on their firing lines for the grave danger it encourages to bystanders and other shooters.)

 

[Rexster]

Sam19 just posted some very important warnings/considerations about horizontal shoulder rigs. All firearms safety rules remain applicable, regardless of the carry method! Horizontal shoulder holster carry, like "AIWB" carry, present clears, specific safety issues. Both methods require a higher standard of care when training, and in real-life use.

In my case, horizontal shoulder carry is a specialized method to tote a secondary or tertiary weapon, and getting my support arm out of the way is an important part of draw-stroke training. I have three arm positions that perform double duty: getting the arm well away from the muzzle, and protecting my head/neck from incoming strikes/cuts.

My "primary" weapon is almost always at 0300, on the belt, vertical draw. This means that my left-hand Andrews Monarch is a nice way to carry an SP101 if I am seated on the passenger (right) side of a vehicle, when my right elbow may not have much room for the draw stroke from a belt holster worn at 0300. A sudden threat to my right, in this situation, is the logical application for the weapon carried lefty horizontal at chest level; my right arm reaches up, until my shoulder is at my jaw, and my right hand is on the crown of my head, as the weapon, in my left hand, clears leather, oriented toward the threat.

 

[zaitcev]

I would be concerned about holstering a non-safety equipped striker fired gun in a horizontal shoulder holster. Once holstered, no problem, but getting it in the holster would concern me.

One can always get an XD of some kind, then holster it with a thumb on the back of the slide, which engages the grip safety.

 

[WrongHanded]

I've had good experience with a Galco Miami Classic, carrying a Sig P220 and P239. The only issue I've had is the top of the straps showing on occasion, but I have much larger AC joints than most which force the straps towards my neck. And that is with the right correctly adjusted.