Small of the back?

[Clipper]

Bunk...

It's not pointed at the body when drawing SOB, either. I have carried this way, have you? I would have had to do all the gymnastics to point the gun AT myself! I see you also pointedly ignored the possible drawbacks to shoulder and smartcarry. Again I call B.S. and I stand by my original statement.

 

[nwilliams]

I don't like SOB carry personally. As others pointed out if you fall on your back you could inflict spinal injury. Also I find it very uncomfortable to carry something there, especially for driving or just sitting in general. Finally I don't like carrying SOB because it means you have to reach further around to draw your gun, I can draw it much faster when its at my side. I just honestly don't see any advantage to carrying your gun back there, I would never do it.

 

[M1911]

It's not pointed at the body when drawing SOB, either. I have carried this way, have you? I would have had to do all the gymnastics to point the gun AT myself! I see you also pointedly ignored the possible drawbacks to shoulder and smartcarry.

Gymnastics to point the gun at yourself? I disagree. All you need to do is break your wrist slightly while holstering or drawing, and the muzzle will start to point at your backside.

I agree that many of the drawbacks of SOB carry are shared with shoulder and smartcarry.

 

[hill billy]

Also, with reference to smartcarry vs. sob, I would rather sweep my butt than my junk. Plus if something were to happen, like an ad with an sob, there's a good chance it's not going to hit much. In a smart carry, it could change your religion.

 

[the naked prophet]

I agree on the downsides with Smart Carry - if you're sitting. While standing, there's not as much chance of crossing your body while drawing.

I have not carried in a SOB holster myself, but I have made and tested a few when requested by customers. They were universally difficult to draw from without the muzzle crossing my body.

 

[Clipper]

My SOB holster was an OWB, butt-up design. I wore it over my right kidney. There was virtually NO WAY to sweep any part of my anatomy in drawing that gun, and the position was the most comfortable way I ever found to carry my Ultra Carry for long periods, and while driving. I also used the same style rig with my PT-145.

Just because it's called a SOB doesn't mean the holster police will get you if it's not directly at 6:00.
Most knowledgeable SOB wearers (including most of the actual SOB users posting here) offset the holster. Most of the detractors obviously don't know this, because they keep harping about back injury and such. Most SOB users took about 1 use before they found out that offsetting a bit to the side made them much more comfortable. SOB is still my favorite way to carry when I am unable to pocket carry.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

I'm mainly asking because I'm a bigger guy (6ft 270ish), and am looking into concealment options for a service xd9. I figure a regular IWB would be uncomfortable with my plentiful love handles lol ...

I am 5-9 and 148 lbs., so I don't know how much of this will apply to you.

With the SOB holsters I am familiar with (carrying the gun nearly horizontally with the grip pointing up), are you going to be able to turn your arm and reach that far around your back while clearing your cover garment(s)? If not and you have to offset the holster further toward your strong side, you will soon reach a point of diminishing returns in concealability. Try simulating the carry in this position with the gun unloaded.

... and a lot of my shirts aren't very long so I'm not sure I could conceal well with an OWB without having to buy all new shirts.

And??? What's wrong with that? If this is what you wind up having to do, do it. I use IWB holsters and purchased all new pants - an extra inch in the waist, otherwise they are too tight with a holstered gun and horribly uncomfortable - when I started carrying.

 

[gtmerkley]

M 1911 has that right.

 

[hill billy]

With the SOB holsters I am familiar with (carrying the gun nearly horizontally with the grip pointing up), are you going to be able to turn your arm and reach that far around your back while clearing your cover garment(s)? If not and you have to offset the holster further toward your strong side, you will soon reach a point of diminishing returns in concealability. Try simulating the carry in this position with the gun unloaded.

I find this type of holster uncomfortable. I use a left hand straight drop holster even though I am right handed. This leaves the gun pointed straight down with the grip to my right side. I do no need two hands to pull it out, one hand does the whole operation and as I mentioned before, I can easily draw with either hand.

 

[the naked prophet]

Clipper, moving the holster even a small amount to the strong side makes it much easier to draw without crossing your body. I assumed you meant right at 6:00. I also wear my IWB holsters at 5:00.

 

[tipoc]

As others have mentioned picking a holster can be complicated and finding the right one (ones) for you takes trial and error. So the pros and cons of SOB have been mentioned and have to be weighed in the equation.

I tend to think that your body type (or physical limitations to the rotator cuff) and what you will be doing while wearing the rig and what you will be carrying have a good deal to do with selection. All rigs have their strengths and weaknesses at certain tasks. Like shoes. The rig you are fastest from may be completely inappropriate to wear in certain locations or events. An ankle rig might work. Cross draw works in many applications much better than SOB. An IWB strong side is very handy but maybe not so much for a 5'6" 250 pd. woman or man. Speed may have to take second place to concealment at times. Etc., etc.

So for me SOB has been handy at times. And I try to avoid falling flat on my back

tipoc

 

[EricShelton]

"If you fall on your spine..."

Seriously? Do you guys make a habit of falling on your back? When tussling with a bad guy, even if you go down backwards, aren't you moving side to side? Sorry, I just think this is a stupid argument. I'm going to be more worried about the knife the bad guy is trying to shove in my gut if things come to that.

Uncomfortable when sitting? Adjust your lumbar support. Fixed.

Now, as far as the shirt riding up- this is absolutely true. Getting in and out of the car, it's become a habit for me now to reach behind with my left hand and double check my shirt is draped over my gun.

When sitting in church, I have a tendency to lean forward, studiously. (Paying close attention keeps me from napping.) This is another concealment problem- there's not a lot of vertical support in an SOB holster, so the butt of your grip will shoot straight up in the air and make you look like Quasimodo.

Last thought- I have an ambidextrous safety on my 1911. In an SOB holster, while seated or moving around I have knocked the safety off more than once. There's still the grip safety and the trigger is covered, but this is something worth noting.

As long as you practice withdrawing your firearm from the holster, unnecessary sweeping of the muzzle across non-targets can be easily remedied.

I've carried a full size 1911 in an SOB for the past 4 months. For reference, I'm 6'0" and 190 pounds. It works just fine, and may be a good option for you. In full disclosure, I'm waiting on a custom holster that will be strong side on the hip, and I'm hoping to move my gun there full time to avoid the hunchback effect. But the typical reasons people poo-poo SOB holsters are fear-mongering, juts repeating what they heard, or forgetting that not everyone is built the same way.

If you want to try it, go for it. Don't we all have more holsters than guns, anyway?

 

[mr.72]

repeating what they heard

+1

There's a lot of echo in the CCW ranks.

 

[M203Sniper]

If you haven't tried it and you have one of those rotating paddle holsters;

Hold the paddle and rotate the weapon to clockwise, so the grip is up.

Put the Holster on (Not at 6) but at about 5 O'clock.

Under a coat or winter jacket it's pretty comfortable and you can easily adjust your coat tails without handling your pistol.

NOT THIS

THIS









I never carry a pistol on my spine, but I have a bad habit of sliding my Handcuffs around behind me; I can still walk.

 

[CHEVELLE427]

I TRIED THE SOB HOLSTER (ONCE)

got out of the truck and heard a clinic behind me, turned to see what it was and there laid my 45, never felt it come out,

sold that holster and went back to my bianchi pro100 IWB. so far so good.
i also have some meat on the bones 6.6 270, gun tucks good up in the gut.

Did just get an old used bianchi shadow for my TAURUS CIA and IM liking it a lot. Looking for one for the XD now.

 

[Harley Man]

Conceal Carry...Small of Back, Inside waist band, outside waist band, shoulder holster, cross draw holster, ankel holster wear at 1:00...3:00..butt canted toward the front. Shirt blowing up, jacket blowing open.......Summer concealment, winter concealment
I have only one thing to say...Sounds like a good argrument for OPEN CARRY! Oh yea Texas is one of only six states that doesn't have some sort of OPEN CARRY law. Go Figure!!!
Sorry for the rant in the wrong forum.

 

[onebigelf]

I carry a full size HP in a Bianchi Pistol Pocket worn SOB. I have the holster rotated so the butt lays right about along my spine, slide down. I find it perfectly comfortable, it hides nicely under a jacket, and to draw I just sweep my hand under the edge of the jacket with three fingers curled to catch the grip, pop the thumb break, and out it comes. I've practiced a bit, but nobody in my gun club can draw as fast from their chosen rig. Re-holstering is a bit tricky I will admit. Not quick at all, but I don't consider that a major flaw. If I'm putting my gun up I probably have time. It's getting it out that is likely to be pressing!

John