Testing a vertical shoulder rig (pics/vid)

Corpral_Agarn

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Nov 14, 2012
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Northern CA (the good part)
I don't want to hijack this thread about winter time carry: https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...ou-deal-with-a-heavy-jacket-in-winter.936259/

But I wanted to get some data to follow up my post in that thread about vertical shoulder rigs.

I picked up an Italian surplus rig for $35 and decided to test it at our private range.

With minimal practice I got the draw down to under 2 seconds (my personal standard). My fastest draw with hit on target at just over 10 yards was 1.6.

I was using a P239 for testing but my P226 fits the holster as well.

I don't like this method better than my usual appendix carry, but I do recognize that it could be a viable option for those of us outside wearing coats.

The rig:
20250103_125608.jpg



20250103_125622.jpg


And video
 
Not a bad buy at all, nice! I always wanted a nice vertical rig for a K Frame Smith, but I never had the scratch to buy something nice from Bianchi or the like. It has advantages, like with a short grip, hides better, and for a wheelgun, that's easier to do.
Not a bad looking rig, sir, good buy.
 
Tried shoulder holsters back in the seventies... and quickly found that in a day or two - they weren't my best choice and never tried them again... I was carrying a sidearm nearly every working day so not something I only brought to the range... Over the years, when not on duty it was either inside my waistband (wearing shorts) - or on my ankle (wearing trousers)...
 
I don't want to hijack this thread about winter time carry: https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...ou-deal-with-a-heavy-jacket-in-winter.936259/

But I wanted to get some data to follow up my post in that thread about vertical shoulder rigs.

I picked up an Italian surplus rig for $35 and decided to test it at our private range.

With minimal practice I got the draw down to under 2 seconds (my personal standard). My fastest draw with hit on target at just over 10 yards was 1.6.

I was using a P239 for testing but my P226 fits the holster as well.

I don't like this method better than my usual appendix carry, but I do recognize that it could be a viable option for those of us outside wearing coats.

The rig:
View attachment 1244401


View attachment 1244402

And video

I'm trying to envision how that hangs on the body?
 
That is a clone of a Bianchi shoulder holster. I have one for my commander 1911.
It is comfortable, and discreet. However. Intake so.e getting used to.....carrying the weight on your shoulders instead of your belt.
I never got that "i forget it's there," comfort that I get with an iwb holster..

Thank you, that gave me something to search! Now I understand better how it is worn. It makes me think that the canvas strap would be felt more than what I'm used to. Also, the leather side is anchored to a belt around the waist, which would pull on me when I reach up for things. https://bianchileather.com/collecti...cts/model-x15-vertical-shoulder-holster-19952

I have a DeSantis NYUC set up for the Glock 19/25 etc. that I've carried my G36 in for years in the winter months. The G36 and its ammo load are quite light and the dual shoulder straps are nice and wide, plus nothing anchors to a belt. The straps have finally cracked up superficially, so I have a back up set of straps ready to install after this winter.

I got used to the NYUC fairly quickly so many years ago that it doesn't bother me at all. The only thing I really have to be cognizant of is to keep the bottom of a jacket or coat buttoned or zipped to keep the jacket from blowing open from wind or if doing a quick jog across a street (which is likely a common situation with all shoulder holsters).
 
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I don't want to hijack this thread about winter time carry: https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...ou-deal-with-a-heavy-jacket-in-winter.936259/

But I wanted to get some data to follow up my post in that thread about vertical shoulder rigs.

I picked up an Italian surplus rig for $35 and decided to test it at our private range.

With minimal practice I got the draw down to under 2 seconds (my personal standard). My fastest draw with hit on target at just over 10 yards was 1.6.

I was using a P239 for testing but my P226 fits the holster as well.

I don't like this method better than my usual appendix carry, but I do recognize that it could be a viable option for those of us outside wearing coats.

The rig:
View attachment 1244401


View attachment 1244402

And video

That is a clone of a Bianchi shoulder holster. I have one for my commander 1911.
It is comfortable, and discreet. However. Intake so.e getting used to.....carrying the weight on your shoulders instead of your belt.
I never got that "i forget it's there," comfort that I get with an iwb holster..

I see one important difference between the two. The Italian rig appears to have a u-shape spring clip covered in leather to retain the pistol, where the Bianchi has leather strap with snaps. (Edit: The Bianchi appears to have a similar internal spring as well.)

@Corpral_Agarn , how secure is the gun in that Italian holster, have you checked it after running? How hard would you say it is to pull the pistol free? It certainly should be faster to draw from than the Bianchi using a retention strap.
 
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I see one important difference between the two. The Italian rig appears to have a u-shape spring clip covered in leather to retain the pistol, where the Bianchi has leather strap with snaps. (Edit: The Bianchi appears to have a similar internal spring as well.)

@Corpral_Agarn , how secure is the gun in that Italian holster, have you checked it after running? How hard would you say it is to pull the pistol free? It certainly should be faster to draw from than the Bianchi using a retention strap.
I've been wearing it around the ranch the last week or so. Retention is better than I expected.

That spring idea is pretty good.

The bottom of the holster houses a good bit of the muzzle and that helps too, I think.

I haven't taken a jog or anything but I've been loading hay, and feeding critters, carrying stuff, etc
 
I've been wearing it around the ranch the last week or so. Retention is better than I expected.

That spring idea is pretty good.

The bottom of the holster houses a good bit of the muzzle and that helps too, I think.

I haven't taken a jog or anything but I've been loading hay, and feeding critters, carrying stuff, etc

I appreciate the feedback. Thanks. :cool:
 
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