loneviking
Member
I wanted to post some observations about this shoulder rig that may help anyone looking for a rig to carry a full size revolver in. I carry a Colt Peackeeper (which is basically a Trooper MkV), and I used to use a Bianchi X15. The Bianchi rig was never comfortable as the offside straps were too thin and didn't give enough support to offset the weight of the gun. So, after some research, I bought the Uncle Mikes shoulder rig.
The first problem you will probably find is that there are no instructions with the holster! The package says that the holster is 'infinitely adjustable'---but how? The second oddity on taking the holster from the package is that the plastic anchor has a 'cut' inscribed on both sides down near the bottom of the anchor. I can't figure out why a company wouldn't cut this off at the factory, but they don't. Because I have a long torso, I was worried that cutting this off would make the rig to short to fit but thankfully it didn't.
The big mistake I made for several weeks with the holster was wadding it up after wearing it and putting it back in it's bag. What a mess (and a PIA) to untangle and try to get the thing on. The rig had creases in the straps that weren't comfortable and the straps seemed to stretch and need frequent adjustment.
Then, I read in an article on shoulder holsters in USCCA magazine that these holsters ideally should be stretched across the back of a chair at night. So, I took the rig out, and with a warm iron 'ironed' the straps flat. Then, I stretched the rig across the back of my large recliner. After about three days, the straps were flat and stretched out. One really good thing about these Uncle Mike rigs is how wide these straps are. They provide really good support for any heavy revolver. I've discovered that if you don't have a recliner, but just a standard office chair you can do this: lay the rig across the back of the chair and then tie the anchor strap around one arm, and then put the revolver in the holster. This puts tension on the rig and keeps the straps flat.
The straps form an 'X' over the back. The anchor side strap that goes over the top of the shoulder is the weight bearing strap. Get this strap adjusted so that the 'feel' of both sides is equal, while leaving the lower strap loose.
The lower strap that goes under the shoulder pulls the rig in close to the body. Adjust this one last!
The buckles will move up and down on the straps. This is important to know so that you don't wind up with a long 'end' of strap material hanging out from under the bottom of the buckle. Slide the buckles on the straps so that when adjusted, you have only a little bit of material on the bottom of the buckle that won't get in the way.
Because these buckles move, the straps are infinitely adjustable and once fitted properly with all of the stretch out of 'em, they are very comfortable. This is an excellent rig for carrying a big revolver with the large straps supporting the weight very well. You will need a heavy gunbelt to anchor both sides too, but with a heavy gunbelt and the above tips you have a great rig for a big gun.
When you want to put the holster on, pick it up and slip into it as you would a sport coat. The holster is cut in such a way that it hugs the body with a low profile. Slip a vest over the rig and you have concealement.
I hope this helps somebody!
The first problem you will probably find is that there are no instructions with the holster! The package says that the holster is 'infinitely adjustable'---but how? The second oddity on taking the holster from the package is that the plastic anchor has a 'cut' inscribed on both sides down near the bottom of the anchor. I can't figure out why a company wouldn't cut this off at the factory, but they don't. Because I have a long torso, I was worried that cutting this off would make the rig to short to fit but thankfully it didn't.
The big mistake I made for several weeks with the holster was wadding it up after wearing it and putting it back in it's bag. What a mess (and a PIA) to untangle and try to get the thing on. The rig had creases in the straps that weren't comfortable and the straps seemed to stretch and need frequent adjustment.
Then, I read in an article on shoulder holsters in USCCA magazine that these holsters ideally should be stretched across the back of a chair at night. So, I took the rig out, and with a warm iron 'ironed' the straps flat. Then, I stretched the rig across the back of my large recliner. After about three days, the straps were flat and stretched out. One really good thing about these Uncle Mike rigs is how wide these straps are. They provide really good support for any heavy revolver. I've discovered that if you don't have a recliner, but just a standard office chair you can do this: lay the rig across the back of the chair and then tie the anchor strap around one arm, and then put the revolver in the holster. This puts tension on the rig and keeps the straps flat.
The straps form an 'X' over the back. The anchor side strap that goes over the top of the shoulder is the weight bearing strap. Get this strap adjusted so that the 'feel' of both sides is equal, while leaving the lower strap loose.
The lower strap that goes under the shoulder pulls the rig in close to the body. Adjust this one last!
The buckles will move up and down on the straps. This is important to know so that you don't wind up with a long 'end' of strap material hanging out from under the bottom of the buckle. Slide the buckles on the straps so that when adjusted, you have only a little bit of material on the bottom of the buckle that won't get in the way.
Because these buckles move, the straps are infinitely adjustable and once fitted properly with all of the stretch out of 'em, they are very comfortable. This is an excellent rig for carrying a big revolver with the large straps supporting the weight very well. You will need a heavy gunbelt to anchor both sides too, but with a heavy gunbelt and the above tips you have a great rig for a big gun.
When you want to put the holster on, pick it up and slip into it as you would a sport coat. The holster is cut in such a way that it hugs the body with a low profile. Slip a vest over the rig and you have concealement.
I hope this helps somebody!
