Your opinion from experience on shoulder, clip, and ankle holsters

[leadcounsel]

I currently use OWB about 90% of the time and IWB about 10% of the time.

I'm considering other methods of carry. I like IWB and OWB but sometimes it's not practical or comfortable (for instance, long car rides.

What are your opinions of ankle and shoulder carry?

For "clip" carry (no, not magazines) I would carry a Keltec P3AT with the little clip that clips to the IWB.

For ankle carry, how truly concealable is a small gun such as a 3" XD or a 2" Ruger SP101. Is it necessary to use a above the calf strap to prevent the gun from riding all the way down to your shoe?

For shoulder carry I would consider any of the medium sized frame pistols I own (Glock, CZ, XD, etc.). How comfortable and practical are shoulder holsters?

Keep in mind I currently live in Colorado. 80-90 degrees in the summer, wild variations of temperature in the winter (but I think I will be moving before winter).

 

[huntershooter]

I carry shoulder holster in cool/cold weather when it's appropriate to have enough clothing on to conceal adequately. It's important to have a quality rig that is properly adjusted for it to be comfortable. Never found an ankle holster that didn't drive me crazy though. Remember that you get what you pay for-especially with leather.

 

[Ala Dan]

In fairness, my only comment must be directed only too IWB's.

With that said, I have been using an old ('76 model) Bianchi #6
for thirty years in conjunction with all types of Smith & Wesson
J-frames, and Colt D-frames, and haven't had a problem yet. It
cost me all of $6.00 + s/h back then; but I think they are 'bout
$18.95 now~!

 

[another okie]

I am "Mr. Bag of Holsters" for my Glock 26. I also get tired of belt carry sometimes. I have a Galco ankle glove which works well if you are wearing pants with fairly wide bottoms, and you have to get them longer than normal. I also carry a lightweight snubbie that way, and I sometimes forget the snubbie is there, but I don't ever forget the Glock is there. It's great for days when you are getting in and out of cars all day. It's also handy if you are leaving your car and going into places CCW is prohibited, since you can take it off discreetly in the car.

I do have a Miami Classic shoulder holster, but it requires so much concealment that I hardly ever use it. The model I have would fit my Glock 17 as well as the 26, but the barrel prints badly when using the 17. The holster pulls the shirt in tight to your body and so it is quite warm. It is more comfortable in some situations than the ankle holster.

In hot weather I find myself falling back on pocket carry if I'm wearing cargo shorts.

 

[leadcounsel]

Good info so far....

Under what circumstances would you choose a should rig INSTEAD of IWB or OWB?

Are ankle holsters primarily for a BUG? When would you ONLY use an ankle instead of an IWB or OWB?

 

[greg531mi]

I hate anything that's in my belt....I carry in the pocket with a Hedley pocket holster......

 

[Delmar]

I like shoulder holsters for cold weather or for long trips. Also for hunting. I use a Miami Classic

 

[armoredman]

I've tried shoulder rigs, heck, almost everything but ankle. Ankle rigs seemed way to much a PITA for me.
I had Galco and Uncle Mikes shoulder holsters - the Miami Classic is the way to go if you must, but they are cumbersome and slow, and are tight and uncomfortable, at least for me. SOB didn't work well, either, and I don't carry a gun small enough for pocket carry, though I tried it with a PPK years ago. Didn't like it.
I go strong side nowdays, IWB with an Orca Bodyguard nylon rig. Works just fine with the PO1.

Cold months, I can carry in my favorite HBE rig, with appropriate covering garment.

 

[soutex50]

As an active LEO, I carry 100% of the time...... I've found that almost all modes work depending on activity as previously mentioned.

On ankle holsters, you have to find the good ones out there. I regularly use a Bianchi Ranger Triad in which I carry a Glock 27 no problem all day.

Being in the South, ain't nobody got nothing on us for hot weather

My J frame usually rides in an IWB with clip for easy on/off.

 

[another okie]

The original poster asked about when to choose which type of holster.

I use ankle carry at church, because the hug bunnies have taken over. It's also useful, as I said, because it's easy to take on or off in your car without alarming anyone. If you are wearing khakis and a tucked in shirt, it's pretty hard to find a carry method that allows a quick draw. Ankle holster is not a quick draw, though you can speed it up with practice. It's very important to put your left hand on your left knee when sitting down to keep the pants from riding up.

Recently I was going to a meeting and was carrying on the ankle when I realized we were going to be at tables facing one another. Over the course of two days it seemed likely the pants would ride up. I chose the Kramer undercover (I think that's the name), which is a tank top with a holster under the armpit. You draw by unbuttoning the top button or two and pulling the gun out of the holster. Slow, but very deep concealment, and you can carry a Glock 26 easily, which is actually a lot of gun to have with you. Eleven rounds of 9mm and a quick reload!

The only time I use a shoulder holster is on car trips in cool weather.

Pocket carry works for me in really hot weather when I don't want anything pressing on my body and I'm wearing short pants. But it's hard to draw the Glock from a pocket, so I wind up carrying a snubbie when I go to pocket carry.

Obviously the best and quickest is on the belt, strong side, but life is a series of compromises.

 

[joab]

I typically use a Galko ankle holster.
My daily work uniform is a tucked in button shirt with Docker type pants with pockets full of necessary tools and such, and I drive most of the day. Ankle carry is pretty much my only option.
I wear lace up short boots so the holster rides on top of the boot right about wear my calf turns down to my ankle so a garter is not necessary.

My off time is spent mostly in jeans and western boots, so ankle carry would not work.
I typically wear Hawaiian type or untucked button up shirts so my Bianchi IWB works well.

We only get about two days of winter here but one of the unbuttoned Hawaiian or button up shirt worn over a T-shirt can conceal a small gun in a shoulder rig like a Bianchi Executive.

I would love t carry a full size gun but my normal attire does not allow for that so I stick to J-frames mostly.

I have one with one of those clips and find it to be just about one step above Mexican carry.
4:00 is about the only position that I can carry it because my spare tire tends to make it roll up and over of my belt id I try cross draw or appendix(?)