Shoulder holster bad idea?

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9mm

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Is a shoulder holster a bad idea?

I know your muzzle points at other people, but they do make shoulder holsters for a reason. I have a blackhawk shoulder holster that fits most large autos and small j frames. I tested it and it works very well with my j frame, it holds two magazines and I don't have to wear a mag pouch for my magazines. I like this for CCW, my outer shirt over a shoulder holster and my main gun in my waist band. But is this breaking the gun rule never point your muzzle at someone? It's in a safe holster, with a long 8lb trigger pull.
 
If the holster holds the gun SECURELY (as in you can be slammed to the ground and do a somersault and it stays holstered) and the safeties on the gun are solid then I wouldn't worry about it. I would advise using a shoulder rig with a strap that goes between the hammer and the firing pin if you're carrying a cocked and locked SA semi auto. Just don't buy a cheap shoulder rig. I have a Galco Classic (the old Miami Vice rig) and have laid a motorcycle down and slid on the asphalt thinking I would lose the gun and the holster held the gun tight. Just inspect all of the fasteners and rivets frequently and make sure it's solid. Cops have been carrying in shoulder rigs for a very long time I have never heard of one instance where a gun fired in the holster and hit anyone. Maybe they just don't talk about it.:D
 
Does a horizontal shoulder holster break any of Col. Cooper's rules? No.

Now have fun with those who get their knickers in a twist who are about to chime in.
 
Normally rules allow exceptions for "transport." Such as holstered handguns and slung rifles. The muzzles are going to point at things, but the theory is if the manner of transport is safe (holstered handgun, unchambered or safed slung rifle) then people shouldn't be alarmed by the weapon.

That said, some base commanders specifically ban horizontal shoulder holsters...

One way around that is to find a vertical rig shoulder holster.

My problem with horizontal shoulder holsters is that, unless the guns are not much bigger than pocket sized, I have a hard time not printing unless I wear a jacket.

I can carry a full-size 1911 in a vertical rig. (Then again, I generally prefer IWB.)

Good luck.
 
The most common safety concern is that I've heard is that you will sweep your support arm as you draw.

I don't like it for a number of reasons:
- in the moment you draw and re-holster, you are pointing a gun at anyone behind you. If you think shooting yourself in the leg while in your bedroom is bad, trying shooting someone out the window behind you.
- it's just as convenient for your attacker to reach as it is for you.
- if your attacker is close enough, now he can pin your strong arm to your body when you try to draw
- it's almost impossible to draw with your support hand.
 
I am looking at getting a shoulder rig in the next few weeks. It is for a Coonan Classic. I currently have a cheep one but I am looking to get one in leather. Would you recommend getting a vertical holster over a horizontal one?

The one I currently have is a horizontal one and its fine but if a Vertical one would carry better I would much rather have that one.
 
Shoulder holsters can be a very good thing. I carry my sig228 in a 24 year old DeSantis rig that's very comfortable and conceals very well in the horizontal.

I use a vintage '70's Safariland for my S&W model29, but that's for the woods and it's verticle.

In the early 70's I carried in uniform as a backup a Browning HP in a Seven Trees custom shoulder rig in the vertical position. I did carry cocked and locked with the strap secured between the hammer and firing pin. I paid lots more for the holster than the gun. I unfortunately sold it for big money, but thankfully kept my gun.

I have two shoulder holsters for my Glock27. One is a Safariland that I purchased last year and is extremely comfortable for me and is the horizontal type. The other is made by Active Pro Gear and is the elastic type that I hide very well under my t-shirt during summer months. It sits in the vertical position. My son who's a police officer has the same one for his Glock26, which he wears while in uniform over his bullet proof vest. It feels like I'm wearing a woman's bra with the 2 shoulder straps, but the darn thing works well and secures the weapon just fine. It brings out my inner child.

Lastly as a police officer in plainclothes I always carried my colt DS in a rig which positioned the gun with barrel pointed to my armpit. I wore it safely for years, even while running and getting into scuffles.

I really like shoulder holsters, just make sure whichever one you get is of good quality and does a good job securing your gun. Ankle holsters can get you killed, but that's only my old opinion.
 
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Shoulder holsters are fine as long as you are aware of the limitations.

As for the sweep-police types, it is very simple. Keep your booger hook off the dang trigger until you are ready to shoot something! :cool:
 
9mm

A shoulder holster is as safe and unsafe as any other holster.
Inside the waist band holsters you sweep your own waist and hip.
Out side the waist band you may sweep your leg / waist.
Most people think when they draw it will be like the range. They don't think that they may be crouching, kneeling or laying on the ground. Or what they may or may not sweep when drawinsg.

As for the bad guy grabbing your weapon. I don't know any one who is going to stand still and let other people grab and or rub all over thier bodys.

If you need to draw from a shoulder holster. Step back with your strong side leg. Grab the weapon as you step back. Then pull the gun up and out of the holster. This is a short movement that will end with the gun in a high ready position. In the middle of your chest. Then follow the same presentation you would from a hip draw. When done properly you will sweep the ground beside you just like a hip draw. And this will also work with a cross draw rig.

The last post was for those that still use a weaver or mod. weaver stance. I am not a target shooter and don't wear body armor. So I try to present as little target area as possible.
 
The reason why I want to shoulder carry, is because in the winter I can't CCW a revolver in my front pockets. They are super tight, hardly holds my wallet.:(
 
I don't care for them at all.

I hate wearing an extra shirt or jacket to conceal it, especially during those long hot and humid Carolina summers.

I greatly prefer shorts and a t-shirt with an inside the waistband holster.

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But is this breaking the gun rule never point your muzzle at someone?
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A shoulder holster on the face if it may seem to break this rule but it really doesnt... A quality shoulder holster in good condition should prevent any possibility of your finger or anything else touching the trigger unless the weapon is drawn.

Any pistol well maintained and in good condition that is generally accepted as being as safe as anything else should be totally fine to carry in a shoulder holster.

So long as the well maintained gun is properly holstered it should be impossible for it to fire without user interaction... this is the key to why it is not an actual violation of the rule...

The other thing to keep in mind is in self defense situations you most likely are not going to be able to ask others to step behind you while you bring the gun to bear on the BG. Yes it is ALWAYS a bad idea to fire with innocent people forward of the gun but in defense of your life or others lives it could be necessary to do so. It is a risk and its one reason why constant practice and training is necessary and even that doesnt stop it form being a risk.
 
I've worn a shoulder holster for years. They are my preferred method of carry.

I think the "sweeping your own arm" is overstated malarkey, especially given that virtually EVERY holster type points the gun at some point on your body when you either remove it or reinsert it.

Recently there was a recounting here of a student at one of the training academies blasting a hole in his thigh reholstering his gun in a hip holster.

An SOB holster puts the muzzle in line with your buttocks.

An IWB holster does pretty much the same thing as a hip holster.

An ankle holster points at your foot.

It's not so much a matter of where the muzzle of the gun is pointing.

It is, however, ALL about the training of the individual using the holster. Poor training, or a momentary lapse in even well established training patterns, can result in a person shooting himself.
 
Shoulder holsters are great. I've shot about 99% of my rounds from strong-side belt holsters, both IWB and OWB, and I'd say the only situation that favors that sort of carry is standing, facing your target. When you're sitting, kneeling, belted into a car, facing away from target, etc., the shoulder rig is easier to get to.
And, you can "prep" your draw, all the way to grasping the gun in a firing grip while still holstered, and not tip that you even have a gun; certainly something you can't do with a hip holster.
Where I live, I almost always have some sort of jacket on, almost year around, so carrying a shoulder rig means just throwing it on over whatever I'm wearing already; wearing a belt rig almost always requires some effort to dress for the gun.
 
The reason why I want to shoulder carry, is because in the winter I can't CCW a revolver in my front pockets. They are super tight, hardly holds my wallet.
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Don't wear girl's "skinny jeans". :D
 
I carry in a Galco Miami Classic depending on the days schedule. I like it for the woods and canoeing. I also like it if I am going to be driving all day. You can't beat the option of carrying two extra mags to balance the rig. JMO they have there place but it is occasional for me. I would say 25% of the time.
 
Shoulder rigs, body frame, designs....

I agree with a few of the forum members in this topic.
Shoulder holsters can work great but you need to be aware of their limits.

I owned a black Aker leather Comfort Flex design & used it for my big 96D .40S&W pistol in the late 1990s. I would carry the Beretta 96D for 12-16 hours at a time w/o any problems.
I prefer the horizontal style with gear-mag holders at a angle(horizontal). It gives you more room on your off side-belt areas. Top designs include the Galco, Kirkpatrick Leather, Aker, DelFatti.
I'd be careful with some holsters if you open carry or need to re-holster quickly.
Many armed citizens & armed industry workers(PIs, security officers, LE, etc) distain shoulder holsters but I think they have value for 2nd guns/back ups, concealment or in office-seated positions.

CF
ps; I've posted a story in the forum I read a few years about a aviation LE officer who had a nitwit ER doctor complain about the helicopter pilot's sidearm in a horizontal rig. I'd calmly explain that the firearm was safe & my finger was not on the weapon's trigger.
 
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