Shoulder Holster Concealment

3

308Gunner

New member
For a long time, I've wanted to get a shoulder rig for carry. Right now I usually use an IWB, and for the duration of the summer, it'll probably stay that way, lol.

But, my question is, what's some opinions on the best way to conceal a shoulder rig? I've heard from some they're the best thing ever, and others who say they can't ever get it to conceal correctly and it becomes a pain. For the sake of a size to work with, I'd probably either be using it for a 3" 1911, or nothing bigger than a Glock 23.
 
Never worked for me

I would love to use a shoulder holster, and maybe in the future I could get the right combination of pistol and holster, but in the past I found that it did not work well for me. I am usually not wearing a heavy enough outer garment to effectively conceal the holster and pistol so I still carry IWB. I can use a lighter outer garment and still conceal the pistol that way. It sure would be more comfortable, especially when I am riding, if I could get the right combination.
 
"...some opinions on the best way to conceal a shoulder rig..."

Well... Obvious first... Wear it under a jacket or sport coat.

I can't make any sense out of the horizontal ones... I ONLY use verticle.

Far prefer to wear them as high as is comfortably possible so that the grip of the gun is nearly in my armpit... I find this makes it easiest to conceal.

If it juts out in the back at all, it's impossible... Some of them have weird difficult angles which make them useless for me.

There's A LOT of variation in them... I went through a lot of trial and error... Best of all worlds would be a shoulder-rig showroom with mirrors and a vast selection to try before ya' buy... but I haven't seen such a place. I've had to alter/customize mine in order to make them work for me. (I'm retired and have the time for such projects.) I think a person would need to be very lucky to easily find one that works well off the shelf.

(PS: I also utilize those 511 undercover carry T-shirts sometimes in cool weather... an interesting alternative once in awhile. I far prefer the V-neck style... Oh... and they're only good for light guns... 30 oz. loaded tops... Otherwise they sag too much.)
 
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I've seen people conceal them under a sweatshirt, but I need a jacket or fleece, or something that hangs somewhat loosely. I'm much more likely to have a gun with me if I can throw it on over whatever I'm already wearing, than if I have to select a gun-specific outfit that will accommodate IWB, etc. I use a Galco Jackass, and like it. I'm not a huge fan of thumb-breaks, and if I were to do it over, would look into the Alessi rigs that have a pull-through snap inside the trigger guard. I also like the holster high under the armpit, as that reduces movement - no need for tie-downs - making for easier concealment and, I think, easier draw.
 
Have tried quite a few, and they all conceal well under whatever kind of jacket, casual to formal….you can even put them under a shirt, but access is slower. In general, the shoulder holster is not a fast draw option, although the horizontal carry is reasonably quick, the vertical less so.

Tried a horizontal and it was good for quick draw and comfy too, but after 4 months or so, the snap worked loose and the gun fell out…had to retire it and have gone back to vertical carry.

Ironically, my best shoulder holster is an all leather Swiss Army milsurp, just about any size pistol, small to medium fits (ie PPK, PPS, Sig, S&W, etc) and best of all it only cost $13. Wish I had bought 5 of them.

Have seen a lot of detectives wearing the Galco Miami Classic, but they cost more than $13.
 
what's some opinions on the best way to conceal a shoulder rig?
Click to expand...

With a small, light pistol it is possible to conceal one with a shirt, provided the shirt is not too tight and hangs loose enough. Coats or jackets are better.

Even with a good cover garment, concealment can be problematic if you are in close proximity to people for long periods of time. Tie-downs can aide in keeping the gun from swaying and bumping.

Just as in any other carry situation, lightweight and small sized pistols are more comfortable and easier to hide. I carry at elbow height. I've used Miami Classic style holsters as well as a single loop style with an elastic strap and belt clip, (which I find the most comfortable).
 
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The only way youre going to know if its for you is get a couple and see how it goes.

Personally, I think they are one of the hardest to hide/keep hidden. I also find them about the easiest to spot. Theres a lot going on with most of them, and more to see. You need to choose the right cover garment, and you need to pay a lot more attention. The biggest disadvantage is, you cant ever take off what youre wearing over it and still be discrete.

The usual places you spot them are when someone doesnt properly close a front open coat or fleece, etc, and the gun swings out or is just exposed. You often see the straps themselves at the collar, and more often than not, the straps are visible through the cover garments material, especially when its stressed, sort of like a bra strap on a fat woman.

Wearing a full size gun gets old as the day goes on, and you can often spot the discomfort.

Ive tried most styles, from a number of the big makers, and the two I like best are the Galco "Executive", and Ken Null's "SMZ". Both are minimal holsters, and both are meant for "smaller" guns. They are a lot easier to hide than the big rigs, and comfortable all day without wearing you out. Both can easily be worn under a "loose" crew neck sweatshirt, and since the straps are small, they dont tend to print. The collar is still a sore point though.
 
I have used a few. A Galco Miami Classic with a Sig P220 is what I used back in the 90's. It worked great. Currently I have an old DeSantis horizontal rig that is similar to the MC that I use with a Colt Trooper. It also works well.
I also have an old vertical Bianchi that I occasionlly use with a 6.5" N Frame. It requires a bit more careful selection of a cover garment, but does work.
 
I carried a Browning HiPower for years using a vertical shoulder holster over a T-shirt and under a loose fitting twill or flannel shirt. The pistol was never detected by anyone I met and I worked with customers every day. I use a horizontal to carry a Star BM as needed and frequently carry Ruger MKII
6 7/8" in a vertical type under my outside coat on the farm during winter.
I don't really care for the shoulder rig when it's hot as it's hard to keep the gun from rusting and the outer shirt is more likely to print. A dark multi color shirt may be tucked or left out as long as the buttons are easily opened or they can just be ripped off if you're really in a hurry. I didn't bother with the velcro front and fake buttons but it is an option.
 
I have a back problem so, most of the time I use a Shoulder Holster.

Ware a button up shirt over your T-Shirt covers your shoulder holster
and takes the pressure off my waitst. It may look a little "funkey" but,
I button several buttons.
 
I have a back problem as well and find a shoulder holster the only way I can carry. I'm surprised no one has mentioned a vest as this is my cover garment.
 
I also favor shoulder holsters... I have several. Many Shoulder holsters will work with several different firearms. I have the Bianch X15 in small, medium, and large. I also have a safariland upside down for the J frame revolvers.

I live in HOT!!! humid Florida... They all hide easily under a loose fitting shirt.

I spend a lot of time in vehicals, and the Shoulder holster works well for seated access.

Glenn
 
+s & -s about shoulder rigs...

Many US gunners have very strong opinions about shoulder rigs. Most are -. :(

While on active duty in the US military(MP/95B), shoulder holsters & M12 rigs were common for some desk clerks & arms rooms/armorers. Not many MPs or CIDC Special Agents concealed the M9s or M11s with shoulder holsters.
Shoulder rigs can be hard to wear for extended periods & it may be tough to re-holster a sidearm 1 handed while wearing a shoulder holster.
Some models fit & wear very well. I like the Kirkpatrick Leather concealment models. The Aker Comfort Flex, the Bianchi Tuxcedo(black nylon) & the Galco Miami Classic II are all well made too.
In closing, depending on your wardrobe(clothes), size-height & weather conditions a shoulder rig may or may not work for you.
I know Dirty Harry, Sonny Crockett & John McClane all look smooth & cool but that's Hollywood not real-life, ;) .
 
I occasionally carry in a shoulder rig. I wear an unbuttoned Hawaii shirt with the holster under that but over a t-shirt. I don't know if it would work well with a bigger gun but it does work with a j-frame.
 
Over the years I’ve used a number of shoulder holsters; vertical, horizontal, and inverted; as sexy as they all were, IMO, lacking in one way or another. The user must have a cover garment on at all times, they are easy to spot, and I never found them to be very comfortable to use for any length of. I think that everyone who caries concealed should try a shoulder holster once in their lives just to get it out of their system.

The one exception to this may be for open carry with a large handgun when hunting or woods trekking.
 
Attention: Mr. 308gunner

Your question regarding concealment holsters should have been posted in the "gear & accessories" section of this forum. Thanks !!!

Guru1911
 
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