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Shoulder Holster
- Thread starter ramp_tech
- Start date
Mark Milton
Moderator
Last week I spent an evenin wearing a full size 1911 in a shoulder rig. It was a horizontal rig with an elastic harness similar to the old vertical shoulder rigs.
The gun was pretty concealable and it was a LOT more comfortable than IWB carry or a paddle with that same gun.
The con was that when I sat in an wooden chair with high arms the but of the 1911 kept whacking into it.
The next day, I wore a five shot snubby in an IWB rig and went to town with a friend. I got food poisoned and had to take the gun out of the holster every time I went into a crapper and put it back on after I had done my business...
Needless to say, I was wishing I had a decent shoulder rig for my five shot snubby too....
Remember Barney Miller? Old detective Fish who was in the bathroom a lot always wore a shoulder rig.
For those of us with hernia repiars they can be more comfortable than belt rigs too. I guess you could even use some of them as suspenders!
The gun was pretty concealable and it was a LOT more comfortable than IWB carry or a paddle with that same gun.
The con was that when I sat in an wooden chair with high arms the but of the 1911 kept whacking into it.
The next day, I wore a five shot snubby in an IWB rig and went to town with a friend. I got food poisoned and had to take the gun out of the holster every time I went into a crapper and put it back on after I had done my business...
Needless to say, I was wishing I had a decent shoulder rig for my five shot snubby too....
Remember Barney Miller? Old detective Fish who was in the bathroom a lot always wore a shoulder rig.
For those of us with hernia repiars they can be more comfortable than belt rigs too. I guess you could even use some of them as suspenders!
I carry my XD40 in a shoulder rig from Highnoon Holsters. I love it! I did not get the optional ties for the belt, but I do not have any complaints about it bouncing around or anything. It even worked wonderful for my XD45 when I was out ice fishing. I wouldn't have been happy trying to wear the 5" under all my warm layers, and still be able to draw it from the hip. The should rig slips right over the layers, and rest comfortably under the outter jacket.
I really like the ability to draw from the car seat with ease. I even bought a shoulder rig for my snubbie, and I usually carry the snubbie there, esp when I know I'll be out driving.
I really like the ability to draw from the car seat with ease. I even bought a shoulder rig for my snubbie, and I usually carry the snubbie there, esp when I know I'll be out driving.
starshooter231
New member
I've seen one that has a leather holster on one side and an elastic band that goes around the off side shoulder. Does anyone know who makes this rig. I can't seem to find any refs. on the net.
I believe the holster you are talking about is the Bianchi X15. I have one and I love it.
starshooter231
The biggest pro is that, as long as you are going to have some sort of covering garment on anyway, you don't need to adjust your wardrobe to accommodate the gun. You can just throw on the whole rig, spare ammo and all, and not have to worry about whether or not your gun belt is too wide for your belt loops, or if your IWB will work with the pants that you have on. The Jack Ass will accommodate any barrel length among guns with the same frame, so I can use the same rig for a subcompact or full-sized piece.
The draw speed disadvantage is overstated, as compared to a strongside belt holster the draw is slower only if you are standing and facing the threat. So, yeah, in Dodge City the shoulder holster is going to be at a disadvantage, but if you are seated, kneeling, belted into a vehicle, etc., like a lot of us are for long stretches of most days, the shoulder holster is easier to get to. Also, consider that the shoulder holster draw can be prepped, by grasping the gun butt while crossing the arms, without "drawing" any attention (pun), and you really have some advantages.
I've seen some people rigging their shoulder holsters so they work more like a cross-draw belt holster, but I like both sides of the rig high and tight, so no tie-downs are necessary.
The biggest downside that I see to them is finding a place for live-fire practice.
The draw speed disadvantage is overstated, as compared to a strongside belt holster the draw is slower only if you are standing and facing the threat. So, yeah, in Dodge City the shoulder holster is going to be at a disadvantage, but if you are seated, kneeling, belted into a vehicle, etc., like a lot of us are for long stretches of most days, the shoulder holster is easier to get to. Also, consider that the shoulder holster draw can be prepped, by grasping the gun butt while crossing the arms, without "drawing" any attention (pun), and you really have some advantages.
I've seen some people rigging their shoulder holsters so they work more like a cross-draw belt holster, but I like both sides of the rig high and tight, so no tie-downs are necessary.
The biggest downside that I see to them is finding a place for live-fire practice.
Shoulder holster fit and draw
I found a place that has instructions for fitting a shoulder rig. It is at (CCWSUPPLY.BIZ) then look for helpfull hints.
Also If you blade yourself to the threat. Like a boxer or martial arts defensive stance. ( strong leg back or weak leg forward then turn your upper body slightly) so as not to be square to the threat. (most ccw people don't have body armor)
When you raise your hands up in a defensive posture. Your strong hand should be inches from your weapons grip. At this time you will see that the draw is very short. And the transition to a two handed grip is easy and safe. If you can't get a two handed grip. You still have a strong defensive stance and position, to use the gun one handed.
STAY SAFE
I found a place that has instructions for fitting a shoulder rig. It is at (CCWSUPPLY.BIZ) then look for helpfull hints.
Also If you blade yourself to the threat. Like a boxer or martial arts defensive stance. ( strong leg back or weak leg forward then turn your upper body slightly) so as not to be square to the threat. (most ccw people don't have body armor)
When you raise your hands up in a defensive posture. Your strong hand should be inches from your weapons grip. At this time you will see that the draw is very short. And the transition to a two handed grip is easy and safe. If you can't get a two handed grip. You still have a strong defensive stance and position, to use the gun one handed.
STAY SAFE
I found that unless it is a light weight weapon it will be uncomfortable after several hours.
The only shoulder holster I would ever consider for serious use is the Allessi with its pull through snap. No need to make a separate motion of unsnapping the holster. It is very fast, comfortable and safe. The holster and the mag holster will snap to your belt and not flap around and will be in the right position when you need it. It some positions, like being seated, you can not beat a shoulder holster.
The only shoulder holster I would ever consider for serious use is the Allessi with its pull through snap. No need to make a separate motion of unsnapping the holster. It is very fast, comfortable and safe. The holster and the mag holster will snap to your belt and not flap around and will be in the right position when you need it. It some positions, like being seated, you can not beat a shoulder holster.
ease of access or difficulty of draw
A previous poster already noted that shoulder holsters afford easier access when seated, just like crossdraw holsters do.
When it comes down to it, a shoulder holster is just a crossdraw holster mounted a bit higher. Use good technique, and it isn't a big deal to draw and fire, particularly if you like a Weaver stance.
Advance the holster side foot (or pull back the strong side foot) so the holster side is angled toward the bad guy. When you draw the gun, it will almost be pointing down range immediately.
This turning technique also makes it harder for the BG to try to access your weapon, by moving the butt away from him and putting it at a reverse angle, relative to him.
Footwork and body position make a lot of difference, in a lot of ways.
A previous poster already noted that shoulder holsters afford easier access when seated, just like crossdraw holsters do.
When it comes down to it, a shoulder holster is just a crossdraw holster mounted a bit higher. Use good technique, and it isn't a big deal to draw and fire, particularly if you like a Weaver stance.
Advance the holster side foot (or pull back the strong side foot) so the holster side is angled toward the bad guy. When you draw the gun, it will almost be pointing down range immediately.
This turning technique also makes it harder for the BG to try to access your weapon, by moving the butt away from him and putting it at a reverse angle, relative to him.
Footwork and body position make a lot of difference, in a lot of ways.