Shoulder Holsters?

E

engineermike

Moderator
Does anyone have an opinion (:)) about shoulder holsters, and which kind/brand would you recommend. Just looking for someplace besides the inside of my pants to carry my pistol. This can be for semi auto or revolver.
 
I only have shoulder rigs due to a bad hip which keeps from carrying strong side. So I go cross draw shoulder rig. I have two Galco's, one for a .357 and one for a .45acp. I also have a custom rig from Frontier Leather for a Judge. All are very hard to get adjusted but once you get it there they are very comfortable. There are others that would disagree but when its your only choice you learn how to get them adjusted so they are comfortable.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Decent alternative.

There are several reasons to use a shoulder holster, the most notable being able to get the gun out when seated or buckled into an automobile.

Galco makes the best types, as far as I can see.

The biggest problem with shoulder rigs is they are banned on most ranges. Drawing a weapon from a shoulder holster tends to 'sweep' everyone on the range on the holster side. Which is why many 'trainers' tend to discount them.

Life is never simple.
 
You might also want to take a look at good concealed carry vests - I have one from Coronado Leather I really like. Surprisingly comfortable, almost impossible to tell I'm carrying - and I can easily put a full sized 1911 in either concealment pocket.
 
Galco makes excellent shoulder holsters, and I've been impressed with a rig from Black Hills Leather in TX that came with a used M&P 40 that I purchased.

Muzzle sweep is an issue, as previously stated here, but I don't think in the real world it is that big of a deal. At least as long as you keep your finger off the trigger until the firearm is on target.

My main concern with shoulder and cross draw rigs is close quarters physical confrontations. I can see being unable to get to your firearm, or having your arm pinned as you reach across your body for your firearm.
 
Here's my 96A1 in a Black Hills Leather BH4D vertical rig:

IMG_0278.jpg


I prefer the vertical style and I've found this holster comfortable enough for all day wear. It also conceals well under an appropriate cover garment. I've also used a similar Galco VHS, but the Galco holster lacked a holster side tie-down or any provision to add them which meant the gun was free to swing around like a pendulum.

Most of the time, though, I carry in an IWB because I prefer the draw stroke. The shoulder is great for those days when I spend 6+ hours in the car, though, which isn't uncommon.
 
I used a DeSantis years ago, that was very similar to the Galco Miami Classic which I have now. Both of these rigs were well made, safe and secure. The holsters were fitted to the guns very well. I also have a Cobra, which is OK but not as nice as the Galco. I've used a Galco half harness which is great if you have a small, light pistol. The best I've ever worn is the Galco Executive, however it is very limited in the guns it's made for.

A good rig will cost some money. Avoid nylon, it is noisy and hot. Leather breathes, use it, (my only real problem with the Cobra is the manmade material).

The draw is slower than from a belt. Tie downs can help stabilize the rig. A shoulder holster is surprizingly hard to conceal unless you have a really good cover garment. They cause bumps and bulges too.

sig004.jpg
 
I love my galco jackass rig (glock 20,29).
More awkward to draw from than other designs, but the diagonal positioning under the armpit conceals significantly better than horizontal or vertical rigs.

Quality is a 10/10 IMO.
 
I have a shoulder holster that is similar in design to a Galco Jackass. It carries a full sized all steel 1911 and two 8 rd mags.

Very comfortable, . . . great for driving especially, . . . much slower in presentation, . . . not everyone's cup of tea.

If I wore a jacket all day, . . . it would be my choice, hands down.

May God bless,
Dwight
 
I have an inexpensive Pro-Tech shoulder holster that Im ashamed to say I like very much. Its light weight and very comfortable to wear. It hides my 1911 well under a light jacket and my PF-9 under an over shirt.
 
Some of your decision will have to do with how you are built. My son was looking for a holster an bought a Bianchi strong side OWB. He had to return it because it didn't fit his build. He is short waisted with long arms. He thinks that a shoulder rig will work. It's for a model 686 4 ".
 
Shoulder holsters; uses, models...

Ive owned & used different shoulder holster models over the last 20 years or so for range/field/military(MP duty)/concealed carry. ;)
In 2010, there are a few well made designs & a few I'd call good but not great or the "best".
High prices & time may be - factors with popular shoulder rigs.
Id suggest the top rated Galco Miami Classic II, the Lawman Leatherman Dirty Harry or STU(a treated black leather model), the Aker brown or black rig.
The Bianchi Ranger models & some synthetic holsters could be low cost & hold up to rough use but non-leather material does not "breathe" and may feel really hard to wear for extended periods or in hot weather. :(
I also would avoid a lot of buckles, snaps, elastic etc. It's cheap and will break or snap quickly.
Shoulder holsters are not perfect but can be useful under limited conditions.
See www.Deltaforce.com www.Safariland.com www.Lawmanleathergoods.com www.Bianchi-intl.com www.MitchRosen.com www.Galls.com .

Clyde
 
I've used a shoulder holster for quite a few years. It's my preferred method of carry.

The one thing I will recommend is that if you intend on carrying the gun for long periods of time, get WIDE shoulder straps.

After a couple of hours with a heavy gun narrow shoulder straps started digging into my shoulders.

Wide straps are a bit more of a hassle to keep concealed around the neck, though, as they can start to ride up.

Check out A.E. Nelson Leather Company if you can't find exactly what you need. I believe they will still tailor their designs to your specifications.
 
Alessi has some nice ones as well

i have 2 Miami Classic II's for my G30 and 1911. you can't beat them on long driving trips
 
While I rarely use a shoulder holster for carry, I prefer my Galco jackass. The wider straps are more comfortable than the miami classic I had previously.
 
It's hard not to like the idea of shoulder holsters, TV/movie exposure at work I guess. I still can't convince myself it would be a better idea than going OWB..at least not yet.
 
I really like the Galco Miami Classic, I'm tall and thin and it conceals better than my other IWB holsters.

IMO, the IWB holsters are better options when you need to leave your weapon behind in a vehicle while going into places that CC isn't legal !

Removing the weapon from a shoulder rig in a car is tuff to pull off discreetly unless you don't mind sweeping your junk:eek: Although I do it almost daily !:D
 
My father just gave me a Bianchi X15 shoulder holster that fits my 1911!! I like it so far.
Mike Irwin, its funny that you mention A.E. Nelson. They are located only about 15 miles away from me, and I personally use their belts on a daily basis. My father used one of their OWB holsters for his off duty revolver for years, and several police agencies around here use them for duty holsters as well. Great quality stuff!:D
 
Yep, the few Nelson holsters I've seen have been very high quality. And the prices are really not out of line with anything else on the market.

I've been wanting to purchase one of their holsters for a few years, now, but have never decided for which gun.

Now that I have my S&W 4506, maybe that one, and I can imagine myself to be a shorter, fatter, balder Don Johnson. :D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top