Shoulder holsters: discuss

Red Marley

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OK, I know the argument against shoulder holsters: possible sweeping your arm or others to your left. But I would like to see some discussion by shoulder holster users about their experience. I wouldn't use one at the range with someone to the left, but I've been thinking about using one for carry.

Here's why: I usually have a small DAO pistol or revolver in a pocket or belt holster at 4:00, with one in the pipe. This is OK in the summer when not encumbered by a lot of outer clothing, but no way I can get at it quickly when belted into a car or truck. I know, take it out and put it in an accessible place. But I almost never do this. I'm usually herding a couple of dogs and I don't want to faff around with a loaded handgun while they are scrambling around. I spend a lot of time in a vehicle or on a motorcycle. I would really be pissed if I was carjacked (especially with my wife in the car) and could not get to the gun in time to defend an attack. A shoulder holster seems like it would provide the best access, and is relatively easily concealed with an unbuttoned overshirt.

In cooler weather, a shoulder holster is natural under a jacket, and would be less vulnerable to fumbling than getting to a belt holster under a coat. To me, the advantages seem to outweigh the small potential risk, which can be mitigated (but not eliminated). So I've been thinking about it a lot, but haven't pulled the trigger, so to speak. Maybe some of you have considered things I have overlooked; change my mind. I'm thinking of a vertical holster, not horizontal or bottom draw.
 
I have a double rig for 2 3 inch K Frames that I love! Please think about getting a verticle carry instead of horizontal. You can eliminate some of the problems associated with shoulder holsters by doing just that. Once a thick leather rig is broken in, it is like a wonderful old friend when you put it on.
 
I've never worn a shoulder rig, but it seems to me that for concealed carry in a vehicle it makes a lot of sense. If you aren't putting your finger on the trigger until you are on target, and you have what I would call a safe gun you should be fine. A super light SA or striker trigger with no safety might be a bit sketchy, but a DA set up or a 1911 with a safety should work. Like anything else if you train for it correctly you will be safe. I could see why people in the next lane at a range might get squirrely though.
 
When you think about it, vertical shoulder and strong side carry are the only holsters that don't point the muzzle of your blaster at something it shouldn't be pointed at. I carry 2 guns every step when outside the gates. My preferred carry is front pocket carry. I do not like that when I am seated at a table my guns are point at folks across from me. The pros so far outweigh the cons, but I do think about it when folks are across from me. Just do yourself favor, Do Not get a cheap shoulder holster. You will be like a lot of folks that get pieces of crap and then say shoulder holsters don't work. Only You know how much You are worth. Get the best you can find.
 
For range use I do not like them because of sweeping others but for personal carry they have their place. As long as you are knowledgeable of the mechanics of drawing from a holster (basically any holster) and practice keeping your booger hook out of the trigger area until you’re on your target what’s the problem? I carry appendix and comparing a ND to the arm vs twig and berries ... a shoulder rig don’t seem near as risky. Buy a good quality holster rig (that fits your gun, practice drawing with an empty weapon until it’s 2nd nature and carry on concealed. Since you already are carry a DAO or revolver you’re in a type trigger where a ND is a little less likely. A nice .357mag with a 3” or 4” barrel in a Jack Ass shoulder rig with a good cover shirt is actually very nice ... also works nicely with a Commander sized 1911.
 
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I use a vertical shoulder holster because I have hip issues and having the weight directly on my belt is uncomfortable. The difficulty is that quality shoulder rigs are harder to find (depending on the firearm), and they are proportionally more expensive. I had to have one custom made for my Px4 compact. A 1911 or a Glock would be easier to find.

Other than that, I love it.
 
They break a lot of rules at ranges. I wouldn't practice with one in public, but for carry ithink they're great.

I don't waste a single thought for where a holstered gun is pointed. And if I am drawing in anger, I believe I can be forgiven sweeping my own arm.

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I've used them, if you get one make sure to get one that has the tie downs that snap on the belt, the one i had when driving long.periods became uncomfortable, I ended up giving away a nice galco to someone on the forum
 
Ive wanted to try one, but I don't wear the appropriate style cover garment usually. But I think it would be a nice change from having it on my hip.
 
With proper adjustments and lots of practice, those of you who wear a vertical holster, would it be possible to wear one under an untucked loose t-shirt? I am with Booger on getting it off the hip occasionally.
 
I have a Miami Classic the is very comfortable It is a horizontal rig . I also have a Safariland vertical that has a snap that goes over belt to hold in place, I carry a 4 in N frame S&W revolver in it. It is good for about 6 to 8 hours then shoulders start to hurt from weight. Best thing I've found for driving is a cross draw holster. Works great and very comfortable
 
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It is good for about 6 to 8 hours then shoulders start to hurt from weight. Best thing I've found for driving is a cross draw holster.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^¥^^^. This
 
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Didn't see if this was mentioned, but one of my objections to shoulder rig carry was the fact I was carrying a full sized 1911 and even with two loaded 8 rd mags hanging on the opposite side of the holster, the weight was not "balanced" and the rig would hang off the heavy side.
 
With proper adjustments and lots of practice, those of you who wear a vertical holster, would it be possible to wear one under an untucked loose t-shirt? I am with Booger on getting it off the hip occasionally.

I would find that very uncomfortable. I wouldn’t want the leather to have direct skin contact under my arm. I wear it over a t-shirt with a button shirt over that.

I would not trust access to my pistol if I had to raise a shirt up that high if I had a pull-over style shirt as my outer layer.
 
I've used them, if you get one make sure to get one that has the tie downs that snap on the belt, the one i had when driving long.periods became uncomfortable, I ended up giving away a nice galco to someone on the forum

I didn't like the idea of attaching it to my belt, so when I built mine I attached the holster to the mag holder with a strap across my back. That way it does not swing out the front and does not have to attach to the belt. Just another option. Without some form of attachment thought it will swing out the front if you bend over.

With proper adjustments and lots of practice, those of you who wear a vertical holster, would it be possible to wear one under an untucked loose t-shirt? I am with Booger on getting it off the hip occasionally.

It depends on the gun and the shirt. I carry a CZ 75b and it conceals great under a light jacket. But I tried to carry it under one of the fishing shirts and the handle sticks out far enough, and the material is so light, it prints terribly. But I had to do a good bit of driving last week and carried the shoulder holster open in the car and had a light shirt to cover it if I needed to get out. A smaller gun would likely conceal better. Or a thicker shirt might cover better.

FWIW, it's becoming my favorite way to carry when I can.
 
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I didn't like the idea of attaching it to my belt, so when I built mine I attached the holster to the mag holder with a strap across my back. That way it does not swing out the front and does not have to attach to the belt. Just another option. Without some form of attachment thought it will swing out the front if you bend over.
The galco I bought, a vertical 1911 holster that didn't have the belt tie downs required that you pull forward on the gun then up, turning the draw into two motions instead of one motion. I practiced with it regularly but was never quite as fast or smooth as I was with any of the Holsters you made for me
 
@chiefjason can you post a picture of your shoulder rig?


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The galco I bought, a vertical 1911 holster that didn't have the belt tie downs required that you pull forward on the gun then up, turning the draw into two motions instead of one motion. I practiced with it regularly but was never quite as fast or smooth as I was with any of the Holsters you made for me

Shoulder will always be a bit more awkward than a pancake. The motion is less natural. Carrying is about compromising. Safety, comfort, speed, and concealability are the main components of the equation. It's not a 100%, or zero sum, equation. But a lot of times when you increase one thing it's at the cost of another. Increasing comfort and concealing can take away from speed.


@chiefjason can you post a picture of your shoulder rig?


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I didn't like the idea of attaching it to my belt, so when I built mine I attached the holster to the mag holder with a strap across my back. That way it does not swing out the front and does not have to attach to the belt. Just another option. Without some form of attachment thought it will swing out the front if you bend over.



It depends on the gun and the shirt. I carry a CZ 75b and it conceals great under a light jacket. But I tried to carry it under one of the fishing shirts and the handle sticks out far enough, and the material is so light, it prints terribly. But I had to do a good bit of driving last week and carried the shoulder holster open in the car and had a light shirt to cover it if I needed to get out. A smaller gun would likely conceal better. Or a thicker shirt might cover better.

FWIW, it's becoming my favorite way to carry when I can.
Just thinking outside the box. Didn't think it could be sufficently consealable but just asking the ones that have experience with one. That is a very nice looking rig you have, would the CZ be pretty much secure if you had to physically take someone down?
 
Just thinking outside the box. Didn't think it could be sufficently consealable but just asking the ones that have experience with one. That is a very nice looking rig you have, would the CZ be pretty much secure if you had to physically take someone down?

In that configuration, if I’m crawling around it might fall out. A strap could fix that. I just didn’t want one.


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With proper adjustments and lots of practice, those of you who wear a vertical holster, would it be possible to wear one under an untucked loose t-shirt? I am with Booger on getting it off the hip occasionally.

I have yet to find a strap type shoulder holster that doesn't print with just a light T shirt.

The "Tshirt" holsters (the ones that have fabric holsters sewn onto a stretchy under armor type shirt) will conceal fine under a loose Tshirt as long as you don't hunch over at dinner and have a huge slab of metal protruding under your tightly pulled shirt behind your arm. (No I wasn't busted but I busted someone else). The problem with those is the straps are kind of crappy and if you don't strap it or if you cut them off then the gun can fall out if you lean way over for any reason (yes, that was me). I can wear a glock 19 under each arm with these and nobody would know but I don't use them anymore.
 
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Shoulder will always be a bit more awkward than a pancake. The motion is less natural. Carrying is about compromising. Safety, comfort, speed, and concealability are the main components of the equation. It's not a 100%, or zero sum, equation. But a lot of times when you increase one thing it's at the cost of another. Increasing comfort and concealing can take away from speed
Please, read this again...the BEST explaination I have ever read!
 
I like them for large heavy guns...… I have a large frame revolver vertical shoulder rig for going into bear country.
 
Ok, I've carried them for years on the job. Go with a quality rig AND get the belt tie-downs. The tie-downs distribute the weight and keep your belt up.
As far as wearing it under a t-shirt or loose shirt, I can't speak to that but I think the straps will print on your shoulders more than elsewhere. But, folks will just think you're wearing suspenders or not notice anyway...
A shoulder rig or a crossdraw rig are very useful when driving. If I'm in a true "tactical" situation and wearing armor, I mount a holster towards the weak-side for that exact reason. You just work your transitions with long guns from rifle to pistol or from strong to weak side around it.
Training: Yes, most commercial ranges will not let you use a SH or crossdraw, so you'll have to work around that.
If you can train on your own, practice two things:
1) when you draw, take a half step forward with your weak-side foot. This puts you automatically in an offensive or interview stance; you can fight from here with hands or weapons. It also angles your holster and mimimizes "sweeping" anybody on your weakside. Your draw should be from the holster straight to the middle of your chest, further minimizing sweeping. Elbows should be tight to the body on any draw practice for speed, less wasted motion, and weapon retention issues.
2. Humans are made by God to move both hands simultaneously. SH and crossdraw means you're taking the chance of "flagging" (or worse) your weak-side hand or arm, so you've got to get them out of the way. Practice using the weak-side elbow to shield your holster from a grab attempt by moving your weak hand to your chest or face/forehead (if the threat is in arm reach) with fist closed. The weak-side arm can still be used to protect the weapon, block a strike, etc from this position while your strong hand assumes a grip and draws the weapon. Practice shooting from a "retention position" at almost contact distance with one hand, and then move to two handed firing.

Try it out and see what works for you. However, treat a SH or crossdraw holster like an ankle holster; dedicate at least a week of wearing one before you decide. They take getting used to, and feel weird until you become comfortable.

As far as draw speed goes, look at it like this. From the relaxed "surrender" position or both hands slightly above the navel, compare the distance your draw-hand will travel to the pistol butt and from it to a shooting position. You'll probably find it's a much shorter distance to a crossdraw or SH than a 4 o'clock. It's really very close to an AIWB draw.

You'll also have to adjust your holster to your body type. Me, I have "T-rex" arms and wide torso, so I move the weapon closer to my centerline. You may not like a vertical holster based on body type and weapon length as much as you think, or it may be perfect for you. A crossdraw belt holster or horizontal SH should be looked at options also. We're blessed to have two very competent custom leather guys on here, they will make you whatever you want; but more importantly, they may tell you what you don't want or what works better.

Sorry so long. Just my .02, before taxes.
 
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I would find that very uncomfortable. I wouldn’t want the leather to have direct skin contact under my arm. I wear it over a t-shirt with a button shirt over that.

I would not trust access to my pistol if I had to raise a shirt up that high if I had a pull-over style shirt as my outer layer.


Amen on the not having the direct contact with the skin, I always wear some type of barrier garment.
From my buddies who wear shoulder rigs under a button-up shirt, you don't lift the outer garment to draw. You do a "Superman draw", which is nothing more than ripping the buttons apart with both hands and then going into your regular draw stroke. You can always fix your buttons later, or do like some guys and replace them with a Velcro closure. Or buy a new shirt if you're around after the shooting stops.
 
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