shoulder holster - The Firearms Forum

hogger129 · 02-05-2012, 09:54 AM

now that we were talking about holsters, i was wondering if anybody has a recommendation for a good shoulder holster. i want one because my owb holster is uncomfortable in the car as it gets pinched between my hip and the seat belt holder thing.

anybody have any recommendations?

carver · 02-05-2012, 10:10 AM

I never had that problem. The thing I don't like about the shoulder holster is that there is no way to get the weapon out unless you cover (cross) some body part when drawing it, like your left arm! That's just my opinion, and some of the best trainers in the U.S. say the same things. Another thing to consider is that you must wear a jacket to conceal a shoulder holster, and if it gets hot, well, you are just going to be uncomfortable!

Juker · 02-05-2012, 10:33 AM

That's some shirt, Carver. Heck, your grips blend right in, I had a hard time picking out that 1911....

JLA · 02-05-2012, 11:54 AM

As far as shoulder rigs suitable to the 1911.. The US got it right with the M7, try to get an original, but if not these replicas are good too.

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/LEG195-1.html

The Duke · 02-05-2012, 12:54 PM

I know where ya coming from with the seatbelt problem...in a hurry, even if you get to it, you stand a good chance of snagging the chest strap before you get it pointed in right direction

I dunno bout shoulder holsters...Maybe they better today than 20 years ago...Had a Jackass rig and Safariland for 1911 but just could not get comfortable with either...Id suggest ya try one on before shelling the mega-bucks you will spend for a good one...Lotsa folks like them, just me that doesnt...SH has some other drawbacks already mentioned...

Maybe take a look at a good crossdraw belt carry or the Crossbreed ISWB holsters or some of the High Ride leathers...Galco comes to mind..They make goooood leather...I use Avengers today....I needed a holster that covered the entire barrel and end of slide as opposed to Yaqi type as the buckle beat the hell out of pistols muzzle crown..

let us know what you decide..

Dennis C · 02-05-2012, 02:43 PM

I'm still stuck on the shirt! First thing I thought of was Magnum PI!

Inthewind1976 · 02-06-2012, 03:38 AM

My suggestion would be to try a "not too expensive" variation, for a while, to see if you are comfortable with it. Uncle Mike's are usually very reasonable, as are many other "no name" ones that are usually available at large gun shows. I personally really like a shoulder holster, although I am not a fan of the "horizontal" variety often seen. I have models of various types, and materials for everything from a small 22 "kit gun" through a large "hunting variety" for a scoped Super Blackhawk. I used to carry a Colt Official Police 6" in an equally old leather shoulder holster with the "metal spring clip" retention system, a LOOOOOONG time ago, and personally found it comfortable, accessible, and concealable.

Mike_Fontenot · 04-03-2012, 04:26 PM

I use a homemade vertical under-the-shirt shoulder holster (for my full-size, all-steel 1911). Conceals close to perfectly ... conceals much better and is much more comfortable than my IWB and OWB holsters, and much better than the two commercial shoulder holsters I tried.

Archie · 04-05-2012, 06:44 PM

Somewhere in the pile here I've got a Galco (horizontal) rig for my Commander. It's pretty comfortable and does get rid of the seatbelt problem of modern automobiles.

Many years ago, I had a Bianchi X-15 shoulder (vertical) rig for a Government Model. Being an earlier sort, it had tie downs on both sides and was a nightmare to don and doff. Doing something serious in the loo was also time consuming in preparation and recovery (getting one's britches down and up). I'm not sure they're made any more.

Ranges in general don't like people practicing with shoulder holsters - and many cross draw holsters - as the muzzle does sweep that side of the range. For personal instructors with classes, that's a big deal. In real life, it has little meaning; there are no 'safe directions', there is no 'down range' in a gun fight.

muddober · 04-05-2012, 08:55 PM

I have a Galco shoulder rig for my 45 auto and I like it real well, but in the hot summer months I have no choice but going to a J frame in my front pant pocket which is impossible to get too seated in a car.

Ron

02-05-2012, 09:54 AM	#1
hogger129 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 4,064	shoulder holster now that we were talking about holsters, i was wondering if anybody has a recommendation for a good shoulder holster. i want one because my owb holster is uncomfortable in the car as it gets pinched between my hip and the seat belt holder thing. anybody have any recommendations? __________________ Samuel Adams once said, "among the natural rights of the colonists are these: first, a right to life, secondly to liberty, thirdly to property; together with the right to defend them in the best manner they can." -->

02-05-2012, 10:10 AM	#2
carver TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: DAV, Deep in the Pineywoods of East Texas, just west of Shreveport, LA Contributor Posts: 11,251	Re: shoulder holster I never had that problem. The thing I don't like about the shoulder holster is that there is no way to get the weapon out unless you cover (cross) some body part when drawing it, like your left arm! That's just my opinion, and some of the best trainers in the U.S. say the same things. Another thing to consider is that you must wear a jacket to conceal a shoulder holster, and if it gets hot, well, you are just going to be uncomfortable! Attached Images __________________ Y'all be safe now, ya hear! Lamentations Chapter 5: 1. Remember, O LORD, what is come upon us: consider, and behold our reproach. 2. Our inheritance is turned to strangers, our houses to aliens. 3. We are orphans and fatherless, our mothers [are] as widows. 5. Our necks [are] under persecution: we labour, [and] have no rest. 16. The crown is fallen [from] our head: woe unto us, that we have sinned! 21. Turn thou us unto thee, O LORD, and we shall be turned; renew our days as of old. Last edited by carver; 02-05-2012 at 10:12 AM..

02-05-2012, 10:33 AM	#3
Juker Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Land of Lincoln Contributor Posts: 2,872	Re: shoulder holster That's some shirt, Carver. Heck, your grips blend right in, I had a hard time picking out that 1911.... __________________ SHOOT FIRST. SHOOT SECOND. MOST IMPORTANTLY, BE THE MAN WHO'S SHOOTING LAST.

02-05-2012, 11:54 AM	#4
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,308	Re: shoulder holster As far as shoulder rigs suitable to the 1911.. The US got it right with the M7, try to get an original, but if not these replicas are good too. http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/LEG195-1.html __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF!

02-05-2012, 12:54 PM	#5
The Duke Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: NW Louisiana Posts: 813	Re: shoulder holster I know where ya coming from with the seatbelt problem...in a hurry, even if you get to it, you stand a good chance of snagging the chest strap before you get it pointed in right direction I dunno bout shoulder holsters...Maybe they better today than 20 years ago...Had a Jackass rig and Safariland for 1911 but just could not get comfortable with either...Id suggest ya try one on before shelling the mega-bucks you will spend for a good one...Lotsa folks like them, just me that doesnt...SH has some other drawbacks already mentioned... Maybe take a look at a good crossdraw belt carry or the Crossbreed ISWB holsters or some of the High Ride leathers...Galco comes to mind..They make goooood leather...I use Avengers today....I needed a holster that covered the entire barrel and end of slide as opposed to Yaqi type as the buckle beat the hell out of pistols muzzle crown.. let us know what you decide.. __________________ Ineptocracy (in-ep-toc'-ra-cy) - a system of government where the least capable to lead are elected by the least capable of producing, and where the members of society least likely to sustain themselves or succeed, are rewarded with goods and services paid for by the confiscated wealth of a diminishing number of producers.

02-05-2012, 02:43 PM	#6
Dennis C Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: South Dakota Posts: 789	Re: shoulder holster I'm still stuck on the shirt! First thing I thought of was Magnum PI! __________________ "Laws that forbid the carrying of arms. . . disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes. . . Such laws make things worse for the assaulted and better for the assailants; they serve rather to encourage than to prevent homicides, for an unarmed man may be attacked with greater confidence than an armed man." - Thomas Jefferson

02-06-2012, 03:38 AM	#7
Inthewind1976 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Central Pennsylvania Posts: 533	Re: shoulder holster My suggestion would be to try a "not too expensive" variation, for a while, to see if you are comfortable with it. Uncle Mike's are usually very reasonable, as are many other "no name" ones that are usually available at large gun shows. I personally really like a shoulder holster, although I am not a fan of the "horizontal" variety often seen. I have models of various types, and materials for everything from a small 22 "kit gun" through a large "hunting variety" for a scoped Super Blackhawk. I used to carry a Colt Official Police 6" in an equally old leather shoulder holster with the "metal spring clip" retention system, a LOOOOOONG time ago, and personally found it comfortable, accessible, and concealable.

04-03-2012, 04:26 PM	#8
Mike_Fontenot Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Boulder, Colo Posts: 11	Re: shoulder holster I use a homemade vertical under-the-shirt shoulder holster (for my full-size, all-steel 1911). Conceals close to perfectly ... conceals much better and is much more comfortable than my IWB and OWB holsters, and much better than the two commercial shoulder holsters I tried. __________________ Mike Fontenot

04-05-2012, 06:44 PM	#9
Archie V.I.P. Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Hastings, Nebraska; the Heartland! Posts: 294	Re: shoulder holster Somewhere in the pile here I've got a Galco (horizontal) rig for my Commander. It's pretty comfortable and does get rid of the seatbelt problem of modern automobiles. Many years ago, I had a Bianchi X-15 shoulder (vertical) rig for a Government Model. Being an earlier sort, it had tie downs on both sides and was a nightmare to don and doff. Doing something serious in the loo was also time consuming in preparation and recovery (getting one's britches down and up). I'm not sure they're made any more. Ranges in general don't like people practicing with shoulder holsters - and many cross draw holsters - as the muzzle does sweep that side of the range. For personal instructors with classes, that's a big deal. In real life, it has little meaning; there are no 'safe directions', there is no 'down range' in a gun fight. __________________ Be at Peace; go forth, spread enlightenment and joy to all. Wear clean underwear and take a gun. http://oldmanmontgomery.wordpress.com/ for my thoughts...

04-05-2012, 08:55 PM	#10
muddober Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 1,436	Re: shoulder holster I have a Galco shoulder rig for my 45 auto and I like it real well, but in the hot summer months I have no choice but going to a J frame in my front pant pocket which is impossible to get too seated in a car. Ron