What's the scoop on the diffferent angles for shoulder rig holsters? Some have horizontal while others put the firearm at a vertical position or even in between.

Is this strictly for comfort, ease of concealment......?

Does a shoulder rig work best with heavier handguns, do you need something on the off side to balance them?

Thinking of one, maybe from El PAso Saddlery for my CZ-97B. Perhaps my M25-14 or my 3" 610. What do you all think?

I have owned quite a few over the years...my experience is that the heavier guns need the support of being anchored to the belt, like on the Bianchi X-15...also, the bigger guns don't hide as well horizontally since the slide or barrel tends to stick out past your arm pit and the butt can sometimes be too forward....but for a small light gun, I find the horizontal style rigs work fairly well...on mine, I didn't go completely horizontal as a 45 degree angle hides the whole gun along the side of my body. YMM

V

Sipowicz:

In the picture, you're wearing what my uncle used to call a "Bohemian sportshirt." Just curious if anyone else has ever heard that term? (I think it's an old expression from Chicagoland coppers.)

I just call it a t-shirt...

Is he refering to the rig or the t-shirt?

I suggest that you check out Ken Null's holsters. I have one of his shoulder holsters for my J-frame, and it conceals very well. Null has holsters for the CZ pistols, and states that on the home page of his site. Ken Null Holsters

quote:

Does a shoulder rig work best with heavier handguns, do you need something on the off side to balance them?

Yes...Normally a dbl mag pouch or dbl speedloader.
I have a Safariland & Bianchi and they do distribute the wght across the strongest part of your body...

I strongly recommend Tauris leather shoulder holsters. He's an ex-cop and really knows what works. His rig for my CZ 75 is the most comfortable I've worn. (Alessi makes great shoulder rigs, too, but I don't think he has them for CZ's.)

If you want to carry your 97 cocked and locked, the Null vertical rigs may not be safe - or even available - for that type of carry.

Thanks all.

I have had many shoulder holster since the 60's. They distribubate the gun's weight over the body, evenly.
The VERTICAL holster is the oldest and, the one I like best.
The HORIZONTAL holster, if the barrel is long enough, can show through your coat/jacket.

Generally, I prefer vertical shoulder holsters to the horizontal. They conceal more easily, especially if you're carrying a fairly large pistol (revolver or semi-auto). Also, I consider them somewhat safer, as the muzzle is pointed to the ground, but the horizontal rig is always "covering" everybody behind you.