Holsters when and why

[Tcoburn]

I have been looking into some threads that say ungracious things about shoulder holsters. All holster have a place (my opinion). I wear a pancake for one reason an inside the waistband for another reason, even a cowboy rig sometimes, it all depends on the occasion. I wear my shoulder holster when I am confined to a vehicle for a long period of time or even if I know I am going to be seated in a chair restricting movement to my waist. I know individuals that have had a seat belt hang up in the draw of a waist oriented holster due to the way it fits in a car. Movie theaters my butt is tight in the seat much less with a pistol or revolver (even some restaurant seats) My shoulder holster fits great: good 8oz leather right off the cows butt (no suede) harness is all 4oz leather, cheap not really, but I will have it for the rest of my life. And lets not forget practice helps us get better acclimated to a product. I will close with this; holster are an investment that may mean life or death choose them wisely. One holster does not fit every shooting scenario.

Be Well
Ted

[snubbyfan]

The problem I've read was that on the draw stroke it's likely you'll sweep your own arm and people standing next to you. In a tense situation when fine motor skills break down there is a greater possibility of a disastrous negligent discharge.
That's one of the reasons I'm reluctant to make a shoulder holster. I don't want to hear that someone shot themselves or others practicing a draw stroke.
There are ranges that allow practice drawing from holsters but not from a shoulder or cross draw holster because of the chance of sweeping others with the muzzle of a loaded gun.
That being said, sometimes a shoulder or cross draw holster is the most practical way to carry a concealed firearm. As you noted it simplifies the draw stroke while seated.

[Tcoburn]

You are absolutely correct, I sometimes forget a lot of people rely on shooting ranges with limitations. I am lucky enough to have a shooting area on my property. I continually practice with all my holsters, all have some type of guarded trigger like my duty holster. I hope with practice when a situation does arise instinct and muscle memory will keep my finger off the trigger until I am on target. I do agree in an unpleasant situation are we not guaranteed and outcome.

Be Well
Ted

[george minze]

Cross draw and shouldr holsters have their place...On a firing line with other shooters is not one of those places...In the mis 60's while a patrolman on the Cincinnati PD we were issues B uickhimer Clark cross draw holsters....We soon became un welcome at combat matches due to the holsters...On the other hand 2while on a protectrion detail as a driver I was issuesd a extreme cross draw holster that almost presented the pistol sideways for drawing while seated behind the wheel....Good for that but not good when you got out of the vehicle..So the question is whaqt is your most apt to use senario....Generally though it comes down to regulations...Not always thought out with mse as the prime reason for the regulation.....Good question....interesting subject......I guess no perfect answer..

[Alpo]

I believe the solution to the "you sweep your arm and/or other people on the draw" is "DON'T PULL THE TRIGGER WHILE DRAWING".

If you have a straight up-and-down, no-cant, strongside holster, when you draw you sweep your leg. If you have a forward-cant "FBI-type" holster, when you draw you sweep the guy behind you. If you have a forward-cant holster, I don't believe you sweep anybody else, except maybe your own foot.

So - you only make reverse-cant strong-side holsters?

[snubbyfan]

Originally Posted by Alpo

I believe the solution to the "you sweep your arm and/or other people on the draw" is "DON'T PULL THE TRIGGER WHILE DRAWING".

If you have a straight up-and-down, no-cant, strongside holster, when you draw you sweep your leg. If you have a forward-cant "FBI-type" holster, when you draw you sweep the guy behind you. If you have a forward-cant holster, I don't believe you sweep anybody else, except maybe your own foot.

So - you only make reverse-cant strong-side holsters?

Actually the solution is to keep your finger off the trigger while drawing.
I still wouldn't want to be the guy getting swept while standing behind someone with an FBI type holster.
If a person practices in the correct draw stroke with a shoulder holster, including keeping your finger off the trigger then yes, there's less of a chance of being muzzle swept. Not everybody does.
I'll make whatever holster a person wants but my standard owb concealment holster are strong side, forward cant with molded in retention.
Funny story, I thought that the answer to, how can my wife carry her 4" 66-3 besides purse carry? Was with a shoulder holster. I neglected to take into consideration that her arms weren't long enough to reach her gun around her 38DD's. Oh well, I'll use it sometimes.

[Xtasy]

You can call shoulder holsters also a fobbit bra

[george minze]

Originally Posted by snubbyfan

Actually the solution is to keep your finger off the trigger while drawing.
I still wouldn't want to be the guy getting swept while standing behind someone with an FBI type holster.
If a person practices in the correct draw stroke with a shoulder holster, including keeping your finger off the trigger then yes, there's less of a chance of being muzzle swept. Not everybody does.
I'll make whatever holster a person wants but my standard owb concealment holster are strong side, forward cant with molded in retention.
Funny story, I thought that the answer to, how can my wife carry her 4" 66-3 besides purse carry? Was with a shoulder holster. I neglected to take into consideration that her arms weren't long enough to reach her gun around her 38DD's. Oh well, I'll use it sometimes.

I really like the holster you made for the 1911. It covers the position of the hammer. Great idea as some get real nervious looking at a 1911 in condition one...Neat idea....

[Frank46]

One of the ranges I frequent is the New Iberia police range. It is strongly suggested there that you have a holster and use it to keep your firearm in it at all times except when shooting it and reloading. When you think on it,it makes sense as when fumbling through your range bag for ammo why would you have your firearm in hand?. Frank

[Kid44]

Originally Posted by snubbyfan

The problem I've read was that on the draw stroke it's likely you'll sweep your own arm and people standing next to you. In a tense situation when fine motor skills break down there is a greater possibility of a disastrous negligent discharge.
That's one of the reasons I'm reluctant to make a shoulder holster. I don't want to hear that someone shot themselves or others practicing a draw stroke.
There are ranges that allow practice drawing from holsters but not from a shoulder or cross draw holster because of the chance of sweeping others with the muzzle of a loaded gun.
That being said, sometimes a shoulder or cross draw holster is the most practical way to carry a concealed firearm. As you noted it simplifies the draw stroke while seated.

I don't want to hear of someone shooting themselves or others while practicing drawing from a holster either, but if you are practicing drawing with a loaded gun quite frankly you
are STUPID.

[Aticus]

Originally Posted by Kid44

I don't want to hear of someone shooting themselves or others while practicing drawing from a holster either, but if you are practicing drawing with a loaded gun quite frankly you
are STUPID.

I agree!! We, as a group, stress practice, practice, practice. Why not practice with your holster and gun at home? It might look silly but a few minutes a day can and does mean a lot. Build the muscle memory with a safe gun.

[Tcoburn]

Once again I say you must practice, I practice loading and unloading speed loaders and magazines. I practice follow through and stance, I practice with one holster at least once a week. I do practice live fire with all my holsters to ensure sight alignment, finger placement and true follow through and recovery. Maybe I am ate up or something but I even practice lateral movement while firing. I say if you are unsure of your holster start slow practicing all the basic with an empty firearm, but eventually you are going to need to live fire to understand your shooting flaws.

I know I am strange but I have practiced (with an empty firearm) moving through my home slicing the pie etc, so I know blind spots, proper cover and questionable areas prior to a problematic situation. There might be a time when you will only get one chance to get it right.

Be Well
Ted