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  #1  
Old 11-02-2009, 10:31 PM
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Default Shoulder Holster?

Hey all, maybe this has been discussed before but, i am thinking about going with a shoulder holster for my sw40. I have never owned one and would appreciate your input. You know the pros and cons and maybe what you would recomend, 'cuz it seems it would be better when your in a vehicle if you really needed to get to it.I carry strong side owb now.Thanks!!! Havta go tomorrow and see if i can vote some anti-gun people out of office!
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Old 11-02-2009, 11:06 PM
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Speedshooter,

Have you studied the various types of shoulder holsters that are out there? There are dozens ofd styles and hundreds of manufacturers.

I have had a few Safariland and Bianchi made rigs over the years for different guns at different times.

Ask yourself how comfortable you are with a muzzle pointing into your armpit. You can get upside down, horizontal, etc.

Something to think about is your own build, are you, thin, heavy, barrel chested, etc.

Sometimes its hard to reach all the way around to grab your gun.

My personal experience has been that a cross draw is easier to reach, but then if you are fighting someone hand to hand, that is a big disadvantage, as is a shoulder holster.

I always ended up going back to a strongside, speed scabbard type.
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Old 11-02-2009, 11:10 PM
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That is the only way I carry my 629 or 29. I just recently bought the Dirty Harry from Lawman Leather and I must say it is a lot more comfortable than the Bianchi. The Bianchi elastic cuts across my neck and after an hour or so, hurts like hell.
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Old 11-03-2009, 06:27 AM
elcruisr elcruisr is offline
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I have an Andrews Monarch:

Andrews Custom Leather

setup with quick change rigs for J Frame and 1911. No tie downs or elastic. One of the best in my humble opinion.

Shoulder holsters are a secondary way to carry for me. IWB is still primary. They are great when driving on long trips and also use to carry a second weapon.

Takes a lot of fiddling with adjustments to get it just right, many snug them up to tight and they can become uncomfortable fast that way.
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Old 11-03-2009, 06:53 AM
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I have nothing personally against them but have found that too often the straps across the back are visible printing through clothing, and I don't like the idea of gravity allowing the gun to fall out if the retaining mechanism fails or isn't closed properly.
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Old 11-03-2009, 08:09 AM
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I have a Bianchi 9R for my J frame that is just about the most concealable and comfortable shoulder holster IMO. It hides easily under a heavier over shirt. For heavier guns I find them to be uncomfortable and I don't like being locked into a jacket that I can't remove.

IMO, the Andrews Monarch is one of the best.
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Old 11-03-2009, 11:27 AM
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There are several shoulder holster designs on the market. Relatively few will comfortably carry handguns of any significant weight. Weight distribution is provided by the harness, and many designs simply don't distribute the weight evenly, so every time we stand up, sit down, get into a car, get out of a car, bend over, etc, the holstered handgun will shift and require re-adjustment of the harness.

I have used several shoulder holsters myself, and watched other officers wearing them. What I recall most clearly is the repeated movements of the user to re-adjust the harness.

I make shoulder holsters, but I don't recommend them for most applications involving heavier handguns. I personally use one for my Kahr P40 at times (long trips while driving), but that is a 16-oz. pistol, not a 2 to 3 pound full-size model loaded up with a dozen or more cartridges.

Best regards.
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Old 11-03-2009, 11:40 AM
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I too have found them okay with lighter guns...my 442 is unnoticeable but my P7 felt like a brick...of course, they have such limited applications that I find they work their way to the back of the closet rather quickly...
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Old 11-03-2009, 12:10 PM
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the Galco Jack *** rig also known as the Miami Classic is what i use for my Glock 20. it is a great rig and reasonably priced for working folks.
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Old 11-03-2009, 04:06 PM
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Here's a simple test of your body type. With your right hand, reach through your left armpit and attempt to touch the far edge of your left shoulder blade. If you can't do that comfortably, you may not like a shoulder holster.
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Old 11-03-2009, 06:13 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cowart View Post
Here's a simple test of your body type. With your right hand, reach through your left armpit and attempt to touch the far edge of your left shoulder blade. If you can't do that comfortably, you may not like a shoulder holster.
this is a good test, i hadnt thought of the individual's ability to reach like this...
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Old 11-03-2009, 09:09 PM
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You need to buy an Alessi Body Guard. I originally bought it for riding the motorcycle, but now wear it constantly with my 19-4. It's very comfortable and fast! It also easily conceals with a button down shirt over a T.

I had a Galco Miami for my full size Springer. Couldn't pull it off even after fiddling with it for weeks as the pistol was just too long.




Always have my old 36 on in case I need to leave in a hurry. Everyone NEEDS a 36 or J frame for carry!

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Old 11-03-2009, 11:23 PM
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I have only used one. It was a new lined shoulder holster from Bulman gunleather. I'm not sure if they make one for a revolver. It cost around $400 after shipping and worked great with a fullsize 1911 springfield professional. It was extremly comfortable, and no elastic bands. I was driving 40-50k miles/yr and it was the easiest way for me to carry the handgun.
Some people do not like horizontal holsters, but it would have been very difficult for a round to be fired.


Last edited by kwikrnu; 11-04-2009 at 05:25 PM.
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Old 11-03-2009, 11:38 PM
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"he Galco Jack *** rig also known as the Miami Classic is what i use for my Glock 20. it is a great rig and reasonably priced for working folks."


The Jackass Rig and the Miami Classic utilize the same harness but the holsters are different. The attachment points on the holster are different which in turn changes the amount of verticality of the holster.

Incidentally, the rig used on Miami Vice was a Jackass Rig. The Miami Classic didn't exist at the time.



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Old 11-04-2009, 08:13 AM
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I use a Bagmaster , it's nylon and pretty comfortable . you can buy the rig and interchange holsters for it . Very reasonable on the price .

Bagmaster.com
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Old 11-04-2009, 08:17 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cowart View Post
Here's a simple test of your body type. With your right hand, reach through your left armpit and attempt to touch the far edge of your left shoulder blade. If you can't do that comfortably, you may not like a shoulder holster.
You may have told me why I like shoulder holsters-not only can I do what you say I can damn near get my fingers up ON TOP of my shoulder!

I guess I have monkey arms
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1911, 442, 629, alessi, bianchi, galco, glock, j frame, kahr, leather, safariland, springfield

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