Shoulder holsters. Help.

PatriotX · Oct 21, 2020

I don't know if it's a bout of nostalgia, folly, or a product of too much time in front of the boob tube...but there's been an itch for a shoulder holster brewing.

I wear a 46 long and go in-between XL-Tall and 2XL in shirts, so would want to try my hand at carrying a 6-inch N-frame. I'm an inch taller than the good Inspector, so maybe there's hope?

Any brand/model recommendations would be welcome, as would a virtual swat upside the head if this is an idiotic idea.

Thanks !

1911haulic · Oct 21, 2020

I just had a custom shoulder holster made by Chris at Mayhem Leather Company for a 6" 1911 10mm. Black with shark skin accents. Visit his website, he has some very nice stuff.

Rpg · Oct 21, 2020

I've tried shoulder holsters with a 6 1/2" M29 and hated them.

I've attempted shoulder holsters with other guns as well and didn't like them either.

I've found that while shoulder holsters look neat and cool on Miami Vice and other tv shows, once they're attempted in real life applications they lose about 95% of their appeal.

crazyphil · Oct 21, 2020

The holster Clint Eastwood used as Dirty Harry was made by Bucheimer
Clark. The gun was supposed to be a 4" barrel, but it was hard to find
one so they went with the longer barrel.

When Bucheimer-Clark went out of business, Jerry Ardolino, who did or
does (?) business as Lawman Leather started making the style. I believe
there were a couple of others who made them probably on some kind of
a license agreement.

Back in the late 1970s my Dad and I both had Model 19 Combat Magnums,
so I bought one of the holsters for each of us. I still have mine. It kinda
looks like it went through a war. I had to replace the leather part that
rests on the shoulder. You can see in the photo I replaced it with padded
ballistic nylon.

I don't know if Lawman Leather is still in business, but if not you might
find one on ebay. Here is a photo with my Model 67 Combat Masterpiece on board.

johnt671 · Oct 21, 2020

I just got a Galco lite shoulder holster. I really like it. It took a few days to find a comfortable way to wear it but it's good to go now.Way more comfortable then an IWB or outside, plus being a lefty its so much easier to draw then from a holster on my left hip This will be my main carry tool for at least three of the seasons. I don't know how this would work for the OP as he's taller but at 89 inches I have a lot of adjustment to let it hang lower.

I left out that I carry a 1911 Commander, but my S & W SD .40 fits it also.

ldausmc1369 · Oct 21, 2020

I have several Galcos I've picked up for a song over time. Once adjusted they are the best way to carry a full size pistol or revolver when you can wear a cover garment. Infinitely adjustable so it just takes time and patience...

Glashaus · Oct 21, 2020

I have half a dozen Galco shoulder holsters, bought my first one back in the early - mid 80's for a Colt Delta Elite, great holsters, I have them for S&W N frames, K/L Frames, Glocks, FN Five Seven and 1911's

hogblue · Oct 21, 2020

I have had a bianchi X15 for mine many years. Got it while I was still on the PD Works well but as stated by others the 29 is not fun to carry for long times in that configuration.

roscoepc · Oct 21, 2020

I used what I believe was an Uncle Mike's Vertical shoulder holster to tote my M-29 with the 8-3/8" barrel. Yeah I know it wasn't as Purty as leather but I knew I'd ruin a leather holster out in the woods hunting!! As far as comfort though, Most of the time I forgot I was wearing it!!

So when I got my 500 I bought the same type Uncle Mike holster! So far I Like it!!

PatriotX · Oct 21, 2020

Thanks for all the counsel, gentlemen.

I guess the answer was right in front of me the whole time; I need to try one, and if it doesn't work, off to the Holster Drawer [or Bin, or Storage Unit.]

Injunbro · Oct 22, 2020

I prefer a muzzle down chest holster. Gun isn't pointing @ anyone behind me like a horizontal underarm, doesn't fall out if retaining snap fails & handy seat-belted in my truck.

Catwrangler · Oct 22, 2020

I own an El Paso M2 tanker holster for the 1911. While not a true armpit tucked style. It's great seated- think ATV, but for extended walking etc., the shoulder strapless needs to padding, after a short while the shoulder strap cuts a little heavily on my shoulder.

ISCS Yoda · Oct 22, 2020

I have an El Paso Saddlery rig; pretty sure this is their current version:

#200 Shoulder System – Complete Rig – El Paso Saddlery

Copyright 2020 © El Paso Saddlery

I used to carry it whilst feral hog hunting down by the Rio Grande. I didn't always have to conceal it but it did conceal easily under a light jacket. I carried a 2.5" M686+ in it and speedloaders on the off side. However, the gun points backwards, not down, so I think that a 6" revolver would be very difficult to conceal under a light jacket due to the barrel length.

It certainly wasn't difficult to use and the gun was VERY securely held - it's not a speed rig. I don't use it for EDC because I don't need to, I carry smaller guns as EDC protection, so I like it better as a field rig, but I could easily conceal it under a normal jacket in cool weather.

chief38 · Oct 22, 2020

For me...... Shoulder holsters may look cool but loose their allure fast when you need to wear it for any length of time! They pull, are a neck strain and need a cover shirt, sweater or jacket to hide them.

I've had a bunch of different brands and models over the years and quickly found out that I should relegate them to the Silver Screen Detectives.

CH4 · Oct 22, 2020

I often wear a shoulder rig, especially when driving long distance. For me it's convenient, off my waste and always accessible - it also keeps your piece secured when Mother Nature requires you to drop your drawers in a public restroom. I dislike wearing belts all the time. I just drove straight through from WA to TN carrying a 5" 1911 in a shoulder rig.
Yes, you have to wear a cover shirt or jacket, but so does any carry except maybe a fanny pack or sling bag. When I am not wearing a jacket or unbuttoned shirt, I wear a fishing type vest that has pockets for my wallet, phone, etc. so I don't have to carry those items in my pants. I have shoulder rigs for most types of guns and use them a lot.

Hair Trigger · Oct 22, 2020

Catwrangler said:
I own an El Paso M2 tanker holster for the 1911. While not a true armpit tucked style. It's great seated- think ATV, but for extended walking etc., the shoulder strapless needs to padding, after a short while the shoulder strap cuts a little heavily on my shoulder.

Do you use yours for concealed carry, and if so, how do you address hiding the cross strap in front? I have an original Inger-Kress M3 (identical to EPS's Tanker) for my 1911's and just ordered a EPS Tanker for my M57. I really like where the gun sits in one of these holsters, a 6" barrel for me is too long for a belt holster.

sigp220.45 · Oct 22, 2020

I used a Galco for years on the job. I liked the idea of putting everything on or taking everything off all at once. Gun, mags, badge, cuffs. Gonna be at the office for a while? All off. Gotta go look at dead people? Back on.

Also, if you have to use the throne while out and about you will really appreciate it. It wasn't a coincidence that Fish on Barney Miller (who was always headed to the john) wore a shoulder holster.

An added benefit to the horizontal holster is that if you don't wear a coat no one will stand behind you in the check out line.

junglefighter · Oct 22, 2020

I have been wearing a Galco Miami Classic for years and find it comfortable, concealable and I have carried many different firearms w/o a problem.Galco makes a vertical holster for your N frame,just go on their website.

PatriotX · Oct 22, 2020

sigp220.45 said:
I used a Galco for years on the job. I liked the idea of putting everything on or taking everything off all at once. Gun, mags, badge, cuffs. Gonna be at the office for a while? All off. Gotta go look at dead people? Back on.

Also, if you have to use the throne while out and about you will really appreciate it. It wasn't a coincidence that Fish on Barney Miller (who was always headed to the john) wore a shoulder holster.

An added benefit to the horizontal holster is that if you don't wear a coat no one will stand behind you in the check out line.

C'mon, man.

You can't post a pic like that without a backstory...

sigp220.45 · Oct 22, 2020

PatriotX said:
C'mon, man.

You can't post a pic like that without a backstory...

Well, I didn't want to drift your thread but since you asked....

I had a case where a guy on the Blackfeet reservation got liquored up, grabbed his '06, and told his friends "Let's go shoot some beef!!" He was a short dude named Nolan who tipped the scales at a solid 400 pounds so everyone called him Swollen Nolan.

They went to a tribal pasture where he shot five or six mostly tame bison, who were just standing around minding their own business. The tribe was not happy and came to us. I found him, got a confession, and confiscated the gun (surprisingly nice for a tribal gun - a store brand rifle but on a nice FN action). I charged him federally with the theft of tribal property, which was the best I could come up with, there being a limited number of crimes we can charge on the reservation, buffalo murder not being one of them.

The US Attorney's office chickened out before grand jury, pointing out the statute required the stolen goods to be carried away, which the buffalos were not.

The tribe was really not happy. Since the great buffalo slayer was a tribal member they charged him in tribal court, and yours truly was the key witness.

As with many things tribal, punctuality was a relative term. I found myself sitting around the courthouse, thumb twiddling. Across the street was a nice pond, well stocked by F&G but rarely fished because it was next to a graveyard and folks feared formaldahyde runoff and bad spirits, in that order.

I always keep basic fishing stuff in my rig. I had a supervisor give me the stink-eye over it once, and I told him it was an evidence retrieval device.

First cast, and I caught the pictured fish. I just had enough time to run to the gas station, get a foam ice chest and a bag of ice, and make it back to testify.

And yes, that was my tribal court suit. I was overdressed.

Shoulder holsters. Help.

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