Question about shoulder holster usage.

9c1 lover · Feb 21, 2012

This has probably been gone over before, I however, have not read anything on it so here goes...

With the concept of all guns are loaded, and never point a gun at something you don't plan on destroying, how is it okay and safe to use a shoulder holster with the barrel of teh gun pointed at people all day long?

Granted, there are verticle holsters that point the barrel down, but those are not comfortable and require extra effort to pull out the piece, so I would venture to guess most folks that use a shoulder holster, use a horizontal model, but now there is a loaded gun barrel pointed at other people all day, and pretty much at the head of children, should they be around.

For me it is to each their own, so please don't take this question as bashing or anything, I'm just curious as to how it's okay to use these type of holsters?

Just a friendly discussion.

sigp220.45 · Feb 21, 2012

That's a good question.

I am wearing a Galco shoulder holster right now for my Sig .45. I don't really worry about it as long as its concealed. I've had this rig for about 20 years, and it hasn't shot anybody in the face all by itself yet.

Once I was eating lunch in a restaurant in New Orleans - Jack Dempsey's, I think. I took off my coat and didn't really think anything since I was at a table full of cops and there were badges and guns everywhere. I felt a light tap on my shoulder, and turned to see a nice older lady smiling at me. "Suh", she said, "would mind awfully much putting your jacket back on? That big ol' pistol is pointed right at mah head."

I felt like such an *** I just took the whole rig off and stowed it in my car. I thought it was sweet that she didn't mind it still being pointed at her head, as long as there was a thin layer of fabric covering it.

In short, I don't worry about it.

9c1 lover · Feb 21, 2012

I almost tried to post about hearing that story, couldn't remember where i heard it. Too funny.

Now I know it is not gonna shoot somebody by itself, but you hear it all the time about a barrel only pointing at stuff you are okay with destroying, but that one very important rule seems to go out the window when it comes to this one thing (shoulder holster).

I just find it wierd, again, I know it isn't gonna just go off, but I don't think I could do it, I would be too worried about it for my own comfort.

Thanks for sharing though, that is a funny story and one that has stayed with me since I heard it last.

Gunslinger808 · Feb 21, 2012

My biggest concern when I taught firearms was the draw on shoulder rigs.
Unless you're real carefull ever draw means you sweep pretty much a 180 degree arc to get on target.
I used to put those with that type of holster on the very end of the line to prevent unfortunate situations, and the problem WILL be worse when you throw in a high level of stress.
Good holsters with a specific use, but not for the begginers.

USAF385 · Feb 21, 2012

I only use vertical shoulder holsters for concealed carry.

Even though I know the gun won't go off by itself, there's just something about having the barrel of my .44 Mag pointed at the head of a little girl behind me in the checkout line that I don't like.

I don't like guns pointed at me. I don't care if I have unloaded and triple checked the gun myself. In gun shops, I get ticked when I see someone sweep me when carelessly waiving around a gun.. even though the employee just checked it. On the same note, I don't want to be out in public and have a loaded gun being pointed at me from underneath some guy's coat. Has it happened? Most likely, but that doesn't mean I like it.

I'm not bashing Glocks... I have two... but I shudder to think of someone carrying a loaded Glock in a nylon horizontal shoulder holster.

9c1 lover · Feb 21, 2012

Gunslinger808 said:
My biggest concern when I taught firearms was the draw on shoulder rigs.
Unless you're real carefull ever draw means you sweep pretty much a 180 degree arc to get on target.
I used to put those with that type of holster on the very end of the line to prevent unfortunate situations, and the problem WILL be worse when you throw in a high level of stress.
Good holsters with a specific use, but not for the begginers.

Good point the stress level wont help any. I have seen plenty of people practice quick drawing and NOT under stress, but still shoot themself in the leg or foot. With a shoulder holster, that leg or foot now becomes a bystander.

I could see maybe on a farm or hunting or something, when you are alone or with one or two people but everyday around lots of people just seems to be asking for trouble.

Again just my honest opinion.

9c1 lover · Feb 21, 2012

USAF385 said:
I only use vertical shoulder holsters for concealed carry.

Even though I know the gun won't go off by itself, there's just something about having the barrel of my .44 Mag pointed at the head of a little girl behind me in the checkout line that I don't like.

I don't like guns pointed at me. I don't care if I have unloaded and triple checked the gun myself. In gun shops, I get ticked when I see someone sweep me when carelessly waiving around a gun.. even though the employee just checked it. On the same note, I don't want to be out in public and have a loaded gun being pointed at me from underneath some guy's coat. Has it happened? Most likely, but that doesn't mean I like it.

I'm not bashing Glocks... I have two... but I shudder to think of someone carrying a loaded Glock in a nylon horizontal shoulder holster.

Pretty much how I look at it.

As far as the glock in the shoulder holster, now add a mall ninja to the equation

I had a shoulder holster my wife got me for a little while, just for around the house, because my holstered sigma was uncomfortable laying on the couch, but I stopped wearing it when my 3 year old came up to me, while I was sitting, and I realized there was a loaded gun pointing right at his face. Gave me the chills, and off to the cloest the holster went...

USAF385 · Feb 21, 2012

9c1 lover said:
I stopped wearing it when my 3 year old came up to me, while I was sitting, and I realized there was a loaded gun pointing right at his face.

And again... there's no reason that it would have just gone off, but still, you wouldn't point a loaded gun at someone even with your finger off the trigger. There's little difference in my mind even if the gun is in a holster.

9c1 lover · Feb 21, 2012

USAF385 said:
And again... there's no reason that it would have just gone off, but still, you wouldn't point a loaded gun at someone even with your finger off the trigger. There's little difference in my mind even if the gun is in a holster.

Exactly, there was n't even a chambered round but still gave me the chills. I know guns don't just go off, but it still messes with your head a bit.

jbull380 · Feb 21, 2012

I dont use them for that reason and the fact that its impossible to train with them since you are going to cover whoever is on your holster side at the range when you draw the weapon. If I cant train with it I aint using it.

OK Hog Shooter · Feb 21, 2012

As a civilian with a CCW permit, on the farm would be the only circumstance where I would even consider a shoulder rig. That way the only feet I got to shoot at are my own...

9c1 lover · Feb 21, 2012

OK Hog Shooter said:
As a civilian with a CCW permit, on the farm would be the only circumstance where I would even consider a shoulder rig. That way the only feet I got to shoot at are my own...

Exactly, I see no problem with that, or like hiking in the woods/ mountains or something.

sigp220.45 · Feb 21, 2012

jbull380 said:
I dont use them for that reason and the fact that its impossible to train with them since you are going to cover whoever is on your holster side at the range when you draw the weapon. If I cant train with it I aint using it.

I qualify with mine four times a year. I just stake out the far left position on the line.

I would say if you are uncomfortable with it, don't use it. It works for me, but it's not for everybody.

StatesRightist · Feb 21, 2012

I agree with Gunslinger, it's a specialized piece of equipment and not for the newbie, but it also fills a role nothing else can. There is absolutely nothing wrong with a shoulder holster. Every accidental shooting I've seen, except one, revolved around a person who could not keep their finger off the trigger, not the holster the gun was in. When was the last time you read about a gun just going off in a shoulder holster...never.

bitstream · Feb 21, 2012

I was thinking of getting one for long road trips. I think it would work well while driving.

9c1 lover · Feb 21, 2012

StatesRightist said:
I agree with Gunslinger, it's a specialized piece of equipment and not for the newbie, but it also fills a role nothing else can. There is absolutely nothing wrong with a shoulder holster. Every accidental shooting I've seen, except one, revolved around a person who could not keep their finger off the trigger, not the holster the gun was in. When was the last time you read about a gun just going off in a shoulder holster...never.

So you would have no problem having a loaded 1911 hammer cocked pointed at your child's head as long as nobody touched the trigger? That's how I'm looking at it. I know it doesn't happen, but nothing is impossible, and it goes against one the the most basic gun handling rules.

It just seems to me this basic gun rule is broken with this method of carry, if you think about it, that loaded gun is pointed right t the head of children behind you, or people sitting down behind you. Mechanical malfunctions can and do happen.

I guess I'm just overly cautious. I was around a ND when I was in my teens which resulted in a death of a friend, and have been overly paranoid ever since, to the point I can't chamber a round until I'm ready to shoot EVER. Now I realize it was a PERSONS fault when it happened, but in my head that doesn't matter.

Thanks for discussing this with me, been on my mind for awhile now.

StatesRightist · Feb 21, 2012

9c1 lover said:
So you would have no problem having a loaded 1911 hammer cocked pointed at your child's head as long as nobody touched the trigger? That's how I'm looking at it. I know it doesn't happen, but nothing is impossible, and it goes against one the the most basic gun handling rules.

It just seems to me this basic gun rule is broken with this method of carry, if you think about it, that loaded gun is pointed right t the head of children behind you, or people sitting down behind you. Mechanical malfunctions can and do happen.

I guess I'm just overly cautious. I was around a ND when I was in my teens which resulted in a death of a friend, and have been overly paranoid ever since, to the point I can't chamber a round until I'm ready to shoot EVER. Now I realize it was a PERSONS fault when it happened, but in my head that doesn't matter.

Thanks for discussing this with me, been on my mind for awhile now.

I can see where you would be traumatized and I would be the first to tell you if you are not comfortable with your gun, holster etc in a certain fashion, do not carry it. Confidence in your system is very important.

Looking at your 1911 example you have not 1 or 2 safeties, but three. In the 100 years of the gun and millions of carry hours, there is no record of an accidental discharge such as concerns your scenario, that I am aware of. As for the violations of gun rules, that is when handling one. Many people carry loaded guns in glove boxes, in carriers on the back seat etc. Police carry them pointing in a potentially dangerous angle in their cruisers, yet it's done all of the time. I'm not advocating bad gun handling technique, just pointing out the nuances of the debate.

Everything about Self Defense is about possibility, not probability. There is no way to know in most civilian situations, that it is probable you will need a gun that day, you carry it because of random probability. That said, carrying a CCW with an un-chambered round is not what I what consider advisable either. I would be shocked if the general consensus among people who have carried a gun for a while, living etc is not the odds of the time it takes for you to chamber round does not substantially increase the chance of your getting hurt by a BG, vs the odds of a chambered round going off accidentally and hurting someone.

Buy a high quality gun/holster, practice drawing it, invest in a biometric safe for home etc, those are things you can control. I was not being smart over the finger on the trigger issue, I've seen that be an issue for even LEO's and military people. Stress makes even common sense things difficult.

I think your concern based on your past history is quite understandable, but I don't think it's based on historical risk. However, as I said in my first paragraph, if it makes you nervous, don't do it, nerves only increase the chance of an accident occurring.

Stay safe and enjoy your evening.

Edit: It occurs to me I forgot to mention one key thing. Shoulder Holster carry is not my preferred carry style, not even close. I utilize it in the winter when I'm going to be something that routinely exposes the belt line and that would be an issue. The rest of the time OWB is my preferred carry for my primary gun. However, in the instance mentioned above, SH carry fits the bill.

9c1 lover · Feb 21, 2012

StatesRightist said:
I can see where you would be traumatized and I would be the first to tell you if you are not comfortable with your gun, holster etc in a certain fashion, do not carry it. Confidence in your system is very important.

Looking at your 1911 example you have not 1 or 2 safeties, but three. In the 100 years of the gun and millions of carry hours, there is no record of an accidental discharge such as concerns your scenario, that I am aware of. As for the violations of gun rules, that is when handling one. Many people carry loaded guns in glove boxes, in carriers on the back seat etc. Police carry them pointing in a potentially dangerous angle in their cruisers, yet it's done all of the time. I'm not advocating bad gun handling technique, just pointing out the nuances of the debate.

Everything about Self Defense is about possibility, not probability. There is no way to know in most civilian situations, that it is probable you will need a gun that day, you carry it because of random probability. That said, carrying a CCW with an un-chambered round is not what I what consider advisable either. I would be shocked if the general consensus among people who have carried a gun for a while, living etc is not the odds of the time it takes for you to chamber round does not substantially increase the chance of your getting hurt by a BG, vs the odds of a chambered round going off accidentally and hurting someone.

Buy a high quality gun/holster, practice drawing it, invest in a biometric safe for home etc, those are things you can control. I was not being smart over the finger on the trigger issue, I've seen that be an issue for even LEO's and military people. Stress makes even common sense things difficult.

I think your concern based on your past history is quite understandable, but I don't think it's based on historical risk. However, as I said in my first paragraph, if it makes you nervous, don't do it, nerves only increase the chance of an accident occurring.

Stay safe and enjoy your evening.

Edit: It occurs to me I forgot to mention one key thing. Shoulder Holster carry is not my preferred carry style, not even close. I utilize it in the winter when I'm going to be something that routinely exposes the belt line and that would be an issue. The rest of the time OWB is my preferred carry for my primary gun. However, in the instance mentioned above, SH carry fits the bill.

Lot's of good points here, and I should add, I only CAN carry when I'm home, so I will have the half second it takes to rack the slide. If I could carry out and about, I'd probably force myself to chamber one, but that is not an option in IL.

Thanks for the post.

tops · Feb 21, 2012

I am scared to death of those horizontal shoulder holsters. I will bet a dollar to a hole in a doughnut that if you point a gun at a person wearing a horizontal shoulder holster they would have a fit but then they say that pointing their gun at the person behind them is okay. Larry

growr · Feb 21, 2012

If you aren't comfortable...DON'T USE IT! A shoulder holster is no more dangerous than any other holster. It is the operator not the gun, not the holster!

A properly holstered gun presents no danger to anyone whether it is a shoulder holster, IWB,OWB, ankle, *** or any other configuration.

A gun goes bang because someone did something to MAKE it go bang.

Randy

Question about shoulder holster usage.

Member

US Veteran

Member

Member

US Veteran

Member

Member

US Veteran

Member

Member

Member

Member

US Veteran

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Similar threads