Have been looking for my usual -- 4" Safariland model 25 for N frame, with the usual no success -- and have seen a lot of vintage shoulder rigs for sale in good shape. But the way they're set up, they look like they hung from really tall guys. All harness. Maybe the fact that there are so many in such good condition is the answer to my question, but are they practical? I can handle the weight of a 4" N frame on a belt, but what about something bigger?

I see the holster component lashed to the harness, and the thongs appear to be using a set of holes to hold it to teh harness. Above the holes are slots, and far above those on the harness are another set of slots. They have to be for adjustment, since they're not for ventilation. : ) For a big gun, I'd want it high up under my armpit, not slung at belt level like a crossdraw, which is what the photos suggest would happen. What's the real day to day experience with these, and do they really conceal? Looks a set of target stocks would printi for sure no matter how long the barrel. Thanks.

Always have to wear a cover garment. In a restaurant you can take off your coat and put it around your waist concealing a firearm on your belt, no such deal with a shoulder rig. Tall and skinny works the best for a shoulder rig. A thick middle is not a good thing unless you have really long arms. I carried a gun for a living for 38 years and found shoulder rigs to be slow and ackward for active wear.

The Upside: They are great for driving. In the 80s I used to transport felons in a patrol car for court appearances. They were bellychained and leg ironed and belted into the back seat with a screen between me and them.

I carried a LW Commander in a Jackass shoulder rig, horizontal carry with muzzle to the rear and a Colt Cobra in a Ankle holster on the inside right ankle. Wouldn't want to carry anything heavier than a 4" K frame in a shoulder rig as the gun side pulls on the harness most of the time. You wear a shoulder rig 8 hrs of walking, sitting and moving they get heavy.

Would like to try one of Ken Null's city slickers as a J Frame is all I tote about now. Hope this answers some questions.

That answers all my questions, Thanks! I'll carry the 4" on my belt or in a Galco Summer Comfort, which is surprisingly very comfortable and secure for big N frames.

I carry a M66 in a shoulder rig everyday. With a properly adjusted shoulder rig comfort isn't a problem. As previously pointed out, shoulder rigs with elastic straps do have a problem when used with heavy guns. The weight of the gun pulls on the harness. After a while the elastic wears out making the rig even more uncomfortable. One way around this is to get a shoulder rig that uses a leather harness that doesn't stretch and is adjustable. I carried a Ruger Redhawk in a Bucheimer vertical shoulder holster this hunting season and didn't have issues with comfort or fatigue.

I made and replaced all the elastic harnesses on my shoulder holsters with leather harnesses. Made a world of difference.

Shoulder holsters aren't for everyone but if adjusted properly they are a good option.

I like shoulder holsters. I have carried a 6 in. Python at least a million miles in a shoulder holster while coon hunting. That's all night long and being pretty active. I do like all leather straps for heavy guns. Larry