Small of back Holsters

[BAM-BAM]

Thanks for all the comments, but a person can fall and land on the gun regardless of the position it is carried in. People just don't always fall and land on their back.

True but you only have one spine... so why risk it.

 

[ContinentalOp]

Thanks for all the comments, but a person can fall and land on the gun regardless of the position it is carried in. People just don't always fall and land on their back.

I'd rather have a bruised hip than dislocated vertebrae.

And even if you don't care about falling on your back-holstered gun, there are still plenty of negatives, as mentioned.

Obviously, you can do what you want, but when the advice you sought is overwhelmingly in the "don't do it" camp, you may want to reconsider.

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

I have a well made small-of-back holster for a 1911. I never use it. I concur with all the negative aspects of using one, but I note that no one has emphasized any of the positive aspects.

There is a reason for that.

 

[BAM-BAM]

I have a well made small-of-back holster for a 1911. I never use it. I concur with all the negative aspects of using one, but I note that no one has emphasized any of the positive aspects.

There is a reason for that.

Willing to listen to "the positive aspects" ........ I'm not aware of any ( for me) vs a IWB Milt Sparks holster

 

[ColbyBruce]

Kid44 asked “ Do any of you use a small of back holster.”

Three people responded that they owned one. Everyone else just offered up an opinion on how dangerous the design was. Just hearsay, not citing personal experience with it.

So, if Kid44 is right-handed and can cough up a Glock 17/19 to tote around, I will loan him my Blackhawk version for testing. If he dislikes it, I will have saved him $75.00-$125.00+/- on something he will not use. If he likes it, then he can shop for this type of holster amongst the various manufacturers and the custom makers here on the Forum. I will need it back by the middle of June.

 

[squawberryman]

I asked Rob Leahy to make me one for a small 1911 years ago and he said no. Fear of finger on trigger under stress as gun comes up.

 

[Parkerlee]

I carry my K frames and even my 4" 44 Mag like 'Op suggests.
Get a good stiff holster and a good belt and it's really comfortable, even with an N frame. No printing with any open jacket.

carried in that manner for 31 years in career.

 

[Glicky]

*** Cons IMO

Do any of you use a small of back holster. I don' care for IWB holsters. Carrying OWB at the 3 o'clock position creates quite a bit of bulge, considering going to a 6 o'clock holster. The gun would lay up close to the small of my back barely creating a bulge, carried at the right angle access would be easy. Holster would be for Ruger SR1911 Commander.

1: I don't think it will comfortable in a seated position either at
home, office or in a vehicle. It will also be difficult to draw
from that position as well.
2: If you wear a suit or sports jacket the split in the back of the
jacket may expose your gun.
3: The muzzle can sweep your ribs - hip on your draw.
4: You may have to modify the way you bend over to squatting
so as to not exose or print the gun you are carrying.
5: A gentleman I know was wearing a *** in a restuatant and
when he got up to leave his chair got up with him as it was
hooked on the grip.

 

[Muss Muggins]

My response was “ not your best option,” which I continue to maintain as a proper response. Didn’t feel the need to explain until called out. I have carried a 669 in one, for about three months in the mid 80’s. Fell on my back during a foot chase in the middle of the tackle. Still have the scar. That is all . . .

Kid44 asked “ Do any of you use a small of back holster.”

Three people responded that they owned one. Everyone else just offered up an opinion on how dangerous the design was. Just hearsay, not citing personal experience with it.

 

[fatcat3]

Almost as useless as an ankle holster to ME.

Randy

except that I don't have to take my pants of to get to my firearm, that or look like a reject from Woodstock with my bell bottoms.

 

[jscott]

Small of back holsters inhibit gun retention. And you cannot see the snatch threat approaching. My opinion.

 

[ColbyBruce]

My response was “ not your best option,” which I continue to maintain as a proper response. Didn’t feel the need to explain until called out. I have carried a 669 in one, for about three months in the mid 80’s. Fell on my back during a foot chase in the middle of the tackle. Still have the scar. That is all . . .

Should of posted photos of your gruesome scar.

 

[ColbyBruce]

I never had an issue seated in a vehicle, but most vehicle seats lack adjustable lumbar support which could possibly affect one’s comfort.

I have had a Galco Small of the Back holster for a Walther PPK/s catch the seat back in an older UTV, like this one.

 

[reccpd101]

PPlease listen to the above advice. I retired on disability a good detective who while working for me was pushed from a stairway landing in a fight and hit on his back wearing a small of the back holster. I saw him the other day walking with a cane slowly and painfully and carrying a 5 shot 38 Bodyguard in his FRONT pocket.

 

[ColbyBruce]

PPlease listen to the above advice. I retired on disability a good detective who while working for me was pushed from a stairway landing in a fight and hit on his back wearing a small of the back holster. I saw him the other day walking with a cane slowly and painfully and carrying a 5 shot 38 Bodyguard in his FRONT pocket.

I am sorry for your friend, but anyone pushed from a stairwell landing is likely to sustain serious injuries. If indeed his injuries were caused by the holster, is he suing the manufacturer?

 

["DOC" Lott]

Why not "cross draw" ???

 

[ColbyBruce]

Why not "cross draw" ???

Cross draw does put your handgun in plain view unless you are wearing a London Fog coat. The butt of the firearm is exposed. The gun must come back across your body to engage a target unless the carrier trains to stand sideways. It is fairly comfortable in a UTV, Jeep, Dodge Raider, or on a ATV or horse.

My experience is limited to two Bianchi models, the 124 and the Cyclone. I can’t find photos of the Cyclone at the moment.

 

[chief38]

I would personally never use a small of back Holster. There are too many negatives and too few positives! IMHO it's a last resort carry method!

 

[Muss Muggins]

Should of posted photos of your gruesome scar.

It's on my right arm, and not all that gruesome, caused as I tried to catch myself on a fence. Back still hurts, but that was from two different falls at fire scenes . The scar is accented by the two adjacent burn scars. I never said the carry method caused the scar . . .

 

[kwill1911]

The problem with a question like this on the interwebz is that everyone is an expert and for every expert there is an equal and opposite expert. IOW, you just get a bunch of opinions backed up by anecdote. If you want to wear a *** holster then do so. If you are worried about falling then learn (practice) how to twist slightly so as to land on your hip rather than falling straight back. Is it still completely risk free? No, but what in life is?