Anyone still rocking shoulder holsters?

[BabaBlueJay]

I am going back to school for my masters in education and plan on becoming a assistant principal in a few years. If I end up making that move I'll likely add more blazers to my wardrobe, and was thinking about a shoulder holster (outside of school of course). Anyone still rocking these, or are these considered outdated and people just rock a belt holster for every occasion nowadays?

[LPD256]

I have 3. All from Galco. Easy on my hips and they don’t pull my pants down. One K-frame fits many of my guns. One 1911 holster fits all barrel lengths. And I carry a Kahr 9mm as a lightweight option. I’ve used their products since the 70’s.

[sigp220.45]

I’m almost 100 percent shoulder holstering now. I hate to wear a belt, and even though I avoid public bathrooms if at all possible, sometimes nature demands what it demands. No worries about what to do with my gat. I also find them very comfortable when driving.

Usually its this Model 12 in a no-name upside-down rig. Sometimes the Pocket Hammerless goes for a ride.

I used to wear one at work, also. Gun, mags, badge, cuffs - ez on, ez off. I never used the tie down thingies.

[rednichols]

Shoulder holsters are for very small pistols, despite the plethora of big uns. Size and weight work against comfort, big time. So a pocket nine or a small frame revolver will get you great results but a bigger pistol, say 1911 and up, is a chore to wear and to conceal. Bond did it right with the Walther and now you can get full power 9s in that size; why settle?

[George4]

For 19 years I carried everything from a full size .45, S&W 19 .357, Glock 26, 9 mm and now as an olde man an S&W, 9 mm, MP 2.0 compact with 4 inch barrel. Do not overlook the heavy canvas variety for occasions where that blazer comes off. I carry one under a button up shirt for Sunday church, leave a button open and good to go. Just need to practice drawing.
Good luck, in right circumstances they will work for you.

[robertrwalsh]

I still use one on rare occasion, when I am going to be spending a lot of time in a car.

[6518John]

Originally Posted by sigp220.45

I’m almost 100 percent shoulder holstering now. I hate to wear a belt, and even though I avoid public bathrooms if at all possible, sometimes nature demands what it demands. No worries about what to do with my gat. I also find them very comfortable when driving.

Usually its this Model 12 in a no-name upside-down rig. Sometimes the Pocket Hammerless goes for a ride.

I used to wear one at work, also. Gun, mags, badge, cuffs - ez on, ez off. I never used the tie down thingies.

Didn’t interfere with fishing either!!

[Glashaus]

I have owned quite a few over the years, now I have half a dozen Galco Miami Vice rigs, the oldest for a 1911 when the company was named Jack AXX Leather, they work very well, just need the right garment and have it properly adjusted for concealment. I use them the most actually when I am operating equipment, a lot back on my farm days and now in Texas when I am bushhogging up at the hunt lease. I have them for Glocks, N Frame S&W’s, K/L Frame S&W’s, 1911’s, FN Five Seven

[STEALTh Inst.]

I always carry in one my Galco shoulder rigs. Aside from an occasional pocket full of "J" frame and speed loaders, I carry all three of my "serious" equipment in shoulders. Browning Hi Power, S&W SC1911 Perf. Center, .45ACP, Springfield EMP, 3" in 9MM and my Lou Horton, ported 3" custom Model 66. The problem with shoulder holsters is they are expensive and a pain to size and break in. If you are buying some Uncle Bernie's nylon underware holster it will never be comfortable. Good leather as it breaks in, conforms to your body. I carry mostly my .45 with two extra mags on the offside. I often forget I am wearing it; it's that comfortable. And I have to agree and LOL about the going to the bathroom comment.

[Billylee]

I have a nylon Uncle Mikes for my Hawes 45 LC revolver that I carry as a ‘finisher’ when deer hunting. It’s a vertical model that rests under my left arm, out of the way, and comfortable all day.

[robvious]

have one that was custom made by my father.. has a holster for my 19/66 4 inch & for my Taurus PT99.. comfortable standing and sitting... just need to be fashion conscious a little and practice drawing without flagging everyone.

[BabaBlueJay]

Originally Posted by LPD256

I have 3. All from Galco. Easy on my hips and they don’t pull my pants down. One K-frame fits many of my guns. One 1911 holster fits all barrel lengths. And I carry a Kahr 9mm as a lightweight option. I’ve used their products since the 70’s.

My only two holsters have been from them, so when I get a shoulder one I am for sure sticking with them. They have been good to me and customer service has been really responsive and helpful. Plus how can you not love the Miami Vice holster?

[tops]

I like vertical shoulder holsters especially for heavy guns. They don't pull my pants down. I always use one in the woods because they pick up less trash than a belt holster. The AE Nelson with the (C)clip around the cyl. and a tie down on the off side (untouchable) is my favorite. Larry

[stanmerrell]

I never had much luck with shoulder holsters. Like a previous writer says, they are uncomfortable with full size handguns. If you need to shake your jacket, you look pretty well strapped. I prefer a loose shirt untucked ....over a Glock 19 or CZ PCR. Try carrying around your own house for a few weeks before venturing out. You can learn a lot.

[375hh1973]

Carry a sig p226 in a galco shoulder rig when I have carhartt bibs on

[racoonbeast]

I often wear one. I live in Northern New England so the weather often supports a cover garment or two. I use Galco Miami Classics. I carry a full-size 1911 converted to .450 SMC in one and a S&W 4" Model 629 in the other. Works for me. Which one I pick depends on the mood and the activities of the day.

[sipowicz]

Originally Posted by sigp220.45

I’m almost 100 percent shoulder holstering now. I hate to wear a belt, and even though I avoid public bathrooms if at all possible, sometimes nature demands what it demands. No worries about what to do with my gat. I also find them very comfortable when driving.

Usually its this Model 12 in a no-name upside-down rig. Sometimes the Pocket Hammerless goes for a ride.

I used to wear one at work, also. Gun, mags, badge, cuffs - ez on, ez off. I never used the tie down thingies.

Good CCW shirt Sig. It conceals the gun without a jacket

[Arisin Wind]

Shoulder holsters? Yep. Wear one everyday. Not so small guns either.

[growr]

Use one every time I am on a road trip. Usually with a 1911. Galco.

Randy

[Pig Hunter]

With my current back issues I can't wear anything on my belt without debilitating pain. Old Bianchi 9r's from Red's nimble mind. Colt Dick Special. Smith 66 or Ruger Speed Six are what I am stuck with. I'd rather carry my LW Commander or a Hi Power. You got to do what you got to do.

[ISCS Yoda]

I still have one, I can't even recall if it's a Galco or an El Paso Saddlery it's been so long since I used it, but I won't give it up because it conceals my 2.5" M686 every so well! If I take that gun out of the safe to carry that's how I would carry it.

[ppeeks]

Shoulder holsters solve one of the same problems solved by chest rigs: no available belt space. I wear a Kenai Chest Rig from GunfightersINC when in the woods for at least the reason that my pack's weight-bearing hip belt covers my rigger's belt and thus makes hip carry extremely uncomfortable or impossible, depending on the gun. I have multiple interchangeable holster segments for the different guns I carry in the field (Ruger Super Alaskan .44MAG in big bear and angry moose country, Colt Trooper .357MAG in black bear country, Glock 19 in two-legged danger country, all loaded with Buffalo Bore's most powerful and situation-appropriate loads the guns will take). The different holster sections simply snap into the center of the harness. It is an expensive set-up but worth every penny to me.

[Old cop]

I’m still looking for a leftie upside-down (Steve McQueen/Bullet) shoulder holster for a J Frame. Hoping someone may have one for sale or know where I can order one.

[Kansasgunner]

Galco vertical rigs for my 4” revolvers (K&N frame) and 1911s. Horizontal for 640 or Glock 43X. Easy to carry all seasons. To cover them, loose fitting Dickies work shirts are great when temperatures hit the 90s.

[chief38]

I went through a period about 40 years ago when shoulder holsters appealed to me. After buying 4 or 5 different brands and types for the same gun and finding none of them comfortable or convenient, I gave up trying. Eventually I sold them and would not buy another - but that's just me. Others will disagree - I'm sure. Obviously it also requires an over garment of some sort - something I dislike wearing in most weather but the coldest.

[BE Mike]

I've worn shoulder holsters off and on for many years. Last several years, it has been off. I had a 3 inch S&W come out of an upside down shoulder holster; land on the hammer spur and broke a substantial piece off. No more upside down shoulder holsters for me. I wore an unknown spring holster for a model 10 S&W for several months. It was ok, but I couldn't strap it down to a belt and it flopped around a lot. I wore a nylon shoulder holster for several years and carried a 2 1/2" S&W model 66 and later a Beretta 96D. It was ok, but again, I had no belt to tie it down and it flopped around and weren't the fastest on the draw. No doubt that shoulder holsters are a must for those with lower back problems. I'm luke warm about them.

[BigBelle]

Constantly. A belt holster is a pain when you drive a vehicle w/ bucket seats, always pushing into a kidney & the seatbelt makes drawing hard. A shoulder holster is very handy & a vest covers it nicely when I go to town so the tourists don't get scared.

[BAM-BAM]

Yes, Miami Vice style for winter carry outdoors under a jacket or coat..... just unzip and grab the butt!

[sigp220.45]

Originally Posted by Old cop

I’m still looking for a leftie upside-down (Steve McQueen/Bullet) shoulder holster for a J Frame. Hoping someone may have one for sale or know where I can order one.

There’s one on EBay now, but the price seems a little optimistic.

[jem102]

Wore one for a year after colon surgery as i just could not deal with the weight on the belt at the time. It was the cheaper rough leather version from Galco. Took a little time to get it adjusted but after that it carried my G36 well for that year. I have not used it since.

[Ingramite]

When I was young and slim, yes.

I'm now 6'2" and 280 . The last couple of shoulder rigs just didn't fit . I wear a 52 long sport coat. I'd be all.ears.if someone has a suggestion for husky guys.

Years ago it was my Model 19 in an upside-down Bianchi.

[PauldL]

Oh yes. I have an Alessi Shoulder Rig & a Simply Rugged Chesty Pulller Suspension System.
To be quite honest, I LOVE the Chesty Puller Suspension System. Here's a quick pick of it. I'll post a pic up of the Alessi Shoulder rig later today
http://

[PauldL]

Originally Posted by BigBelle

Constantly. A belt holster is a pain when you drive a vehicle w/ bucket seats, always pushing into a kidney & the seatbelt makes drawing hard. A shoulder holster is very handy & a vest covers it nicely when I go to town so the tourists don't get scared.

Couldn't agree more!
& for very long trips I would highly recommend a Simply Rugged Chesty Pulller Suspension- please don't get me wrong, I'm not just trying to plug for Simply Rugged.
It's just honest to goodness the most comfortable way to carry a gun that I've ever had. I have an Alessi Shoulder Rig and it's so nice but, the gun riding on your chest is just amazingly comfy, especially while driving.

[BourbonCowboy]

I worked, for a couple years, in a school that had armed administrators. I carried my pistol in a SwapRig Flanker shoulder holster...until it got warm enough that I couldn't wear a jacket. Then I went IWB/Small of Back.

[Andylit]

I'm a jeans and T-Shirt guy, so in the summer and warm days I go with an IWB and my Model 60-9. Baggy T to cover.


At all other times I run with an Andrew's Custom Monarch rig with my Springfield XDMc 45.



Andrews Custom Leather


The back strap prevents the holster and mag pouches from swinging forward or sideways when you lean.


My back injuries are such that I cannot carry the .45 on my hip for more than an hour or so without a trip to the chiropractor.


Which is why I picked up the 60 and run it with a small drop pouch on the opposite side.

[Onomea]

Originally Posted by Ingramite

When I was young and slim, yes.

I'm now 6'2" and 280 . The last couple of shoulder rigs just didn't fit . I wear a 52 long sport coat. I'd be all.ears.if someone has a suggestion for husky guys.

Years ago it was my Model 19 in an upside-down Bianchi.

These guys say they can provide harnesses to fit anyone:



Dirty Harry Holster | Western Holsters | Old West Gun Holsters | Wild Guns Leather Holsters

[CH4]

Wearing one as I type. Have em for all my guns. Use em for 90% of my carry. Wearing IWB/OWB at 3-4 o'clock while driving/riding in a car with a seatbelt is useless; sitting in a chair is also problematic. Cross draw or shoulder rig are the best options for sitting driving. Never tried appendix carry and likely never will.

[Thin Man]

I've been using this combination at work with a Ruger SR1911 Lightweight Commander for nearly 3 years and in 35 plus years of using every shoulder rig under the sun, it's the most comfortable system I've found.

This holster for autos:
S3H Shoulder Holster Component

Or this holster for revolvers:
S1H SHOULDER HOLSTER COMPONENT: Shoulder Holsters | Galco Holsters

With this harness:
Half Harness Web Belt W/Belt Clip

Oddly, Galco doesn't offer this rig as a set, so you have to order the components separately.

I like this system so well that I also got them for my K-Frames, Sigs, and Steyr.

BTW, Desantis also offers a system like this called the CEO, but I've found I like the Galco harness system better.

FWIW!

[kbm6893]

I’ve owned 2. One for a Beretta 92FS and one for my Ruger SPNY. The one for the Beretta would give me back pain within hours. It was a novelty anyway, carrying such a big gun like that in a shoulder holster.

The one for the Ruger was comfortable enough. I wore it under my uniform jacket in the winter and late fall.

[Biggfoot44]

Small guns can be carried in horiz/ diagonal SH over the t shirt , under the outer shirt . accessed thru stratically unbuttoned button ( or western style snaps) . Not the fastest draw . but unlike ankle holsters , you can remain upright & moving .

Big guns can be carried in SH when you don't want them pulling down your pants .

I reference the period a cpl yrs ago recuperating from hand surgery when I was effectively one handed , and had to wear sweat pants . Vertical SH with 4 inch Service Six .

Full size guns in SH recuire more in the way of cover garments than a good pancake , but that's a trade off for you to decide .

I don't have problems with pancakes in the car , but SH are certainly good for driving

[BabaBlueJay]

I feel so lucky to be able to learn from all of your experiences. I am 34 and I feel like this forum has thousands of years of collective experience for me to learn from. Thank you for posting the pictures and explaining why you use them, I will definitely be investing in some kind of shoulder rig to complement my strong-side carry holster thanks to your input I learn so much from you all, so thank you

[BloodyThumb]

Galco horizontals. I have a couple. Perfect when you spend a lot of time in a vehicle.

[Kevin J.]

Classic or old school…

[AFammo]

Been using one since 1998, Safariland/Miami Classic. Too much Starsky & Hutch growing up.

[Derosa]

Yes, I still love shoulder holsters. All have been Galco. I started wearing one in the early 70s and carried a four inch S&W Model 19. Hunting, hiking, wandering the woods of Western PA, it was great. Through the years, I have carried large and small frame revolvers, large frame autos - think S&W 45 / XD 45 5 inch, and love the feel. Is a SH perfect? No. Tough to conceal here in Dallas, TX, heat, but, it beats a belt holster or hip bag with my bad hips.

Regards,

[sw-fan]

How about this one from Lobo Gunleather? My plan would be to wear it in cooler weather when I'm wearing a jacket of some sort.

[smoothshooter]

Why use the word “rocking” when the word “using”
is more appropriate?
I would think that someone planning on working in the education field would care enough about the English language to use it properly.
You rock a baby.
You use a holster.

[Kid44]

I frequently carry my 2.5" Model 19 in an inverted Bianchi shoulder holster. Makes the gun easy to draw even from under a sweat shirt. Just reach under the shirt and pull straight down.

[nksmfamjp]

Yes, old school:
Skip Ritchie TAC - Tactical Shoulder Holster



and new school:
Ares Tactical

[Ranger514]

Originally Posted by smoothshooter

Why use the word “rocking” when the word “using”
is more appropriate?
I would think that someone planning on working in the education field would care enough about the English language to use it properly.
You rock a baby.
You use a holster.

"Rocking" means more than simply "using." It denotes enjoying or mastering something. As an educator, the OP is using modern language...you know, like "far out," and "groovy," back in the day. Lighten up. Old curmudgeons need to keep up with the times...except for what passes for popular music these day, that is. This forum rocks!