Robert Henley
Member
What's the best available left-handed inverted shoulder holster for a Model 36?
Robert
Robert
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Left-Handed Inverted Shoulder Holster for Model 36
- Thread starter Robert Henley
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dfariswheel
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There are still a few around.
Watch Ebay and the gun auction sites for a Bianchi 9R, Safariland #19, or Bucheimer-Clark A600.
And new:
Upside Down Shoulder Holster
Vega DA1 Upside Down Leather Shoulder Holster for Smaller Revolvers
C. Rusty Sherrick - Shoulder Holsters
K.L. Null Holsters Home Page
Null makes some super-conceal upside down rigs from sweat-proof plastic.
The "trick" with these holsters is to get the harness adjusted so the holster is actually riding just in front of your shoulder with the muzzle pointing up in front of the shoulder.
Most people don't adjust the harness correctly and as the holster is worn it shifts until the muzzle is pointing directly up into the arm pit, with the gun butt too far to the rear.
Adjust the harness then wear the gun for a few hours as you move around. Don't shift the harness. After a few hours if the gun is still in front of your arm, the harness is correct.
To draw, you "pinch" the holster with the trigger finger on the outside and the thumb on the inside with the three fingers around the butt.
This prevents grabbing the gun with just the three fingers, pulling the gun partially out, then "juggling" it to get a shooting grip.
Watch Ebay and the gun auction sites for a Bianchi 9R, Safariland #19, or Bucheimer-Clark A600.
And new:
Upside Down Shoulder Holster
Vega DA1 Upside Down Leather Shoulder Holster for Smaller Revolvers
C. Rusty Sherrick - Shoulder Holsters
K.L. Null Holsters Home Page
Null makes some super-conceal upside down rigs from sweat-proof plastic.
The "trick" with these holsters is to get the harness adjusted so the holster is actually riding just in front of your shoulder with the muzzle pointing up in front of the shoulder.
Most people don't adjust the harness correctly and as the holster is worn it shifts until the muzzle is pointing directly up into the arm pit, with the gun butt too far to the rear.
Adjust the harness then wear the gun for a few hours as you move around. Don't shift the harness. After a few hours if the gun is still in front of your arm, the harness is correct.
To draw, you "pinch" the holster with the trigger finger on the outside and the thumb on the inside with the three fingers around the butt.
This prevents grabbing the gun with just the three fingers, pulling the gun partially out, then "juggling" it to get a shooting grip.
Rpg
Member
Years ago, I tried some shoulder holsters and found that they were miserable devices. M
For a j frame, a shoulder holster rig is heavier and bulkier than the revolver: an undesirable state of affairs.
They are also unpleasant things to wear for more than an hour or two.
I can't imagine why I would use such a thing, unless I was starring in a Miami Vice episode ( a very unlikely situation, I assure you).
Why do you want such a thing?
A shoulder holster is at the very bottom of my list of holsters.
Just my opinion, of course.
For a j frame, a shoulder holster rig is heavier and bulkier than the revolver: an undesirable state of affairs.
They are also unpleasant things to wear for more than an hour or two.
I can't imagine why I would use such a thing, unless I was starring in a Miami Vice episode ( a very unlikely situation, I assure you).
Why do you want such a thing?
A shoulder holster is at the very bottom of my list of holsters.
Just my opinion, of course.
I have never tried one of these upside down style holsters, but have often considered it for use with a 642, and even thought of getting a double holster for two 642's.
Rpg: I have used some shoulder holsters that have me in agreement with you on comfort. I have others, though, that work very well. My favorite is a Bianchi suede horizontal holster for a Walther PPK. I can wear it all day, the gun practically jumps into my hand and is very concealable with the right outer wear. I admit, I have owned more holsters than guns and did a lot of expensive experimenting until I found those that work.
Rpg: I have used some shoulder holsters that have me in agreement with you on comfort. I have others, though, that work very well. My favorite is a Bianchi suede horizontal holster for a Walther PPK. I can wear it all day, the gun practically jumps into my hand and is very concealable with the right outer wear. I admit, I have owned more holsters than guns and did a lot of expensive experimenting until I found those that work.
ColbyBruce
Member
The rig in the middle of this photo, above the Galco, is a discontinued Bianchi model. I forget the model number but this one fits snubbie J frames. I have owned it since 1980, IIRC. It works well but requires service type stocks on the handgun.
The "Upside Down Shoulder Holster" in the link above appears to be a fine copy.
The "Upside Down Shoulder Holster" in the link above appears to be a fine copy.
AZretired
Member
I have an old Bianchi that I used off and on for years. It is comfortable but no matter what I do the holster eventually works its way back where it is hard to reach. Last year I bought a Ken Null and it's great. Has a different harness system that holds everything in place.
All that said ant shoulder rig does take some getting used to.
All that said ant shoulder rig does take some getting used to.
The West Virginian
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Another option is the Alessi Guardian. The few reviews I can find regarding it are positive and I like the appearance and design. I was considering it for my 649 but have decided I prefer a horizontal rig like the Solo Rig or Monarch from Andrews Leather.
hotrod150
Member
I like a 45 degree horizontal shoulder holster rig myself, easier to draw from & seems to ride better. I have both a Bianchi #209 & a DeSantis thumbbreak. But my actual EDC is A-IWB.
Murdock
Member
My M60 and my M19 snubbies are very comfortable in Bianchi 9R holsters. I have found that I can (just barely) get my 3-inch M66 into the same holster as my M19 2.5-inch.
Skeeter Skelton wrote years ago that the best place for a J-frame was in a pocket, and that the only holster that made sense for them was an upside down one like the Gaylord or Bianchi. I have found this to be true.
Skeeter Skelton wrote years ago that the best place for a J-frame was in a pocket, and that the only holster that made sense for them was an upside down one like the Gaylord or Bianchi. I have found this to be true.
Arik
Member
I like shoulder holsters but I dislike leaving my jacket on indoors so I don't use one.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
2ndAmendmentNut
Member
I have an Alessi Guardian rig (I am right handed, but they do make a lefty). I like the holster a lot and have used it quite a bit over the last three years when I am wearing clothes that make pocket carry difficult. I wear the holster over and undershirt and under a button down dress shirt and my 649 disappears no coat or jacket necessary. Be careful though when it comes to ordering new from Alessi I have heard that they are having issues. Another excellent and very reputable holster maker is Andrews Custom Leather and he has a few inverted shoulder rig styles.
hotrod150
Member
That's a #209 "Silent Partner" like I mentioned in my earlier post. Uncle Mike boot grips work OK with it-- the trigger guard doesn't go quite as far into the holster pocket as with magnas, but it does go in far enough to stay put.
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dfariswheel
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One of the most interesting snubby shoulder holsters was the old Stein Holster Co "Snatch" holster.
It was a 45 degree carry that instead of a thumb break, it had a "pull through" snap above the hammer.
You could simply grab the butt and pull and the snap opened and the gun could be drawn.
It was interesting in that the strap that went under the arm was attached to the trigger guard area and the strap that went over the shoulder was attached to the front sight area.
It was one of the early holsters that eventually became the true horizontal "Miami Vice" type holsters.
In reality, the fastest and most natural draw of all shoulder holsters is the horizontal draw because it holds the gun in the ideal position for a good shooting grip BEFORE you even start the gun out of the holster, and holds it in the ideal position for a natural reach to the gun.
Most other shoulder holsters require you to "break" your wrist to grip the gun, whether the holster is a vertical or upside down.
It was a 45 degree carry that instead of a thumb break, it had a "pull through" snap above the hammer.
You could simply grab the butt and pull and the snap opened and the gun could be drawn.
It was interesting in that the strap that went under the arm was attached to the trigger guard area and the strap that went over the shoulder was attached to the front sight area.
It was one of the early holsters that eventually became the true horizontal "Miami Vice" type holsters.
In reality, the fastest and most natural draw of all shoulder holsters is the horizontal draw because it holds the gun in the ideal position for a good shooting grip BEFORE you even start the gun out of the holster, and holds it in the ideal position for a natural reach to the gun.
Most other shoulder holsters require you to "break" your wrist to grip the gun, whether the holster is a vertical or upside down.
Broker50
Member
Most all the upside down revolver holsters are variations on the Berns-Martin "Lightning". Oh, Ian Fleming, when he was writing an early James Bond book, asked a friend what the best shoulder holster was, & the friend told him a Berns-Martin "Lightning", which of course, won't work with Bond's 32 ACP PPK. Fleming clearly was not "gun literate". I've put in a LOT of 18 hr days with a mod 60 hanging under my left arm in a Bianchi 9R. Most comfortable way to carry a snub revolver, to me, anyway. Often the only way to effectively conceal one at times, too. Hides & carries well under an untucked loose fitting golf or T-shirt. Just run your hand under the shirt, grab the gun butt & rock it out. That is the proper technique too, pull the gun butt forward, then down & out of the holster. Under a button up shirt, you can unbutton one button to affect a draw, or if wearing a tie, leave one button undone. I once owned both a Bianchi, & Safairiland upside down holster at the same time, I have to disagree about the Safariland being superior, I felt exactly the opposite, & didn't keep the Safariland long. I still have the Bianchi, & have had it around forty years.
flagman1776
Member
Great for concealment & hope you never need to draw. If you draw, figure on putting it in your pocket as reholstering without removing the rig appears dangerous.
Of the several shoulder holsters I own, the old Miami Classic that Jackass Leather made... fits 39-2 & directives... was my go to. When I got stuck on a post at a seaside bar, I'd carry the 39 as BUG under my patrol jacket with 645 on duty belt. (A compact 45 BUG was not yet available but would have been better for ammo compatibility.)
Of the several shoulder holsters I own, the old Miami Classic that Jackass Leather made... fits 39-2 & directives... was my go to. When I got stuck on a post at a seaside bar, I'd carry the 39 as BUG under my patrol jacket with 645 on duty belt. (A compact 45 BUG was not yet available but would have been better for ammo compatibility.)
OP
Robert Henley
Member
I'm leaning towards one of the first two in this post, the Upside Down in the first link or the Vega in the second link. Any suggestions between these two by anyone that may have some experience with them? Robert
Murdock
Member
Use two hands. There is never a reason to have to remove the rig to re-holster.
dfariswheel
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The Vega has the better harness since it offers 4-point adjustment.
One possible trick to get better holster positioning is to adjust the off-side strap in an X configuration.
In other words, bring the strap that is attached to the main strap right behind the neck and bring it down across the back, under the arm and back over the shoulder and back to the lower attachment.
You can also buy a leather strip from Tandy and modify the harness so you can snap it to the belt on the off-side. This gives better support to the gun and prevents the strap from digging into your arm pit.
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OP
Robert Henley
Member
I did a search for the Bianchi 9R and located a few for sale, but they were all right handed (shoulder holster). Did Bianchi make the 9R in a left handed (shoulder holster)? Of course, the examples I've seen included belt slots that enabled you to use the holster on your belt either right handed or left handed.
