Anyone still rocking shoulder holsters?

[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]

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://[url=https://postimg.cc/D4vbRLZy] [/URL]

 

[PauldL]

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]

Seasonal for me

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]

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