Belt or shoulder?

[JWFII]

I just recently purchased a Kangaroo Holster (Air Marshal II $39.95) and it works really well for me. I always wear western snap shirts, and I am able to carry a full size 1911 or my Glock 20 with a few adjustments. This holster system does seem somewhat like a girdle but other than that it seems to work really well, I am thinking about starting to were a vest so that the slight bulge won’t show when I reach for something.

 

[oldman45]

Personally, for my needs and use, I enjoy a good shoulder holster during the late fall, winter and early spring. The rest of the year, I wear a side holster.

What I wish I could find is a good paddle holster that I could put on or remove without undoing my belt. Just never found one for my style sidearm.

 

[Etemmu]

Mostly IWB with a Supertuck. Pretty comfy. Have carried my 6 inch Python with a vertical shoulder. Would like to try a shoulder rig for one of my autos but cant find one that allows for vertical carry. Also hard to find one that I can try on. My biggest problem with shoulder rigs is having my weapon always pointing at someone- most notably my kids sitting in the back seat.

 

[BaldEagle1313]

My biggest problem with shoulder rigs is having my weapon always pointing at someone-

Exactly. I've never felt comfortable mentally with the now common horizontal shoulder holster. Back in the day, I had an upside down clamshell for a Bodyguard that I could use either hand to draw from when I had on a light jacket, and a vertical for my Model 28 when I was wearing bulkier winter clothing. You see verticals now for the 1911 or BHP, and the "Dirty Harry" style for an N-Frame, but that's about it. I've looked at a lot of holster websites but haven't found just what I want. I'm sure it could be done custom, but I haven't wanted to shell out $300+ for one yet. So I just use a pocket holster for the Bodyguard, or a pancake for the 457 so I can take it off easily when driving.

 

[Arisin Wind]

Been packin' for 35 years and I do have a HUGE holster "collection" (as I am sure quite a few members on this Forum do as well). Personally, I still own 4 shoulder holsters but I HATE them. They are just too uncomfortable for me to wear even for a short period of time. The bigger the gun - the more uncomfortable the holster is. Of course this is just my personal opinion as I know others do like 'em.

Chief38

I use shoulder holsters a lot and I have to agree they can be uncomfortable, especially when you carry a large revolver like the N frame. Those elastic straps lose strength over time or just aren't strong enough to hold the holster securely. I replaced all the elastic straps on my shoulder holsters with a leather harness like the one found on the Dirty Harry holster. Instead of using 3/4 inch leather I use 1 inch straps. This gives 25% more support area and distributes the weight more. The leather straps don't lose strength over time and are adjustable. The result is a very comfortable carry rig. My old Bianchi X15's X2100's and Safariland vertical holsters no longer sit in box but get used. They are very comfortable even when worn for a long time. Not only that but the rig looks better with the leather harness than with the elastic strap.

 

[Florida Shooter]

Even the seriously cheap cloth one-size-fits-all shoulder holster I'm wearing is far more comfortable than any belt holster I've tried.

For use while driving or sitting on the sofa, all of the belt holsters I've tried so far are so terribly uncomfortable - sometimes painful - that I simply will not use them. I will, nevertheless, continue to search for a tolerable belt holster - I will next be trying a Blade-Tech paddle holster, because at least it can be removed when sitting in the car or on the sofa.

 

[Hook686]

Why overanalyze it ? Use what works for you.

 

[Florida Shooter]

That's exactly what I'm trying to figure out - what will work best for use in self defense and best for comfort. One way or the other, I know there will be trade-offs. I'm still in the process of sorting this out.