N.G.L. Upside Down Holster.

[DuckBeav]

Well, I received my upside down holster for my 642-2 from Nevada Gun Leather today. Been working the snubbie in and out of it and it fits nicely and won't fall out. The rig rides comfortably with no binding and conceals very well. If you are looking for a speed rig, this is not it but, it will do for situations that don't require haste.

 

[jimmyj]

DO NOT USE A TRIGGER SHOE OR TARGET TRIGGER WITH THIS TYPE HOLSTER !

 

[Alk8944]

Looks just like a Safariland Model 19 holster except the rigging is a bit nicer. Safariland made these for J-K & N frames up to 4". And don't kid yourself, after a bit of wear and aging of the elastic, the gun CAN fall out!!!! And the elastic is a bear to replace when necessary!

 

[Bell Charter Oak Holsters]

Good luck. The only holster design I saw at least 4 or 5 cops lose their guns with on the job. So much for Steve McQueen and Hollywood films. The argument of the design is based mostly upon concealability under the armpit, and the dude COOLNESS, versus the other two more important factors.
1. Having a gun in your hand and not having to scramble for a fumbled draw laying on the floor, somewhere in the dark, when it hits the fan, saw that a few too many times with that design of holster.
2 . Go home and kiss your Wife and Kids, several times.....repeat.
Listen to me, I'm your friend. Me and 20 other old cops will tell you true, if they are on here, and they have been in the ****.
Good health to you and stay safe. If you don't have a wife and kid's, I hope you will. You deserve to suffer like the rest of us! Just Kiddin", PAX.

Cheers;
Lefty

 

[DuckBeav]

Then please tell me what you would recommend for someone with my physique? IWB holsters don't work as when I sit, my gut gets in the way. OWB don't hide the handle of the gun very well and pocket holsters usually don't fit well in my pockets. I do have a Galco Hornet cross draw holster that seems to work well for me but, I'm starting to have some issues with it also.

The shoulder holster seems to work best for my body style. I am most humbly open to suggestions and by the way, your site has some very nice looking leather!

 

[gman51]

I don't know anything about this holster but I am guessing it is a good way to have a gun drop out.
I don't like anything about IWB holsters and shoulder holsters require a loose fitting coat to hide the gun butt.
I have been carrying an LCR 357 in an owb Talon holster in my front jeans pocket. I have yet to have someone notice it and I can draw it darn quick.

 

[jimmyj]

Try a "Belly Band" holster, a vertical carry shoulder holster, or a Miami Classic style shoulder holster.

I had good luck with a "Miami Classic" in the past but had to sell it due to medical bills and it appears I will not be able to purchase another.

 

[shamelessinct]

What Jimmy said. I have an original ******* shoulder holster for a J frame, and it's what I wear the few times I use a shoulder holster. I vividly remember fishing my Model 60 back up gun out of a puddle after the upside down holster let it lose at a traffic stop.

 

[Kid44]

Nice. I have a Bianchi model that is not quite upside down, it's angled a bit, about 45 degrees. It allows easy access to the gun if wearing a pullover jacket. All suede and I find myself using it more and more vs. my paddle holster since I don't use a belt when wearing jeans and I absolutely hate IWB holsters. 2 1/2" M19 fits perfectly.

 

[old bear]

Lefty is right, or should I say correct? I have two inverted shoulder holsters, using the elastic retention system. The Yo Dude Cool factor is there, but I've had guns fall out of both of them. Never Again.

 

[Bell Charter Oak Holsters]

Then please tell me what you would recommend for someone with my physique? IWB holsters don't work as when I sit, my gut gets in the way. OWB don't hide the handle of the gun very well and pocket holsters usually don't fit well in my pockets. I do have a Galco Hornet cross draw holster that seems to work well for me but, I'm starting to have some issues with it also.

The shoulder holster seems to work best for my body style. I am most humbly open to suggestions and by the way, your site has some very nice looking leather!

Call Mike Taurisano, TAURIS HOLSTERS, (315) 735-0530. This guy is the finest shoulder rig maker in the world, in my opinion. I don't care what anyone else has to say, he is undoubtedly, without compare in design or finish, the finest maker in shoulder rigs.

Cheers;
Lefty

 

[Bell Charter Oak Holsters]

Incidentally, I recalled after my previous post, that Mike, a former deputy chief of the Utica NY police department, lost his revolver as a plainclothesman in a scuffle while using an upside down shoulder rig. He was arresting an accused murderer. Fortunately, his partner was well heeled and covered Mike who was able to quickly recover his weapon from behind the bar. I think I got the story straight, ask Mike, hell he probably won't remember either, were both old farts. Anyway, the upside down rig is a poor choice, I lost a gun in a scuffle also, didn't want to mention it, but if it helps save your bacon, well, I can stand the subsequent embarrassment it might provoke, 45 years later. I admit.....it was the cool factor. My friend Gaylord thought I was being a stupid kid. He had a much better design. Another story, some other time.

Cheers;
Lefty

Edited to add:

My bad, Utica New York is a major city, with a long history, rich culture, and historically the disease of such places, are organized crime, since the early days. For those of you unfamiliar with the area, I didn't want to sound like some arrogant NYPD guy, making light of the job in another tough town, because it was by comparison just a smaller city in upstate New York. My apology to any law man (especially Chief Mike Taurisano) if offended. The job is the job, no matter where the fight is fought. Long explanation for a small oversight in writing, but felt it certainly necessary to explain. Sorry about that. Peace.

 

[DuckBeav]

Thanks for the tips. I didn't buy the holster for the cool factor. To many years in the military to care what folks think of what I use. I just liked the look and, like I stated, shoulder holsters just work better for me. I'll have to save up for another but, wrote the number down that you provided and will look at some other options. Really don't want my gun falling out at the most inopportune moment!

 

[Bell Charter Oak Holsters]

From the initial photos you posted, I assumed you were a recent vet, compared with most of us, your a young man (the ink, no offense) and you appear to be in very good overall physical condition. Without personal preferences, it seems to me that you could use effectively any type of holster that may suit you. Your not obese, hell, you remind me of me, once upon a time when I boxed-martial arts, ran 3 miles every day, lifted weights, then went to work!

Here's what most many folks don't get. You can't always get what you want. I sat in unmarked cars, pissing in coffee cups, for 12 hours at a time, wearing 2 or often 3 guns that despite being well holstered, made me damn uncomfortable. They were that, uncomfortable, but they were damn sure comforting.

It is good you are reaching out for advice, that is an intelligent thing to do. I applaud you. But understand you may have to make some compromise along the way. As I became older, got out of shape, many of the rigs I used as a young man, didn't work for me anymore. Judging from your photos you seem to have a good bit of time yet to consider that. Find what works for you, it is a learning process, as anyone here will testify. Gather a large cardboard box.....we all have one....guess what's inside?

Cheers;
Lefty

 

[DuckBeav]

Thanks Lefty! Photos are deceiving a bit. I'm pushing 50 and have a now permanent disability (MS is crippling my body) but, I'm not closed to compremise. Hit the local Goodwill today and tried on some various size summer shorts and might give the pocket holster a try again. Bought one pair and when I got home, dropped the 642 in and low and behold, the shorts actually concealed it pretty well. Maybe I'll turn my attention to a pocket holster.

 

[rednichols]

Nice. I have a Bianchi model that is not quite upside down, it's angled a bit, about 45 degrees. It allows easy access to the gun if wearing a pullover jacket. All suede and I find myself using it more and more vs. my paddle holster since I don't use a belt when wearing jeans and I absolutely hate IWB holsters. 2 1/2" M19 fits perfectly.

Likely you're thinking of the 208/209, which I developed for Bianchi. A friend of mine bought one on eBay and it handily passed "the snap test" that we used to evaluate the 9R-2 that replaced the original 9R, which replaced the elasticised 9. So the gun won't necessarily fall out of the OP's holster, and can be tested to be sure it won't.

It also wouldn't be fair to tar with the same brush, ALL upside down shoulder holsters; not least because the least reliable version was made by everyone EXCEPT Bianchi and Safariland: best known as the Bucheimer version.

I don't believe that there is a coolness factor. The angled 209 instead presents the grip at a (literally) handy angle, and points the muzzle well past the shoulder. Fantastic for armed carry in a vehicle; which reminds me of Bruce Nelson's story about being attacked from behind in his police vehicle: he drew and fired from his Summer Special, into the chap's face. End of story.

We carry a lot, we draw very, very, very little; and we shoot after drawing even less.

 

[gnystrom]

I side with Lefty. There are a lot of options with your choice of gun.
Different grips than you have pictured would do a lot to improve the ability to conceal. I carry my 340 IWB, OWB, pocket carry, and am awaiting my new Sideguard appendix holster. Not in a search for the perfect holster but just for the variety of clothing I wear.

One thing about pocket carry, make sure you have a quality holster and deep pants pockets. I left a restaurant once and the server came running to to me with my Seecamp discretely wrapped a napkin and asked if I needed this. That was the last time I ever wore those shorts.

 

[JayCeeNC]

I generally dislike shoulder holsters for reasons other than the retention issue, but have used them on occasion when the situation dictated it.
I have an old Bianchi 9R that has held a number of J-frames with never a hiccup. Still have it.

I had a Bianchi X15 rig for the .45 Government model, the early versions without the safety strap across the front opening. I fully understand the addition of the strap, having the sobering experience of hopping over a low wall or fence and having the butt of my .45 swivel down 45degrees to stick out of my coat, with only the muzzle still clamped firm at the bottom of the holster. I rarely used the X15 rig, don't have it any more.

 

[cbore]

When I was an undercover State Narc we were issued 2 1/2 in model 19 (357 mag) One day an Agent came into the day room and removed his upside clamp shell shoulder rig with weapon (loaded) in. The Property Officer decided to try it own then try a quick draw.

Well he grasp the grip and finger in the trigger guard. When the weapon snapped from the holster he discharged a round under his armpit and to the rear. We found the bullet in an office bookcase three sheetrock walls later.

End of the story the Supervisor who had the office with a hole in his chair and a round in his bookcase moved to another office down the hall. We were then "discouraged" by the Director about bringing loaded weapons into the office. And finally the Property Officer never touched a loaded gun again.

 

[DuckBeav]

I side with Lefty. There are a lot of options with your choice of gun.
Different grips than you have pictured would do a lot to improve the ability to conceal. I carry my 340 IWB, OWB, pocket carry, and am awaiting my new Sideguard appendix holster. Not in a search for the perfect holster but just for the variety of clothing I wear.

One thing about pocket carry, make sure you have a quality holster and deep pants pockets. I left a restaurant once and the server came running to to me with my Seecamp discretely wrapped a napkin and asked if I needed this. That was the last time I ever wore those shorts.

I know there are a lot of threads on the subject, plus a huge variety on the market but, what do you consider to be a quality pocket holster? I.E. what should I look for?