Shield Holster to carry on your back?

[MozartMan]

Hi everybody,

I am new to gun ownership and I apologize if I am asking stupid questions.

I bought Shield 9 a month ago (my first gun ever). Then I bought Fobus PPS right-handed OWB holster. Shield fits perfectly in this holster. I cant put Fobus on the right (3 o'clock) or on the left (9 o'clock) hip.

But I was wondering if it is feasible to carry gun on the back (6 o'clock)? Does anybody do that? And if yes, what holster do you use?

Thanks.

 

[4330Inroute]

Why not at 3 or 9?
The 6 o'clock position is not a really good idea. Try it there and then lay/lie down and you will feel it in your lower back. If you fall on it the handgun can do some serious damage to your spine. Try 4:00 or 4:30 or so on your belt. Even a crossdraw at 11:00 is a better choice than the 6:00.
Good luck with your choice.

By the way it's ok to buy other holsters. Most of us have drawers full of holsters that we have tried and did not meet our needs.

 

[MozartMan]

Thanks for reply Inroute.

I got my CPL in the beginning of May and didn't carry the gun yet. I usually have my cell phone in the phone case on my belt at 2 o'clock, and then my car seat belts (lap and shoulder) come together and touch my right hip at around 2-3 o'clock. That's why I was wondering if carrying on the back would be a good option. I will try it some day cross-draw at 11:00.

 

[Doug M.]

Fix your priorities. Move the phone. Dress around the gun.

As for a belt over the gun - used to have that all the time on duty. You will quickly grow accustomed and not notice it.

 

[srderb]

I have a 40 compact and generally wear it in the small of my back in a $10 single clip IWB holster. I've tried other holsters but this is the most comfortable for me. Only downside to that location is the amount of perspiration it gets there...but I wipe it down each time and its fine. I also find this the most comfortable location for wear when in the car.

 

[NCW Ray]

The type of carry holster you are asking about is called a "Small Of Back", such as the one in this picture. And as previously mentioned it can be VERY PAINFUL if for some reason you should fall back on it.

I carry a 40c in a Bianchi Allusion Model 135 in the 3- 3.30 position with my cell phone holster right in front of it. Like Doug M, I too had to deal with a seat belt over it while on duty and like he said...you'll soon get used to it.

 

[Doug M.]

Years ago, there was a report an officer who fell on wet grass (in a foot pursuit as I recall), landed on a cuff case that was on his spine, and ended up paralyzed. From roughly 4 o'clock to 8 o'clock, wear nothing that won't give. That's putting aside the issues with clover garments riding up, poor weapon security (hard to fight gun grabs), etc.

 

[ColbyBruce]

I often carry a Glock 19 or 32 in a Galco small of the back holster, this one.

So far, I have not fallen and become a paraplegic. Knock on wood, I guess. While I have heard that horror story many times, I have never met anyone who became paralyzed as a result of an injury incurred while utilizing this type of carry method. I have a neighbor who works at a spinal/neuro hospital who told me he has never seen such an injury. I am not saying it can not or will not happen; but if it happened in the south the patient would likely come through this facility, and my neighbor would meet them.

That said, spinal injury is only one reason not to use this method of carry. Small of the back holsters are difficult to re-holster your handgun. Slow to draw from. Nearly impossible to reach with your weak hand. If possible try to borrow one to wear for a while before you spend the money.

 

[mustangman]

Thanks for reply Inroute.

I got my CPL in the beginning of May and didn't carry the gun yet. I usually have my cell phone in the phone case on my belt at 2 o'clock, and then my car seat belts (lap and shoulder) come together and touch my right hip at around 2-3 o'clock. That's why I was wondering if carrying on the back would be a good option. I will try it some day cross-draw at 11:00.

I carry OWB at 10 - 11. I do this out of necessity, not because I believe its better than any other way. A plus though is when seated or driving, gun access is easy.

 

[MozartMan]

Thanks for reply everybody.

Like I said, when I drive seat belt and buckle touch my right hip at 2-3 o'clock and there is no space for the holster with gun. And I have to slide cell phone holster to 1 o'clock (appendix area). I guess I will have to buy new holster for 9:00-11:00 o'clock for cross-draw because the one I bought cannot be tilted.

 

[formernuke]

I often mine in the 4.5 to 5 o clock position with an inside the waistband very comfortably.

 

[4330Inroute]

I use a Bianchi 3s IWB at 3:30-4:00 with the handguns I carry. Model 10 2 inch, Model 36, Model 39-2 clone and several 1911's.

I have 3 damaged discs in the small of my back from a swat training accident. The two double magazine pouches I had there contributed to the injuries. I was wearing a web belt, alice suspenders, 4 double .45 canvas double mag pouches, 2 M16 mag pouches w/ 4 20 rd mags and a modified gas mask pouch with 40 12 ga rds. A set of handcuffs. A colt 1911a1 in a 1916 style belt holster. The whole rig weighed about 35-40 lbs. plus a vest and a chest plate, folding ruger ac 5.56 w/30 rds and a Remington 1100.
Yep, loaded for bear plus I was young and thought I was 10ft tall and bulletproof. Now I struggle with one handgun and two reloads.

 

[jeffhughes]

Cross draw is not a great idea. It's almost impossible to draw and not sweep others.

Small of back it's hard not to draw and sweep yourself.

Find something from 3 to 430 that works for you.

 

[SpringGunTunes]

Remora. I drive, cut the grass, clean out the gutters and work in the garden with my Shield in it. It never moves.

 

[Rpg]

A holster is more than a device to hold your pistol. It's part of a system.

I use only Del Fatti iwb, Del Fatti custom yaqui
Slide or a Milt Sparks custom owb when I use a holster: always just behind the strong side hip with FBI cant (about 15 degrees). These are all used with Colt 1911's.

Doesn't interfere with seat belts or anything else.

A 6 o'clock position is miserable in real life, no matter how cool it looks in the movies.

You need to practice your presentation (draw and shoot) thousands of times. Your objective is 1.5 seconds from a surrender position, hands up, to center mass hits at 7 yards.

Find a system that seems promising to you in terms meeting that objective.

A 6:00 position would never work for me.

Just my opinion, of course.

 

[Derosa]

With all due respect, and not fully knowing your occupation or drive time requirements, have you considered a shoulder holster? Yes, it can be warm in summer months (I assume you are near Detroit as a reference to the Motown), but, with a new breathable material shirt, it can be comfortable and practicable. Just a bit of food for thought. Good luck, sir.