kthom
Member
or other options for concealed carry when waist carry becomes difficult or impossible. Due to age and infirmities, it has become very difficult for me to carry as I have for over fifty years, which involves generally belt carry, IWB or OWB, at about four o'clock. I have made adjustments with holsters and locations, adding Perry Suspenders to the equasion around 15 years ago, that have improved existing issues.
At this point in time, due to two compressed vertebrae in my lower back as well as recurring sciatic nerve pain and joint discomfort in general every where, it has become very painful for me to carry in my location of choice. Pocket carry is seldom a viable option for me. My britches have always been snug due to the way I'm built, and that includes the pockets, plus I have important stuff to carry in my pockets. I have always been oversquare, thick and wide from top to bottom. Big boned and stout and yes, kinda fat!!! Where my holster rides when it works well for me has resulted in pressure being placed so that it aggravates my sciatic nerve in my right leg, plus having carried the weight of either a full sized duty revolver plus various lighter revolvers and semi autos in a concealed mode for all these years contributes to lots of painful discomfort.
I'm wide enough that I sure don't need anything to make me wider. Doorways are generally a one way proposition for me, and I take up both lanes through the doorway! I have been considering the idea of a shoulder holster of some sort. My carry piece is most often a steel framed Model 640-1, supplemented by a Shield 45 or sometimes a Shield 9. Yes, I have airweight Centennial J frames, and they are indeed lighter, but they are no more compressible in a holster than are the steel frames, inside or outside my belt. The semi autos are a bit flatter but still have become nearly intolerable.
So, finally, I would like to hear experienced opinions from those of you who regularly or often wear shoulder holsters. My experience with this type of holster occurred many years ago, and I know that some things have changed over the years. I hope so, since my earlier experience was not great! But I was not motivated then as I am now.
I'm broad across the shoulders and thick chested, so the harness must fit me and be comfortable. I am used to wearing a cover garment so that's not a big part of the problem, except of course in the summer time, when I would hope that I could wear the shoulder holster over a tee shirt underneath a suitable casual or dress shirt, tail in or tail out. I'm certain there will be a bulge under my arm but I'm not too worried about that since most concealed firearms create a bulge or a slight print. But to me, other than that, concealed means concealed. Access to the gun is important, of course, as is the safety of the carry method and security of the weapon however it is carried. And as all of us who carry all day every day know, comfort (as much as is possible) is also a primary concern.
What do you like best, upside down carry, vertical barrel down carry, or horizontal carry, and why? I think I would prefer the holster side to be anchored by a strap to my waist belt, and I would also like the weak hand side of the harness to be anchored to the waist belt in the same manner. Of course, the anchor strap could not be used if one wore the holster underneath a tucked shirt. I wear a vest of some kind except on the hottest of days as a general rule so I would prefer the gun to hang low enough not to be visible through the arm holes of my vest. Even if there are times when a vest or an untucked shirt cannot be worn as cover, those times will not be the large percentage of the time.
I've talked enough to give you an idea of what I'm asking, too long probably. Thanks for reading this far. I will appreciate any suggestions or advice you may have from experience. I hate to start buying different brands and types just to find what works best. I know my final answer may require some trial and error because all of us have different sizes, requirements, and likes and dislikes.
Please list brand names and pertinent info about the style and kind you like best. There may be some older models not currently made but still available. A custom maker is NOT out of the question if that maker knows what they are doing! No nylon holsters will be considered!!! Pictures would be great. Thanks very much for your help!
At this point in time, due to two compressed vertebrae in my lower back as well as recurring sciatic nerve pain and joint discomfort in general every where, it has become very painful for me to carry in my location of choice. Pocket carry is seldom a viable option for me. My britches have always been snug due to the way I'm built, and that includes the pockets, plus I have important stuff to carry in my pockets. I have always been oversquare, thick and wide from top to bottom. Big boned and stout and yes, kinda fat!!! Where my holster rides when it works well for me has resulted in pressure being placed so that it aggravates my sciatic nerve in my right leg, plus having carried the weight of either a full sized duty revolver plus various lighter revolvers and semi autos in a concealed mode for all these years contributes to lots of painful discomfort.
I'm wide enough that I sure don't need anything to make me wider. Doorways are generally a one way proposition for me, and I take up both lanes through the doorway! I have been considering the idea of a shoulder holster of some sort. My carry piece is most often a steel framed Model 640-1, supplemented by a Shield 45 or sometimes a Shield 9. Yes, I have airweight Centennial J frames, and they are indeed lighter, but they are no more compressible in a holster than are the steel frames, inside or outside my belt. The semi autos are a bit flatter but still have become nearly intolerable.
So, finally, I would like to hear experienced opinions from those of you who regularly or often wear shoulder holsters. My experience with this type of holster occurred many years ago, and I know that some things have changed over the years. I hope so, since my earlier experience was not great! But I was not motivated then as I am now.
I'm broad across the shoulders and thick chested, so the harness must fit me and be comfortable. I am used to wearing a cover garment so that's not a big part of the problem, except of course in the summer time, when I would hope that I could wear the shoulder holster over a tee shirt underneath a suitable casual or dress shirt, tail in or tail out. I'm certain there will be a bulge under my arm but I'm not too worried about that since most concealed firearms create a bulge or a slight print. But to me, other than that, concealed means concealed. Access to the gun is important, of course, as is the safety of the carry method and security of the weapon however it is carried. And as all of us who carry all day every day know, comfort (as much as is possible) is also a primary concern.
What do you like best, upside down carry, vertical barrel down carry, or horizontal carry, and why? I think I would prefer the holster side to be anchored by a strap to my waist belt, and I would also like the weak hand side of the harness to be anchored to the waist belt in the same manner. Of course, the anchor strap could not be used if one wore the holster underneath a tucked shirt. I wear a vest of some kind except on the hottest of days as a general rule so I would prefer the gun to hang low enough not to be visible through the arm holes of my vest. Even if there are times when a vest or an untucked shirt cannot be worn as cover, those times will not be the large percentage of the time.
I've talked enough to give you an idea of what I'm asking, too long probably. Thanks for reading this far. I will appreciate any suggestions or advice you may have from experience. I hate to start buying different brands and types just to find what works best. I know my final answer may require some trial and error because all of us have different sizes, requirements, and likes and dislikes.
Please list brand names and pertinent info about the style and kind you like best. There may be some older models not currently made but still available. A custom maker is NOT out of the question if that maker knows what they are doing! No nylon holsters will be considered!!! Pictures would be great. Thanks very much for your help!
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