Shoulder rigs after surgery

Fide686

Fide686

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I normally carry K frame snubbys at 4:00 either IWB or on a belt. However with an impending abdominal surgery, I ordered a shoulder rig knowing that my wardrobe would be mainly sweatpants for several months. I didn't want to carry horizontally and sweep everyone everywhere I go. I was able to finally find an upside down rig made by Vega Holsters in Italy, that I purchased through Holsterwelt in Germany.
It is very well made, and works great for my 2 1/2" mod 66-4.
Cost w shipping $88.07.
 

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NICE. Just what I have been looking for. Thanks for posting.
JMHO, Guns don't just go bang all by their lonesome, willy nilly, without help. (even striker fired, recycled Tupperware, ugly as homemade sin, bottom feeder;) ) I don't worry about a Holstered gun sweeping anything, and if the Safety Nazi's don't like it, they can bugger off.
 
Finding the right holster can be a challenge. Back in the 1970s I carried my Model 64 2" in a Bianchi X-15. A great rig. See it is still being made but very expensive. MSRP on Bianchi site is $175. Wish I still had my old one.
 
I would be less concerned about sweeping people with a horizontally holstered revolver with a strap over the hammer than having that one pointed at my own armpit after the hammer snagged on an outer garment and brought itself to full cock. Again, just remembering a tense moment.
 
Buford57 said:
I would be less concerned about sweeping people with a horizontally holstered revolver with a strap over the hammer than having that one pointed at my own armpit after the hammer snagged on an outer garment and brought itself to full cock.
Click to expand...

Your comment made me curious, so I dug out my Bianchi 9R... and the Bianchi does cover the hammer on a K frame.

54298704261_976d2efd74_c.jpg
 
Buford57 said:
I the hammer snagged on an outer garment and brought itself to full cock.
Click to expand...
I strongly suspect, that the chances of that happening in a properly functioning, non monkied with revolver are about the same as winning the lottery, getting struck by lightning, while flapping my ears flying to the moon. But I suppose anything can happen.
 
Folks worried about wearing a shoulder rig and sweeping folks or shooting their armpits, etc., yet don't mind sweeping their banana and plums while appendix carrying. Hmmm Get yourself a lightweight Galco shoulder rig and carry on.
 

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fatcat3 said:
I strongly suspect, that the chances of that happening in a properly functioning, non monkied with revolver are about the same as winning the lottery, getting struck by lightning, while flapping my ears flying to the moon. But I suppose anything can happen.
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And did. I imagine Red Nichols will be along soon to comment on the design changes they made to address that very problem. But hey, do what looks cool. Why learn from someone else's experience?
 
Fide686 said:
The trigger guard is completely enclosed like the old Bianchi with the elastic retention. I'm not worried about longevity as I'm 66, and when I can wear a tight gun belt again, I'll mainly hip carry.
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Eventually you draw it, cocked. If you're lucky nothing on the holster or clothing will snag the trigger as you do.
 
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Buford57 said:
Sure does, but my Safariland didn't and the OPs doesn't.
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!970s era: Investigator shot Himself wearing this type shoulder rig. Model 36 2" with a TRIGGER SHOE ! As He was re-holstering in the office the trigger shoe caught on the holster lip and fired the weapon (double action). He suffered a flesh wound and a long time teasing from His fellow officers.
 
I wore one like that way back in the day when I was issued a 2 1/2" Model 66. It performed well as long as the grips permitted the trigger guard to be fully captured by the holster AND the top elastic firmly clamped the revolver in the holster. If anything changes those two criteria, you are going to lose whatever was in the holster.
 
jimmyj said:
!970s era: Investigator shot Himself wearing this type shoulder rig. Model 36 2" with a TRIGGER SHOE ! As He was re-holstering in the office the trigger shoe caught on the holster lip and fired the weapon (double action). He suffered a flesh wound and a long time teasing from His fellow officers.
Click to expand...
Key words there are "trigger shoe". Those things have absolutely no business being on a carry gun.
 
Fide686 said:
The trigger guard is completely enclosed like the old Bianchi with the elastic retention. I'm not worried about longevity as I'm 66, and when I can wear a tight gun belt again, I'll mainly hip carry.
Click to expand...

The old elastic loaded design from the 1960s is incredibly dangerous from a "falls out of the holster, goes bang" standpoint; and the reason elastics were abandoned in the 1970s. Why? Because the heavy revolver moves inside the holster against the elastic, when jarred while inverted. They are the very reason I created the 9R-2 for Bianchi: couldn't be certain the revolvers would stay retained in the elastic No. 9.

You have spent new money on a design abandoned by smart people more than a half century ago.
 

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I worried about horizontal carry and "sweeping everyone behind you" for a long time. However, living in Maine my winter clothing makes IWB carry less than optimal. I researched everything I could find about shoulder holsters and decided to get a horizontal version.

After a couple of months I can say this orientation does not bother me at all. My CCO format 1911 has the trigger guard completely enclosed. The thumb safety is on. The grip safety functions correctly. The hammer is cocked and the gun is in "Condition 1"; however, the retention strap is between the hammer and the firing pin. I would never carry a striker fired pistol in this orientation, even if it had a thumb safety. Having the retention strap either (a) block the hammer on a pistol with an exposed hammer, or (b) hold the hammer down on a revolver are good options IMHO.

The far greater danger to myself and others is drawing a handgun from shoulder carry. That still concerns me and I continue practicing the draw to make it as safe as possible. Having the gun pointed up at my armpit would just make me more worried about a safe draw, both for me and for others.
 
Fide686 said:
I normally carry K frame snubbys at 4:00 either IWB or on a belt. However with an impending abdominal surgery, I ordered a shoulder rig knowing that my wardrobe would be mainly sweatpants for several months. I didn't want to carry horizontally and sweep everyone everywhere I go. I was able to finally find an upside down rig made by Vega Holsters in Italy, that I purchased through Holsterwelt in Germany.
It is very well made, and works great for my 2 1/2" mod 66-4.
Cost w shipping $88.07.
Click to expand...
Sweeping people with your gun if your hands are off of it is not a safety issue.
Am not aware of someone's shoulder-holstered gun shooting anybody unless a human hand was attached to it.
I have had a liver transplant and double hernia surgery in the last 2 months.
I wore sweat pants with pockets, and I attached nice-looking suspenders to hold them up while carrying a pocket .380 ( 2.0 Bodyguard or Glock 42 ) in right front pants pocket. Worked great, and I could still carry my gun and pocket knife, etc.
Trust me on this.
 
Gents, I am not a Law Enforcement professional. (Tip of the Hat to all that are, thanks!) Which means re-holstering is NOT an issue for me. I insert the gun into the holster off body, and if I draw the gun is going to remain out until officers arrive. I am not going to re-holster in order to handcuff anyone. So why is this a problem? Re-holstering is when a LOT of accidental discharges happen. Embrace the shoulder holster. It is great for driving as it is comfortable. (True, access is easier in a shoulder holster when driving, but I am not Steve McQueen. I am not going to be driving and shooting, ever. If I am behind the wheel, my car is my weapon and means to escape. Don't try and shoot on the move if you can possibly avoid it. My old Jeep with the doors off and windshield folded down at my folks farm proved to me even on a smooth surface this is not a viable tactical option) So my take? Well, I take my own advice and I am a Galco horizontal man.
 
For the first time in 70 years I am un-armed due to a total left shoulder joint replacement (surgery #36) . shuffling along on a cane/walking stick I think that drawing/firing a weapon would be impossible. However my caregiver/grandson CCW so I have some security.
 
jimmyj said:
For the first time in 70 years I am un-armed due to a total left shoulder joint replacement (surgery #36) . shuffling along on a cane/walking stick I think that drawing/firing a weapon would be impossible. However my caregiver/grandson CCW so I have some security.
Click to expand...
Danger can happen while you are seated. I assume your cane would be set to the side while seated.
 
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