I was watching a show on TV today and the detective on the show carried his sidearm in a shoulder holster. It got me to thinking about how many people with CCW permits actually use shoulder holsters. I don’t carry very often, but I always use an inside-the-pants concealment holster when I do. I have never even considered a shoulder holster.
Ive never seen ANYONE wear them outside of TV. In fact, my agency and most other local agencies forbid them in their Policy and Procedure manuals.
I can say I have seen only one of our detectives wear one, complete with mag pouches.
He has since retired but up to his last days he was wearing a black leather one.
I do not know what brand it was though.
I always look at the Galcos and say man that looks sharp. Then I remember that you can’t beat IWB for concealed carry. Maybe if I was driving all day I could see a reason for the purchase.
I consider shoulder rigs a niche holster, nothing more. Example, an injured back or hip makes a belt rig unbearable a shoulder rig can be used until the injury is healed. Or another use would be for a quick trip to the store wearing sweats or something else without a belt.
For everyday normal use though, no thanks. They do not conceal as well as a good belt holster, aren’t very comfortable especially after a long day, descent ones are spendy, plus they are essentially a crossdraw and share all the weakness of that style.
I used a galco when i had to drive all the time sucks in texas trying to wear a jacket, its just to damn hot…only good in winter.ditto on the cross draw weakness.
Was next to a guy at a class using a cheapo nylon shoulder holster, carrying a double stack Para :rolleyes: …needless to say it did not go well for him.
I use one when making all day trips in the car.
Also wear one when attending black tie functions where there is just no way to wear anything on your hip.
I wore a Galco Jackass for a few years. I did some custom work on it. I fixed the mag holder so it carried them vertical and cut off the flaps. I also added a larger panel on the back to distribute the weight more evenly.
I liked the way it rode and carried my 229 and mags till I hurt my neck and then it just bothered the hell out of me. I just found it. Few weeks ago and might start wearing it when it cools down.
I wore one for many years when I worked plainclothes, and all during the winter season, or whenever I wore a jacket/coat, when I lived up north.
I wore a GALCO Jackass rig pretty consistently downrange when we were in one-piece flight suits and not otherwise in full mission kit, and have occasionally pressed one into service for unplanned runs down to the corner store at night (under a light jacket), but for the most part, they do nothing particularly well as compared to a more purpose-built rig.
More an item of convenience than practicality in my view. Worth having, perhaps, but not worth using all that much. Might be more useful on hikes and such if you’ve got a need there, but they are too slow and too loose-fitting to score very many points as a viable CCW option.
AC
Like everyone else said, I wear one for convenience. I have a cheap nylon one that fits any full size semi auto. Its a turd and I know it but its perfectly fine when im in sweats and go walking my dog or a quick ride to the store. I have also used it while camping/backpacking. Ive had it for 10+ years and it works great for the few times a year when I do use it
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk 2
I use a Survival Sheath holster on a Galco harness for when I use one.
I find I use one if I happen to be in the USA for winter, it is easier to get to when in a car and wearing a heavy jacket, than a belt holster when seat belted in.
I was at a light in the left lane in my auto when a harley pulled one car length ahead in the center lane. He was wearing a the shoulder holster under his leather vest thingee AND sweeping my chest and brain bucket with what looked like a .45 cal bore weapon. I was not pleased.
With a PPK, I trust?
But seriously, I have a couple of shoulder holsters. I don’t really use them for anything, although I did carry with them a little bit years and years ago. Definitely handy having something that carries a pistol and two spare mags and can be put on as easily as a vest.
To me, the primary purpose for a shoulder holster is when out in the wilderness. It is less likely to interfere with the straps and kidney belt of your typical back pack and it doesn’t drop down when you take a dump in the woods, leaving you to have to fumble around for your pistol around your ankles if suddenly confronted by a bear.
I wore the issue air warrior one to the green bean on Speicher more times than I can count.
I have an Alessi that I love, irrationally. I am currently building the 1911 I bought it to house so I haven’t been running it at all, although my intention is to (mainly as a joke) run it in a controlled training environment for a thousand rounds or so, just for fun. I have access to the training environment to make this safe, so I’ll just go ahead and do it one of these days.
Anyway, I bought it for one reason: as far as my wife is concerned, men with 1911s in shoulder holsters is the equivalent of women in garters and stockings. Yes, it’s outdated and impractical. But man…if you don’t understand the appeal, your heart doesn’t beat right.
I have an Alessi as well, top of it’s class IMO. I only use mine a handful of times a year, mostly in the winter. Seems my 1911 has more shoes than my wife does…lol
I use an Alessi harness that I bought a million years ago with Survival Sheath holster for my Glocks, for my Hi Power I use Galco harness.
I saw a few of them when deployed. Easy to don/doff when you went in and out of your office. Yes, I’m a fobbit.