I keep thinking about Galco shoulder holsters.
What are the pros and cons of horizontal versus vertical carry? I’m thinking horizontal will be easier to draw from with the caveat that it would “muzzle sweep” everyone to the left of me when around other people.
My only experience with shoulder holsters are the cheap flimsy kind you find at the discount stores. How big is too big (Glock 17?) for a shoulder holster for someone who wears a medium polo and T-shirt?
TIA,
Sid
Surely you don’t mean under the t shirt or polo? That would not work.
Jacket or over-shirt of some type necessary.
Why the search? I ask because they’really not that practical. Bulky, somewhat cumbersome, slow draw (compared to other methods). Think of it as a high crossdraw.
Horizontal is the way to go with a G17 or comparable.
Only real advantages are getting weight off the waist, if that’s necessary.
I have a nice TED blocker rig, but it gets barely used. It’s good for a quick way to throw on a second gun and more mags. Or in severe weather, easier to get to through a big coat. But then again so is AIWB. Or while driving for long periods, gives great access.
Other than that, not too useful.
Like anything though, if you’re dead set on it, go quality or you’ll have a less than satisfactory experience.
If I’m wearing pants, I’m wearing a gun, period. Trouble is that I frequently wear pajama bottoms at home, so while I’m not a fan of shoulder holsters for EDC, I’ve debated getting one purely for use at home when I’m in super casual mode.
Maybe it’s just me, but I can’t think of any “pros”. Even if there is one, a quality IWB/OWB or AIWB will win every time.
Shoulder holsters work in Hollywood better than they work in the real world.
Only scenarios I can think of are seated in a vehicle or carrying a back pack and that last one is really limited to a chest holster like an M3/M7.
Not even really sure about pajama scenario because most decent shoulder/chest I can think of tend to have a tie off connected to the belt or waist to stay put.
Hadn’t thought of that. Chances are that I won’t waste the money on one.
Belly band. It will also make you look slimmer in that high fashion scenario…
Thunderwear too. Pique the curiosity of &/or worry the ladies. 
This is pretty hot.
I was issued a Galco Miami classic when overseas years ago. We used them with our issued G17’s when driving. The thin straps we had dug into my shoulders. The G17 stuck out like crazy with my 5-9 160 pound body size under the issued banana republic vest. Also for me if I didn’t have the holster secured to my belt it flopped all over the place when jumping in and out of vehicles and walking around.
Women seem to make the belly band work because they don’t have a lot of belt options. Maybe something to try. David
I already get told that I look too thin for my height on a regular basis, so the last thing I need is something “slimming” haha, but I hadn’t previously considered a belly band for this purpose before, that’s a good idea. I kind of always regarded them as sort of junky and flimsy but for literally just lounging around the house they might fit the bill.
Mitch Rosen nor Andrews Leather use them.
One thing I find important with shoulder holsters is they have to be balanced so I’d opt for something like the U.S.R. (Urban Safari Rig)
But if you’re looking something super lightweight for a small gun check out Ken Null’s shoulder holsters.
They were more of a 70s and 80s thing. They do work well if you are in a vehicle or aircraft a lot. The only one I own now is a custom French made shoulder holster for my Manuhrin MR73.
Having tried a shoulder holster with a ruck, not no but hell no.
The pajama thing seems applicable. Super easy to throw on.
Some use belt tie downs, some don’t. Purely optional.
Yeah I would think a traditional shoulder holster riding under the arm and pack straps would be a pain.
Meant something like this:
https://epsaddlery.com/product/1942-tanker-holster-3-to-5-barrels/
And there are also full on chest holsters that most pictures I have seen show riding roughly mid sternum.
I have survival sheath holsters with a variety of harnesses on them. His holsters are great, his harness isn’t so great.
I have 3 uses for them, first if I am in a very cold place with a heavy overcoat, it is easier to get to the pistol than if it was on the belt. Second is in a 3rd world dump and all I have is a pistol if at night something happens I can grab the holster and have the pistol and spare mags with me. When I used to do a lot of protection details. I could stand with my arms cross and the pistol could be in my hand and nobody had a clue. Also when seating in a car or office a lot on these details it was more comfortable, especially in seats of European made cars.
Pretty much driving long car trips would be the only useful application I could see in my life. Cross country trips type of long. I’d avoid it unless it’s specifically called for.
I inherited an uncles GI 1911 and a shoulder rig for it (Bianchi I think). I really want to like the shoulder rig and be all 80s cool. I just can’t.
The one I have holds a 5" 1911 vertical, 2 spare mags, has belt loops. It all fits nice and comfy as long as you just stand or sit. Walking is ok, but even a mild trot starts the gun moving and hitting you in the ribs (thump, thump, thump,…).
Kinda like getting a 20ish girlfriend at my age. The idea sounds like it would be cool, but in the end it’s just a whole lot of trouble.
I have been a proponent of shoulder holsters since the mid eighties. My major plus was comfort. The major draw back was the draw, not exactly made for speed of draw. I didn’t worry about muzzle sweep. If you have a cover garment no one will notice.
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