Pls share your experience with shoulder holsters

GymB

Picking it up slowly.
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I’m thinking about one for a 1911.

With my back it really hurts to have weight on my belt.
 
I have never gotten comfortable wearing one. I hade one from Galco with little success.

I am a full-figured girl though.

A quality belt makes a world of difference!

Try a belt from Tucker Gun Leather.
 
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I use a vertical one because of hip issues. It is about a 6 in the comfort department, and I am very slow on the draw.

I am interested in trying a kangaroo carry rig.
 
Would suspenders with a belt accomplish the same goal? Perhaps you could use your current belt holsters and take some weight off your back at the same time.
 
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Would suspenders with a belt accomplish the same goal? Perhaps you could use your current belt holsters and take some weight off your back at the same time.
I wasn’t raised for a belt and suspenders, just can’t get past that fashion fauxpaus.

A quality belt makes a world of difference!
I agree a good belt is a huge improvement over a flimsy belt. I think I own 6 or 7 gun belts, mostly from @gunbelt and they sure aren’t flimsy. I’ve only ever worn two, the others are gifts to family members that I keep forgetting. back on subject, they are good for a few hours and maybe that’s as good as it gets given my situation.

I use a vertical one because of hip issues. It is about a 6 in the comfort department, and I am very slow on the draw.

I am interested in trying a kangaroo carry rig.
I’ve been told that they are very slow to draw. Need to look into kangaroo, no idea what that is.

Sat across from a MBPD wannabe wearing a Glock 30 in a horizontal shoulder holster while eating lunch with my grandmother. I could actually see the hollowpoint inside the barrel.

Not a fan.
I like the look of horizontal better, but sweeping everyone behind me seems a little antisocial.
 
No one ever wore a shoulder holster with more style than Sonny Crockett.

Galco named a holster for a 1911 after the show even though it really wasn't a 1911 that Crockett carried.



.

I have a Miami Classic and It's a great holster. It fits a 1911,my Sig P220 ,and a S&W 4566 and 4506. The mag hold will only take single stack mags. Comfortable for all day wear
 
Where on your belt are you carrying? And what size gun?

I ask because much more than a Shield and anywhere but appendix and I start to feel it pretty fast.
 
I’ve been told that they are very slow to draw. Need to look into kangaroo, no idea what that is.
Kangaroo carry is not a nice shoulder holster setup.

But if you’re wanting to have a pistol on you, and not going with a nice leather shoulder holder setup under a coat, it’s a great option. I carried that way for 5+ years before switching to an OWB setup from Curt & Jason.

I first started with a different maker, bushwacker (or bushwhacker?). Its major flaw was that depending on body shape, you spent more time tugging at it than necessary...as it was just a band around the chest. Kangaroo fixed that issue by having one thin strap over the shoulder.
 
I used to carry one (a Galco and another whose brand I cannot remember) when hiking/hunting, where it worked very well. It was the best way I found to carry a large heavy handgun, especially when I was carrying a pack over uneven ground. I never had a concealed carry gun in one though, as I typically did not wear clothing to properly conceal it.
 
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While hunting in NH I always wore either a vertical for a 1911 or a horizontal for a M19 snub (preferred). Under a jacket the pistol would be out of the snow/rain and not get snagged on brush.

I still have the horizontal holster.
 
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Where on your belt are you carrying? And what size gun?
Right hip, 4:00. I like a big gun, commander sized 1911 or sig p226. I sit a lot during the day and I’d think appendix would be uncomfortable, but maybe I’ll try it for stomping in the woods.

@gunbelt makes a fine lookin shoulder holster
I was at his place once when he was wrapping up production of one that carried vertically and tilted forward for draw. Haven’t had occasion to find out if he put it into production or offers others. That said, I should probably buy one cheap so I have some experience with it before going custom.
 
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A Good quality shoulder holster is a wonderful thing. A Cheap one is a Bitch! Jim Higgenbothem has been called to investigate and testify about several shoulder holster shootings. All were horizontal. I pocket carry small guns daily in my pockets. I am constantly thinking about folks sitting at a table with me with 2 muzzles pointed straight at them. I carry 2 3 inch K Frames in a shoulder holster made especially for me by Black Hills Leather in El Paso. My very favorite way to carry is in a well fitted vest. If you try this once you will be Hooked. I have over 100 holsters, some over 100 years old. Many of ya'll have seen them. S.D Meyers, H.H. Heiser, Lawrence, and many others. NONE of them are comfortable to me. I am short and short waisted, much like Elmer Keith was. The only way I can wear guns in holsters on my hips is on a separate gun belt. Anything else feels like it's pulling my britches off all the time.
 
I have tossed around the idea of a shoulder holster as I feel it would be more comfortable than the IWB or OWB I usually wear. But from what I’ve seen the decent ones start around $150 or so. And realistically the only time I would wear it is on the weekends or to church, and we are a huggin church so I’m sure I’d get some fun looks.


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Sir, I expect nothing less from you!

Thank you, I think... LOL..... I have worn the rig only a few times since having it done. Its very comfortable and could easy carry two full size guns without issue. Henry made this one extremely versatile and I can detach one of the holsters, replace it with a magazine pouch that holds 4 magazines. On top there is a 2 inch wide elastic and same further down on the back. This is of course my leather, elephant, and the black lace is cape buffalo.

Henry quit the business a few years ago unfortunately, he was a true artist with leather, and his work is the absolute best I have ever seen. I had him making rifle slings and belts as well. Billy sent a website for Blackhills Leather recently, I mulled it over for a month or so, and I believe it was last week I ordered one of his Western Rigs for a 1911. I have been in discussions with him about some of this same work and he is all in. I want to see his work before we go further, so waiting on the rig I ordered. I have a hell of a lot of elephant, buffalo and hippo leather, but I am extremely stingy with it. Wife wanted to cover furniture, and I just would not have that at all, not wasting that on something to sit my ass on. Not in this lifetime........ Not going to waste it on poor quality leather work either. But Blackhills looks good in the photos, so we see what we see.........

I can't really recommend one way or the other for you, its a personal type choice, and whatever works, and is comfortable for you is what you will end up with. I am certainly not practiced enough to be very fast with the shoulder rig, but if you stay aware, in most cases you don't have to be fast. I think the shoulder rigs are simply another tool in the box, and can be used when the situation presents itself. Like Billy, I have a lot of different rigs, but for some reason the belts seem to be shrinking, and don't fit anymore, cheap leather on the belts I reckon............
 
BTW, that thin strap keeps it from swinging forward and it does not have to mount to the belt.

Like that design element!

Thank you, I think... LOL.
I meant it as a compliment. Assumed that it was your elephant, but didn’t recognize the cape buffalo The rig is striking and also looks like it would be very comfortable even with the weight of two full size pistols. Do you have a pic of the back?

With a stock of hides I’d be tempted to speak with the guys at Limmer Boots about a custom set of hiking boots. It’s not hard to find someone making cowboy boots, but I think elephant hide hiking boots would wear extremely well and look great. Don’t know if is’s heavy and thick enough to provide ankle support, but assume it is. Of course you’d have to fly to NH for the discussions and fittings, and some folks don’t like visiting the liberal portions of the country. There is also John Calden out in CO that would do custom boots, but I’m not familiar with his work.

On the speed to draw, I agree that it is secondary to situational awareness. It’s not hard to get one second ahead of most situations when you see them coming, but it’s really hard if you miss it and have to get that second out of your draw.
 
I meant it as a compliment.

Thank you.

It is very comfortable, even with two full size guns. These photos are not so good, a few years old but you can probably get the jest of it......... My recently deceased friend in Ohio had a couple of pairs of boots/shoes made for me, along with some for himself by Russell Moccasin. One with Elephant, other with Buffalo. I have not yet broke them in.........

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My recently deceased friend in Ohio had a couple of pairs of boots/shoes made for me, along with some for himself by Russell Moccasin. One with Elephant, other with Buffalo
Sorry about his passing. My cousin in IL swore by Russell’s for pheasant hunting. I’m currently happy with Danners for lightweight stomping around, but maybe I’ll upgrade in a few years when they’ll need to be resoled.
 
Thanks Jim...... I have to try the Russell's out and get them broke in at some point. Since being retired from hunting and out of the field I have not had much of a need for that type shoe/boot........... But the Russell's can also be worn for other occasions as well, they are nice.......

As for the shoulder rig, I sent a old Bianchi and I believe it was called Miami Vice if not mistaken, to Henry, told him to copy that in our style with the Buffalo lace holsters and gear. He did just that, and made several improvements along the way as well........ Henry had a B&M Stamp made as well for everything he did for me...... I really liked that a lot..........

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https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1336215410

Love mine. Carrying a Les Baer Concept VII Commanche (other wise known as their commander size 1911). I dont use the belt tie downs. Like any other holster with a snap, it takes some practice. I currently carry hammer down, one in the pipe. I shot one of the best rounds of skeet I ever shot wearing this rig under my upland field coat. Very comfortable. This holster completely covers up a 4.25" bbl commander size 1911 but it catalogs as a 5" bbl holster. I would look elsewhere for a holster that completely covered up a 5" or 6" 1911. Probably have to go custom or semi custom.
 
Thank you.

It is very comfortable, even with two full size guns. These photos are not so good, a few years old but you can probably get the jest of it......... My recently deceased friend in Ohio had a couple of pairs of boots/shoes made for me, along with some for himself by Russell Moccasin. One with Elephant, other with Buffalo. I have not yet broke them in.........

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I can make you some moskersons, maybe they'll fit somebody in your family.:D
 
As soon as I can wear something over it I go to a shoulder holster. Love mine.

BTW, that thin strap keeps it from swinging forward and it does not have to mount to the belt.

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I have one made by Chief Jason and I use it in cool weather when I'm wearing a jacket. I find it quicker and easier to reach into an unzipped jacket from the front than to hitch up a jacket or coat to get at a belt holster. I like it a lot, but I spent a LOT of time getting the fit and position right. You can't just throw one on out of the box, you need to work with it.
 
thought they were cool and got a deal on a galco in a trade.....then i tried it and found out they dont call it a jackass rig for nothing:rolleyes:....sold it off for a profit as i remember so i guess i got paid to learn that they dont work well for me. cool looking though:cool:
 
I have one made by Chief Jason and I use it in cool weather when I'm wearing a jacket. I find it quicker and easier to reach into an unzipped jacket from the front than to hitch up a jacket or coat to get at a belt holster. I like it a lot, but I spent a LOT of time getting the fit and position right. You can't just throw one on out of the box, you need to work with it.

To add to this. I thought I had mine right a couple times. Then would go back and tweak a little here and there. Getting it adjusted is what makes it comfortable or not. I carry mine so snug it's tough to take off, but that's how I like carrying it.
 
That Bianchi that @jimmyjames8 suggested looks highly adjustable. The jackass is described as highly adjustable, but you need to buy more stuffs to adjust it which seems complicated.

I’m thinking buy the Bianchi to see how I feel about it, if it works then buy custom, if it doesn’t then pass it on.
 
Thank you.

It is very comfortable, even with two full size guns. These photos are not so good, a few years old but you can probably get the jest of it......... My recently deceased friend in Ohio had a couple of pairs of boots/shoes made for me, along with some for himself by Russell Moccasin. One with Elephant, other with Buffalo. I have not yet broke them in.........

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IMG_4250a.jpg


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IMG_4260a.jpg


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What brand is the knife in the pic. Looks similar grip design to one I have.
 
What brand is the knife in the pic. Looks similar grip design to one I have.


That is a custom knife that Wes from Accurate Innovations had made for me. I believe he was working with someone local and then he did the wood. Very nice, Damascus blade and work. No name on it.
 
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