Shoulder holster -- I must start using one and need suggestions

Gene Pool · January 28, 2016, 08:01 PM

Gentlemen,

I have been carrying OWB for years, however I have developed hip problems on the right side and a belt of any kind creates a lot of pain. I never thought much about carrying in a shoulder holster until now. But it appears it is my best available option.

What I need is a holster for my Glock 19 that is comfortable enough to wear all day, and it must be available now. I can't wait weeks on a custom one to be made. I want one where the holster is on one side and mag pouches on the other to balance the weight. I have been using a friends Galco rig. It is OK, but the leather straps are only about 1" wide where they go over the shoulder and that causes some discomfort after 7-8 hours.

I am hoping someone with experience in carrying in a shoulder holster will have suggestions for me.

Thank you in advance,
Gene Pool

Water-Man · January 29, 2016, 01:25 AM

http://www.survivalsheath.com/holsters/index.htm

Here's one to look at.

Gene Pool · January 29, 2016, 09:13 AM

Water-Man, Thank you for the suggestion. The pictures look good. Have you personally seen the quality if this rig, or do you have one? I am trying to determine if it is as good as it appears in the pictures.
Thank you,
Gene

Water-Man · January 29, 2016, 11:10 AM

No, I don't have one nor have I seen one.

I have read some very favorable comments on another forum.

T. O'Heir · January 29, 2016, 01:42 PM

Used an Uncle Mikes occasionally in the Queen's Service(BHP, but fits any 4 or 5 inch pistol). 1" width nylon shoulder harness affair that's light and comfortable. And inexpensive.
What kind of discomfort? Having anything weighing about 2 pounds hanging off your shoulder will become uncomfortable in 7 or 8 hours. Worse if you have damaged tendons etc.

Gene Pool · January 29, 2016, 04:58 PM

With Water-man's comment, and talking with the maker himself, I ordered one of these:

http://www.survivalsheath.com/holsters/index.htm

It should be here in a few days--perhaps Monday. The maker (his name is Robert) sounded like he knows his stuff. He has been in the business for several years, and some of his customers are noted here in Texas as experienced gun carriers. When I receive the holster I will followup with a review. Thank you all for your suggestions.

Gene

Water-Man · January 30, 2016, 12:43 AM

Good luck!

jughead2 · January 30, 2016, 06:26 AM

just ordered one from Robert will report back when received and worn a few days

cw308 · January 31, 2016, 07:53 PM

I am in the same position, I'm looking at the Galco lite shoulder holster for a Sig 226, my weapon is a S&W 4566 same frame shape as the p220 & p226. Lower back problems, heavy firearm in a waste holster is uncomfortable. S&W 36 5 shot 2" no problem, anything heavier I go with a shoulder rig.

johnwilliamson062 · February 1, 2016, 12:15 AM

Quote:

Lower back problems, heavy firearm in a waste holster is uncomfortable.

I would expect a shoulder rig to bother your lower back muscles more than a hip rig.

RickB · February 1, 2016, 11:22 AM

I like the Galco Jackass. It's light, adjustable, and isn't really expensive.
Some people question the wisdom of horizontal shoulder holsters, since it results in sweeping everyone behind you with a loaded gun, but it hasn't caused any problems, real or imagined, for me.

cw308 · February 1, 2016, 01:43 PM

RickB, went with the Gould & Goodrich B804 in black. Was on sale $ 101. 58 shipped. My S&W 4566 has a square trigger guard, hard to find a holster, the Sig 226 same frame shape, it holds the 4566. My hip holster is a Bianchi in Sig 226. The weight on one side brother's my lower back. The 4566 is a tank, all Stainless Steel other than that its a great auto.

chris in va · February 2, 2016, 09:21 PM

I also have tendonitis on the left rear hip. I was considering the suspenders that attach on the sides after seeing a competitor using one.

Gene Pool · February 7, 2016, 10:56 AM

For those of you who are following this thread, please note that I have posted a followup thread on the same subject.

Thank you,
Gene

January 28, 2016, 08:01 PM	#1
Gene Pool Member Join Date: April 16, 2014 Location: Rural Texas Posts: 96	Shoulder holster -- I must start using one and need suggestions Gentlemen, I have been carrying OWB for years, however I have developed hip problems on the right side and a belt of any kind creates a lot of pain. I never thought much about carrying in a shoulder holster until now. But it appears it is my best available option. What I need is a holster for my Glock 19 that is comfortable enough to wear all day, and it must be available now. I can't wait weeks on a custom one to be made. I want one where the holster is on one side and mag pouches on the other to balance the weight. I have been using a friends Galco rig. It is OK, but the leather straps are only about 1" wide where they go over the shoulder and that causes some discomfort after 7-8 hours. I am hoping someone with experience in carrying in a shoulder holster will have suggestions for me. Thank you in advance, Gene Pool

January 29, 2016, 01:42 PM	#5
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	Used an Uncle Mikes occasionally in the Queen's Service(BHP, but fits any 4 or 5 inch pistol). 1" width nylon shoulder harness affair that's light and comfortable. And inexpensive. What kind of discomfort? Having anything weighing about 2 pounds hanging off your shoulder will become uncomfortable in 7 or 8 hours. Worse if you have damaged tendons etc. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

January 30, 2016, 06:26 AM	#8
jughead2 Senior Member Join Date: June 28, 2008 Location: tenn. Posts: 263	holsters just ordered one from Robert will report back when received and worn a few days

February 1, 2016, 11:22 AM	#11
RickB Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2000 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 8,518	I like the Galco Jackass. It's light, adjustable, and isn't really expensive. Some people question the wisdom of horizontal shoulder holsters, since it results in sweeping everyone behind you with a loaded gun, but it hasn't caused any problems, real or imagined, for me. __________________ Runs off at the mouth about anything 1911 related on this site and half the time is flat out wrong.

January 29, 2016, 01:25 AM	#2
Water-Man Senior Member Join Date: March 23, 2008 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 2,126	http://www.survivalsheath.com/holsters/index.htm Here's one to look at.

January 29, 2016, 09:13 AM	#3
Gene Pool Member Join Date: April 16, 2014 Location: Rural Texas Posts: 96	Water-Man, Thank you for the suggestion. The pictures look good. Have you personally seen the quality if this rig, or do you have one? I am trying to determine if it is as good as it appears in the pictures. Thank you, Gene

January 29, 2016, 11:10 AM	#4
Water-Man Senior Member Join Date: March 23, 2008 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 2,126	No, I don't have one nor have I seen one. I have read some very favorable comments on another forum.

January 29, 2016, 04:58 PM	#6
Gene Pool Member Join Date: April 16, 2014 Location: Rural Texas Posts: 96	With Water-man's comment, and talking with the maker himself, I ordered one of these: http://www.survivalsheath.com/holsters/index.htm It should be here in a few days--perhaps Monday. The maker (his name is Robert) sounded like he knows his stuff. He has been in the business for several years, and some of his customers are noted here in Texas as experienced gun carriers. When I receive the holster I will followup with a review. Thank you all for your suggestions. Gene

January 30, 2016, 12:43 AM	#7
Water-Man Senior Member Join Date: March 23, 2008 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 2,126	Good luck!

January 31, 2016, 07:53 PM	#9
cw308 Senior Member Join Date: September 2, 2010 Location: Plainview , Long Island NY Posts: 3,863	I am in the same position, I'm looking at the Galco lite shoulder holster for a Sig 226, my weapon is a S&W 4566 same frame shape as the p220 & p226. Lower back problems, heavy firearm in a waste holster is uncomfortable. S&W 36 5 shot 2" no problem, anything heavier I go with a shoulder rig.

February 1, 2016, 01:43 PM	#12
cw308 Senior Member Join Date: September 2, 2010 Location: Plainview , Long Island NY Posts: 3,863	RickB, went with the Gould & Goodrich B804 in black. Was on sale $ 101. 58 shipped. My S&W 4566 has a square trigger guard, hard to find a holster, the Sig 226 same frame shape, it holds the 4566. My hip holster is a Bianchi in Sig 226. The weight on one side brother's my lower back. The 4566 is a tank, all Stainless Steel other than that its a great auto.

February 2, 2016, 09:21 PM	#13
chris in va Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2004 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 13,806	I also have tendonitis on the left rear hip. I was considering the suspenders that attach on the sides after seeing a competitor using one.

February 7, 2016, 10:56 AM	#14
Gene Pool Member Join Date: April 16, 2014 Location: Rural Texas Posts: 96	For those of you who are following this thread, please note that I have posted a followup thread on the same subject. Thank you, Gene