Shoulder Holsters

[jfruser]

Howdy:

I am looking to purchase a couple of shoulder holsters. One, a leather traditional CCW SH and the other a synthetic SH to wear when performing physical activity.

I am a fairly big guy with a 52" chest.

I would prefer tie-downs on both sides and an ammo carrier on the off side.

I have read this fellow's reviews:
http://www.parkcitiestactical.com/shr.htm

Any experience you can share would be appreciated.


Leather SH
My three main options I have considered are Galco, El Paso Saddlery, & Aker. Alessi* & Del Fatti are out of the competition. Just too much money and too long a wait. I am open to other options.

Possible weapons to pack in leather SH, in order of preference:
1911 full size / GM
1911 OACP / 3.5" bbl
SW M19 2.5" bbl snubby
SW M629 4" bbl

Galco (http://www.usgalco.com)
Galco has the Jackass, Miami Classic, Miami Classic II, and VHS.

MC & MC II hold the weapon horizontally, the Jackass at about a 45deg muzzle-up tilt, and the VHS is vertical.

Galco has a nice option to order a large version of the MC/MCII/VHS harness that will accommodate up to a 64" chest, whereas their standard harness is good to 52" chests. (The 52" limit seems to cut it too close for my tastes.)

I suspect that the 1911GM and the SW629 4" would require a vertical carry or angled carry to stay concealed, but am not certain. My worry is that the VHS is too big & bulky and the Jackass rig is kinda chintzy.

El Paso Saddlery (http://www.epsaddlery.com/)
EPS has the 200 (muzzle angled up 45deg) and the Spyder (horizontal).

My initial thought is that EPS is better quality than Galco. OTOH, the leather harness that EPS uses looks kinda thick.

Aker (http://www.akerleather.com/)

Again, they have hoizontal (107) and muzzle-up (101) angled permutations.

Synthetic SH
I would prefer that the holster part of the SH NOT be nylon or any sort of fabric that retains moisture. My druthers would be kydex or some such for the holster portion.

My usual first stop when considering a new holster-type is Uncle Mikes, as UM is cheap and can help determine if the particular holster type is workable or not. But, UM SHs are all fabric.

Possible weapons to pack in synthetic SH, in order of preference:
SW M629 4" bbl
1911 full size / GM
SW M19 2 1/2" snubby
1911 OACP

Blackhawk (http://www.blackhawk.com)

Honestly, I usually avoid this purveyor of tacticool like the plague. But, their Serpa holster can be supplemented with a shoulder harness.

Survival Sheath Systems (http://www.survivalsheath.com/)

They look better made than BH and have the advantage of not being made by BH.








* In doing research, I learned that Lou Alessi has gone to his reward. A sad day for his family and a sad day for those who apprciate the best in gunleather.

[Housezealot]

For open carry? I have had bad luck trying to conceal shoulder holsters, I have tried several rigs and can never hide the bulge. I find galco rigs are nice for the money, in my experiance a cheap shoulder rig is never worth it.

[johnwilliamson062]

I don't like his argument for dismissal of rule #2.
The gun is not in static storage. When I take a rifle out of a case I always make sure the case is pointed in a safe direction. I believe anyone with much experience in training will tell you that there are a considerable number of NDs when holstering/un-holstering weapons.

Not saying I wouldn't wear one or that you shouldn't, but his dismissal of the issue as nonsense didn't impress me much. I would want to spend a lot of time practicing with a horizontal rig before using it.

[jfruser]

Originally Posted by johnwilliamson062

I don't like his argument for dismissal of rule #2.
The gun is not in static storage. When I take a rifle out of a case I always make sure the case is pointed in a safe direction. I believe anyone with much experience in training will tell you that there are a considerable number of NDs when holstering/un-holstering weapons.

Not saying I wouldn't wear one or that you shouldn't, but his dismissal of the issue as nonsense didn't impress me much. I would want to spend a lot of time practicing with a horizontal rig before using it.

I assume you are referring to:
http://www.parkcitiestactical.com/shr.htm ?

Here is a guy who approaches the question a little more aggressively:
http://www.armedpolitesociety.com/in...9143#msg369143

At any rate, my question is not about the safety/appropriateness of shoulder holster carry. I have resolved that to my satisfaction, even if others have not.

[americanworkmule]

Howdy jfruser

I was wondering which shoulder holsters you got and if they're working out for you.

I was thinking of getting the Jackass at about a 45deg muzzle-up tilt

Thanks

[Skan21]

I was silly enough to buy a shoulder holster for range use. I never planned to conceal it, but I wanted one. But the last thing my buddies wanted was me flagging them with the muzzle when it was holstered. It was always cleared, of course, but everyone gets a bit nervous when they see a muzzle pointed at them. My holster is absolutely awesome, the Stylemaster from Mitch Rosen, But I wasted my money. Out of consideration for my friends, I don't take it to the range. If you had an XDm 9, I would give you my Stylemaster.