Small Of the Back Carry … Worth the risk ?

Scott Evans · December 16, 1998, 11:51 PM

I have heard from more then a few that the small of the back (SOB) carry is potentially very risky. The risk reportedly comes from carrying any hard solid object over the spine. If the person using such a carry falls back and lands on the item sever injury to the spine is possible. It was further reported that several LEO’s each year suffer such injuries (some even paralysis). Dose anyone have first hand knowledge confirming these reports? Anyone using a SOB carry? I have made several such rigs at customer requests, I would like to be better informed so as to provide the best info to my customers and the forum members.

Rob Pincus · December 17, 1998, 12:00 AM

I don't know about any of those injuries first hadn, nor have heard very many reports, beyond the types of mentions that you just made.
I used to rely more on SOB carry than I have for the past couple of years. I know much prefer IWB holsters. I stil have a few SOB holsters around, but don't use them more for speed of presentation reasons than concerns about injuries.
One must be especially careful about painting one's self or innocents when presenting quickly from any behind the back carry.

I can think of few on duty LEO situations where it would really be a great choice for carry, btw.

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-Essayons

ShadedDude · December 18, 1998, 12:21 AM

I carry SOB, I ave two sob holsters, and one strongside holster for my primary carry gun. I have heard of the risk, dont know of any first hand, but hey...life is a risk.

As far as presentation speed...it is definatly slower than strong side, but on ME it is much easier to conceal sob than on the side

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Mouse Assassins inc.

GLV · December 18, 1998, 10:17 PM

Injury at the risk of a fall is just one of the problems with SOBs. I can relieve you of your gun in a New York second -- and you can do little to defend the gun because of the position. Last, some ignorant people try to left handed holsters for MOB -- and now point the gun at their hip on the draw -- anyone for hip replacement? As a dealer, I refused to sell them. GLV

bald1 · December 19, 1998, 10:40 PM

Rob,

Absolutely! I'm a fan of leather made by Andrews and Kramer. Andrews (Florida) discountinued his excellent SOB design after being sued by a Miami undercover cop who fell on his ass and became paralyzed...yup, he was wearing an Andrews SOB.

I'm fond of the old mexican carry as well as inverted SOB. I prefer slide up which most folks will tell you is dangerous because a sloppy draw will aim the barrel not at the ground but at your side as you move to engagement position. The only rig I ever liked for this was an Andrews which I lost during a move. Now its IWB strong side only for holsters for me although I will admit to going "mexican" every now and then.

-=[Bob]=-

Rob Pincus · December 20, 1998, 03:21 AM

Bald & GLV,

The presentation techniques for MOB or SOB are different, but both can be done safely. As I mentioned in my first post here, the shooter must be especially careful druing the presentation to not "paint" themselves or bystanders.
While the original MOBers may have been innovative (not necessarily ignorant..) people with left handed holsters, many companies have offered true MOB holsters, including Galco, which have the "proper" tilt for presentation from that position.
Personally, I think MOB might be the MOST uncomfortable way to carry a gun, though I do prefer my IWB holsters to sit further back the normal sometimes, especially when I'll be standing for an extended period.

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-Essayons

Hilton · December 20, 1998, 05:42 PM

Ouch. I try very hard to keep things off my spine. Sitting long hours in a car or worse, falling onto or bumping into the holstered weapon during a scuffle will make for severe discomfort at the least and severe injury at the worst. Whenever I see people wearing cuffs or other implements over their spine, I go bump them there and ask them if it felt good. Usually the person has the pouch moved the next time I see them.

ShadedDude · December 21, 1998, 12:17 AM

As far as being able to relive me of my gun...isnt that why its "concealed"?
So no one knows I have it?

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Mouse Assassins inc.

Mark THG · December 24, 1998, 03:44 PM

A concealed gun is just that, CONCEALED. If it's not concealed you can have it taken away. I do make an SOB holster (though I do acknowledge the potential danger) For some people it just seems to work well. It all boils down to preferance as to what someone carry's and how. No one single holster can fit every need or situation. It's a matter of trial and error.
[gratuitous advertisement deleted by Staff]

Mark THG

[This message has been edited by Staff (edited 12-26-98).]

ShadedDude · December 24, 1998, 10:35 PM

And let me tell you, Mark makes VERY nice holsters!

One of my two SOB holsters was made by him for me, the other I made myself out of Conceal X with a fancy j-hook deal.
If you need a holster I highly recomend MD.
I will defintaly buy my next leather holster from him.

------------------

Mouse Assassins inc.

December 16, 1998, 11:51 PM	#1
Scott Evans Staff Alumnus Join Date: December 7, 1998 Location: Jacksonville, NC Posts: 1,380	I have heard from more then a few that the small of the back (SOB) carry is potentially very risky. The risk reportedly comes from carrying any hard solid object over the spine. If the person using such a carry falls back and lands on the item sever injury to the spine is possible. It was further reported that several LEO’s each year suffer such injuries (some even paralysis). Dose anyone have first hand knowledge confirming these reports? Anyone using a SOB carry? I have made several such rigs at customer requests, I would like to be better informed so as to provide the best info to my customers and the forum members.

December 17, 1998, 12:00 AM	#2
Rob Pincus Senior Member Join Date: October 9, 1998 Location: Hotels Posts: 3,668	I don't know about any of those injuries first hadn, nor have heard very many reports, beyond the types of mentions that you just made. I used to rely more on SOB carry than I have for the past couple of years. I know much prefer IWB holsters. I stil have a few SOB holsters around, but don't use them more for speed of presentation reasons than concerns about injuries. One must be especially careful about painting one's self or innocents when presenting quickly from any behind the back carry. I can think of few on duty LEO situations where it would really be a great choice for carry, btw. ------------------ *-Essayons*

December 18, 1998, 12:21 AM	#3
ShadedDude Senior Member Join Date: October 11, 1998 Location: TN Posts: 254	I carry SOB, I ave two sob holsters, and one strongside holster for my primary carry gun. I have heard of the risk, dont know of any first hand, but hey...life is a risk. As far as presentation speed...it is definatly slower than strong side, but on ME it is much easier to conceal sob than on the side ------------------ Mouse Assassins inc.

December 18, 1998, 10:17 PM	#4
GLV Junior member Join Date: October 14, 1998 Location: Logansport, IN, USA Posts: 217	Injury at the risk of a fall is just one of the problems with SOBs. I can relieve you of your gun in a New York second -- and you can do little to defend the gun because of the position. Last, some ignorant people try to left handed holsters for MOB -- and now point the gun at their hip on the draw -- anyone for hip replacement? As a dealer, I refused to sell them. GLV

December 19, 1998, 10:40 PM	#5
bald1 Senior Member Join Date: October 9, 1998 Location: Black Hills of S. Dakota Posts: 372	Rob, Absolutely! I'm a fan of leather made by Andrews and Kramer. Andrews (Florida) discountinued his excellent SOB design after being sued by a Miami undercover cop who fell on his ass and became paralyzed...yup, he was wearing an Andrews SOB. I'm fond of the old mexican carry as well as inverted SOB. I prefer slide up which most folks will tell you is dangerous because a sloppy draw will aim the barrel not at the ground but at your side as you move to engagement position. The only rig I ever liked for this was an Andrews which I lost during a move. Now its IWB strong side only for holsters for me although I will admit to going "mexican" every now and then. -=[Bob]=-

December 20, 1998, 03:21 AM	#6
Rob Pincus Senior Member Join Date: October 9, 1998 Location: Hotels Posts: 3,668	Bald & GLV, The presentation techniques for MOB or SOB are different, but both can be done safely. As I mentioned in my first post here, the shooter must be especially careful druing the presentation to not "paint" themselves or bystanders. While the original MOBers may have been innovative (not necessarily ignorant..) people with left handed holsters, many companies have offered true MOB holsters, including Galco, which have the "proper" tilt for presentation from that position. Personally, I think MOB might be the MOST uncomfortable way to carry a gun, though I do prefer my IWB holsters to sit further back the normal sometimes, especially when I'll be standing for an extended period. ------------------ *-Essayons*

December 20, 1998, 05:42 PM	#7
Hilton Member Join Date: October 14, 1998 Location: Ft. Lauderdale, FL Posts: 69	Ouch. I try very hard to keep things off my spine. Sitting long hours in a car or worse, falling onto or bumping into the holstered weapon during a scuffle will make for severe discomfort at the least and severe injury at the worst. Whenever I see people wearing cuffs or other implements over their spine, I go bump them there and ask them if it felt good. Usually the person has the pouch moved the next time I see them.

December 21, 1998, 12:17 AM	#8
ShadedDude Senior Member Join Date: October 11, 1998 Location: TN Posts: 254	As far as being able to relive me of my gun...isnt that why its "concealed"? So no one knows I have it? ------------------ Mouse Assassins inc.

December 24, 1998, 03:44 PM	#9
Mark THG Member Join Date: October 13, 1998 Location: The Woodlands, Texas Posts: 83	A concealed gun is just that, CONCEALED. If it's not concealed you can have it taken away. I do make an SOB holster (though I do acknowledge the potential danger) For some people it just seems to work well. It all boils down to preferance as to what someone carry's and how. No one single holster can fit every need or situation. It's a matter of trial and error. [gratuitous advertisement deleted by Staff] Mark THG [This message has been edited by Staff (edited 12-26-98).]

December 24, 1998, 10:35 PM	#10
ShadedDude Senior Member Join Date: October 11, 1998 Location: TN Posts: 254	And let me tell you, Mark makes VERY nice holsters! One of my two SOB holsters was made by him for me, the other I made myself out of Conceal X with a fancy j-hook deal. If you need a holster I highly recomend MD. I will defintaly buy my next leather holster from him. ------------------ Mouse Assassins inc.