Shoulder Holster: Vertical vs Horizontal Rig?

kozak6 · November 24, 2007, 11:46 PM

I was thinking about getting a shoulder holster, and I noticed that vertical and horizontal rigs are availible.

How do they compare in terms of concealability, ease and/or quickness of draw, and other applicable factors?

Dwight55 · November 25, 2007, 07:49 PM

I have both, . . . I prefer the horizontal carry, . . . even though my rig actually carries it pointing upward behind me (it is more comfortable for me that way) as opposed to an absolute "horizontal" plane.

It is my favorite carry, . . . especially if I have to drive any appreciable distance.

I wear it under a vest, . . . under a coat, . . . and sometimes: under a snap front, short sleeve shirt (summer only). Never been made yet.

The best part of it is that it allows me to carry two mags on the off side to help balance it, . . . works great.

Oh, yeah, . . . I carry a full size GI, steel, 1911 w/8 rd mags.

Concealability is no problem unless you want to wear a wife beater or a silk like shirt, . . . it will print through the silk. It can be presented almost as fast as a hip carry, . . . but you also have to practice more with it.

My one fault with it, . . . you really cannot run flat out with either of mine, . . . something gets to bouncing and becomes bothersome with either of them. That does not happen with my IWB rig.

May God bless,
Dwight

Mike in VA · November 25, 2007, 07:49 PM

I went with a Galco Jackass rig (horizontal). I'm fairly thick (I wear a 48 long), and the horizontal rig makes the gun easier to reach and it lies flat along my ribcage. I carry like Dwight, with the muzzle up at about 30 degrees. If you're real slim, I suspect a vertical holster might suit you better, but either can be adjusted for cant and reach to some degree. Best bet is to go to a stocking dealer and try both. Good luck.

thebaldguy · November 25, 2007, 08:18 PM

Try both styles to see which works best for your firearm. I like shoulder holsters; they work great when sitting and driving. I like to have them fastened to a belt. I find them more comfortable than other carry styles. I think they're very underrated.

Erik · November 29, 2007, 02:56 PM

I prefer slightly muzzle up horizontal carry. The acception being if I have to be buttoned up in dress wear. Vertical has its advantages there.

David Armstrong · November 29, 2007, 08:33 PM

I've used both, and ended up preferring the vertical design. But as others have said, try them out and see what YOU like. Also try some different brands/styles, as they do fit quite differently from one maker to another.

Camguy · November 29, 2007, 11:46 PM

It's probably not an issue for civilian carry, but my understanding is the military bans the horizontal carry so you don't accidentally drill the guy in line behind you at the DFAC.

Wildalaska · November 30, 2007, 12:01 AM

Being a busty sort of guy, I have to use horizontal.

WildtoobigforverticalAlaska TM

Warlokke · November 30, 2007, 04:28 PM

Unless the Army has banned it over in the sandbox since Mar 07 (when I got back from last deployment), horizontal is still being used. Since CCW is not an issue with the military, I prefer folks carrying a shoulder holster to go vertical since I don't like staring into a barrel in the chow line, PX, etc., however I usually wore a thigh rig. Seems to me like wearing a horizontal shoulder holster sweeps everybody around you....I just don't like that aspect of it and prefer vertical, though as I said, I rarely use a shoulder holster and prefer a thigh rig for ease of transition from primary weapon (M4) to sidearm if needed.

Edward Nigma · November 30, 2007, 04:46 PM

If a gun is secure in a good holster with the trigger covered, there's no way it can go off in a horizontal position. When I get a shoulder holster, I'll go the horizontal route.

BillCA · November 30, 2007, 05:15 PM

Vertical carry (muzzle down) is usually better for longer and/or heavier guns. Unless you're built very large, a 5" or 6" barrel is going to print in a horizontal rig.

For most concealable bottom-feeders the horizontal rig works fine. For my 4" N-Frames I do have a vertical rig to keep that weight from flopping against my arm.

Hemicuda · December 1, 2007, 06:53 PM

Horizontal and slightly muzzle up... a Smith Mod. 410 in .40 S&W OR a Smith mod. 4506 full size .45...

shane220222 · October 17, 2010, 11:48 PM

i have used both i use horizontal mostly but vertical can be better.. like horizontal is better for fast drawing but if u are in a bad spot and think thing are getting ready to get nasty u can un snap ur vertical rig and it will sit there ready to draw even faster and it wont fall out... now i want to find a canted holster cus its the best of both as long as its a good enough angle.

MLeake · October 18, 2010, 01:23 AM

... don't know about Army, but AF has local rules against horizontal rigs, and the DFAC will turn you away if you show up with one. Holstered or no, some folks feel they are being muzzle swept.

So, for me, the advantage to vertical would be that I could actually use it...

One big advantage for shoulder rigs that never seems to get mentioned: You don't have to think about what to do with your pistol if you have to use the restroom.

This can be a hassle with belt rigs.

twobit · October 18, 2010, 08:25 AM

Two problems I have found with shoulder holsters are sweat getting on the gun in hot weather, and you cant run very well without getting your ribs sore. The one I had was horizontal for a 92FS.

pax · October 18, 2010, 09:40 AM

Wow, this is really an antique thread!

Let's close this one out & start fresh if you're interested in discussing the topic. No sense sending replies to people who haven't visited TFL for three years ...

pax

November 24, 2007, 11:46 PM	#1
kozak6 Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2005 Location: AZ Posts: 3,113	Shoulder Holster: Vertical vs Horizontal Rig? I was thinking about getting a shoulder holster, and I noticed that vertical and horizontal rigs are availible. How do they compare in terms of concealability, ease and/or quickness of draw, and other applicable factors?

November 25, 2007, 07:49 PM	#2
Dwight55 Senior Member Join Date: June 18, 2004 Location: Central Ohio Posts: 2,568	I have both, . . . I prefer the horizontal carry, . . . even though my rig actually carries it pointing upward behind me (it is more comfortable for me that way) as opposed to an absolute "horizontal" plane. It is my favorite carry, . . . especially if I have to drive any appreciable distance. I wear it under a vest, . . . under a coat, . . . and sometimes: under a snap front, short sleeve shirt (summer only). Never been made yet. The best part of it is that it allows me to carry two mags on the off side to help balance it, . . . works great. Oh, yeah, . . . I carry a full size GI, steel, 1911 w/8 rd mags. Concealability is no problem unless you want to wear a wife beater or a silk like shirt, . . . it will print through the silk. It can be presented almost as fast as a hip carry, . . . but you also have to practice more with it. My one fault with it, . . . you really cannot run flat out with either of mine, . . . something gets to bouncing and becomes bothersome with either of them. That does not happen with my IWB rig. May God bless, Dwight __________________ www.dwightsgunleather.com If you can breathe, . . . thank God! If you can read, . . . thank a teacher! If you are reading this in English, . . . thank a Veteran!

November 25, 2007, 07:49 PM	#3
Mike in VA Senior Member Join Date: October 16, 1998 Location: Santa FE, NM Posts: 2,163	I went with a Galco Jackass rig (horizontal). I'm fairly thick (I wear a 48 long), and the horizontal rig makes the gun easier to reach and it lies flat along my ribcage. I carry like Dwight, with the muzzle up at about 30 degrees. If you're real slim, I suspect a vertical holster might suit you better, but either can be adjusted for cant and reach to some degree. Best bet is to go to a stocking dealer and try both. Good luck. __________________ M2 The Second Amendment IS homeland defense!

November 29, 2007, 02:56 PM	#5
Erik Senior Member Join Date: December 24, 1999 Location: America Posts: 3,479	I prefer slightly muzzle up horizontal carry. The acception being if I have to be buttoned up in dress wear. Vertical has its advantages there. __________________ Meriam Webster's: Main Entry: ci·vil·ian Pronunciation: \sə-ˈvil-yən also -ˈvi-yən\, Function: noun, Date: 14th century, 1: a specialist in Roman or modern civil law, 2 a: one not on active duty in the armed services or not on a police or firefighting force b: outsider 1, — civilian adjective

November 30, 2007, 05:15 PM	#11
BillCA Senior Member Join Date: November 28, 2004 Location: Silicon Valley, Ca Posts: 7,117	Vertical carry (muzzle down) is usually better for longer and/or heavier guns. Unless you're built very large, a 5" or 6" barrel is going to print in a horizontal rig. For most concealable bottom-feeders the horizontal rig works fine. For my 4" N-Frames I do have a vertical rig to keep that weight from flopping against my arm. __________________ BillCA in CA (Unfortunately)

November 25, 2007, 08:18 PM	#4
thebaldguy Senior Member Join Date: April 18, 2001 Posts: 139	Try both styles to see which works best for your firearm. I like shoulder holsters; they work great when sitting and driving. I like to have them fastened to a belt. I find them more comfortable than other carry styles. I think they're very underrated.

November 29, 2007, 08:33 PM	#6
David Armstrong Junior member Join Date: January 24, 2005 Location: SW Louisiana Posts: 2,289	I've used both, and ended up preferring the vertical design. But as others have said, try them out and see what YOU like. Also try some different brands/styles, as they do fit quite differently from one maker to another.

November 29, 2007, 11:46 PM	#7
Camguy Member Join Date: October 24, 2007 Location: Arlington VA Posts: 86	It's probably not an issue for civilian carry, but my understanding is the military bans the horizontal carry so you don't accidentally drill the guy in line behind you at the DFAC.

November 30, 2007, 12:01 AM	#8
Wildalaska Junior member Join Date: November 25, 2002 Location: In my own little weird world in Anchorage, Alaska Posts: 14,172	Being a busty sort of guy, I have to use horizontal. WildtoobigforverticalAlaska TM

November 30, 2007, 04:28 PM	#9
Warlokke Member Join Date: April 13, 2007 Location: Missouri (TN Native) Posts: 47	Unless the Army has banned it over in the sandbox since Mar 07 (when I got back from last deployment), horizontal is still being used. Since CCW is not an issue with the military, I prefer folks carrying a shoulder holster to go vertical since I don't like staring into a barrel in the chow line, PX, etc., however I usually wore a thigh rig. Seems to me like wearing a horizontal shoulder holster sweeps everybody around you....I just don't like that aspect of it and prefer vertical, though as I said, I rarely use a shoulder holster and prefer a thigh rig for ease of transition from primary weapon (M4) to sidearm if needed.

November 30, 2007, 04:46 PM	#10
Edward Nigma Member Join Date: November 19, 2007 Posts: 52	If a gun is secure in a good holster with the trigger covered, there's no way it can go off in a horizontal position. When I get a shoulder holster, I'll go the horizontal route.

December 1, 2007, 06:53 PM	#12
Hemicuda Senior Member Join Date: September 13, 2001 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,757	Horizontal and slightly muzzle up... a Smith Mod. 410 in .40 S&W OR a Smith mod. 4506 full size .45... __________________ Hemi. gun and car collector. Rare cars, and rarer guns.

October 17, 2010, 11:48 PM	#13
shane220222 Junior Member Join Date: October 17, 2010 Posts: 2	canted is best i have used both i use horizontal mostly but vertical can be better.. like horizontal is better for fast drawing but if u are in a bad spot and think thing are getting ready to get nasty u can un snap ur vertical rig and it will sit there ready to draw even faster and it wont fall out... now i want to find a canted holster cus its the best of both as long as its a good enough angle.

October 18, 2010, 01:23 AM	#14
MLeake Senior Member Join Date: November 15, 2007 Location: Outside KC, MO Posts: 10,128	Warlokke... ... don't know about Army, but AF has local rules against horizontal rigs, and the DFAC will turn you away if you show up with one. Holstered or no, some folks feel they are being muzzle swept. So, for me, the advantage to vertical would be that I could actually use it... One big advantage for shoulder rigs that never seems to get mentioned: You don't have to think about what to do with your pistol if you have to use the restroom. This can be a hassle with belt rigs.

October 18, 2010, 08:25 AM	#15
twobit Senior Member Join Date: February 25, 2010 Location: Coyote Creak, SW Texas Posts: 597	Two problems I have found with shoulder holsters are sweat getting on the gun in hot weather, and you cant run very well without getting your ribs sore. The one I had was horizontal for a 92FS. __________________ Twobit, Strive to live up to the opinion that your dog has of you.

October 18, 2010, 09:40 AM	#16
pax Senior Member Join Date: May 16, 2000 Location: In a state of flux Posts: 7,520	Wow, this is really an antique thread! Let's close this one out & start fresh if you're interested in discussing the topic. No sense sending replies to people who haven't visited TFL for three years ... pax __________________ Kathy Jackson My personal website: Cornered Cat