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Post by BNoll on Apr 20, 2004 23:52:36 GMT -5
Any of you guys care to discuss styles. I'm leaning towards a shoulder holster for a couple of different reasons. I don't like the feel of hip or belt holsters and I think it would be easier to conceal under a vest or something if I had a shoulder holster.
Vertical vs. Horizontal ... Pros and Cons of both.
And I know I've seen the horizontal come in both cross-harness version and straight across the back of the shoulders version...is one better or noticeably different than the other?
Thanks for any feedback.
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Post by Callahan on Apr 21, 2004 9:38:49 GMT -5
I prefer a holster on the waistband because it's too warm where I live most of the year for an outergarment. Most concealed carry in warm weather for me involves wearing the shirt untucked and draped over the firearm. If I lived up north I would be more likely to use a shoulder holster. As it is now, the only shoulder holster I ever use is a fabric shoulder holster for deep concealment. It does not provide quick access, however.
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Post by Mikolev on Apr 22, 2004 13:32:13 GMT -5
I'm a big fan of shoulder holsters. As soon as the temp. drops below 60 degrees I'm wearing a jacket, so this gives me an opportunity to wear shoulder holsters for a big part of the year.
Firstly, I've found that cross-harness is superior to the one's that have a strap that comes across the back, and usually a smaller arm strap on the opposite arm. Most cross-harness straps flare around the shoulder blade, and get narrow in the middle of the back. This does a far superior job of distributing the weight, which in turn, makes the gun more stable.
Secondly, I think that horizontal is more practical than vertical styles. The primary problem I have with vertical holsters is that your arm is in more contact with the buldge created by the gun. This can get old. Also, I find that verticle tends to be less stable.
I carry a 5" 1911 in a verticle rig, and even with the long gun, it dosn't poke out from behind my arm so much that you would be able to notice it (especially through a jacket). In the horizontal config., it stays very stable and has no ability to swing like a pendulum, unlike some verticle rigs. I really believe that , for concealed carry, a cross-harness, horizontal rig is far superior.
The other thing I would say about shoulder holsters is 1) leather is a much more stable platform than any type of fabric. and 2) You get what you pay for. I've been disappointed by so many shoulder holsters. I finall learned that you got to pay a little $$$ if you want to be able to wear it comfortably all day. This isn't to say that there aren't some less expensive one's out there, but it's a good general rule, non the less.
I personally reccomend Galco's Miami Classic Shoulder Systym. It's advertised for $154.95 on their site, but it's a good example of spending a little more to get good quality.
Hope this helps.
Mikolev
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Post by "DoubleAction" on Apr 22, 2004 16:50:33 GMT -5
The horizonal cant, X Style, shoulder holster allows the gun to be drawn easier from a sitting position, or any position, similar to a cross draw. On the horizonal rigs, they do not require the use of a belt, and can easily be worn under a light short sleeve cover shirt. I once concealed a Colt Gold Cup with two McCormick ten round mags in front of three cops, and all I was wearing was shorts, t-shirt, short sleeve button up, and sneakers; They were looking for my guns when I ran into them. I agree about Galco; Their horsehide harnesses and holsters are very comfortable, I have the Galco Harnesses for every carry gun I own. I have one of the original Galcos, like the one from Miami Vice, the newer ones lack the same stitching and hardware.
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Post by tddude on Apr 23, 2004 22:11:32 GMT -5
I've never used a shoulder holster so that of course makes me undeniably qualified to comment about one. The reason I choose an IWB or Pancake style is the same as Callahan. Here in Houston, it's just too hot to have much of an outer garment on unless it's raining. The other thing that bugs me about a shoulder rig is that you have to reach across your chest and then draw your weapon in a horizontal arc (pointing at who knows what) to bare down on the target. With your pistol at your side, it's closer to your hand already and takes less travel to come to the target and it's pointed at the BG as soon as your hand clears the holster. But mainly, it's because of living in Polo style untucked shirts 90% of the year. The other carry type that I just don't get is an ankle holster. I mean come on. What's up with that? I guess it's a good place for a backup piece but talk about hard to get to.
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Post by "DoubleAction" on Apr 24, 2004 0:12:17 GMT -5
I use the pancake style molded hosters, as well, especailly the lightweight horse hide holsters from Galco. Most all of the shirts I wear are of 100% cotton, which is very comfortable in the hot humid summer months in Georgia. The cotton shirts provide cover, not only for the lightweight horsehide X Style holsters, but belt holsters as well. I've been wearing shoulder rigs as far back as 1970, while touring Indochina with the U.S. Army ; back then, it was the full size 1911s. With the weight of some handguns, the leg holsters are difficult to imagine, but with the S&W J Frame, 5 shot, ultra light revolvers, with boot grips, it gives new meaning to possibilities. If the bad guy approaches the drivers side window of the automobile, which most do, which side will a right handed shooter point the muzzle of his weapon? I can usually have one hand on my pistol without anyone knowing, even if their looking straight at me, and it will still be concealed. A leg holster works better with trousers or pants, rather than straight legged jeans.
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Post by Callahan on Apr 24, 2004 1:21:43 GMT -5
Yeah, an ankle holster can be pretty handy from a seated position, as in a car, but if you are walking too your car you'll just have to go instantly for cover so you can draw without getting perforated!
Othewise you have to be pretty spry!
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Post by Callahan on Apr 24, 2004 1:25:22 GMT -5
One of the advantages of the Kahr PM series is they can be carried in a pocket holster. You can have your hand casually in your pocket on the gun as the situation develops.
"Take your hand out of your pocket!"
"You don't want me to take my hand out of my pocket."
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Post by tptplayer on Apr 24, 2004 4:08:50 GMT -5
I carry a Kahr PM9 and find the pocket holster very handy at times. However, as soon as you sit down in your car (I’ll refrain from car/Kahr jokes) it becomes difficult to use. For that reason, I have been going more to an IWB Kydex. It depends on the situation so much. If you are forced to be going in and out of places that preclude carrying, a pocket holster is ideal. It is a pain in the butt to try to put on an IWB holster sitting in a car and then tuck in a shirt. And it is not a quick draw under a shirt tucked in. But an IWB holster is more comfortable, easier to get to sitting down and quicker to draw with a jacket or “untucked” shirt. I also believe it conceals better.
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Post by MLB on Apr 25, 2004 20:59:50 GMT -5
I've never tried a shoulder holster, but comparing the P99 in a Galco OWB to the PPK/S in a Milt Sparks tuckable IWB, I've found that although the OWB is much more comfortable, I often feel more relaxed with the IWB.
In the winter, with a coat that drops low enough on my beltline, the OWB is nice. Very comfortable, I can get to it fast, and can carry a bit more gun. In a lighter jacket though, It's something that's constantly on my mind. My movement is restricted to keep my jacket down, and I find myself tugging it down to make sure.
The IWB is almost not there, except when driving. I've tried carrying it at 5:00 which works well, and10:00 cross draw, which is ok unless you have to sit. I don't have any concerns about the gun showing, but I have to carry a smaller gun, and can't get to it as quickly.
The weather is getting nice now. Smaller gun season for me I guess.
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Post by Seraph on May 13, 2004 9:46:52 GMT -5
I carry my full size 1911 in a Galco SS2 shoulder rig, which is similar to the Miami Classic mentioned above, but has a wider contour across the tops of your shoulders, rather than the straight straps. It is of course a horizontal holster. I cover it with a jacket when it is cold, or with an unbuttoned short-sleeved shirt when it is warm. It's very comfortable for all-day carry, and very discreet. No one has ever noticed, including several policemen and many guys at gun stores. I wear it all the time, except to church, and to my daughter's school. It takes some practice to present quickly, especially with that thumb break snap. I've gotten it down to where I can draw and fire my first shot in about a half second (timed). I know that's not blazing fast, but I think it's good for a shoulder holster. My only caveat to this rig is that I don't think it will last a real long time. The shoulder straps are made thin for comfort, and will probably need to be replaced in a couple of years. Not a big deal really, as the harness part only costs like $30. Still, I am looking at pancake holsters and other makes of shoulder rig. I really like the looks of what El Paso Saddlery Co. offers in both types, and they have a lot of real nice retro and western gear as well. I am currently torn between getting their Spyder shoulder rig, in black saddle leather, with floral carving (drool), or having a custom rig made up for me by a great leather worker I know, who makes leather armor for the Renaissance/SCA crowd. BTW, I don't get the ankle holster thing either. Besides the fact that I almost always wear motorcycle boots, it seems like the ankle holster would print unless you wore bell bottoms, and seems like it would feel funky walking around with a weight on one leg. What if you have to run?
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Post by MLB on May 13, 2004 14:20:43 GMT -5
I'd think an ankle rig would be good for a taxi driver, toll booth guy, etc where you are constantly sitting.
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Post by "DoubleAction" on May 13, 2004 15:37:24 GMT -5
Seraph; If your talking about the Suede Galco harnesses, I have a few of those, your right, they are comfortable. I also like to mix match holsters and harnesses, sometimes using holsters from one manufacturer, with harnesses from another. Edited for misspelling from Swede to Suede.
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Post by Seraph on May 13, 2004 22:37:31 GMT -5
Seraph; If your talking about the Swede Galco harnesses, I have a few of those, your right, they are comfortable. I also like to mix match holsters and harnesses, sometimes using holsters from one manufacturer, with harnesses from another. If you mean suede, as in suede leather, mine is suede on the inner side of the straps, and top grain finished on the outer side. If you mean Swede, as in made in Sweden, I am ignorant of such a Galco rig. One way or the other, I find mine pretty comfortable, but I think it can be improved on.
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Post by Arclightstrike on May 18, 2004 19:17:01 GMT -5
For concealing my full-size .45 ACP under light clothing I like Galco's "SOB" which places the weapon horizontally with the grip up, in the Small Of the Back. For heavier clothing, I like the DeSantis or Uncle Mike's shoulder holsters (I have one of each), both of which are thumb-break horizontals. [On the rare occasions when I carry a 9 (Glock 17) it, too rides horizontally under the left arm in a Viking thumb-break shoulder rig.] When it's too hot for the "Ugly Gun" I switch to the SP-101 in a little inside-the-pants, LEFT-handed Safariland holster worn at the small of the back, where I can reach for it right-handed (only putting it back is a two-handed exercise in cussing 'cause the suede is soft). I have used hip holsters that go on the belt and cant the weapon slightly for a strong-side draw, and I like that method of getting the hardware into the hand, but the bottom end of the thing tends to hang out from under clothing and then it ain't concealed any more (and around here that gets the "sheep" all in a dither).... I know, somebody's gonna say "get a smaller gun," but I just like Mr. Browning's baby too much....
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Post by "DoubleAction" on May 18, 2004 20:27:33 GMT -5
If you mean suede, as in suede leather, mine is suede on the inner side of the straps, and top grain finished on the outer side. If you mean Swede, as in made in Sweden, I am ignorant of such a Galco rig. One way or the other, I find mine pretty comfortable, but I think it can be improved on. Seraph; Please accept my humble appologies for the misspelling.
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Post by "DoubleAction" on May 18, 2004 20:37:05 GMT -5
Arclight; I have a Galco SOB, that is quite new, I have worn it occaissionally, and it seems to retain the pistol very well.
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Post by Seraph on May 19, 2004 19:49:09 GMT -5
Seraph; Please accept my humble appologies for the misspelling. Oh, no I wasn't picking on your spelling at all. I thought there might be some exotic leather Galco rig I was ignorant of. Sorry, DA. ;D
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Post by "DoubleAction" on May 20, 2004 20:36:57 GMT -5
Naw; This Galco is in Pheonix, Arizona. I did get to thinking about the suedes , opps, I mean Swedes, and their tremendous global contributions to weaponry.
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Fobos
Gold Member
Posts: 202
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Post by Fobos on May 20, 2004 21:29:55 GMT -5
DA, that Galco SOB holster is great. I picked one up a few months ago and have been very happy with it.
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