Shoulder rig?

[Monky]

What do you guys think about shoulder rigs..

I had one a few years back when I was riding a lot, just a cheapy. it was Ok..

But I'm thinking, with this winter, and probably going to be in suits a lot more at work.. yes it sucks... it will probably work better for me.

I just run into problems carrying IWB w/ a tucked shirt and a jacket, I haven't practiced drawing enough removing a shirt and clearing a jacket..

Any of you use a 'good' shoulder rig?

[JohnTRourke]

Galco jackass for 1911
for a couple years now
I like it and it's VERY concealed. (I drive a LOT so it's great when driving/sitting)

BUT
you can't practice drawing from it anywhere. (except maybe dry at home)

and when it gets tangled while trying to put it on can be a pain.

You have to have mags on the other side to balance the weight.

but NOBODY knows you have it on.

[cstone]

Never used a shoulder rig for just that reason; no place will let you practice.

If it isn't safe on the range, what makes it safer on the street?

Just my opinion, so it isn't worth much but, I would practice with what you already have. Also, I personally don't believe that carrying in more than one way or in different rigs is a good idea. Get really good at one, and then practice until you are even better.

Again, just my $.02, YMMV

[rocktot]

I'm making my own, because I don't like the horizontal draw aspect, and no one makes a vertical. I want to make a semi-vertical, so its angled. Also, I want a lined holster and thats even more rare. Fanny pack for summer carry, most of the time Im wearing a jacket anyway, or something.

So ranges don't allow shoulder holsters? They must have had some problems with them to ban them.

[Fromk]

So ranges don't allow shoulder holsters? They must have had some problems with them to ban them.

It's because they violate range rules by design. Even safely holstered your gun is pointed away from the backstop and when drawing you sweep everyone on that side of you.

[El Caballo Loco]

I've never used a shoulder rig for concealment but I do know that I HATE HATE HATE those things with a passion.

Going overseas and seeing all these bobble-head officers wearing stupid shoulder rigs forcing me to look down the muzzle of their firearm just makes me irate.

I hate sitting down in chow halls and having some guy stand there where his muzzle is pointed right at my head or walking behind someone and just seeing the muzzle wave back and forth like a little middle finger.

Why don't you just practice using some kind of waist band holster? 5-10 minutes a day and surely you should feel a bit more comfortable clearing the clothing and yanking that thing out.

[Monky]

Ok ok ok.. I'll practice... more.. Might need to take a trip to the tailor.. figure something out.

[blacklabel]

I've stayed away from them for the reasons already listed. I guess it's one of those things were being armed is comforting, not comfortable. Would OWB work if you keep your suit jacket on?

[mcantar18c]

I've found that when wearing a suit and tie, a vest works well to allow you to take your jacket off while using a non-tuckable IWB holster.

[Irving]

I never thought I'd wear a sweater vest, until I figured out that I could just tuck my shirt in under my holster and have the sweater vest over the gun. Love it.

I have a cheapy shoulder rig, and you can DEFINITELY see it under a suit coat. It's ridiculous actually.

I personally wouldn't wear a shoulder holster under anything, because if it were under a suit, it would mean that I could not remove it all day. If it was under anything else, I'd have a hard time getting to the gun.

As far as tucking stuff in, with an IWB holster, what, specifically, is the issue that you are having trouble with? Some of my shirts are thin and slick and will pull right out, while some of them are thick and long, and even with a strong pull, are still tucked in because the shirt is long.

If it is the case of having a long and thick shirt (like a cotton t-shirt), I've found that folding the shirt up on the holster side makes it easier to move out of the way. For instance, my work shirt for my weekend job is a thick cotton polo. The portion that tucks into my belt (required), is about 4 inches of material. So what I do, is fold the shirt up around the carry side of my waist about 2 inches. Sure, this makes it even tighter, but quickly yanking out 2 inches of a tucked in shirt is MUCH easier and faster than pulling out 4 inches of shirt.

I have no idea if this is your issue, but something to consider just in case you run into this issue later on.

[JohnTRourke]

So ranges don't allow shoulder holsters? They must have had some problems with them to ban them.

well, the holster isn't banned
but drawing from it is.
and rightly so. As someone already mentioned, you sweet pretty much the entire side of the room when you draw.

[BPTactical]

To me the biggest detractor to a shoulder rig and crossdraws is when you reach for the weapon it is a very obvious move and you are telegraphing your intent. Even thugs have seen "Dirty Harry. Also if the bad guy rushes your strong hand is across your body and basically out of the fight
You also can't draw with your weak hand. I know for a fact I can weak hand draw with any of my holsters. I tried it with a Bianchi shoulder rig and I'm sure it was comical to watch, I felt like a Tard reaching up like that
I used a milsurp WWII shoulder rig for my XD when we would go ATVing and in that situation the shoulder rig was great, pistol was secure, didn't hinder moving around and well if IT snagged on something I had bigger things to worry about.

[Bailey Guns]

Like others have said...good for concealment, bad for anything else.

[SA Friday]

I used one while I was a Fed for s couple of months. They are awesome if you are in a protective service detail and a primary driver. Other than that, you just can't beat a strong side holster. There are very few full sized pistols that are comfortable in an IWB holster to me, so I typically carry in an outside the waste band type holster with a jacket. Summer time is for the bug guns.

I wore out three suit shirts with the shoulder rig in a couple of months. It was a high end Galco rig too.

[cstone]

I used one while I was a Fed for s couple of months. They are awesome if you are in a protective service detail and a primary driver. Other than that, you just can't beat a strong side holster. There are very few full sized pistols that are comfortable in an IWB holster to me, so I typically carry in an outside the waste band type holster with a jacket. Summer time is for the bug guns.

I wore out three suit shirts with the shoulder rig in a couple of months. It was a high end Galco rig too.

The US Secret Service will not allow use of shoulder rigs. Crossdraw and shoulder carry is not permitted on any of their ranges. They know a few things about protective service details [ROFL1]

YMMV

[rocktot]

well, the holster isn't banned
but drawing from it is.
and rightly so. As someone already mentioned, you sweet pretty much the entire side of the room when you draw.

Well, maybe with the Horizontal rigs, with a Veritcal rig, its pointed down on the swing. Thats why I wont buy the Galcos, and have to make my own.

So its the introduction of the Horizontal rigs that got the shoulder holster in trouble. Figures.

[tarantula]

I have used one with a 1911 and did not like it. The pistols was big and heavy and irritating to me. Something smaller might not be so bad.

[Veritas]

I carried a sholder rig part of the time when I was in the Air Force. Mostly in the winter. Carried the P226. It's only good for comfort. You can't take your jacket off and it took me a good half second longer to draw and fire. And like someone else said, switching holsters and confusting your muscle memory is not a good idea. Strong side holster is probably the best way to go. But is all personnel preference.