Who uses shoulder holsters?

[GMan26]

Curious if anyone out there still use these things? If you do what are your experiences with them. Or any comments, thanks.

[zander_zye]

I used to use one when I was in LE.

I thought it was great for concealment and I could draw faster than using the typical pancake holdster for an off duty weapon. Most detectives that I worked with used them as well. (of course most of them wanted the macho look of Mel Gibson in Lethal Weapon)

[Jynkxxie]

Originally posted by zander_zye
I used to use one when I was in LE.

I thought it was great for concealment and I could draw faster than using the typical pancake holdster for an off duty weapon. Most detectives that I worked with used them as well. (of course most of them wanted the macho look of Mel Gibson in Lethal Weapon)

LOL, It is funny you should say that, because we (the people I had in class anyways) were always shy'd (sp) away from using them, along with back and ankle holsters. We were told they were not a faster draw, and that we should always use a side (hip) holster. More stability. Interesting.

[GMan26]

Most detectives use shoulder holsters for the ease of taking them on and off. Its interesting that 70% of detectives use them and the rest all use paddle holsters (in my area).

For me I would like to use one for car use. Its a lot quicker to access while its under my left arm than on my strong side while sitting.

Some negative points I hear about shoulder holsters is that the business end crosses too much liability. Now this is all a training issue. But who knows when things go down the toilet right? You might just have the finger in the trigger too early on the draw and fire. But for the most part if you practice with it you should be fine. I wouldn't use this type of carry 100%. Maybe only 40% of the time (when sitting in my car for long periods of time - running to the local stop n rob for a quick pick up, etc...) I like how easy it is to put the whole rig on and off.

A retired det. is trying to sell me his Mitch Rosen Style Master shoulder holster he got last year. So I may take him up on his offer - although he wants $130 for it (damn expensive) he said it costed him $380 brand new. $380!?!?!?!?!?!?!?! He's got to be exagerating! :eek: But everyone tells me Rosen makes some quality leather....

BTW ankle holsters to me are death traps. You can't get to them fast enough and if you have to draw, you're in a tight spot. SOB holsters are also yet another death trap. What happens if someone knocks you off your rocker? You land on that thing and damage the spine, ouch.

[Jynkxxie]

I have never used a shoulder holster, but I do think you make some valid points, (i.e. car). However my question is, are they really that easy to draw from? I mean with my paddle holster, I really have to give it a good tug. And I am just invisioning having a shoulder holster on and the give it would have from not having anything giving it resistance when trying to unholster it. Just a question.

[GMan26]

Although I've never owned a shoulder holster (soon probably :D ) I did try on a Galco Miami Classic (horizontal carry) that a guy at the range uses. Without much practice I could draw his unloaded Glock 23 fairly quick. The holster was solid and all you really needed to do was lift your left arm (this is so when you draw the muzzle isn't pointed at your arm) and your right hand grabs the grip unsnapping the thumb break and you just draw. The holster was not overly tight and the draw was smooth as glass. So I think w/practice I could get pretty quick at the draw.

I'm use to hip holsters and so I prefer this carry over anything else. I use two different kinds. Milt Sparks Versa-Max II for IWB carry - and for standard OWB carry I had Ken Null build me a GSS w/snap loops (easy on/off - looks like the Alessi CQC-S). Both work incredible with my P7M8.

[Jynkxxie]

Thanks I will have to try one out sometime. From my other post you can probably confer that I am looking for a smaller gun, yet don't want to compromise on the caliber. I think because of my size a ankle holster would help me conceal it better, but then again I would be dead by the time I drew, so I am going to stick with a hip holster. I am also looking into getting a waistband holster. What are your or anyone elses thoughts on that?

[GMan26]

Hey Talia, well since the female body is a lot different than male bodies :D its hard to say what will work for you. My EX who was 6'0 115lbs couldn't find a holster that worked for her (yea she was taller than me). I mean literally nothing. Its all in the hips I guess. I mean she said she was a size 0. To this day I will never understand being a size 0. Isn't that well, not possible? Anyway paddle holsters did not work with her. And where I would wear my hip holster she couldn't. She said it would feel uncomfortable and she would have to have the holster in front of the hip instead of on or behind. That too me would be too far up for a good draw. She did try a good OWB and the one she found that worked for her was by Mitch Rosen Nancy Special. So she ordered one. I remember before we split she still hadn't received her holster. She had already waited 5 weeks for it and then well i found out about something and told her to leave. i don't know what came about with her holsters but i have heard that both Mitch Rosen and Matt Del Fatti make a good "female" holster.

I would say look into the following holster makers (all custom builders): FIST, Matt Del Fatti (a great guy - retired WI LEO), and Mitch Rosen (over priced stuff).

Is there anything specific you are looking for?

[Jynkxxie]

GMan, ROTFLMAO, I am a size 0 too.. LOL.. However I am about 6" shorter. I too can't carry inside the waistband because of my hips. Well I shouldn't say that, in the summer sometimes I carry it on my right back, so it rests on my ...well you know. LOL But I usually don't carry with a IWB, I carry plain. Which is not great but what are you supposed to do in the summer. And I don't do dresses. Usually the small of my back hides it, and I always try to keep my gun side away from others. I usually always use a paddle holster though. In the winter it doesn't really matter, you usually can't see the huge bulge under my coat unless I bend down. But then again, like my dad always said, BEND AT THE KNEES! LOL I love my paddle holster, it is very comfortable (for my hips anyway), very secure, but hard to conceal on a 100lbs. body. LOL

Oh yeah, I am sorry, I want to get the one waistband holster, (forgive me I don't have a name) but the one that is like a male gurdle, LOL. It raps completely around your waist so that you don't need to attach it to your pants, if you want to wear sweats.

[GMan26]

Well my ex definitly got a lot of attention (she was pretty and well very tall) from people looking at her so concealment was a big issue. I would have to say last summer she carried her Glock 26 100% of the time in her purse (not very tactically correct). She wore those short/cut off shirts as to show off her tattoo on the small of her back in public. I didn't really like this idea but hey what am I to say... so obviously she couldn't wear anything on the belt.

Winter she used a belt slide with a vertical rake. In front of the hip. She basically could cover it up using a sweatshirt or sweater. But still she wasn't happy with the way it felt.

I guess females have it hard with trying to find the right holster.

Oh the "belly band" holster, LOL. U know, she thought about that but since she had a navel ring it wouldn't work. If you are also a size 0 I don't think it would work for you. As I recall my Ex's waist was 22" or something and when she talked to someone about getting one they said it wouldn't fit.

U know, there is something called thunderwear that might work, dear me, I don't know anything about it but I hear a lot of females use it. :p

[Jynkxxie]

Thunderwear? Good Lord that just sounds big. LOL I tried one of those rap around waist ones once, it didn't fit! Suprise, Suprise! It like rapped around me twice, same as with most belts I buy, I just wondered if they made smaller ones, but the last I heard they didn't. So it is either inside the pant on my right rear, in the summer, or in the paddle. Did you know that they make holters that rap around your chest. I bet my...well you know..could hide my gat. LOL

[Norm357]

Originally posted by GMan26
Most detectives use shoulder holsters for the ease of taking them on and off. Its interesting that 70% of detectives use them and the rest all use paddle holsters (in my area).

For me I would like to use one for car use. Its a lot quicker to access while its under my left arm than on my strong side while sitting.

Some negative points I hear about shoulder holsters is that the business end crosses too much liability. Now this is all a training issue. But who knows when things go down the toilet right? You might just have the finger in the trigger too early on the draw and fire. But for the most part if you practice with it you should be fine. I wouldn't use this type of carry 100%. Maybe only 40% of the time (when sitting in my car for long periods of time - running to the local stop n rob for a quick pick up, etc...) I like how easy it is to put the whole rig on and off.

A retired det. is trying to sell me his Mitch Rosen Style Master shoulder holster he got last year. So I may take him up on his offer - although he wants $130 for it (damn expensive) he said it costed him $380 brand new. $380!?!?!?!?!?!?!?! He's got to be exagerating! :eek: But everyone tells me Rosen makes some quality leather....

BTW ankle holsters to me are death traps. You can't get to them fast enough and if you have to draw, you're in a tight spot. SOB holsters are also yet another death trap. What happens if someone knocks you off your rocker? You land on that thing and damage the spine, ouch.

Be advised that Rosen's shoulder holsters are sold by sport coat size so if your friend is a 42 long and your not its not going to fit.130$ is a damn good price for one of these holsters tho.
Stay safe
Norm

[jonesg11]

Here is my experience on shoulder holsters. For large guns like any holster it is a bit harder to conceal them, wearing a suit coat they always seem to stick out the back. My firearms instructor said that he would shy away from them because we worked both uniform and plainclothes and it was good to have the uniformity of where your gun is. He said that there might be that split second where you are reaching for your gun by your side when it is in the shoulder holster and that bit of time might do you in. Its something to consider, other than that or if you work plainclothes or carry concealed all the time I think that they're great.

[GMan26]

Originally posted by talia
Did you know that they make holters that rap around your chest. I bet my...well you know..could hide my gat. LOL

My ex would be jealous, she couldn't hide nothing there, oopps :D

[GMan26]

Originally posted by Norm357
Be advised that Rosen's shoulder holsters are sold by sport coat size so if your friend is a 42 long and your not its not going to fit.130$ is a damn good price for one of these holsters tho.
Stay safe
Norm

Hmmmm, good point. We are about the same size - geez, i don't remember my suit size. I'll let you know what happens. I am meeting up with him this Thursday night so I'll try it on then. I thought you could adjust them???