Shoulder holsters and Coopers 4 Rules

[Monkeybear]

Neither a safety engaged SA pistol or the Glock design worry me but my point was that however unlikely; it is "possible" for the SA pistol to fail and for the hammer to be released, but with the glock, even with a failure you still cant fire it without pulling the trigger. Basically even if the Glock fails the way the op fears it may it still wouldnt fire. This is not a Glock vs SA post, let avoid that.

 

[RevolvingCylinder]

I want to know more about this. Is this the clown in the classroom full of kids who had an AD into his foot?

Yes.

I meant trigger guard. It was late when I typed that/

The point I was making was that there really wasn't a chance of mechanical failure. The only danger was a ND not an AD. An SA can do the same as we're not supposed to rely on safeties and someone mishandling a pistol can just as easily forget to activate the manual safety.

 

[FJC]

Dang near all of us are carrying IWB, OWB, or pocket guns that are pointing at our legs or rear ends all day long... Fanny pack users are sweeping everyone!

I agree, it's disconcerting to see (and I think proper etiquette when wearing a horizontal shoulder holster is to have it covered), but I don't feel the rule applies to firearms that are being properly worn in a proper holster.

 

[Cogster1]

Late

Seems most everyone beat me to it, but I can't help but add my $.02. Shoulder rigs seem no less safe than living below someone with a gun that carries IWB/OWB.

(I made member status and never realized until just now. I feel so special.)

 

[msb45]

Pocket holsters

have a greater tendency to point at people especially as they sit across from you at a table or booth. As I sat with my family one night this thought hit me. I think the same things mentioned before regarding the use of a proper holster (and an otherwise empty pocket with a pocket holster) combined with periodic safety/function shecks after cleaning should put your mind at ease. as previousaly pointed out these are often referred to as rules of gun handling, not necessarily carrying.

 

[Headless]

funny this thread comes up, i was eating dinner last night and realised my 642 holstered IWB was pointing directly at family across the table from me. It made me consider for a moment just how often a holstered firearm does sweep others and ourselves; constantly. Unavoidable. That's why it's in a holster. Mexican carry? ok, then i'm worried.

 

[RustyShackelford]

shoulder rigs-paranoid people...

I for 1 would not get upset or "freak out" if you are near someone wearing a shoulder rig like that.

I had a Aker leather shoulder holster for my Beretta 96D .40 that I had no problems with. Most modern firearms do not discharge by themselves. Just because someone wears a horizoninal shoulder holster does not mean it's unsafe or you are in any danger. REMAIN CALM!

I've read of people making issues of these holsters before. I think the issue it stupid. One person complained about a uniformed LEO/pilot in an ER that had a shoulder holster. SFW!

Another gun writer took issue with a police detective that had a shoulder rig and had the holstered muzzle near him. Now for a training range that could be a problem but if the cop was a mature adult I'm sure he would not endanger or harm anyone on the range.

Before you lash out at someone for the weapons, gear or tactics they use stop and ask them why they are doing it. Unless it's reckless or unsafe I see nothing wrong with grown adults using firearms they way they want.

Rusty

 

[Skpotamus]

I carry in a shoulder holster from time to time, and if you are drawing the gun properly, it won't sweep your clearing arm.

Guns don't just go off, they fire when people pull the triggers. If it's in the holster, it's not going to go off unless someone does something to the gun... like pulling the trigger or getting something caught in the trigger guard during reholstering.

Don't be so paranoid about it. Are you afraid when you walk into a gun shop and see cans of reloading powder on the shelf? The odds of them spontaneously exploding are about the same as a gun spontaneously going off. How about all that loaded ammo on the shelf? What about when a plane flies overhead? The pilot might drop something and have it hit you.... god forbid it might be a military plane with live ordinance on it.

Don't worry about the miniscule "what if's" and focus on the more likely SHTF scenarios you train for.

 

[tanksoldier]

I often carry in a horizontal shoulder holster.

My take on the 4 rules is that they are meant for when a firearm is in your hand. If you set your pistol on the nightstand, what is it pointing at thru the walls? Your neighbor? The guy down the street?

Even in a belt holster a weapon might sometimes point at something inappropriate, when you bend over or sit down, for example. Often when I carry IWB at 2:00 the muzzle of my pistol pokes me in the leg while I'm sitting down.

Now, I think the cop was a little dim for carrying his weapon exposed like that... because it might upset people, especially those who don't know any better. Like it or not part of a cop's job these days is public relations. However, I don't think there is any REAL danger, just perception.

 

[Waywatcher]

It unnerves me quite a bit to see guns pointing at me. Especially USPSA race guns in 'ghost' holsters. (very light triggers--2lbs or so, very minimal/insecure holsters--likely to fall out if you jump or run.)
I specifically remember this ocurring when a guy wearing this equipment slouched in a chair across from me.

I guess I just like to play it safe.

 

[Zach S]

I just tried that with my cheap nylon shoulder rig... I'd have to have a finger like a butterknife (very long and very thin) and with about 4 joints in it, capable of bending both ways...

I wish I had fingers like that (I work on cars).

I suggest those of you dismissing this concern as needless worrying make your posts while someone with ::name your choice of semi-auto handgun:: has the muzzle of his holstered firearm inadvertently pointed at your midsection.

BTDT. Didnt worry.

Its an inanimate object, just like a car. I dont worry about getting ran over by a parked car, just like I dont worry about getting shot with a holstered handgun.

 

[Flopsy]

If you smartcarry, don't sit at a table across from anyone...or go to a theater with people sitting in front of you...or walk on the second floor...

 

[geronimo509]

Farlander, Yes but Im pretty sure the AD went into his leg. and the best part about it was that he was doing a firearm safety thing to the class of kids. wait, it gets better, after he pulled a "plaxico" he went on to tell the kids, "see i'm a trained professional and accidents still happen." or something close to that. i apologize for referring to it as a "plaxico" but I just couldn't help myself

 

[geronimo509]

Wow, I didnt even check the date on this thread! I was doing a search for something and came across this. and did a quick reply while I was still reading the first page. I'm normally pretty good at making sure I don't sound like an idiot on this forum. my bad

 

[bensdad]

This thread smells a little stale.

I carry IWB appendix. I'm always covering my genitalia and my femoral artery. The gun is in a holster.