Why aren't shoulder holsters more popular?

[Chain Smoker]

I've experimented with just about every style of holster available in conjunction with every basic type of handgun in production over the last several years, and I have an extremely average body type.

My conclusion is that only subcompact pistols and j-frame revolvers are practical for concealed carry on any sort of hip or belt holster. No matter what holster I use, or what position I place it in, I consistently run into issues when attempting to conceal a pistol such as a 1911, or k/l-frame revolver on my waist, especially when I am driving or otherwise sitting down.

When a full sized handgun such as the above is worn on a shoulder holster, all such issues are fully resolved. The system is comfortable during any activity, easily and effectively concealable with even light outerwear (I never go out in public without at least an overshirt anyway, regardless of heat), and works with even the largest production handguns. The weapon is also more accessible when seated compared to a hip holster.

That being the case, it seems very odd to me that shoulder holsters are considered borderline unorthodox by many people. There is nothing unusual about my body, habits, or lifestyle that would cause me to view holster systems any differently than anyone else.

 

[rcmodel]

I don't know.

I have four for various guns ranging from J-Frame, to SIG P-232, to a 9mm S&W, to a 1911.

I find then uncomfortable to carry all day, and Sticky hot in the 100 degree Kansas summer when worn next to the skin under a shirt, or over a shirt with a vest.

I sort of like then in cold snowy conditions under a winter parka for hunting guns.
Good gun protection from snow & ice, and easier to reach then a belt holster.

But other then that, I don't find them bearable for all day comfortable carry.

rc

 

[Sam1911]

We actually discuss this question very, very frequently.

Here's a thread on it: http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=9752525

And here's a post from that thread:

On shoulder holsters:

Here's a really detailed thread on shoulder holsters, pros and cons: http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=7901579&highlight=shoulder+holster#post7901579

Some other comments:

The two options I'd suggest for a delivery/taxi driver or anyone who spends more than 50% of their day in a car would be either a vertical shoulder holster or a cross-draw belt holster. Either of those options gives up a lot to a strong-side belt holster for "normal" use, in concealment, comfort, and security and speed of draw, but they do unquestionably beat the car-seat problem.

The two biggest downsides I can see are that it is very easy to have your draw blocked or pinned completely by an adversary who manages to grapple with you or back you against a wall -- and that it is very difficult to get the kind of regular practice in that is so vital to self-defense. Most ranges will prohibit that kind of a holster as you're inherently sweeping bystanders, the line, and even yourself on the draw (without some pretty gymnastic contortions). If you can find a range with 360 degree pits/berms so you can get the practice you need on a regular basis, go for it!

If you need to carry a very large gun, the shoulder holster is a bit easier to do that with than most belt holsters.

If you're sitting down and/or driving during most of the times when you might need to be able to get the gun in a hurry, the shoulder holster again can be more advantageous than other designs, depending on several factors.

As for disadvantages, they tend to "print" worse than most folks believe, especially the horizontal versions. They tend to trade weight at the belt for weight on the shoulders, which isn't always a good thing. They also are hard to practice with easily as few ranges and NO competition venues allow their use due to the near impossibility of drawing without committing a muzzle-direction violation and/or sweeping other shooters and sometimes yourself.

On the other hand, they're really good if you're going for a vintage '70s'-'80s cop show look.

A down-side that has not been mentioned in this thread (although it has been covered in all the other shoulder holster threads recently) is that the draw-stroke from a shoulder holster (and, again from a cross-draw) is also the most easily blocked under certain circumstances.

If an attack comes up close, and/or the attacker manages to get his arms around you or a hand on your strong arm, it becomes quite difficult to draw the gun and get it pointed the right way. If you place your arm flat across your chest like you're drawing from a shoulder holster and have someone hold that arm tightly, you'll find that it is pretty easy for that person to keep your arm pinned.
Further, if an attacker was to get you in a close grapple, with his body against yours, you'd have little chance to get your firing hand between your bodies to even get to the gun.

There are techniques which can be practiced to fight through those situations with some degree of success, but none of them will be as fast or as natural as drawing a gun from a holster at your waist on the strong side -- a move that is very difficult to block.

Certainly, not everyone who carries worries that attacks will happen up close like this and most probably assume that they'll have ample time and space to draw the gun.

Just something to consider.

 

[GBExpat]

I tried a couple of shoulder rigs in the late '70s, one/each, for wheelgun (.357) and semi-auto (.45 Colt Combat Commander).

For me (~6' and 160lbs) they were not as comfortable as leather pancake holsters under my sport/suit coats.

 

[jmr40]

The Kangaroo holsters are similar in concept and look appealing. I've met a couple of guys who owned them and they were well liked. The 1st one I saw was worn by a retired Vietnam vet Marine who carried his 1911 in one in Florida heat. You had to be pretty observant to see it under a T-shirt and he told me it concealed perfectly under a button up shirt.

I've been meaning give one a try in order to try to carry a larger gun.

http://kangaroocarry.com/

 

[Chain Smoker]

I had never thought of the issue with shooting ranges. I do all of my shooting out in the woods.

I can definitely see a draw from a shoulder holster being easily fouled in grappling range with an opponent, but of course, it's moot, because I can't carry a respectably sized weapon on my waist for very long without rapidly feeling like a clock with a penny stuck in a gear somewhere. I usually carry a J-frame on my hip anyway, even when I have a larger gun in a shoulder holster. The revolver is also less likely to malfunction in a grappling range encounter as well.

I'm now having flashbacks to all of the times when I've stepped out of a car, realized that "something isn't right", and nervously sussed out a restroom in order to reposition my pistol on my belt, then driven home while suspending my body off the seat because the weapon was digging so badly into my sides.

Maybe the concealment of full sized guns jut isn't as common as I thought it was. I personally like to have a real weapon on hand whenever possible.

 

[Longhorn 76]

Sitting and driving are the strong points of a shoulder holster.
I don't think most people give them a fair shake. You have to wear and adjust them until you get them "just right."
Over an undershirt, and under a dress shirt, works well, even in Houston summers.
I keep it in the P7 Glock 26 size.

 

[Matthew Temkin]

I like them in the cooler weather under a sweater or sweatshirt.
Never found it uncomfortable for all day wear.
It's also an easy way to carry extra ammo and handcuffs without weighing down your belt.
Extra bonus is when bathroom time comes.

 

[Delford]

I carry .45 ACP @3:30 in a High Noon Split Decision. It creates separation between the undershirt and the outer shirt so the holster doesn't contact the skin. It's a high rise that isn't blocked by a seatbelt, altho if I'm traveling any distance I carry it in the center console when driving. I don't dress in a manner a shoulder holster would be hidden so it's not an option I consider.

 

[OptimusPrime]

A lot of my summer days are spent in just a t-shirt, and that makes it impossible to pull off. But I do love the shoulder holster in cooler weather or when I can wear an outer shirt. It also takes just a bit more time to get assembled before I leave the house, and sometimes that extra 30 seconds just seems....so.....difficult to do, so into the IWB or pocket we go.

 

[gamestalker]

I was wondering the same thing.

I bought a really nice S&W 66-2 back around 1985, it came with a super nice leather shoulder holster. I love that shoulder holster and often wear it during the cooler months of the year. Of all the holster configurations I've tried with a snub M66, the shoulder holster is by far the most comfortable for me.

GS

 

[Mauser69]

I use a shoulder rig with my 10" Model 29 for hunting, but other than that, I would absolutely hate to fuss with one.

 

[Twiki357]

I carried a model 36 in an inverted shoulder holster for a number of years under a [mandatory] suit coat. Comfortable and easy access. Unfortunately it was stolen in a burglary with the 36 still in it. I’ve never been able to find another holster like it.

 

[Deaf Smith]

Chain,

Should holsters, at least for CCW, require a coat. And worn 10 hrs a day.. Well they are not comfortable.

Deaf

 

[bannockburn]

I found shoulder holsters to be a good choice during the colder months where they would be worn under a coat or jacket; not so much in hot and humid months though.

 

[Praxidike]

For me it's a cost issue and the fact that I only edc subcompact and compact guns. I can get a good leather or kydex holsters for my multitude of firearms for $50 or so, but most halfway decent shoulder holsters I've seen cost 3 to 4 times as much...

 

[JTQ]

For me it's a cost issue and the fact that I only edc subcompact and compact guns. I can get a good leather or kydex holsters for my multitude of firearms for $50 or so, but most halfway decent shoulder holsters I've seen cost 3 to 4 times as much...

Because a shoulder holster usually is the equivalent of a holster, belt, and ammo carrier, since most come with the harness, and a pouch for ammo.

Add the cost of the belt and ammo carrier to your belt holster and the prices are pretty similar.

 

[knfmn]

Draw speed and the fact that you're crossing a lot of your own veins and arteries while drawing from a shoulder holster are two big arguments against them. Add in the fact that it doesn't take much effort for an attacker to deny you access to the gun, the gun is directly presented to an attacker who faces you and that you have to wear a coat to cover them. I have less than zero interest in using a shoulder holster.

I would humbly suggest that if belt holsters are *that* uncomfortable, the OP needs to try a different holster. The best holsters I've found are the various "tuck" holsters that everyone is making now. Same basic design in all of them: fitted kydex holster attached to a wide leather strip. Once you get one that fits you, they just disappear. Don't forget that you're going to have to buy your pants a size larger and get a really good gun belt.

 

[Hookeye]

Bad neck/shoulders............can't handle a shoulder holster anymore. Way back I carried a 4" N frame for 2 yrs.

Just the thought brings on a headache these days.

 

[RustyShackelford]

Shoulder rigs ....

Shoulder holsters while not very popular with most gun owners or armed professionals have some merit.
They have several disadvantages which make them impractical. They can be awkward to carry or access for some. Weapon retention or security can be a big problem(like any crossdraw holster). Shoulder holsters can be hard to use one handed or with the weak hand(if hurt or wounded).
Some poorly made or low quality styles can have problems with stains(from cheap dye) or become painful after several hours, .

I've used CCW guns off & on since the early 1990s. I've used pocket holsters, shoulder rigs & tradional belt holsters.
If you wear or want to carry sidearms in a shoulder holster, I'd suggest a high end, well made design that will distribute the gun's weight along with extra magazines, white lights, etc. Quality holsters will have re-enforced stitching, no elastic or material that will degrade over time & fit the gun properly.

I used a black Aker Comfort Flex shoulder holster for my Beretta 96D. I could wear it 12-16hr at a time with no problems. I like the new Galco Miami Classic II shoulder holster. It fits well & holds up over time.

 

[MIL-DOT]

Why aren't shoulder holsters more popular?

The short answer is ( at least in part) that men simply don't wear jackets like they did in bygone eras.

 

[Lord Teapot]

because the most natural place for my gun to be is my front right pocket

 

[Mainsail]

I have a Galco Jackass rig that I really like for my 1911, IF I can get it to lay properly. With some shirts the holster straps cause the shirt material to bunch up in places, pull in others, screw up my collar, and generally make it difficult not to look unkempt.

But there are times when I want that load off my belt, which for me is the primary benefit to the shoulder holster.

 

[Schwing]

I used to use a shoulder holster when I was on the road for long periods. As has been already stated, I found it to be the most comfortable carry option when sitting for long amounts of time and it allowed me to carry a full sized option instead of a sub or compact.

For day to day carry, I just don't draw nearly as quickly with a shoulder holster than with an IWB, belt or even pocket holster. If I am not sitting much, I don't see much benefit.

While they have yet to really catch on, I switched to a belly band holster last year. To me, they offer most of the benefits of a shoulder rig but you can move them around some for comfort. I don't know about others, but that lump on my chest gets uncomfortable sometimes throughout the day and having the ability to shift it around a bit makes a big difference to me. I can also carry it much closer to my waist which makes drawing quicker for me so it is a good compromise.

 

[JSH1]

The short answer is ( at least in part) that men simply don't wear jackets like they did in bygone eras.

Ding, Ding, Ding. People don't wear jackets on a daily basis and many people don't want to wear an extra layer just to conceal a gun.