My local gun store has a closeout deal on a Galco Vertical Shoulder Holster that would work with my 226 and 220. The price is cheaper then I've seen anywhere on the Internet. This would not be my primary method of carry (which is usually IWB or OWB) but would be a occasional specialized carry. Perhaps for long car trips or if I have to wear a suit or something. What are the pros and cons of shoulder holster carry?

Chris

I've tried them, but always went back to conventional carry. For me, shoulder rigs got to be too uncomfortable, causing tension in my neck and shoulders. Drawing from them is easy, but reholstering is more difficult than with strong-side conventional rigs. I also don't like the necessity of reaching "crossdraw" style to obtain spare magazines. Finally, I believe shoulder rigs "bunch up" the shirt around the collar area, making them less concealable.

The only advantage in using shoulder rigs in my opinion is found (or better phrased "concealed") in the restroom!

I've tried the shoulder holster thing. It was not for me for the following reasons:

1. It always felt like I was wearing a bra. Or the bro, for you Seinfeld fans!

2. I was self conscious wearing it. I felt like I was a little kid playing dress up Starsky & Hutch.

3. I could only get it to conceal if I wore a Large jacket. This only worked for me a couple of times since I am in Fl. I even tried it over an undershirt, but under a button down.

It just didn't work for me at all.

If you are a girthy fella it may work very well. I hated mine and sold it and went back to belt carry.

I am 6'1" ~190lbs (I'm through growing up and have started growing out). I have had the best luck carrying in a shoulder rig. I have found it best to wear the rig over an UnderArmor type T-Shirt and under a button down. The compression fit and material of the UA shirt keeps the rig from bunching under my armpits and pinching. It also keeps the shoulder straps from riding up over my T-Shirt collar and tugging on my neck.
I already have enough stuff hanging from my belt, and I use the tie downs like suspenders for holding up my pants. I would like to modify the side seams on a couple of shirts to allow them to tuck around the tiedown and avoid the "blowsing" effect I get now.
Bear in mind however that a long sleeve button down is what I wear 95% of the time year-round.
I have a shoulder rig for my P229R (also fits my P225), my P220 and my Bersa .380.
All this being said, I just bought a VMII from ModieCast to see what all the hub-bub is about. I have tried a C-TAC IWB and it just doesn't work well for me.

I've tried various Galco horizontal rigs. I don't like the "glove leather" straps Galco uses. I just don't think it provides enough support. Of course, that's a subjective thing.

On the other hand, I have owned a couple Mitch Rosen (Stylemaster Express) rigs (for 1911's and for Sig 220/226 platforms) that I think are very comfortable and user-friendly. Rosen uses straps that have more "body" (i.e. they're made of stouter leather). Lots of knowledgeable folks don't like shoulder rigs. Most of them know a lot more than I. Still, I confess a preference for a shoulder rig for special purposes--like car trips, for example.

I had a Bianchi X-15 (I think that is the model) for my 1911's. At the time, CCW in Ohio was not yet legal and sold it with my Combat Commander.

As I remember, it was not terribly comfortable. I have never really considered buying another.

I have two Galco Miami Vice horizontals. One has wider straps than the other one. Both have off side double mag pouches and a handcuff case. I carry a p229 in one, and a G19 in the other. I find them ideal for wear under a suit coat, or when seated for a long period of time. It takes A LOT of fiddling around with the suspension system for maximum comfort and concealment. I poked some extra holes in mine. Get somebody to help you with the adjustments and to eyeball the printing. Vertical shoulder holsters are easier to conceal, but not as comfortable in MHO. The old Bianchi X15 was hard to wear comfortably. It is harder to reach your reloads in a shoulder rig, and harder to reholster. I consider them special purose rigs, not everyday carry rigs. John



LOT

I have a Bianca that fits my Airweight S&W .38. It is excellent for SPECIAL occasions. Mine is at least 30 years old. It works great if you are going to be wearing a wind breaker jacket and know in advance you will not have to take it off. Most other occasions I use a pocket holster and carry that way. Both ways are fairly invisible and that is very, very important for CONCEALED carry!

I've wondered if a should holster is right for me. I never bought one to find out because it seems to have far too many straps on it.

Something that looks like a shoulder holster came with my P6, but I don't know how to put it on because there are too many straps.

I would not use a shoulder rig on a regular basis, but then I live under tropical conditions for about ten months a year. I do very much like to have a well-adjusted shoulder rig for certain special occasions, such as when I will be sitting still for an extended period of time, and can wear a loosely-fitted cover garment. Another factor for me is that I almost always pack two handguns, and the shoulder rig can be a great way to carry that second handgun. I try to always keep one handgun on the "primary-side" hip, and may have the snubby on the hip and the duty/carry P229 in the shoulder rig, when on a long road trip.

I have a superb Andrews Monarch leather horizontal rig, for the P229, a hybridized Andrews/Bianchi rig for the SP101, a Galco Executive for a J-frame, Milt Sparks vertical rigs for 6" medium-frame sixguns and 1911s, and an Assault Systems vertical rig for large-framed 4" revolvers. These rigs reflect my changing carry guns over 25 years, and I don't use them all today. Several are no longer available new.

Of particular note: vertical rigs with a belt slot or tunnel loop on the lower portion of the holster body, than can support the pistols' weight, can be supremely comfortable, because the shoulder straps can then be adjusted to support and stabilize the weapon, but not bear all the weight. My Assault Systems rig, of this type, carried my N-frame duty sixgun on surveillance details of 12+ hours in the 1980's. FWIW, I also had a P7 on the hip, and a shotgun. Those were the days.

quote:

Originally posted by cmparrish:
My local gun store has a closeout deal on a Galco Vertical Shoulder Holster that would work with my 226 and 220. The price is cheaper then I've seen anywhere on the Internet. This would not be my primary method of carry (which is usually IWB or OWB) but would be a occasional specialized carry. Perhaps for long car trips or if I have to wear a suit or something. What are the pros and cons of shoulder holster carry?

Chris

On that basis, I'd get it, especially if it's coming from GreenTop - only gun shop I found in the Richmond area that I liked. There's one over on Southside that does military/police/tactical that looked pretty good if that's your orientation, but I find such places, well, it's clear they don't want my business.

But a shoulder holster requires two layers of clothing, and the outer layer can't be taken off, but has to be open enough to be able to draw. Make sure the holster will accomodate your nightsights and/or lasergrips and stuff.

They are good for special occasions as previously mentioned. Get one. It never hurts to have too many holsters.

yes

I have a couple of Miami Classics that I use on VERY rare occassions. I find almost no advantage to a shoulder rig, personally, and I really want to like them!

I will relate a quick story from a trip to Haiti a dozen or more years ago. I've been a lifelong hip holster guy, as was my partner at the time. However, since we were required to wear BDUs, shoulder rigs for our pistols seemed a good choice.

Well, one day we were coming back towards our compound when we got held up for a demonstration. While we're sitting there in our CUCV (military Chevy Blazer), some yahoo pops out of the crowd with an M16 and starts popping caps in our general direction.

My buddy and I dive out of the truck and move behind it to cover, ready to engage. HOWEVER, we both just about lifted ourselves off the ground, trying to draw our pistols from behind our strong side hips. I swear, it was like something out of a movie - we both looked at each other with this dumbfounded look on our faces, then the lightbulbs went on, and we went for the shoulder rigs.

By the time we rolled out behind the fenders of the vehicle, the shooter was LONG gone, and so was most of the crowd (can't say Haitians are dumb, they typically don't hang around when people start shooting!)

Morale of the story is, unless you have a VERY compelling reason to switch carry locations and modes, I strongly recommend against it.

Regards,

Kevin

I really doubt there are all the problems you guys are suggesting. I've seen James Bond come out of the ocean wearing a full scuba rig, wet suit and gear, over a tuxedo, under which he had his trusty PPK, and not even a hair out of place, even a carnation to stick into his lapel. Surely, if he can do that, it can't be all as difficult or uncomfortable as you make it out to be!

I am debating on the Galco vertical system fir hunting. Living here in tropical Fl I don't think it would be comfortable to where with the clothes needed to conceal it. In the woods or on a long drive I don't think it would matter. I would like to try before I buy but not a gun shop in town has one in stock and I hate to buy and return.

Steve

When you get hot you can't take your jacket off!

Shoulder rigs have their uses. I like them for long trips as you suggested. IWB is difficult to access while seated in my truck. I have a (horizontal) Galco SSII (?) for my 229.

Try before your buy. A vertical may not work well for you depending on your build and the model of pistol you intend to carry. Verticals don't work for me at all.

If it were me, I'd get it in a heartbeat.

WHy?

*great for long trips in a vehicle.
*great for cold weather wear.
*nice change from conventional wear from time to time.

*change is good.