Not even sure where to start.
My usual carry, for the last 30 years is a IWB at 3-4 oclock. Hot summer, for short periods, has been appendix. From AZ, now in SC.
Winter/cold is a larger gun, commander 1911, PX4 compact, P07. Grab and go is 43x/48, 365xl. Still wringing out HK CC9.

Crazy pain in my right side ass cheek, sometimes a little lower. Wakes me up at night unless I;m sleeping on my back. Had a xray a few years ago and seems a little arthritis starting in my hip. Started reading that it might be sciatica, from my gun carry?
Anyway, think I might try shoulder holster for awhile and see if it helps. Not sure when it gets hot.

Sorry for the rambling post. You young guys will hopefully be old someday!

I had similar pains and resolved them with hip stretches, deep squats, pigeon poses, and other exercises.

I rarely use it but a Galco Miami classic was the only shoulder rig that ever worked for me.

Appreciate it.
Think if I find out what a pigeon pose is, and do it, the old lady will have me committed. Hopefully just call an ambulance.

I carry in a Galco shoulder holster regularly during the cooler months, so basically any jacket day, 50 degrees or colder. I have what is essentially the Miami Classic II, though I purchased separate components as I wanted a wider shoulder harness. I carry a HK USPc in .357 SIG w/ two reloads and purchased the following components separately:

- SSH Harness (2.75" Wide)
- S3H Shoulder Holster
- HCL Horizontal Mag Carrier

With Two Magazines offsetting the weight of the loaded Pistol, the Shoulder Holster is well balanced and wears VERY comfortably. I really like the Horizontal Mag Carrier as it's MUCH easier to draw from than the traditional vertical snap/flap design and has a tension screw for retention adjustment. It's also quick and easy to take on/off, so EXTREMELY convenient! I store the Shoulder Holster on the back of my office chair so it's right there, but completely out of the way at the same time. Like anything else, it takes a little getting used to though. The harness straps though fairly soft, initially bothered my collarbone area after a few hours. Not sure if it needed some 'break-in' or I did, but I don't even really notice I'm wearing it any more.

The SSH Harness I purchased is no longer available, but if you're interested in a wide(r) harness than the 1.5" wide version of the Miami Classic II, Galco currently offers both 2" wide and 2.5" wide variants. The following pic shows relative differences in the various harness widths:




Here's a couple of links from the Galco website for you to browse:

Galco Shoulder Holster Systems

Galco Shoulder Holster Components

For most applications, I'd recommend the The Miami Classic II --> Galco Miami Classic II

Hope this helps...

absolutely need something on the non gun side to balance the weight.

that said, I've not used my Miami Classic since about the same time I gave up my Ray Ban Wayfarers in the late 80's

quote:

Originally posted by Lwt16:
I had similar pains and resolved them with hip stretches, deep squats, pigeon poses, and other exercises...

I started carrying just over a year ago when I finally got my concealed carry permit, at 75 years old. A couple months ago I started experiencing pains like mike56 described, very intense, day and night. I'm even having trouble walking.

Any chance you have a link to more info on those exercises? Maybe a Youtube video?

Thanks!

My go to shoulder rig is the Classic Lite. For Kydex, I go with ARES Tactical. For open carry over a jacket, CSM Gear Throw Over.

Another vote here for the Galco Miami Classic. Although I am not a fan of shoulder holster carry all the time, on those occasions when I have wanted one the Galco has been my choice for years.

I can tell you what not to use, the Galco Vertical Shoulder Holster. The one for my Smith 329 works fine, but the one for my 1911 will let the gun slip out of the holster. Had that happen to me twice.

I do have a Galco Miami Classic and SSII that carry horizontally and a Mitch Rosen as well. Shoulder holsters are not my regular carry, but in some instances like long road trips they work well.

I have the Jack Ass rig from Galco. I bought it early on when MI passed concealed carry but not long after I got a lower (L4/L5) back injury and putting more weight on my upper body did not help things.
I've read how people w/ lower back problems switched to shoulder holsters but that never made sense to me and my busted disc.
But everyone is different. Hope you can find something that works w/ your pain situation.

I went with a Alien Gear belly band belt. I can easily move the holster/belt around to any position on my body. I also like not having the gun/holster assembly attached to my pants belt.
The belly band is very wide and comfortable and fast to take on/off.
I usually carry my CZ SP01 Shadow, its no light weight.

I just bought a Branch x15 on eBay for my p226. It should be here today. For $45. I'll try it. They are as old school as it gets but they work.