shoulder holsters

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ptn

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Sep 6, 1999
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I'm looking at shoulder holsters for my wife's Ruger SP101.
Can anyone help me decide between the Galco Miami classic and the Bianchi X16 agent setup? Additionally, are there reasons to consider the Bianchi 4620 Tuxedo system? I'm a bit inclined to leather over manmade material but have an open mind. If anyone has some real day to day carry experience with any of these systems and would be willing to share their opinions, I would appreciate it. Thanks.
 
Shoulder holsters suck. They're expensive. They're uncomfortable. They don't conceal well. That's my experience.
 
Thanks for your reply. Expense is not a concern. Of the options my wife is seeing, a shoulder holster seems the most concealable and comfortable. What are we missing?
 
ptn said:
Thanks for your reply. Expense is not a concern. Of the options my wife is seeing, a shoulder holster seems the most concealable and comfortable. What are we missing?
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Couple things.

A) A shoulder holster presents your weapon to an attacker in scuffle and due to its position gives you little you can do to retain control

B) Drawing to a retention position means you have to come across your body twice, at such distances your draw is easily intercepted

C) Very few ranges will allow you to draw from a shoulder holster since the muzzle sweeps 180 when doing so. Since you must train how you carry, this is a problem.
 
I only had one, many years ago. One of those across-the-shoulders things for a Walther PP.
It was a Bianchi, and I thought it would be OK; but it was grossly uncomfortable and I only wore it a few times.

All of the complaints Bill Jordan made about cross-draw holsters over 40 years ago apply to shoulder models as well.
 
There are lots of reason to keep a shoulder holster as a viable choice. For some women, it is the one and only way to get a holster on the body that does not dig in and is still concealable. I also find that if I am spending all day in the car, the shoulder holster is a far more comfortable choice.

Some people do not like them, that is fine, I find IWB incredibly uncomfortable and thunderwear absolute torture. I refuse to wear a garment that has as its first design my emasculation. Its what works for you.

If you find a shoulder holster hurts, more than likely it is a cheap one or a you do not have it fitted right. I have an old Bianchi and a couple of newer Galcos. My Bianchi is a vertical holster that works great, it is not a x back style but the old single shoulder style, I usually carry a 4 inch .357 model 13 in that one.

The Galco's are the new X back style. They hold the guns horizontally. One is for a USP compact and the other is for 1911 Full size. The biggest thing i have found is the shoulder straps need to be fairly firm and wide as possible, to distribute the weight. I like leather too, but make sure you know that some leathers will bleed a bit and leave marks on certain fabrics. I had a very nice silk pull over shirt that I would wear under a blazer, one hot day and that shirt was stained. Maybe it is residual dry cleaning fluids, who knows, but it happens.

Sure, a shoulder holster is not as fast as OWB pancake, but it does put the weapon on you, and that is better than most. Some women just have body types or clothing choices that make other holster types very difficult.

Learning how to draw and not muzzle cover the whole world is something that can be done. Here is one place where a CTC grip really helps, as you can actually see the path of the muzzle as you draw. The FBI allows the shoulder holster for many agents so it must have some pluses.
 
i like them myself, in the cooler months anyway, they dont work well with no coat, i carried a 1911 in a galco classic for several yrs, only real con was the need for a coat of some sort, made bathroom stops a lot easier too lol. i also always thought they were excellent for use when driving i often would have probs with my IWB rig in that scenario so i usually pull it and put it in under my leg or something while with a shoulder holster, no probs in that regard.

so imho they have pros and cons just depends on what ya need.

i also never could see the use of a shoulder holster with a small pistol (ie S&W "J" frame, PPk, etc) with them its always been easier to stick it in my pocket or in my waist band (no holster) vs dealing with all the straps and such of a shoulder holster, i always thought they were better for larger stuff ie 1911's, SIG P220, berretta 92, etc.

the off side spare mag pouch/speedloader pouch is a great addition and helps to even out the load.
 
You may try a shoulder rig but you will find that it is hard to carrie that way.
First you have to have a jacket on all the time which can get very uncomfortable indoors.
The best way I found to carry consealed is an IWB with a loose fitting shirt.
 
The Galco Miami Classic is regarded as THE BEST factory shoulder rig out there. We cant keep em in stock at the shop I help out at. But ya better be ready to PAY FOR IT! :)
 
Thanks for your replies. Guntotin_fool has mentioned the main reason for considering the shoulder rig. It may be the only viable concealed carry method for my wife. IWB simply does not work for her. I find the SP101 uncomfortable with an IWB holster myself. The main reason she'll carry is while walking alone. She likes to walk everyday and some days I can't be with her. Her favorite walk is a 3 or 4 miler through nearby woods and around an old quarry lake. The other alternative is walking on the road. We live in a rural area. Houses are a quarter to half mile apart. It's pretty isolated and we have had some trouble with dogs in the past so I don't want her to go alone. The SP101 is the handgun she is comfortable with so getting her a carry system that won't interfere with walking is the challenge. I understand that proper fit is the key here. Price is not the concern. Is the Galco Miami classic really better than the Bianchi X16?
 
as far as needing a coat that is not true, just an light shirt will cover for her, or a little walking vest. one of those fleece or down puffy vests women like to wear when walking are great with a shoulder holster. I must admit i thought you had a typo when you listed the X16 for Bianchi and I went to website to make sure, but you had not and I found out that is Bianchi's version on the miami classic. The holsters would be about the same, maybe a nod to bianchi, but the harness seems to be split leather suede. which in my mind feels good really fast, but fades just as fast, Imagine a good base ball glove, yeah it hurts and its stiff the first few times you used it, but as it broke in and molded to your hand, it gets better and better till it becomes a part of you . I would suggest the heavier and wider straps of the Galco would be that much better.

Also for me, the vertical holster works better with a revolver. more secure with that big fat cylinder behind the V spring. it takes a firm pull to get a cylinder thru the slot. your not going to be striding along and have the gun fall thru the opening like an auto can in a Vspring holster.
 
We'll have to consider the vertical holster option as well as the horizontal. Perhaps the only real way we'll find out if it works is by buying and trying a good outfit. From some of the replies, I've gotten the impression that shoulder holster carry is not as comfortable as I thought it might be. When we hike in the summer, she carries a day pack without complaint, so it seems to me that good fit with a well made system ought to be comfortable. I guess we'll try a Galco product. Thanks again for your help everyone.
 
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