I've been Interwebz surfing lately, looking at some lovely and expensive custom shoulder holster rigs for concealed carry. I don't know why, but I sorta want one.

Here in Texas, jackets are only worn a few months of the year - and then only to get you from the heated car to the super-heated building. So, not very practical. Maybe I've just seen too many old American cop movies. Or maybe I'm just tired of plastic guns in plastic clip-on carriers.

Does anyone here prefer under-jacket carry? Or can someone tell me to stop being silly and join the 21st Century set.

The death of the sport coat probably has something to do with it

I have one from these folks http://www.deepconceal.com/default.asp I wore it daily in Madison with a Glock 19 & two spare mags. Very comfortable, well concealed under my shirt and easy to get to.

They go with the 1978 Trans-Am I'm looking at getting... LOL

I've been eyeball fucking this option for a while now:
http://www.511tactical.com/All-Products ... Shirt.html

Don't forget your fedora, it'll complete the look.

I sometimes wear one in winter for a 4" N frame. We have those 23 days of winter when I have to pull a jacket or a coat out.

I have a few leather rigs than really suspend a big gun between my belt and shoulder. It's like that, ya see.

I keep coming back to this baby, The Monarch http://www.andrewsleather.com/traditional.htm

But I know once the novelty wore off I'd never wear it, so I am trying to get it out if my head.

Doc wrote:I keep coming back to this baby, The Monarch http://www.andrewsleather.com/traditional.htm

But I know once the novelty wore off I'd never wear it, so I am trying to get it out if my head.

I've been a fan of their Firepower Rig for years. I don't have one yet... But I will.

I think John McClane in Die Hard was the last guy to wear a shoulder holster.

Shoulder holsters just don't make that much sense. They're not particularly fast and only conceal as long as you keep a jacket on. IWB just makes more sense.

iwb is great until one has to sit down.
and for what andrews leather is asking for those, one would expect silver accents and exotic skins, not to mention a valet to help one into it every morning...

when i do, it's something that i don't have to crawl into:
all told, i've less than $100 into it and hardly notice when wearing.

I like the Andews and this one: http://www.rossleather.com/m42a-open-bo ... -p-71.html

for the back strap and no tie downs - seems like it would work well - though this is all speculation to me, which is why I value the feedback from those of you who actually use these things.

I'm thinking a little more seriously about getting something cheaper as an experiment. If it gets much wear this winter I will consider getting something else. Lord knows, I have enough IWB options already.

http://www.klnullholsters.com/
This guy makes some light weight models. The airweight j-frames are easy to wear in these delicate things.

I've got an older Uncle Mikes (~$40, i think?) shoulder holster that I've used from time to time. It is surprisingly fast, once you get the hang of it; faster in fact than my IWBs as long as the cover garment is open. Holsters like that are about the only time I like thumb breaks.

That said, it is not ideal, and much of that is because it's a cheap holster. It works well enough, but I got to try a Galco with the spider-style pivot once, and it was much more comfy. Pricey-er, but I think worth it to get a good one. I also almost never wear it because I almost never have a call for a jacket here in Florida.

AmirMortal wrote:

Doc wrote:I keep coming back to this baby, The Monarch http://www.andrewsleather.com/traditional.htm

But I know once the novelty wore off I'd never wear it, so I am trying to get it out if my head.

I've been a fan of their Firepower Rig for years. I don't have one yet... But I will.

http://www.andrewsleather.com/solo.htm
looks good for a small weapon.

WhoDat wrote:They go with the 1978 Trans-Am I'm looking at getting... LOL

whitey wrote:Don't forget your fedora, it'll complete the look.

Oh damn. I'm hopeless.

Fiddler wrote:

WhoDat wrote:They go with the 1978 Trans-Am I'm looking at getting... LOL

whitey wrote:Don't forget your fedora, it'll complete the look.

Oh damn. I'm hopeless.

My favorite is old cop movies form the 80's. Beverly Hills Cop is a good example. Every cop is wearing a shoulder holster with a revolver, but they walk into a building where every henchmen has an Uzi or something else equally as obscene.

I have one for my GP100, but I've never used it. I bought it used, tried it on, adjusted it, and now it hangs in my closet.

CFingers

AmirMortal wrote:I've been eyeball fucking this option for a while now:
http://www.511tactical.com/All-Products ... Shirt.html

I have one hanging in my closet. It's uncomfortable. It's hard to get to your gun with any speed, unless you bend over wrong and it just falls out on the floor.

I like 'em! They're especially nice for larger, double-stacked mag semi-autos. They also can't be beat for those who spend a lot of time driving. I wear mine more in colder weather when it's easier to conceal with the additional clothing.

Of course, if you're one of those that believes every situation is one requiring quick-draw, tactical awareness there are better options. Personally, I think most of that's overstated to appeal to the "ninja" wanabees!

Bought one last spring when I got the 1911 thinking I would wear it come winter - haven't yet. It's just damn difficult to get the things to fit.

I have a Galco Miami Classic rig for my Browning Hi-Power and I like it. Mostly it's good for winter when I'm wearing a jacket and shirt, but it's also great for days when I'm going to be in and out of my vehicle a lot. IWB is more practical day in day out but not so comfy when sitting for long periods.

I wear a CZ surplus shoulder rig every day. Carry my Russian Mak in it.

+1 on the Galco Miami Classic II.

Up here in the NW, jackets and hoodies are pretty much G2G 8 months of the year. When I want to conceal the Glock 21 and have 2 spare mags it's much more discreet than loading my belt up with gear.

I wore it yesterday on a detail I had up at a crappy heroin flophouse* in Felon Falls, er, I mean, Monroe, WA.

*(As opposed to all the nice well-kept heroin flophouses...)

IMO Galco makes The One when it comes to a professional shoulder setup. For normal civilian carry it might be a bit much, you're better off just avoiding the places and situations where that kind of gear would be a good idea. Y'know?

If you live in an area where the clothing makes it practical and you want to carry larger bulky gear, yes, it's a good option.