Anyone with thoughts on a shoulder holster for a 1911?

txmatt · Post by **txmatt** » Fri Dec 07, 2007 9:33 pm

I've been thinking for some time about getting a shoulder holster for my 1911 to use while driving my truck or on my motorcycle. The uncle mike's (link: http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/44697-10815-2115.html) is tempting given the price... anyone used one of these? If so, any problems with it? Any others that I should be looking at? I think it would be good to have at least one spare mag pouch to help offset the weight (and have extra ammo :) ). Not sure if I like the trigger guard finger break on that one I linked to.

My line of thinking is to get a relatively cheap one to find out if a shoulder holster is going to work for me and if so what I like/dislike about it so I can be more informed next time around. (I really don't like IWB or OWB on the bike; in the car I usually don't have it on my body, so it's not so much a problem.) I'm a rather skinny fellow and don't think a horizontal holster would work in terms of concealment, but don't really know since I haven't tried it.

BTW this is a full size 1911.

longtooth · Post by **longtooth** » Fri Dec 07, 2007 10:33 pm

Several on this board shoulder carry. I will try to steer you away from the UM nylon. It will not conceal well unless you have a pretty heavy coat on. The heavier your gun the more you will need a really good quality shoulder rig. The heavier your gun the more you will need the counter balance of extra mags & also a tie down.
If you will watch several of the boards you should be able to find a Miami Clasic for your 1911. Either the Clasic ll or a Jackass rig. When I first started looking at shoulder carry I too thought I was not thick enough in the chest to conceal my gun. (remember Flint

) You will be able to conceal it if you wear a good holster. The Jackass rig will carry it w/ a little more angle than the Classic ll. Wide shoulder straps are way more comfortable than the narrow.
Probably should find one under $100.00. If you decide you do not like shoulder carry then you can sell it & should get your money back or very close to it. Buy one new & it will be around $140.00 after freight.
Other makers that are good quality but a little higher.
Andrews gunleather. About $180.00 & a 2 month weight
Garrity's gunleather. $200.00 & the same weight.
Prices are from memory & may not be exact.

Flintknapper should jump in on this one. He is a long time shoulder carry.
Also I believe txinvestigator shoulder carries a lot. Both those guys know what the speak of.
Good hunting.

Kalrog · Post by **Kalrog** » Sat Dec 08, 2007 12:40 am

I have used a good quality nylon one. And I have used a good quality leather one (the original Jackass - from before Galco bought it). Get a good leather one.

FightinAggieCHL · Post by **FightinAggieCHL** » Sat Dec 08, 2007 12:46 am

My dad uses that type. He says, "it's a pain ".

Post by **carlson1** » Sat Dec 08, 2007 12:57 am

I would like a "shoulder Rig" but I am so W I D E have not found one that is extends enough to be comfortable. My shirt size is 22 and Jacket is 60. Any suggestions other than "Slim Fast."

KBCraig · Post by **KBCraig** » Sat Dec 08, 2007 1:21 am

carlson1 wrote:I would like a "shoulder Rig" but I am so W I D E have not found one that is extends enough to be comfortable. My shirt size is 22 and Jacket is 60. Any suggestions other than "Slim Fast."

My inner 14 year old says, "Lift up a roll and tuck it in!" Bad Kevin! Bad!

I have lost 37lbs, but as big as I am there is no notice. My 19 year old hands me what he calls a "Slim Slow" drink. Kids are mean.

Kalrog · Post by **Kalrog** » Sat Dec 08, 2007 9:57 am

Look for one of the models that is 2 loops connected by a straight piece of leather instead of the ones that look like a figure 8. I hope that is relayed correctly... let me know if it wasn't clear.

And I lost about 80 pounds after my first son was born 5+ years ago. I'm back up 10, but I can still run and ride with the best of them.

threeg45 · Post by **threeg45** » Sat Dec 08, 2007 11:08 am

Look at the Bianchi model X15.
You can find them at a discount price at Packheatleather.com
This company is out of McAllan. You will pay around 97 and the reg price is around 140. I like mine. When it is cold I use at work and hunting or when I want to change things up a bit.

Lykoi · Post by **Lykoi** » Sat Dec 08, 2007 11:13 am

hey txmatt, fellow CHL and rider... though my bike was stolen about a year ago...

for riding in a jacket (which we should always do)

, i've found shoulder carry to be the best way to carry comfortably and safely...

that being said i've found the cheapy UM's shoulder rig to not be safe... the snap won't take the strain of a heavy firearm bouncing against cheap nylon. If you're serious about riding, you own a nice lid... you bought it b/c of safety and performance, hopefully not b/c it was cheap... the holster is the security of your weapon, keeps it from being taken/dropped/lost/used against you etc... invest in it wisely, you get what you pay for (maybe a little less with some manufacturers)

I used the Galco horizontal rig, with a sig P226 and 2 spare mags when i was riding... it was well worth the investment, i also had the UM's shoulder rig... I had my sig fall out of the UM's twice while riding, and both times my jacket retained the weapon until i pulled over and readjusted. Get something fitted and quality, it's worth the investment every time.

Lykoi

longtooth · Post by **longtooth** » Sat Dec 08, 2007 11:25 am

I will double ++ lykoi said about getting what you pay for. This is true in life but it is double true in CC gear whether it is belt carry, IWB, or shoulder. when you consider that a shoulder holster is a whole carry system; belt, holster, & mag carrier, then the price is not that much.
I have 2 shoulder rigs. My belt, holster, & belt mag carrier cost more than either of the shoulder units. Never batted an eye over the expense of the waiste rigs, just did not have to buy them all at the same time.

txmatt · Post by **txmatt** » Sat Dec 08, 2007 6:43 pm

Thanks guys.

Lykoi, that was the sort of thing I was afraid of looking at the design... I guess I'll just have to save up a few more dollars and get something better. I've tried an UM OWB at a gun show or a store and remember not liking it at all (something about it being bulky and not holding the gun well), so I had to pony up the extra cash for leather from galco... probably need to do the same here.

I'm still less than convinced that I will be able to conceal a horizontal shoulder holster on my frame (I'm 6'2" and 140 lbs), but maybe if it has a bit of a downward slant like the jackass from galco that longtooth mentioned it would work. I'll check around town at the stores and see if they have one I can try on. This will be under my motorcycle jacket and with the padding in it, I doubt an extra protrusion would be that noticeable. Of course it would be nice to be able to get away with it under a sport coat, too. Again, thanks everyone who replied