ShoulderHolster

The Shoulder Holster Introduced

A simple Google Image search for the term “shoulder holster” will bring up more examples of the crude device than one could care to look at in a lifetime. The shoulder holster is a shaped harness, usually made from leather or nylon, used to hold a pistol and usually a spare magazine or two.

There are basically two variations of the shoulder holster: the vertical and the horizontal.

The vertical shoulder holster allows the muzzle of the gun to hang vertically down the body while the grip is horizontal. This is optimal for concealing large caliber, long barreled handguns as carrying them horizontally would cause the barrel to print.

The gun is usually carried further down on the chest to allow for a quicker draw while pulling the gun straight up and out of the holster.

The holster and gun are usually concealed by a longer coat, jacket or shirt, depending on the length of the barrel.

The horizontal shoulder holster holds the muzzle horizontally while the grip sits vertically for easy access. This style is better suited for small framed guns that are short enough not to print on the backside of the body. This holster usually holds the gun high and closer to the armpit for an easy draw across the chest.

This holster is good for outfits that require shorter shirts, sweaters or jackets that may leave the waistband exposed.

Some shoulder holsters have what are called “tie-downs” that “tie” the holster to the belt or waistband either with a clip or snap. This allows the holster to remain in place throughout daily activity. Some holsters have spare magazine pouches on the weak hand side, some do not. Still other shoulder holsters use the weight of the spar magazines to counter the weight of a loaded gun.

The Pros and Cons

Like any other holster, the shoulder holster has its advantages and disadvantages.

The advantages are primarily two-fold: it’s concealable and comfortable. When forced to sit in a car all day or perhaps at the office, a shoulder holster provides the comfort of not digging into one’s back or kidneys the way an In-The-Waistband (IWB) or Out-Of-The-Waistband (OWB) might. A suit-coat or loose blouse may conceal it wonderfully and one has no need to be cautious of his waistband while bending or reaching.

However, one would not have a well balanced opinion without looking at the disadvantages of such a rig. While the shoulder holster does provide a level of comfort and concealability not always found with other holsters, it is more difficult to draw from, it limits one’s clothing selection and is a bit unstable depending on the type of rig that is purchased.

Its difficulty in drawing comes primarily from its style. While one may not necessarily need a retention strap on a vertical shoulder holster he must still draw straight up and out before being able to level his handgun in a time of need. The horizontal shoulder holster requires such a retention strap in its design or the gun would fall out, therefore the disengaging of such a strap may hinder a speedy draw. Practice drawing, like with any holster, is greatly recommended should this holster be used.

While I praised the shoulder holster’s ease in concealment, I must mention that this is made possible only by some form of cover garment, whether this be a shirt, coat, jacket, or suit. If one does not appreciate or utilize this type of dress the shoulder holster will provide a difficult time in concealing.

Lastly, the shoulder holster can be unstable. By saying this I mean that without some kind of “tie down” the holster free floats and moves about the body making it improbable that the grip of the gun will be in the same place twice. One could see how this could hamper a speedy draw, especially if one is lying down or otherwise awkwardly positioned.

And How Does This Work For a Woman...

Let’s face it girls, we’ve got curves a man will never be blessed with and while this is a great thing, in the world of holsters it can be our curse.

The vertical shoulder holster was designed to hang long and down the side of a boxy shape. A shape, I’m afraid, most of
us women were not meant to have. Because a man is naturally more rectangle shaped than a woman, a long rectangle pressed against his side is not going to make much difference to his clothing style. However, because we women are more hour-glass shaped, the void between the swell of our chest and the swell of our hips will be filled with gun and will be noticed. A straighter body may pull off concealment wonderfully, but for some women, the shoulder holster may be difficult to conceal in anything but a very loose shirt, sweater or coat.

A horizontal shoulder holster is better for concealment on a woman, but again, our beautiful curves get in the way. As stated, horizontal shoulder holsters were made to be held higher to the armpit for a quick draw, and a man can do this easily with his square, flat chest. A woman, however may find herself reaching across her breasts and never getting a good, quick draw from her rig. Also, the swell of her chest can push the gun out making it awkward and uncomfortable, forcing her to wear the holster lower to her waist. This can cause problems as the lower the holster rides the more it becomes visible to the outside world through the open cover garment and it makes an awkward angle for the wrist when attempting a draw. A medium must be found and this may take some trial and error.

Yet, if this happy medium between chest and waist can be found and the size of the cover garment is right, the shoulder holster can be the woman’s best friend and most comfortable means of carry.

The shoulder holster is a pretty self explanatory means of carrying of which I will extol both the virtues and the failures.

Recommended Shoulder Holsters:

Galco

DeSantis

Fist