Been experimenting with a shoulder holster

Mike1951 · Post by **Mike1951** » Thu Jan 25, 2007 3:04 am

No, it won't replace my IWB.

Back in the '70's, I had a nice Rogers rig for a Colt Lawman snub and also a lightweight suede holster that I used for a Mauser HSc. I never had any problems with them.

I wanted to experiment with carrying two identical guns. I realized that I had (2) K-40 Kahrs, (2) Hi-Powers, and an assortment of 1911's, so I bought one of the inexpensive UTG holsters that also comes with the second holster in addition to the mag pouch. (Yes, I've read the sound advice about avoiding the cheap shoulder holsters and followed it till now.)

For the last week, I've been wearing two .40 S&W Hi-Powers. The balance of a two gun rig isn't bad, but I am noticing some upper back discomfort at the end of the day.

After I wear the Hi-powers a while longer, I plan on carrying the two K-40's, which will be a lot lighter.

The cheap rig will allow me to determine if the carry is practical before deciding whether to spend money on a premium shoulder holster.

Why bother? There are situations where my too-wide posterior won't allow me to wear a belt holster. Up to now, I've been carrying in my pocket in those circumstances, i.e. theater seats and my buddy's Freightliner seats.

GlockenHammer · Post by **GlockenHammer** » Thu Jan 25, 2007 9:55 am

Do your holsters have the muzzle pointing down or rearward?
What are you wearing for a cover garment?

Thanks for posting your experiences.

Mike1951 · Post by **Mike1951** » Thu Jan 25, 2007 2:44 pm

Glockenhammer wrote:Do your holsters have the muzzle pointing down or rearward?
What are you wearing for a cover garment?

Horizontal carry, so rearward.
It's been cool enough for me to wear a jean jacket. As it warms up, I'll try it with something lighter and see if anything shows.

george wrote:That tee shirt sold by Kramer works really well, if the pistol isn't too large.

Or if the wearer isn't. They don't offer it in 4X.

The Monarch rig looks very good, and the only one I've seen with a lower backstrap to prevent swing.

The first day I wore my rig, I had the holsters low and they did swing. The next day, I readjusted and pulled them up closer to my armpit. That is working much better and no swing.

This UTG rig has simple velcro straps for tie downs. I learned that attaching them around toward my back also helps.

flintknapper · Post by **flintknapper** » Thu Jan 25, 2007 6:51 pm

Mike1951 wrote:
Glockenhammer wrote:Do your holsters have the muzzle pointing down or rearward?
What are you wearing for a cover garment?
Horizontal carry, so rearward.
It's been cool enough for me to wear a jean jacket. As it warms up, I'll try it with something lighter and see if anything shows.

george wrote:That tee shirt sold by Kramer works really well, if the pistol isn't too large.
Or if the wearer isn't. They don't offer it in 4X.

The Monarch rig looks very good, and the only one I've seen with a lower backstrap to prevent swing.

The first day I wore my rig, I had the holsters low and they did swing. The next day, I readjusted and pulled them up closer to my armpit. That is working much better and no swing.
This UTG rig has simple velcro straps for tie downs. I learned that attaching them around toward my back also helps.

Yup,

Proper adjustment is the answer to most objections/issues concerning concealment, accessibility.. and comfort with shoulder rigs.

Mike1951 · Post by **Mike1951** » Thu Jan 25, 2007 10:17 pm

I could have gone on to say how impressed I was with the accessories available for the Monarch. Not all are practical (at least to me) but there's enough stuff there to make Bruce Willis drool.

One that I would definitely get is the knife sheath built into the mag pouch.

The ten magazine mag holder might be a little much, as would the carrier for six full moon clips, but the triple mag holder would go a long way towards balancing a 1911.

The combining of a dual mag holder with a holster for a BUG is positively inspired.

Cosmo 9 · Post by **Cosmo 9** » Fri Jan 26, 2007 8:48 am

Since this is becoming a "shoulder rig" thread, I recieved the Monarch for Christmas and have been working on the adjustment. Should I try to carry as close to the arm pit as possible??

casselthief · Post by **casselthief** » Fri Jan 26, 2007 3:28 pm

where's a good place to look at shoulder holsters, website-wise?
I've been thinking aboot a Sonny Crocket rig, and my ol' lady wants one for her pistola (when/if she gets her CHL) that would ride right about liver level.
would a shoulder holster be good for riding around the liver, or would you'ens recommend a belly band for that?

Cosmo 9 · Post by **Cosmo 9** » Fri Jan 26, 2007 6:14 pm

galco

Andrews leather

flintknapper · Post by **flintknapper** » Fri Jan 26, 2007 6:46 pm

Mike1951 wrote:I could have gone on to say how impressed I was with the accessories available for the Monarch. Not all are practical (at least to me) but there's enough stuff there to make Bruce Willis drool.

One that I would definitely get is the knife sheath built into the mag pouch.

The ten magazine mag holder might be a little much, as would the carrier for six full moon clips, but the triple mag holder would go a long way towards balancing a 1911.

The combining of a dual mag holder with a holster for a BUG is positively inspired.

Monarch does offer a lot of accessories/variants.

Galco also has quite a few offerings, just a small sampling: http://www.usgalco.com/HolsterC2.asp