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Anybody shoulder holster carry their 1911?

11K views 28 replies 20 participants last post by  Johnny_Revolver 
#1 ·
Thinking I want to get a shoulder holster for my 1911, and remember the shoulder holster I used with my S&W 5905.

Is vertical or horizonal better? Belt secured? Brand?

Thanks in advance!
 
#3 ·
I've used a couple vertical holsters from Bianchi over the years. Not my favorite.

Thought it would be great for sitting in a tree stand but then you gun is inside your cloths with a sweaty guy up a tree all day.
 
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#5 ·
Lefty,

I sometimes use an Uncle Mike’s shoulder holster when hunting. It’s an inexpensive holster and doesn’t have the fit or balance of the higher quality ones.

It’s rigid nylon, horizontal with a snap, and has two belt straps secured by Velcro. The weapon goes on the left and the strong side has a mag holder.

I’m aware of its limitations and deal accordingly. The convenience, however, of using a shoulder holster has caused me to look into a higher quality model.

Would be happy to elaborate more at your discretion, sir.
 
#6 ·
I didn't notice this thread previously...

I used to carry a 6" Model 629 in an Uncle Mikes vertical shoulder holster. That was for any season but summer, where I could wear a heavy shirt of jacket to help conceal it.
At the time, it was carry a 22LR High Standard Sentinel, or the 629. I attached both ends to my belt to help control the weight.

Later on, I bought a Ruger P89 and Used another Uncle Mikes shoulder holster. It was horizontal carry and I found that I didn't like it. For one thing, it was a little more finicky to get the gun into it properly. The snap was not really all that easy to snap to secure thte gun. I also didn't like the idea of sweeping the muzzle of a loaded gun on anybody behind me - it just didn't feel right.

Now I use a OWB or a IWB holster for whatever I'm carrying. Even for a 5" 1911. I find it more comfortable for me.

To be fair, Uncle Mike's shoulder holsters are OK & functional, but they ain't much. Perhaps a better shoulder holster in a different brand would be fine.
 
#7 ·
Well, I carried in shoulder rigs on the job for years. One job included executive protection which meant moving dignitaries from place to place, same as Secret Service and worked with them on many missions when a pres or vp would move through our area in the US or wherever. The biggest risk is during movement, was getting the gun out while in a car was a big issue. I do not ever recall it being an issue for me, because close to 100% of the time, I had a long gun. We were authorized sub-machine guns, short shotguns and car 15s. So, it was as much for comfort as anything else. In those years I carried both revolvers and a 1911. Now when walking away from the car it was a great method of carry.

I have 3 of the Miami Classic, made famous by Don Johnson in the series Miami Vice. My early ones were actually labelled Jackass Leather Company. The later ones, say Galco. I have them for the 1911, J frame, K frame and N frame, the holster just changes with the gun with the rest of the rig staying as is. The revolvers have small bullet pouches that holds 6 rounds of ammo each, the semi rig has a pouch that holds 2, 1911 mags. On the off or left side, mine also had a handcuff case. So the weight of the ammo and cuffs would help offset the weight of the gun on the other side. They are pricey and originals like mine are collectors items and even more pricey. I have instructed my wife to dress me in one with a handgun for burial. Not sure if they will do that. There are copies out there and the technology is pretty simple so an aftermarket should work fine. One caution, the ones made out of nylon suck, they are flimsy and do not stay in place like leather. The rough side of the leather will be against your shirt and keep it pretty much in place. We often had to run from place to place as soon as the car driving the protectee slows and you do not want any more bounce than necessary.

I also sometimes used an upside down holster for a J frame. It was elastic and held the gun well. I also used it for years for CCW. It is a very fast way to get a gun out, sitting standing, kneeling or perhaps sitting on the pot. Went to potty once on a camping trip and a snake got to close while I was in that award position. You did ask if people had experience. Not aware of anybody that makes one now.

Third, I use a Safariland holster for big bore carry. The one I have is made for a 6 inch model 29 SW 44. It carries my 4 inch well and it carries high capacity 9mms well and carries a 1911 well. It is a vertical holster with a cross snap and you cannot lose a gun while on a horse or 4 wheeler.

I seldom carry open except while in the boonies or hunting but just do not see much reason to ever let the public know I am carrying. If somebody needs to know, the big flash and noise should be their first clue. But then I am old and slow and just do not want to be in a fair fight, way too much risk. FWIW

1. Jackass, now Galco. 2. ammo pouch and cuff attachment. 3. Safariland with SW Govenor. 4. J frame holster with Model 60 in it and other is the model 637 with crimson trace.
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#10 ·
when I was younger and more flexible I liked carrying my larger pistols & revolvers in a shoulder holster when hunting. not for concealment but I didn't feel the weight of the gun as much as when in a belt holster and kept the gun out of the swamp water.(unless I stepped into a gator hole :rolleyes: ) now I favor carrying in a chest or bandolero rig. much more comfortable and much easier to reach.
166425
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I also started making my own holsters. a bit crude but comfortable.
166428
 
#13 ·
when I was younger and more flexible I liked carrying my larger pistols & revolvers in a shoulder holster when hunting. not for concealment but I didn't feel the weight of the gun as much as when in a belt holster and kept the gun out of the swamp water.(unless I stepped into a gator hole :rolleyes: ) now I favor carrying in a chest or bandolero rig. much more comfortable and much easier to reach. View attachment 166425 View attachment 166426 View attachment 166427 I also started making my own holsters. a bit crude but comfortable. View attachment 166428
Would that be a 6 inch 19 or 66? Like the way that fits.
 
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#17 ·
It doesn't matter how you've hung it if you're running barbwire. You're squatting one minute, practically laying on the ground the next, hunched over practically upside down to try to pound a staple in, chasing away curious cows, climbing into and out of the tractor, hiking for miles up hill and down hill through the woods, etc.

I switched to a clap holster cross draw rig and have used a variant of that with every farm gun since.
 
#20 ·
I just saw this thread...I do not carry in a shoulder holster now. But when I was working at the Sheriff's Dept doing court work I carried a 4" Model 19 in a Bianchi vertical and Safariland speedloaders -2 that fit around the belt and stayed on top of the belt, the stayed hidden quite well with a suit jacket. I still have the holster and loaders. I carried a Colt LW Commander in a horizontal that also had two magazine holsters on the weak side...I still have it somewhere and IIRC it too was made by Bianchi..the last shoulder holster I carried was probably the one that was the most comfortable one to me. It was an Upsidedown shoulder holster, it too was a Bianchi and it had a strong elastic fabric that kept the revolver secure. I carried it off duty and as general cold weather wear. I was using a 3" S&W M-65 at the time and it IMHO was the most comfortable one I owned. I sold that to a friend of mine who was doing repo work at the time and he loved it as it would conceal easily, was secure and quick into action.
 
#22 ·
Never tried a shoulder holster, but saw a double in use that turned me away from them. Went into a new gun store which had an indoor range in the process of being built, to get info on it. The owner was carrying 2 1911s in a dual shoulder rig. The way they swayed back & forth every time he moved, discouraged me from even trying one. I don't like a belt holster that moves, sways as I walk either. I've experienced that in my early days of carrying, when I used a belt not meant for carry. Not knowing much about shoulder rigs, maybe they make them that are better suited than what he had.
 
#26 ·
There is absolutely no downside the old military shoulder rigs. If you ride bikes or 4 x 4s that one rides about as good as any.
Never tried a shoulder holster, but saw a double in use that turned me away from them. Went into a new gun store which had an indoor range in the process of being built, to get info on it. The owner was carrying 2 1911s in a dual shoulder rig. The way they swayed back & forth every time he moved, discouraged me from even trying one. I don't like a belt holster that moves, sways as I walk either. I've experienced that in my early days of carrying, when I used a belt not meant for carry. Not knowing much about shoulder rigs, maybe they make them that are better suited than what he had.
They are great for riding in a car or truck. If you are talking about the vertical holster, they are banned at my range and all around here. As a practical matter is your gun is pointing directly at the guy behind you in line, there is always the risk of a criminal issue. Depends on the state but flashing, pointing, brandishing and such are open to some discretion by a local prosecutor. I sure would not carry vertical in many states. Personally, I will not stand in line behind some guy who is vertically carried a 1911 and I do not carry that way, but I did for years when doing executive protection, but the gun was always covered by a jacket or coat, so they were not looking down the barrel of a gun. My wife does not like a cocked and locked 45 in a shoulder rig pointing at her face either. Just a thought.

Does anyone know of any state that has a restriction on vertical carry?
 
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#29 ·
I think I could only shoulder holster a 45 if, I was a hip cat with a very closely cropped hair cut, a bachelor pad with a quirky way of opening the front door from a distance and finally a road course style muscle car, ( I'd have had a 5 liter trans am style car instead of some confused 390 nose heavy bucket of bolts but that's juss me ) parked out front.
 
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