Robert S. has been a taxi driver in Kannapolis, North Carolina for nearly three decades and knows the dangers of his job.
According to Robert, “This ain’t my first rodeo that someone has tried to rob me and shots being fired, my mistake was I didn’t have my bulletproof vest on.”
Robert was at work early one morning when two men wearing ski masks demanded money from him and a co-worker. Robert stated, “I reached into my shoulder holster and I discharged one round and got him and the other one discharged a couple rounds and shot through my arm and shattered my bone.”
Even after being shot twice, Robert was expected to make a full recovery. There is no question Robert is lucky to have worn his gun that day and who knows how things would have ended had Robert not fought back.
Shoulder holsters have been around for hundreds of years and were popular among gamblers in the Wild West to military pilots who operated in confined spaces. The reality is, if you spend a lot of time driving or in the sitting position, then a shoulder holster may be a good option for carrying a firearm. To help you decide, here are a few pros and cons to carrying a firearm using a shoulder holster.
Pros.
– While you are seat-belted in a car, a shoulder holster offers fast access to your gun. Getting to a holster on your belt can be difficult when you’re sitting in a car, but it is much easier to get to a shoulder rig.
Clearly, this is why the majority of the shoulder holster wearing population is made up of pilots, drivers who spend a lot of time behind the wheel, and bodyguard/security personnel. This same feature could benefit those who work at a desk all day long.
– A shoulder holster provides better weight-bearing ability required by a heavier gun. The weight of your gun and spare ammo will be taken off your belt or back and distributed evenly across your shoulders, negating the need for a belt entirely.
If you have back problems, you might prefer the shoulder rig for this reason.
– With shoulder holsters, you will be able to get your hand on your weapon in an inconspicuous manner. When you spot approaching trouble, it’s easy to just cross your arms in front and get a firing grip on your weapon without alarming anyone or giving yourself away.
Cons.
– You always need to wear an outer garment such as a sports coat at all times. A belt holster will require that as well, but with a belt holster it is easier to conceal and you have a wider range of clothing concealing options such as wearing larger shirts.
– Reaching back under the arm can be a more difficult maneuver to train for and execute properly. That is why a shoulder rig offers a slower draw, although this con is somewhat mitigated by the ability to access and grip your gun in a covert manner.
– The common safety concern with shoulder holsters is that you’re inherently sweeping bystanders to get on target.
Now, there haven’t been a huge number of people being killed because of shoulder holsters, but it’s a highly specialized holster with specific training requirements needed to master before being used.
Considering the pros and cons of a shoulder holster if you spend a lot of time sitting, then it’s something you may want to try out. If that’s the case, here are a few holsters I would look into.
Gould & Goodrich Gold Line. This shoulder holster is made in the USA using top grain vegetable tanned leather. It is a horizontal style holster with fully adjustable straps for comfort and a back swivel to help straps lay flat for good concealment. Plus, it has a double ammunition carrier and is made with black non-glare hardware.
This holster sells for around $150.
Galco Miami Classic II. The Miami Classic II is one of the most popular underarm units available, thanks to its reputation amongst competition shooters. This shoulder system includes holster, harness, ammo carrier and a set of system screws.
The unique design allows for four points independent pivoting combined with a trademarked back plate. The Miami Classic II sells for about $200.
Uncle Mike’s Black Kodra. The biggest difference between the Uncle Mike’s shoulder holster and other models is the price. At between $25 and $65 on average, it’s more than an affordable way to comfortably carry your firearm in a concealed and secure manner.
The holster has wide two and a half inch straps that provide superior comfort. For those spending hours wearing a holster these straps can keep the weapon feeling secure yet lightweight all day long. It’s ideal for larger revolvers and larger weapons that can be bulky and cumbersome to carry.
The shoulder holster is not the most suitable carry method for many gun owners, however it does offer advantages to the user who spends a lot of time sitting at a desk or driving.
Just like any new holster you purchase, make sure you train to safely draw your firearm before you actually wear your new holster with a loaded gun in it.
