H&K USPC 9mm w/Galco Rig

[doc540]

Miami Classic

very comfortable, no printing, extremely well made

[TLynnHughes]

I've always wondered...so I'll just ask: How is that rig when you actually draw from it? As clutzy as I can be, I have envisioned being entangled in the whole affair and still not being able to get my gun out (think Lucille Ball).

So...since I'm still learning about these things, I thought I'd ask someone who uses one.

T.

[flynbenny]

Beautiful rig doc540, they are so comfortable, standing, in the car, I sometimes wish I was back in Colorado where I could wear a jacket all year. I carry in a Miami Classic a lot.

I've always wondered...so I'll just ask: How is that rig when you actually draw from it? As clutzy as I can be, I have envisioned being entangled in the whole affair and still not being able to get my gun out (think Lucille Ball).

So...since I'm still learning about these things, I thought I'd ask someone who uses one.

T.

This is the way I was taught to use a shoulder rig and it isn't all that different from your normal '4 step' draw.

1. Weak arm goes up to just below shoulder height, and presses the strap suspending the holster against the body, while your strong hand obtains a combat grip and releases the thumb break.
2. Draw the weapon, and immediately pivot it to face the target. It can now be fired if necessary, and for the remainder of the draw.
3. Move weapon up and forward to firing position (out of a sort of high 'low ready') while your weak arm releases the strap and now can move to obtain your two handed grip.
4. Your weak hand is now on the weapon and you are the fully extended 'position 4'.

This sequence has a few advantages. #1, it keeps you from sweeping you weak arm with the weapon. #2, anchoring the holster keeps the fumbling out of the equation. #3, it also anchors the cover garment and prevents it from hanging up on the weapon as you draw. Sounds a little complicated, but if you practice it will become second nature. My instructor can draw and double tap in less than two seconds with this setup. I'm not that fast yet, takes me 2 seconds to do it. When I reholster on the range, I always pivot my body 'around' the gun so that I can reholster with the muzzle pointing at the backstop. Don't forget that everything on your weak side is being swept when you draw. There aren't many ranges that allow you to practice with a shoulder rig, and no competitions I know of allow it either. It also helps a ton to get an instructor, they'll save you a lot time from unlearning unsafe/bad habits.

It also helps to buy a quality holster. My money's on the Galco. Period.

Now if you will excuse me I need to go watch my Miami Vice dvd set

[CompVest]

I've always wondered...so I'll just ask: How is that rig when you actually draw from it? As clutzy as I can be, I have envisioned being entangled in the whole affair and still not being able to get my gun out (think Lucille Ball).

So...since I'm still learning about these things, I thought I'd ask someone who uses one.

T.

I have one you can try. Your H&K will mostlikely fit well enough for you get an idea of whether you like a shoulder rig or not.

[casingpoint]

If people with horizontal shoulder rigs are so comfortable they won't accidentally discharge into the people behind, why do they suddenly cool at the prospect of a holster that holds the gun upside down, pointed at their armpit? I'm just saying...

[doc540]

If people with horizontal shoulder rigs are so comfortable they won't accidentally discharge into the people behind, why do they suddenly cool at the prospect of a holster that holds the gun upside down, pointed at their armpit? I'm just saying...

or people like me who carry...

[casingpoint]

or people like me who carry...

You guys who appendix carry are crazy.

[AEA]

Nice jacket Doc!

I have the same one in brown and black!

[The Annoyed Man]

or people like me who carry...

You guys who appendix carry are crazy.

Having seen a number of folks with through and through holes and powder burns... I agree.

One thing I'm curious about on the shoulder holster rigs... Can you buy one rig, and then buy different holsters/mag holders for it to fit different guns?

[killerfly128]

One thing I'm curious about on the shoulder holster rigs... Can you buy one rig, and then buy different holsters/mag holders for it to fit different guns?

You sure can ... there are screws that attach the holster to the rig. only takes about a minute to change out.

[Sidro]

You can even buy right and left holsters and double carry.

[flynbenny]

Gonna have to practice my double Glock draw

[The Annoyed Man]

One other question...

Assuming an undershirt, would it conceal well under something like an business shirt with a collar, either tucked or untucked?

I'm asking so many questions because this is really piquing my interest. Because of my chronic back condition, even my most comfortable holsters cause me some additional pain after wearing them for several hours. Usually, it is a bearable pain, but on those days where I just can't stand it, I use my "tacti-purse" (a Maxpedition Fatboy-S bag) instead; but it bothers me that it could conceivably be snatched or something like that. If a shoulder holster could be worn in more ways than under a jacket (I'm thinking of summer weather), it might be a better solution than the bag for those days when a belt holster, whether IWB or OWB, just isn't working for me.

[flynbenny]

I know a few people who do wear them with a tucked or untucked shirt. The gool old 'island' shirts work well because they look right untucked, but I've found the business shirts need to be patterned and even a darker color to break up the outline of the holster better. Now drawing is the problem, you can strategically leave a couple buttons undone, but it just looks slovenly. I have a few shirts I modified by replacing the buttons in the middle of the shirt with velcro, and then sewing the button onto the top flap of the shirt so it still looked normal.

[PeteCamp]

Thanks for the pics and info. I have been looking at the Galco for quite a while. Great looking rig. Looks like I'll have to pony up and order one.

But for now, back to Miami Vice for me also.